If you're looking for a Christmas service today - Church of the Beach Cities
Merry Christmas everyone! Have a blessed day...

Forgiveness was the theme of today - Seven Pounds, church, friends...

By Joy A. Kennelly

Today was such a nice day spent with friends I haven't seen in a long time and those I see on a weekly basis which was so pleasant. In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season it's easy to get caught up in all the parties, shopping, eating, playing, lights, and forget the true meaning of Christmas - Christ's birth and spending quality time with family and friends.

I was trying to make my 9am service and was so late I decided to stay for the 11am instead. It was a good decision because then I wasn't rushed during the break and was able to spend time with friends. I popped by another friend's home to deliver a Christmas card and surprisingly enough they were home!

That was fun too because I don't get to see them as often as I used to which made me happy. Then popped back to church for the service and it was a continuation of the forgiveness theme entitled, "Forgetting."

I really liked this sermon because Pastor Jimmy spoke and really explained what Jesus thinks about our sin once we ask for forgiveness using King David as an example. Now you may be wondering how King David applies to the Christmas story, but read on and you'll see.

Now you've probably heard the story of David and Bathsheba right? Well, if you haven't, it goes like this - at least this is my interpretation - correct me if I'm wrong. King David saw Bathsheba bathing and decided he wanted her. He called her to his room, lay with her and she became pregnant.

Now David felt guilty and thought, let's cover this up. So he called for Uriah to come home from the war thinking Uriah would lay with Bathsheba and would never know the difference. However, Uriah was an honorable man and chose not to do so out of respect for his men who were still fighting.

David then decided to have him killed and when he went back to battle had him stay at the front while everyone retreated. The enemy killed Uriah and David's secret was kept. Now what I found fascinating about the rest of the story is that the baby that was born from this illicit affair ended up dying.

What I never knew is that the next child that they conceived together was Solomon, one of the wisest men in the Old Testament, and Jesus came from that lineage. Isn't that amazing? Well, it is to me. What I always find fascinating is that even when we mess up God always can use our lives for something positive if we let Him. Here's the verse (I'm moving it up from the sermon, but it fits here:)

Matthew 1:6:

   6Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah.

Here's the sermon notes now that you know the back story.:)

Forgetting

Matthew 1:21-22:
21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

2 Corinthians 7:10:

    10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

What Pastor Jimmy said about these verses is that Jesus came to save us from our sins and we need to let go of the shame and guilt. I think that's hard to do, don't you? Letting go that is. That's why Pastor Jimmy shared this with us.

HOW TO MOVE FORWARD

1. Accept what cannot be changed.

2 Samuel 12:22-23:
22He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' 23But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me."

I never knew this child was his illegitimate son and when it was explained it made total sense. I kind of chuckled inside when I heard number 1 because that's part of the 12-step prayer - "God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, (the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.)"

What I also liked about this sermon was the forward thinking. At a certain point after what has happened you need to just say, that was stupid, or that hurt, or whatever, and then make a decision to move forward rather than continue to wallow in it. You become so much freer when you can accept God's forgiveness of whatever is holding you back and release it.

One of the things we may not do is forgive ourselves too. I realized that was the case with certain life situations I've been in and now that I'm aware of it I plan to work on it more.

I went to see Seven Pounds this afternoon too and man, what a prime example of the need to forgive yourself. I won't spoil the film for you, but Will Smith is definitely a man with forgiveness issues!

I kind of had a sneaking suspicion that was what it was about, but it played out very differently than I expected which I always like. Unlike Gran Torino which I think I totally know everything about now that I've seen their preview, I liked that you don't really know where Seven Pounds is going until near the end.

I was determined not to cry, but have to admit when Rosario Dawson is crying I just had to join in with her. She is really good in this film and I could relate to her character in certain respects. The thing that kept echoing through my mind was the film critic's review from CNN last night which is why I didn't fully allow myself to feel the film until the very end, but I think it is very interesting, if not a little far-fetched.

Now where was I about forgiveness? Oh yeah, accept what's happened and stop beating yourself up ok?

One way to do that is:

2. Give it up to God.

2 Samuel 12:20:
20Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.

I liked hearing that David accepted what had had happened to his child and chose to move forward trusting God. I remember when a former friend stole all my belongings after I had entrusted them to her I couldn't stop sobbing all day long over the betrayal and loss.

I also couldn't stop singing a song through my tears I had learned at my church which is so weird, but I had nowhere to turn at that moment except God and trusted that there was a reason for my having to experience that. That was probably one of the most surreal days of my life.

For many years after I would reach for something only to realize she had it and I would never see it again. I'm not materialistic, yet certain things held such memories for me and it was like losing part of my past. I've since forgiven her and moved on from that experience.

I don't know why I remembered that now, but thought I'd share because trust me, I've been right there with you in wondering if you'd ever get over a situation or loss or betrayal, but I always do. I hope you will too.

What I loved hearing Jimmy say about this next verse is that generally it's when times are the darkest that we see God isn't it?

Isaiah 6:1:

    1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Lastly, as an encouragement to whatever you're going through right now, remember to:

3. Focus on what is left, not lost.

2 Samuel 12:24:

   24Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the LORD loved him.

Isaiah 43:18-19:

      18"Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past.  19"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. 

Matthew 1:21-22:

   21"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." 22Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

When we blow it, our lives aren't over. God is a forgiving, caring God. Let Him care for you like He has so often to me. Like today.

I was totally planning to go Downtown to help, but my car was making a really weird noise and I thought better of it. I ended up going to meet up with my friend Mobolaji to see his new African Cowboy clothing line in person since I've been meaning to see him forever and it just hasn't worked out till now.

He has a really beautiful girlfriend and the shirts are one-of-a-kind. I love this statement about his line taken from his Linked In site: "African Cowboy is dedicated to creating a new cross-cultural dialogue about Africa that moves beyond conversations about AIDS, warfare, famine, and animals to seeing Africa as a cutting-edge contributor on the global stage - not only in the arena of culture and fashion, but also conscious business and commerce."

Now is that positive or what? I've always loved African fabric because it really is beautiful and so unique. However, I only have seen it in traditional African clothing which isn't really street ready, but now with Mo's clothing line, you can be fashionable and African centric in a subtle, sophisticated, hip, fun way. I love it! He is a really great guy and I encourage you to support his new clothing line - great Christmas gifts!

I had time and decided to hit the movie before my friend's Christmas gathering which was a nice way to slow down too. This movie is really measured and takes time for the story to be revealed. 2.5 hours long I believe!

The Christmas gathering was fun and it was nice to meet everyone's spouses and kids. I was worried I'd feel uncomfortable being one of the few singles there, but it was very nice. I have some really great people in my life this year. I'm very happy and grateful.

Watch out 2009. This is going to be a great year, I can sense it already. Okay, that's all for now. I need to upload some pix from all the parties and fun I've been having, but need my beauty sleep.:) My heater keeps going off at the oddest times which is waking me up.

Just something else to add to the list to have checked right? LOL Have a good one! Sleep well and have a great Christmas week - can you believe this year is almost over? I sure can't!

See ya!




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