Another story is told of a priest who had a very unusual experience in a confession. A man confessed that he had been stealing lumber and supplies from the supply company where he worked.
He confessed, “I’ve built a home for myself and two more for my family including a lake house.”
The priest said, “This is quite serious and I must think of an appropriate means of penance and a path to restoration. You must remove yourself from the routine of life for a season. Have you ever done a retreat?”
The man shot back, “No, Sir, but if you can get the blueprints, I can get the lumber.”
This shows that confession in itself doesn’t change the soul. Repentence is also a part of the formula. If the goal is to be free of the guilt, we also must be free of the sin.
Tags: confession, humor
The story is told of a 12-year old boy who accidentally killed one of his family’s geese by throwing a stone. Figuring his parents wouldn’t notice that one of the 24 birds was missing, he buried it.
But his sister called him aside and said, “I saw what you did. If you don’t offer to do the dishes tonight, I’ll tell Mother.” The frightened boy felt bound to do the dishes. Later, he surprised his sister by telling her it was her turn.
When she quietly reminded him of what she could do, he replied, “I’ve already told Mother, and she has forgiven me. Now you do the dishes. I’m free again!”
Confessing our Sin to God has the ability to set us free again. Neither Satan nor any person can hold us in bondage when we’ve been released from our debt by God. Let the devil do his own dishes!
Tags: blackmail, confession, forgiveness
In 1884 Grover Cleveland ran against James G. Blaine for the presidency of the U.S. Blaine supporters discovered that Cleveland, who was a bachelor at the time, had fathered a son by Mrs. Maria Crofts Halpin, an attractive widow who had been on friendly terms with several politicians.
Subsequently, Republicans tried to pin an immorality tag on Democrat Cleveland by distributing handbills showing an infant labeled “One more vote for Cleveland” and by having paraders chant, “Ma, Ma, where’s my pa? Gone to the White House, Ha Ha Ha!” The move, however, backfired badly. Rather than deny the story, Cleveland decided to tell the truth and admit the intimacy. This candor helped defuse the issue, and Cleveland was elected president.
When we come clean on an issue, it tends to make people (as well as God) trust us. Confession is good for the soul and politics.
Tags: confession, history, politics
Joe sat at his dying wife’s bedside. Her voice was little more than a whisper. “Joe, darling,” she breathed, “I’ve got a confession to make before I go. I’m the one who took the ten thousand dollars from your safe and spent it on a fling with your best friend, Charles. And it was I who forced your mistress to leave the city. And I am the one who reported your income tax evasion to the government.”
“That’s all right, don’t give it a second thought,” answered Joe, “I’m the one who poisoned you.”
Unforgiveness never gives up. It is destructive and is persistent. And it leads to death. As Mark Gungor advises, sometimes we’ve got to hit the ‘Reset’ button and start over.
Tags: Add new tag, confession, forgiveness, humor
Yesterday Anita and I drove over to South Milford to attend the funeral of Randy Sutton’s father, Amos. It was held at a small Baptist church in the country and was a cultural shift for us. This Baptist church had a strong Kentucky hills flavor in everything they did, and they were clearly sincere believers.
I told Anita that I really enjoyed this funeral. My Dad died just less than a month ago and I was under pressure to make everything happen just so at his funeral. I wasn’t able to sit with my family or just receive ministry and grieve. So I did that yesterday. The pastor spoke with firm conviction about our reward in heaven. And one of the ladies sang a song about being with Jesus in heaven that touched my heart. I went to encourage Randy and Jewell and the whole experience encouraged me.
James advises us to “Pray for one another that you may be healed.” When was the last time you did something for someone else and you were the real recipient?
Tags: funeral, sowing
One of my heroes of the faith is St. Patrick. There are many true stories about him and there are many legends. One story is told about the baptism of King Aengus by St. Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. Sometime during the rite, St. Patrick leaned on his sharp-pointed staff and inadvertently stabbed the king’s foot. After the baptism was over, St. Patrick looked down at all the blood, realized what he had done, and begged the king’s forgiveness. Why did you suffer this pain in silence, the Saint wanted to know. The king replied, “I thought it was part of the ritual.”
Whether this story is true or merely legend, it illustrates the truth that sometimes we have to put up with pain as the Lord develops and purifies us. Hang onto your faith and never, never, never give up.
Tags: pain, patience, St. Patrick
Rose Jones passed away quietly yesterday evening. She was nearly 99 years old and maintained a bold Christian witness up to the end. Rose shared with me that she hasn’t always walked with the Lord, but had a conversion experience that motivated her to love God. She was a tireless messenger of God’s love. She also loved to sing and could carry a tune even in her old age. She is with Jesus and we’ll miss her encouragement. Sharon Servis, as most of us know, is her daughter.
What will you remember about Rose Jones?