August 8th, 2014

The one thing that I love about running is that I get “Ryan Time,” and during “Ryan Time” I listen to music. The songs and artists that I mainly listen to are christian artists. Well tonight I heard a new song called Forgiveness by Matthew West. Now as far as forgiveness goes…I’m not very good at it. Why? Because it’s really hard. The verses had some lines that just stuck out to me; “it’s the hardest thing to give away, it’s the last thing on our mind today, it always goes to those that don’t deserve it.” There is even a line in there that talks about forgiveness and how it is angers own worst enemy.  Anybody and everybody should love whatever it is that is angers own worst enemy. Then we get to the chorus; “show me how to love the unlovable, show me how to reach the unreachable, help me now to do the impossible.” Just reading these lines you realize just how true that is, it will be ONLY by God and ONLY with God’s help that you can achieve this “impossible” task. Forgiveness is strong and forgiveness will truly set you free from whatever may be holding you back. Don’t hold grudges against anybody…forgive that person today!

July 17th, 2015

Matthew 18:21-22  Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?  Seven times?”  “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”  Yesterday I got to spend time with someone whom I love very much, and we sat and talked about a certain issue, a forgiveness issue.  Forgiveness is hard to do, and I struggle with it, but it is something that we have to learn and show if we can truly call ourselves children of God.

Ephesians 4:32  Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Matthew 6:14-15  “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

You can’t just pick and choose who you want to be nice to, who you want to forgive and give that second chance too.  God wants us to show the love of Christ each and everyday to everyone we come into contact with.  I dare you to reach out to someone who has wronged you, someone you have pushed out of your mind, and approach that person with an open mind and open heart.  Let God flow through you and He will give you the courage and the strength you need.