sonofason:
I appreciate your compassion.
You wrote:
"The fact that people commit acts deserving of death is a reality we all have to face. But like Christ, we should of course forgive the sins of others. People might deserve death, but we don't have to give everyone what they deserve. We don't have to give anyone what they deserve, and reserve those judgments for God. In Christ, no saved person gets what he actually deserves."
That is certainly true. I've committed grevious sins of morality which I now regret.
The hardest to forgive is
myself.
I suffered terribly in my life as a police officer for I believed in what I was doing.
I came out of that hell (good word, lets keep it) with p.t.s.d., depression and alcoholisim. Then there were the physical injuries that plague me to this day.
I'm not trolling for sympathy either, it's simply the way it is.
Years ago I went to a pain management psychologist at the request of worker comp.
It was those people that spotted the p.t.s.d and depression and I began therapy which has been most helpful. Therapy demands introspection and that can be difficult and painful is one is honest; when one realizes lifestyle errors. (call it sins) Like Dr. Phil says " one can't fix what one does not acknowlege ".
Many must face their own demons.
I morphed into Christianity and am most greatful for that.
I know that I helped many people in my career. I found corruption in the department and went to the F.B.I. with the information I gathered resulting in some of those I called "friend" being Federally indicted. That was very hard on me tho I know it was the right thing to do.
I certainly haven't been given what I deserve, I doubt any human does.
I thank God for His mercy and the extreme sacrifice Jesus made for all who would just believe.
Isn't that really a miracle of grace?
On an off topic side note: I need no sympathy from anyone; understanding would be nice tho.
After I took a paultry disability pension in 1994 and endured nine months, 5 days a week, of physical therapy learning to walk right again I realized that I had no work.
There is dignity in work. I learned I could get help from the State for education.
Since I had just turned 49 I decided to start college.
What?!
Yeah and I loved every minute. I got my degree in engineering then went to a strict Christian Univeristy for my bachelors in human resrources. It was there that I was given an N.I.V. Study Bible and was required to actually
read the thing then write essays on the subject material. I got exposed to God, Jesus, the miracles that can happen to people that pray for help and guidance. I deserve nothing good yet I'm alive and walking and learning more about God, Jesus and PEOPLE. Blessed people.
Perhaps that was a micacle in itself.
I was 53 when G.M. hired me as a supervisor. Wow. That lasted 8 years until injuries progressed into spinal arthritis from which I suffer all day every day.
So what? I can walk, tho I'm 68 I have a most wonderful 15 year old son who is the light of my life. (how'd
that happen?
)
Last week I got engaged to a most wonderful Christian woman who cares for her 40 year old shcizophrenic daughter. I have come to love her also. She can be a challenge but is God's child also.
In 1994 I got after a bad person I had a warrant for. The arrest turned into a situation much like the terrible Furgson mess. The suspect tried to take my pistol but it was secure in a retention holster. He was literally beating me to death.
For a fleeting moment I thought I should shoot him, tho he was unarmed he was much, much, bigger than I and 20 years younger and black man in the "hood".
I'm white.
I didn't kill him. Wonder does anyone really understand how blessed I am for not making the wrong decision? I would have been justified by a grand jury due to my injuries and the desparity of force(his size and brutality).
I doubt I could have justified myself.
Lest anyone think me a woosy let me just say I turned the fight around and beat HIS arse into submission.
I'm rambling, a sure sign of old age.