Forgiveness

The other day I had a former youth group kid asked me to look up a few verses about self-forgiveness or being able to forgive yourself.

I thought about it and did some "googling" only to realize that the Bible never actually speaks to forgiving yourself. The Bible speaks too two levels of forgiveness: horizontal and vertical.

So here is a little bit of my message to the former youth group kid...

Forgiveness in the Bible is vertical (between you and God) and horizontal (between you and another person). No where in the Bible does it speak about internal forgiveness.I believe that is because if God has forgiven you then you are forgiven. Any, bad feelings or regret that you may feel is the work the Devil.

Consider this verse:
1 John 1:9 ESV.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

So, here the Bible says that if we confess what we have done wrong God is faithful to forgive. We don't need to pay anything or do anything other than confess our sin. Here is another verse for you.

Roman 8:1-4
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."

I know that verse is mouthful but let me break it down a little bit...
Basically, the Bible is saying here that if you have been saved (asked Christ to forgive you and are developing a relationship with Jesus), then you are saved. You are forgiven! The old way (killing animals to gain God's forgiveness) wasn't enough. What Jesus did for you and me was enough. God has forgiven you because of the work of Jesus. When we guilty or condemned that is Satan trying to hold us in our sin so we can move forward in Christ.

Final verse for you:
Psalm 103:8-12
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Here is something amazing about God. Have you ever noticed that if you were take your finger on a globe and start traveling North that eventually you will be traveling South? Once you get past the North pole you are traveling south. BUT if you try the same thing with going East you NEVER end up traveling West. That is how amazing God is about our sin East to West is not measurable. God, casts our sin away forever!

So if God is able to forgive us, who are we to say that Jesus' death wasn't good enough? That is what we are saying when we can't forgive ourselves. We say Jesus, your death may have been good enough for me to be forgiven in God's eyes but it is not good enough for me.

One last observation... The Cross is symbol of forgiveness. It travels east and west and north and south. Or it shows forgiveness going vertical (between you and God) and horizontal (between you and another person). But not inward!

Well, I hope that you find this blog helpful... If you have any thoughts or questions regarding what I have written please feel free to comment (even if you don't agree with my point of view).

Wow... It has been a while!!!

I was just thinking today "man, I haven't blogged in forever". So, here you go! Under the category of new things (& people) for me and my family...

1. OH BOY... Jackson Robert Arrived 8/23/11 about 8 hours after my birthday!!!!

(Jackson meeting Jack for the first time)

He is named after his great grandfather (Jack) and his grandfather (Robert).

2. A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of walking around the

WWII Memorial with my grandfather in law for the first time.
(pictures below)

The trip was paid for by a company that is attempting to get as many WWII vets to see the memorial as possible. I was amazed to listen to Jack tell stories of the war. Stories of his arrival, where the slept, and different challenges that every solider faced.

The most amazing part of the morning was to watch random strangers walk up to my grandfather, shake his hand and say thank you.

I realized that I need to do a better job of thanking the vets that I know.

Not just on memorial day, or other national holidays,
but everyday!!! They gave so much... I should say thank you more often! So Jack, Thank you!
Thank you for your life, service, sacrifice, and for this opportunity to honor you.

Sunrise or Sunset?

" Early in the morning I'd like to rise and spend a little time in quiet, creeping through the shutters falling on my wife, the sun is calling me to shine... Early in the morning, time still flies. Minutes, hours, lost as treasures. My tiny baby's breathing deeper every day, soon she'll leave her crib forever." (Early in the Morning by Andrew Osenga)

When I was a freshmen in Bible College a couple friends of mine and I got up early in the morning to watch the sunrise and we spent the rest of the cold upstate NY spring day, playing and not having a care in the world. We ended the day watching the sunset. Honestly, it was one the best days of my life. I will never forget it!

Well, this past Friday night and Saturday morning I was able to do it again expect it was backwards. First the sunset and the sunrise... This kinda got me thinking about a couple questions. Am I a sunrise or sunset kinda person? Not am I night owl or morning dove. That is easy... I am completely 100% a night owl.

What I mean is...

with a sunrise comes this kinda of expectancy or hope of God doing something great. Almost like you are looking forward to amazing things that God is going to do throughout the day. I kinda think sunrises are full of hope.

with a sunset comes an opportunity to see God's faithfulness, how and where He came through. I kinda think sunsets are full of faith or for reinsurance of our faith.

In the song that I quoted... The author ends the song with these beautiful words...

"so let us not take this granted, let us not waste the second hand.
But let your love rage like a lion and let your heart break like a lamb"

I know that I should be both full of Hope and Faith... God, please help me!

I hope you enjoy these photos. I took them of St. Mary's Lake on University of Notre Dame Campus...

I know it is just a Home run Derby...

Last night, I was watching to home run derby and more importantly as a life long Yankee fan I was watching Robinson Cano (NY Yankees second basemen). Let me give you a little background on how this derby works. There are 8 different batters 4 from each league (Nation and American league). As a batter you allowed to pick the person to throw pitches for you to hit.

photo taken from

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/07/12/sportsline/main20078666.shtml

I was extremely touched last night to watch Robinson Cano pick his father to throw "batting practice" and Mr. Cano was all business last night. He didn't even crack a smile last night during the competition. Once, Robinson won the home run derby (walkoff style) I teared up while watching Robinson jumping in his father's arms.

I was thinking about all the times that my dad coached my little league teams. I played little league baseball for close to 8 years and every season my dad was the coach. I remember trying to always impress my dad. I wasn't very good though! That never mattered to my dad, whether we won or lost it never seemed to matter very much. Actually, the only think that really mattered to him was if we tried our best and if the Umpire didn't stink. My dad got thrown out of his fair share of games... I remember one time he was talking to an umpire and kept offering the ump his glasses. Yeah, the argument didn't last long for my dad that day.

Last night I was also thinking how great it is going to be playing ball with my son!!! I just need to patient...

A True Leader and an Amazing Wife!

Last night I had the pleasure to watch the love of my life care for my 2 precious daughters plus carry my expected baby boy (8 months along) and she was the first woman to preach at Transforming Life Church.

I know that I am bias and I am suppose to gush over her and all she does... But please just indulge me for a minute.

Last night, I witnessed a woman who I have known for 10 years know deliver God's word with conviction, power, honestly and clarity. I watched her talk about our life, marriage, some of our failures (most of which were my fault) and our successes.

Rebecca's sermon was titled "Following GPS (God's Plan and Strategy) For Your Life". She didn't have 7 godly steps, or 5 faith points or anything like that. Instead Rebecca, made the sermon about life and how simple it really is to follow God.

It comes down to a choice either we follow God (with Faith and Patience) or we don't! When we don't well that is like running a red lights the first couple of times you maybe able to get through the intersection without something happening but eventually the law of averages will come into play and you're going to run over by a Mack truck.

Once we get hit by the truck will really show our character though: 1. We accept that we caused this accident or 2. we blame God, or the truck driver or anything but ourselves.

Far to often this is what we has human beings do. Nobody, likes to admit that they are to blame. However, if we can and then submit our lives to God again... (In words of my wife) God's GPS will say "Re-calculating!" You will find yourself on the right track again!

Well, thanks for allowing to gush about my AWESOME, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, PRECIOUS WIFE! I love you Sweetheart!

Bunk Beds for All

My wife and her sisters went on a two week vacation out west. They flew to Las Vagas and then proceed to Lake Tahoe, then further north to Seattle, from there they went south onto San Diego. They finished their trip off at the Grand Canon.

While that was happening I was home taking care of the house and dogs (the girls were in New York with my mom for one week and Rebecca's mom for the second week). So I thought of an idea that would be a good idea to build the girls' bunk beds.

While, I can say that I learned a couple of things

one: bunk bed building is not a one man job.
two: the girls love their beds.

three: my life is never going to be the same!!!!

At Home with 80,000 Strangers

“ I want to feel sunlight on my face, I see the dust cloud disappear without trace. I want to take shelter from the poison rain, where the streets have no name” (Where the Street Have No Names)

Last Wednesday, I got to the chance to go see an amazing band. Probably, my favorite band... I was among 80,000 plus screaming people. I was singing along to lines like:

"I believe in the Kingdom come, and then all the colors will bleed into one, bleed in one. But yes I’m still running. You broke the bonds and you loosed the chains, carried the cross of my shame, oh my shame. You know I believe it”
(Still Haven't Found What I am Looking For)

and

“See the world in green and blue, See China right in front of you, See the canyons broken by cloud, See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out, See the Bedouin fires at night, See the oil fields at first light, And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth, After the flood all the colors came out" (Beautiful Day)

It was right about at this moment that I had a God moment. One of those times that it is undeniable that God visited with me. I felt so close to Him and felt so loved in His midst. Now, please don't miss interpret what I am saying. I don't believe that U2 had much to do with this other than they wrote the songs and were preforming them. What I am saying is this: U2 is one of the only bands or concerts that I believe that this would have happened at. For one reason or another I felt close to God during the concert and I guess I am just saying don't put God in box. You never kn0w when and where He might visit with you. Of course, I realize that God is all places and all times, but there are times that His presence is stronger or at least we realize presence more than others. Last Wednesday night was a

night like that for me. Here are a few other shots that I took during the concert.

So in short... Please don't box God in where and when He is allowed to visit with the People He loves. We don't need a building to experience the Love of God. However, we do need each other! God, loves to be where His people are gathering!

Photo of the Day is BACK!

After taking a few months off, I am starting my Photograph of the day.

So please feel free to stop by my photography site.

http://focusingonlifephotos.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/bride-among-flowers/

Please feel free to leave comments. Either here or there...

It Ain't Easy...

I am learning to love my neighbor and to live by the golden rule

But it’s so hard when I’ve been lied to

I feel like a fool forgiving a fool

It ain’t easy learning to love like you

I am learning to be faithful with the little that I have

To do like Jesus and turn the tables

To give it all to get nothing back

It ain’t easy learning to love like you
~It Ain't Easy by Jason Upton

So all day, today I have been having a problem with this Osama Bin Laden news. Like most Americans I remember exactly where I was when the towers were hit and eventually fell to the ground. I remember seeing the plane crash into the Pentagon. I remember! I will never forget the events of 9/11 and all the people who lost their lives. I remember the weeks of not knowing what was going to happen next. I remember being proud of my brother who signed up for the Army all because someone had to go over there find those who were responsible for those innocent people who lost their lives.

Now, I will always remember the events of last night. I will remember where I was when I first heard the news of the death of the man who was responsible for taking those innocent lives. I will remember where I was when I first heard "Ladies and Gentlemen, I can announce to you that Osama Bin Laden is dead"

Now, here is where it gets a little difficult for me. On one hand I want to celebrate this man being brought to "Justice". This man who took responsibility for the events of September 11, 2001. Not only did he take full responsibility, but he celebrated his actions. However, as a Christian I can not help but feel remorse for a soul that is bound to hell (if he didn't come to the truth about Jesus Christ). To steal a line from a friend of mine: To think Jesus loved him (Osama Bin Laden) as much as Mother Theresa." ~ Joe Dibella

So here is the problem...

As an American I want be like:
"OH YEAH! We got that blah and blah...

and He got what was coming to him... Don't mess with the U.S."

But when I read verses like this:

Ezekiel 33:11a Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.'

or this:

Prob. 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.

Or when I read what Jesus said:

Matthew 5:43-48

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I can't help but think that a human is going to place where he was never meant or designed to go. Hell was never created for us. We were only meant to glorify God, and reflect His image, love, and grace. Instead... Osama (apart from Christ) is going to eternal destruction.

Please don't get me wrong I am not condoning the actions of September 11, 2001. I am not trying to belittle the lives of all the people who died because of the actions of the Al Qaeda. I am not trying to belittle the lives of our soldiers or their sacrifices. However, I am not going to celebrate when a human soul is bound for Hell (unless he came to the knowledge of the truth of Christ). Until, I am able to figure out what I am suppose to feel... I will feel: sad...

Today, I think the only thing celebrating is: Satan!

I for one refuse to side with him...

Please feel free to challenge me on my opinions or to offer your own.

And most importantly, I would like to say a

BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SOLDIERS, FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND SACRIFICES. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!!

The Veil!

Recently, I was watching the Passion of the Christ (you know the one directed by crazy Mel Gibson). I watch it every year on or around Good or Holy Friday. Anyways, I was watching it and again in the movie it came to my favorite part of the crucifixion scene. It is right after Jesus cries out for the second time saying "Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit" and he dies, the Bible states in Matthew 27:50-51

50 “And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up His Spirit. 51 and at once the curtain of sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split." (Matthew 27:50-51)

I started to think about the veil and where it came from and what its purpose was. I wondered how thick this veil was. So I did some digging. In Exodus 26:31 we read for the first time what God had in mind when He first came up with its design.

33 “and you shall hang the veil form the clasps and bring the ark of the Testimony into place withing the veil; and the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. (Exd. 26:31)

In this verse is an 8 letter word that is only sthe cariest in the Bible: SEPARATE. "It shall separate for you" I remember has a child (I was maybe 6 or 7) I used to go shopping with my mom and she would be looking for something for herself. I would start hiding in the clothing rack because that is what little bored boys do. Of course the inevitable happened. I lost track of where I was or where my mother was and I would panic. I started running up and down the aisles looking for her. I was separated from her. This is what we received from our first parents (Adam & Eve). I call it a gift of separation.

Once they (Adam & Eve) realized they were naked they tried to cover themselves up or separate themselves from each other and God's judgement and wrath.

Finally, God has to put something that will separate us (sinful man) and Him (Holiest of Holy). Otherwise we would be consumed within seconds of coming before His throne.

"The wages of sin is death..."

So God gives Moses the plan to make sure that this doesn't happen. God tells Moses to hang a veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. I have read that there is a note in The Ryrie Study Bible that expounds on the veil and states:

"Josephus reported that the veil was four inches thick, was renewed every year, and that horses tied to each side could not pull it apart. It bared all but the High Priest from the presence of God..."

When Jesus cried out "it is finished" He was saying "No more separation, no more hiding, no more not knowing where we (humans) are" We are free from hiding, separation, sin, and death. What mighty horses, countless spotless lambs, and numerous High priests were unable to do... Jesus did with three words "IT IS FINISHED"

So if you find yourself trying restitch the veil because you have missed the mark or messed up, please put the needle and thread down... Jesus has already won... There are no more victories to be won. If Jesus is victorious and I am found in Jesus then

I AM VICTORIOUS (I wanted that to sound like a great warrior). Honestly, you don't have to struggle anymore. You cannot hide yourself or things that you have done from God... Jesus won't allow you too, because if you could then His death, the cross, and whipping was for nothing! We can't trick God into forgiving us of sins... Jesus did it willingly! I am grateful! I hope you have had a wonderful Easter...

Oh Boy!!!

Coming to a Heim family near you.... One Jackson Robert!!!!

This past Tuesday my family (grandma Heim included) went to discover our 3rd baby's sex. Almost everyone besides me and my mom believed that this baby was going to be a girl... Even the night before Rebecca kept referencing the baby as her or she. I would interrupt her with "you mean him or his?"

Well, sure enough we are having A BOY!!!! Baby's name: Jackson Robert (named after Rebecca's grandfather and father)

So I have been thinking.. Come late August, September, and October I will be watching baseball with my son. I am little excited in case you can't tell. P.S. I love that JR is sucking his thumb!