Thoughts from todays message...

The topic of todays message was from Luke 15:1-3 (The pharisees were disgusted with Jesus for teaching and eating with sinners) and Luke 15:20-32. (the story of the prodigal son, and how his brother was disgusted with his father's welcoming reaction to his brother)

The pastor was talking about how we are most like Pharisees when,
~when we define our own righteousness.
~when we show no compassion for those who are far away from God.
~when we show anger when God dispenses mercy. (It is easy to want mercy for ourselves, and justice for others.)
~when we live with an unforgiving spirit. He told a story about a letter he'd recently recieved from a man whom he'd known 40 years prior. During that time he hurt this man by something he'd said, and they talked about, he asked him for forgiveness, the man accepted the apology, and they went on their seperate ways. 40 years later now, the man writes him a letter replaying the entire hurtful experience, and is still angry and hurt with him.

He said we need to start each new day fresh without keeping record of wrongs, being very quick to forgive and let go. He talked about the importance of not living in the past, and by truly accepting God's grace for us, we'd bestow that on others. He prayed that we'd all never get over God's grace, that it would continue to amaze us, and fill us with gratitude each day.