These days, except perhaps for the Amish, you'd be hard pressed to find too many Christians who live this idea.

So is my God.  And while Many do not live it as Mason says, that does not mean their religion and their God is not, just they have forgotten who their God is.

Yes, and because he's a loving, merciful, forgiving God, we must do the same to others. If he forgives us we need to forgive others. A servant is not greater than his master. He told us to go out and forgive, love and give grace. I don't think we as a people (regardless of religion) give each other grace like we should.

We should start today to be more of what God wishes us to be.

Thanks Forever for reminding us of something we should be thinking about daily.

These days, except perhaps for the Amish, you'd be hard pressed to find too many Christians who live this idea.

So is my God. And while Many do not live it as Mason says, that does not mean their religion and their God is not

It is sad to think this, to acknowledge this.

just they have forgotten who their God is.

So it seems, unfortunately for those who really need the hope and the blessings that His love offers.

It is sad to think this, to acknowledge this.

Sad yes, but true just the same.

It is sad to think this, to acknowledge this.Sad yes, but true just the same.

I know M, I know.

God is a forgiving God, yes, but He is still a JUST God. When Jesus sent the woman at the well away, he admonished her to "go and sin no more". He acknowledged it as sin, and He acknowledged that a penalty was rightfully due. It was, in essence, a pardon, NOT an acquittal.

In addition, there should be some desire on our part for forgiveness. In the article you cite, there is no indication that the woman even recognized and acknowledged her sin. One who is completely unrepentant is not easy to deal with, and while forgiveness is available to them, it is utterly useless if they don't avail themselves of it.

It's odd that the Amish are mentioned as models of forgiveness. There is much that is admirable in their faith, I agree, but look up the practice of "shunning" and tell me the Amish are less harsh than many of their conservative counterparts in other Christian sects.

In the article you cite, there is no indication that the woman even recognized and acknowledged her sin. One who is completely unrepentant is not easy to deal with, and while forgiveness is available to them, it is utterly useless if they don't avail themselves of it.

I doubt they cared to even showed that, so they didn't. I'm sure being in the place she is, she probably does, however I can't speak for her. And no one can say whether or not she is sorry. Why would this even be questionable?

It's odd that the Amish are mentioned as models of forgiveness. There is much that is admirable in their faith, I agree, but look up the practice of "shunning" and tell me the Amish are less harsh than many of their conservative counterparts in other Christian sects.

The article link made reference to the Amish, mine didn't. I don't know details about their ways, but am aware of some of it. And yes, they definately would be casting some stones. My focus was more on the fact they couldn't forgive the err of her ways? And the responder, Xythe, was adamant that they should not forgive her because she broke the rules. As christians, lets see who can cast the first stone.

I doubt they cared to even showed that, so they didn't.

In everything I've read on this case, forever, I have not once seen the woman acknowledge her sin, much less, any contrition for it. I don't feel the church was, in this case, being unforgiving as much as it was managing the teachers that were instructing their children. I think there was a better way to have handled the whole thing, but I wasn't a fly on the wall. I didn't see the church's side on this one, and I'm reluctant to convict them of anything without proof.

My focus was more on the fact they couldn't forgive the err of her ways?

But do you know for a fact that they didn't discuss this with her prior to her finding?

Another point: Just because they dismissed her doesn't mean they didn't forgive her. If you are the church secretary, say, and you're convicted of embezzlement, if I were the pastor, I would have no qualms about removing you from a position of handling money. It doesn't mean that I haven't forgiven you, it just means I'm exercising judicious caution, for your sake and mine.

How much more precious are the souls of these children as they are still being raised up.

Once again, I'm not saying they're right. But I refuse to say they're wrong, as well.

I think there was a better way to have handled the whole thing

Yes, if they had handled it differently, perhaps she wouldn't have decided to sue. It might seem silly to some people, but this is her livelihood cut off and she has a right to do so.

and I'm reluctant to convict them of anything without proof.

I don't think me mentioning that My God is a forgiving God is convicting the church. I do think that the stance that some people take in not being forgiving or looking at two sides of the coin is unforgiving. Rules are rules, not meant to be broken no matter how people approach it, that much I agree with; however, there are ways to do things, and that's my focus here. And a reminder that even God in all his glory is a forgiving God, a just one, but forgiving none the same.

Another point: Just because they dismissed her doesn't mean they didn't forgive her.

Again, Gid, I don't know that they did or did not forgive her. They did fire her, so who knows what went on there. However, again, as I stated in my response above.....

If you are the church secretary, say, and you're convicted of embezzlement, if I were the pastor, I would have no qualms about removing you from a position of handling money. It doesn't mean that I haven't forgiven you, it just means I'm exercising judicious caution, for your sake and mine.

You bet you I would expect to have my walking papers! There's no need in being stupid at the same time right?!

How much more precious are the souls of these children as they are still being raised up.

So much more than we all realise, so much more.

Once again, I'm not saying they're right. But I refuse to say they're wrong, as well.

It's there perogative to fire her, however, as I said, handling it a different way would have proven wiser. It definately would have shown them to be the christians they are.