Category Archives: Forgiveness

Forgiven, Forgotten Forever

Posted on April 18, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

There was once a celebrated court case in which the wife of a Scottish doctor examined his financial records after his death and found that a number of accounts were crossed through with a notation: “debt forgiven–too poor to pay.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, God, God's love, Gospel | Leave a comment

Knowing what temptation means

Posted on March 23, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

C.S. Lewis once said: ‘A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is . . . A man … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, God with us, God's presence, Temptation, Tempted | Tagged | Leave a comment

‘Love is never having to say you’re sorry.’

Posted on March 23, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

As a Valentine’s Day treat, I got to watch that great tear-jerker movie from nineteen seventy entitled ‘Love Story’. It starred Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw. Most people remember it for two things: its beautiful theme song: Oliver’s Theme, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, love, Saying sorry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Reflect on the ‘Maggies’

Posted on December 20, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Hidden away in a Dublin park is a bench with a plaque that says: ‘To the women who worked in the Magdalen laundry institutions — reflect here upon their lives.’ The Magdalen laundries, named after Mary Magdalene, belonged to an … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Forgiveness, Judgementalism, New Life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Forgiveness for the asking

Posted on November 5, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A few years ago, a group of ministers gathered outside the city hall in Boise, Idaho with cheque books in hand ready to write cheques to the city on behalf of people with unpaid parking tickets. To take advantage of … Continue reading →

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Missing the mark

Posted on June 18, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A few years ago TV viewers in Britain were horrified to see knife thrower Jayde Hanson ‘nick’ the head of his female assistant while attempting to repeat his world record of one hundred and twenty knives thrown in two minutes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Failure, Forgiveness, God, Mistakes, Sin | Tagged , | Leave a comment

An advocate who asks for nothing in return

Posted on May 19, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Some years ago Gladys Kidd offered her services as a cook, maid or housekeeper for ten years, free of charge, to any lawyer who could keep her husband from being executed for a murder he did not commit. Vincent Hallinan, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocate, Defender, Forgiveness, Guilt | Leave a comment

No difference

Posted on March 10, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A doctor in Missouri was driving between hospital calls one evening, exceeding the speed limit. Suddenly a police car appeared behind him, signalling for him to pull over. So the doctor picked up his stethoscope and held it up for … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, Grace, Impartiality, Sin | Tagged | Leave a comment

God forgives and forgets

Posted on March 10, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Some years ago, rumors spread that a certain Catholic woman was having visions of Jesus. Her archbishop was skeptical and said to her: ‘The next time you have a vision, I want you to ask Jesus to tell you the … Continue reading →

Posted in Confession, Forgiveness, God, Self Deception, Sin | Leave a comment

Feeding the wolves

Posted on February 12, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A native American grandfather, talking to his grandson about the terrorist attack of September eleven, said: ‘I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is vengeful, angry and violent. The other one is loving … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Forgiveness, Hatred, Justice, Peace, Renewed Minds, Revenge, Terrorists | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment