Forgiveness for Being Sold into Slavery

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

I posted Colossians 3:12-15 yesterday after talking about the subject in chapel yesterday.  It was a good discussion actually based on the life and story of Joseph in Genesis.

Imagine reading the newspaper (or reading it online) or watching the news:  Breaking News: Young man thought to be mauled by wild animal, click here for more information.  When you follow the article you find out that maybe it was a crime of passion where the young man's brothers threw him into a dried cistern and than they decided to sell him into slavery, but this is all speculation because the coat was covered in blood and the brothers told there father he was killed by an animal.

It might be spun so well, CNN and Foxnews might give it 24 hour coverage and surely accusations would fly that all the brothers should be throw into jail.  It would be a very sad story for the boy who was sold into slavery and yet the story would resurface many years later.

Years later we learn that the brothers have found Joseph and he is in a position to help them and he does.

What an amazing picture of forgiveness.  Put yourself in Joseph shoes, now do you want to help your siblings out?  Instead he provides for the very same people who sold him into slavery.  I believe this begs the question; this was God's plan?  Of course it was!

We quickly, daily, minute by minute get uncomfortable with life, our situation, even the to the point of a particular smells irritate us, but what if all these things are part of God's plan.  I believe we get to comfortable and think any slight irritation is not meant for good, but many times we are blind to it.  God's plan is perfect and in Joseph's situation there was some serious irritation.

Now, was this post about forgiveness or God's plan even in the bad times.  It's about both.  We have to make allowances for one another because we are going to irritate one another, but following God's example of forgiveness is a major part of this.  Joseph forgave his brothers for rejecting him, faking his death, and selling him into slavery.

I want Christ to rule in my life and be clothed in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  How about you?

God Bless.

Colossians 3:12-15

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

Drum Roll, Please

I know many of you have been waiting on the edge of your seat (Mom) for the first post of 2011 at Insert Title Here, well here it is!

Happy New Year to everyone.  I hope that each of you had a blessed time celebrating.  My family and I celebrated with our camp family and former Summer Mission's Team (SMT) at the annual SMT Reunion.  We were blessed to be led in worship by Jonathan Davis and Mike Satterfield.  It was a great time.

My family keeps getting older.  Kari and I are amazed every day by our 1 1/2 year old, Landon and 5 month old, Logan.  It has been such a journey figuring out how to manage married life, two little boys and camp ministry (and the journey continues).  Each day brings different challenges, but by the grace of God, we make it through each and and are so thankful for His guidance, protection and love.  I am certain no one showed me where the instruction manuals were on these boys!

We are continuing to press on with our ministry at Highland Lakes Camp.  We firmly believe God has called us to this ministry and we are very excited about what 2011 holds for the camp.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we serve those who step on campus, provide opportunities to share the love of Jesus and strength and energy daily.

Many of our camp family members are participating in HLC Biggest Loser, I keep saying I am doing Biggest Gainer!  Although I am joking because Kari reminded me that I want to someday meet my great grandchildren.  What a thought!  That is motivation enough to try to get into shape, eat healthy, etc.  We are doing Zumba and trying to follow a strict diet; we'll see.  I have hope that I can whip this old body into some shape.

Stay tuned to Insert Title Here in 2011 for more nail biting Hellums Family Stories, Random Posts, Theological Thoughts and much much more.

God Bless.