It's Raya!!!! Yea!!!!

You know wht i like about Raya? besides the food... the opportunity for the Malays to ask for forgiveness...

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Many take this for granted i'm afraid and after asking for forgiveness, many still continue on with their wrong doings because there's always next year to ask for forgiveness.. but nevertheless, it is a good practice and forgiveness should always be continuous...

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So what about we Christians?? When do we have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness? from our parents, our siblings, our spouse, our children, our friends etc? I was thinking about this as I was thinking about what to share this coming Sunday on Pastor's vision for the church... We are a family based church where we want to build healthy Christlike families.. and I think it is not a coincidence that I was put to share during this time of Raya to share about this vision God have about forgiveness in our church...

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Our church focus on family and community work.. to be relevant and compassionate to the ppl around us.. We want to show and shine God's love to others and to help them from misery through God's unfailing love.. But before acceptance can enter a person's heart or soul... forgiveness must come in first.. Don't you agree? Forgiving ourselves and forgiving others who have done us wrong.. those whom have hurt us.. even asking for forgiveness from those we hurt.. (they forgive you or not is entirely up to them but we must ask for forgiveness so we can move on...)

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Asking for forgiveness is one of the most humbling thing... it is not what any human can do.. Many people have told me that they cannot do it.. and I believe them (and I don't blame them nor judge them). But Jesus can! God can help us to forgive.. how you may ask? Ahahaa.. I cannot tell you how because only He knows how.. especially for you that is.. there is no real formula for forgiveness or how it will happen.. but one thing is for sure if WE want forgiveness to happen.. We first must want to forgive, or decides to forgive.. (it's not mind over matter; it's not psycho yourselves into forgiveness.. no... those things wouldn't work.. coz forgiveness is truly hard...) Once your spirit, heart, mind and soul decides that you need forgiveness, that is when God can help you.. That is when God's loving spirit could nuture your soul into letting go..

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How does it fit into our church vision? :) as a family unit.. we need to constantly forgive each other.. because sometimes, or most of the time, the people we hurt most are the ones we loved the most..

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Jesus can help us to forgive and move on.. allow Him to do it with you?