I just added a book to the “What I’m recommending at the moment” tab above.  This is the second time I’m reading Philip Yancey’s What’s So Amazing About Grace.  I have benefited from many of his books.  This book is about forgiveness, full of stories and full of hope.  A book that gently cuts you to the heart.  Philip is never one to skirt around the difficult questions, and that’s why I appreciate him so much.  I may not always agree with him, but I admire his courage.

A couple of excerpts:

Charles Williams has said of the Lord’s Prayer, “No word in English carries a greater possibility of terror than the little word ‘as’ in that clause.” [“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”]

Henri Nouwen, who defines forgiveness as “love practiced among people who love poorly,” describes the process at work:

I have often said, “I forgive you,” but even as I said these words my heart remained angry or resentful.  I still wanted to hear the story that tells me that I was right after all; I still wanted to hear apologies and excuses; I still wanted the satisfaction of receiving some praise in return–if only the praise for being so forgiving!

But God’s forgiveness is unconditional; it comes from a heart that does not demand anything for itself, a heart that is completely empty of self-seeking.  It is this divine forgiveness that I have to practice in my daily life.  It calls me to keep stepping over all my arguments that say forgiveness is unwise, unhealthy, and impractical.  It challenges me to step over all my needs for gratitude and compliments.  Finally, it demands of me that I step over that wounded part of my heart that feels hurt and wronged and that wants to stay in control and put a few conditions between me and the one whom I am asked to forgive.