Brown's Praise and Prayer Message 7-14-12

Dear Friends,

Praise the Lord for this super Saturday of the summer season. Trust you are doing well and praising the Lord and enjoying His blessings and favor. Alice and I drove to Otsinengo Park here in Broome County. There were so many people of all ages at the park, engaged in all kinds of activities. We stopped at the weekly Farmers' Market there as well. We saw many products and produce displayed. It was great to see the new crops and fruits of the season. Tonight we are going to share in an authentic Indian meal, prepared by a young couple who recently moved to the States from India. Sunita and Andy are in Cape Cod. Jess and Tom are going to Europe for vacation. We will be having Micah, Simeon and Ada come visit us next weekend, all by themselves. We are taking them in as our "Fresh Air Kids". We praise the Lord for the summer and for the different opportunities it gives us to serve Him.

May the Lord bless all of you as you travel and in your family gatherings. May we all be provoked to worship Him and enjoy His favor. I am enclosing a list of praise reports and prayer concerns.

Praise the Lord for our friends Rob and Jenn, from Washington, DC, who have been with us for the prayer conference in the fall. They are looking forward to adopting a newborn infant girl in the near future.

Praise the Lord for His provisions and faithfulness. One of the Lord's saints has recently been the Lord's instrument in a unique way. A young family had begun a much-needed renovation project, which was only partially paid for. In the meantime, the husband lost his job. The Lord's servant anonymously stepped in to finish paying for the materials and the labor for the project.

A widow who recently built and moved into a new home (her dream house), with ample space to spare, invite a young family with 3 children to move in and live with her rent free.

Praise the Lord fo rEtta Schaeffer, who is able to drive her own car to come to church every Sunday.

Pray for Doug Purdy.

Happy wedding Anniversary of Bill and Vivian Perkins.

Craig and Sue Sabin

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness and love. Praise the Lord for His Church that is under the same management for over 2000 years. Praise the Lord for the New Addition to our church project. . . The construction is going on fast and furious, We see day by day the building is taking shape. Praise the Lord for the faithful workers. Let us continue to praise the Lord for his ministry and keep on serving Him joyfully and zealously. Keep on praying for the building project and, as the Lord leads you and enables you, keep on giving for this project.

Praise the Lord for last Sunday's worship service where our friends Dave and Jean Coles shared in Sunday School and worship service. It was great to be together with some of the family members who have moved away and were back for the worship. It was also good to see Howard Woodward, who is 94 years old and doing well.

Praise the Lord for Betty DuBois, who celebrated her 89th birthday. She is one of the sweet servants of Jesus.

Praise the Lord for Orpha Rosenbarker, who is home with a smile after her recent hospitalization and surgery.

Praise the Lord for Gordy and Donna Glover. They do not miss a Sunday for worship though it is an effort for Gordy to be there,

Praise the Lord for Bud and Carol Lee. They are both home together and waiting to move to new home shortly.

Praise the Lord for Lee and Eunice Sanford. Lee is getting stronger day by day.

Praise the Lord for the following for those who cared for the Missions Banquet last Sunday: Cooks: Alice Naik, Caleb and Sandhya Naik, Linda O'Connor, and

Joe and Mandi Walker. Hannah Smith and the team (Dave Maney, Al Smith, Mary Haskell, Joe Walker) cared for the setting of the tables and cleaning up after.

Pray for Donna Schultz, who is going in for surgery on the 19th of July.

Pray for Frances Riley, age 90, who has been transferred to the nursing home at Ideal. She was one of the pioneers among women of our area, who went west for college, and taught college also.

Pray for those who have been recently laid off from their jobs.

Plan to head on over to Joe and Mandi Walker's house at 14 Broad Avenue in Binghamton for a neighborhood picnic/party/barbeque followed by a baptismal service. Sunday July 29,2012 , 5 PM.

Jesus is Lord,

Brown

Brown's Daily Word 7-13-12

Praise the Lord for this Friday, the 13th of July. It is going to be very good day, for the Lord our God has made it. Praise the Lord for these mid-summer days here in New York, the Empire State. Praise the Lord for the great outdoors. Praise the Lord for the beauty of each day. Praise the Lord for the beauty of His church, the Body of Christ. Praise the Lord for the hands that serve Him and for the feet that go about doing His errands. Plan to worship the Lord wherever you might be during these summer days. Those of you live in the area join us for weekly TV outreach this evening at 7 PM on Time Warner Cable channel 4. We will meet for Sunday worship at 8:30 AM at the Wesley UMC and at 10:00 AM at the Union Center UMC.

Last Sunday we used a verse from Revelation chapter 7 for our morning worship. The book of Revelation presents a prophetic vision difficult to fathom--filled with terrifying images, dramatic battles, and mystifying pronouncements.
The intent of the Revelation is to put us on our knees before God. Prayer is a realization of powerlessness, and at the same time, a participation in God’s power. Knowing all the myriad details of future events is not as relevant as knowing Christ. He is, after all, the focus of this final book. The complete title is, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1). The word “revelation” means “unveiling.” Jesus is the One promised in the Old Testament, presented in the Gospels, preached in the Epistles, and proclaimed in the Revelation. When we open our Bibles, we learn of Christ, we submit to what we read, and we let it slowly develop in our lives.
This prophetic message is intended to change how we see life. History is going somewhere, headed toward a purposeful conclusion, one in which Jesus will return to right every wrong and dry every tear -- a new world of justice, healing, and hope. It also has an impact here and now, not just when the end of days occur. The future impacts the present. This prophecy should affect our goals and priorities, how seriously we resist sin, how we pray, our love for unbelievers, and our determination to obey God. “We live in the present as people who will be made complete in the future” (N.T. Wright). Because of this prophetic book we see how God is the author of history.
Eugene Peterson writes: “The biblical story began, quite logically, with a beginning. Now it draws to an end, also with a beginning. The sin-ruined creation of Genesis is restored in the sacrifice-renewed creation of Revelation…the story that has creation for its first word, has creation for its last word.” God will come to make all things new; he will bring forth a new Heaven and new Earth. Then (finally) we will see God’s will fully done “on Earth as it is in Heaven.”
Eugene Peterson again writes that the resurrection appearances of Christ are not complete; there is one more to come. The risen Christ will return and put evil in its place. In the meantime, we need to proclaim the Gospel with a sense of urgency, and encourage one another with this Blessed Hope: God will prevail!

In Christ,

Brown

http://youtu.be/jOrCPNNhH_k

Brown's Daily Word 7-12-12

The Sun is risen with glorious light and brilliance. This morning I read the entire Book of Zechariah for my devotion. It is full of blessings and joy. The Lord is Holy. He is righteous. He is merciful. He cleanses us. He refreshes us, and He renews us by the power of Holy Spirit. We read in 2 Peter 1-3, "His divine power has given us every thing we need for life and righteousness". We do not need to strive for it because it is freely given to us by His grace and mercy. We receive it with grateful hearts.

One morning R. C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I’m burdened this morning!" was his reply. Yet, his happy countenance contradicted his words. Therefore the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it’s a wonderful burden--it’s an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He daily loads us with benefits.’"
F.E. Marsh has enumerated some of God’s blessings:
An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).
An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).
A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).
A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).
A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).
A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).
A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).
A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).
In Christ,

Brown

http://youtu.be/Hw0L0-fNmBc

A Christmas thought in summer of 2012:

20 days of an Australian Cruise, leaving on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Departing from Los Angeles on November 20, 2012. Visiting some cities of Australia, coming back through Indonesia and Singapore. For Information call 607-748-1358

neraryFine PrintTaxes & Tips

1. 20-Nov - Depart the USA

2. 21-Nov - Cross International Dateline

3. 22-Nov - Sydney, Australia

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   The whole world's in love with Sydney. It's stylish, it's sophisticated, it's home to some of the friendliest people on the planet. And yes, a few koalas, if you know where to look. What's not to love? This gateway to the Outback has it all: endless outdoor adventure around the harbor or in spots like the Blue Mountains. Golden sandy beaches named Bondi, Bilgola and Coogee (which are not only beautiful, but also fun to say). A bustling art and entertainment scene. Countless museums, galleries and world-class restaurants where the dishes go way beyond the local Vegemite. Depart 5:00 pm

4. 23-Nov - New Castle, Australia

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   Newcastle is New South Wales' second largest city and provides all the excitement of a large city with the hospitality of a regional town. In fact, Newcastle is an Australian port city which stands apart from other port cities. A harbour with a picturesque coastline, an interesting topography, tree lined streets and a rich legacy of historic and architecturally significant buildings make up Newcastle. Exploring the downtown area comes with a variety of restaurants with diverse urban and waterfront dining options, a refreshing mix of boutique shopping and a range of inner-city galleries. Indeed, a treat for the senses. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

5. 24-Nov - Cruising

6. 25-Nov - Brisbane, Australia

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   The cool and casual capital of Queensland offers all the glitz and glam of a big city without the big city airs. Located on the banks of the Brisbane River and surrounded by rolling hills, this urban oasis sure is easy on the eyes. Whether you're headed uptown, downtown or out of town, you'll be sure to encounter your fair share of first-ever experiences. Scale the legendary Story Bridge, take a sandboarding tour on North Stradbroke Island. Or if you'd like to connect with your inner Aussie, try your hand at sheep shearing at the Australian Woolshed. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

7. 26-Nov - Cruising

8. 27-Nov - Airlie Beach-Queensland, Australia

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   The town of Airlie Beach, often referred to as the "Gateway To The Whitsundays", radiates a certain bohemian charm, with a blend of cosmopolitan and contemporary Australian style. Facing north on the eastern coast of Australia, Airlie Beach is blessed with late afternoon sun in the winter and cool, refreshing breezes in the summer. The coastal village of Airlie Beach serves as the ideal launching pad to explore the majestic Whitsunday islands, vast areas of untouched natural forests and the idyllic Great Barrier Reef. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

9. 28-Nov - Cairns, Australia

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   Arrive 10:00am - Cairns is a small city by international standards. Located by the sea it boasts a good balance of laid back tropical lifestyle and the excitement of a major tourist destination with lots to see and do. Rapidly becoming the "capital of the Great Barrier Reef," the tropical paradise of Cairns (pronounced "Cans") is one of Australia's fastest-growing tourist areas.

10. 29-Nov - Cairns, Australia

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    Our cruisetour guests will experience both the wet and the wild as they explore lush rain forests, wetlands and woodlands and spy the glorious creatures that inhabit them. There is an excellent range of shopping and dining and it is an easy city to spend a casual day or two exploring. There are literally hundreds of day touring options and tourists are very well catered to. Depart 3:00pm

11. 30-Nov - Cruising

12. 1-Dec - Cruising

13. 2-Dec - Darwin, Australia

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    Located midway along Australia's northern coast, Darwin is a youthful city known for its optimism and its melting-pot culture. Named after famous evolutionist Charles Darwin, the city is the capital of the Northern Territory and the gateway to several Southeast Asian countries. Strongly rooted in history, Darwin is also on the cutting edge culturally, which makes for interesting exploring. Meander the compact downtown, go for a bike ride along the harbor or venture into one of the many bustling open-air markets. 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

14. 3-Dec - Cruising

15. 4-Dec - Cruising

16. 5-Dec - Benoa, Bali Indonesia

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    Bali's interior is mountainous and lush, featuring terraced rice fields. At its edges, it is framed by thick mangrove swamps, sweeping white and black (volcanic) sand beaches, and lively coral reefs. The island also has a variety of ecosystems for wildlife such as mouse deer, monkeys, dolphins, giant turtles, and more than 300 bird species. 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

17. 6-Dec - Cruising

18. 7-Dec - Cruising

19. 8-Dec - Singapore

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    At first glance, this diamond-shaped island just off the coast of Malaysia gleams with modernism and commercialism, making it seem more Western than Eastern. But as you continue to discover the city-state, you'll uncover the eclectic mix of cultures, religions, ancient treasures and British colonial impressions that give rise to a unique Singaporean identity. The cultural fusion is perhaps best expressed in Singapore's unofficial language, Singlish, a unique patois of English, Chinese and Malay. 7:00 am - Overnight Docked

20. 9-Dec - Return Home

    Disembark in the morning & Return Home

Radio City Christmas Extravaganza: A day trip to to New York city, visiting museims and other sites, and attending the Christmas show at the world famous Radio City Music Hall.

Tuesday , December 11, 2012.

Cost: $75.00 Includes the Bus Fare and the ticket to the Christmas Presentation at 5 PM. For Information Call 607-748-6329.

Brown's Daily Word 7-11-12

Praise the Lord for this good day. I love to read from Ephesians . It is written “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:6_9). Philip Yancey, in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace?, tells the following story:
“A vagrant lives near the Fulton Fish Market on the lower east side of Manhattan. The slimy smell of fish carcasses and entrails nearly overpowers him, and he hates the trucks that noisily arrive before sunrise. But midtown gets crowded, and the cops harass him there. Down by the wharves nobody bothers with a grizzled man who keeps to himself and sleeps on a loading dock behind a Dumpster.
“Early one morning when the workers are slinging eel and halibut off the trucks, yelling to each other in Italian, the vagrant rouses himself and pokes through the Dumpsters behind the tourist restaurants. An early start guarantees good pickings: last night’s uneaten garlic bread and French fries, nibbled pizza, a wedge of cheesecake. He eats what he can stomach and stuffs the rest in a brown paper sack. The bottles and cans he stashes in plastic bags in his rusty shopping cart.
“The morning sun, pale through harbor fog, finally makes it over the buildings by the wharf. When he sees the ticket from last week’s lottery lying in a pile of wilted lettuce, he almost lets it go. But by force of habit he picks it up and jams it in his pocket. In the old days, when luck was better, he used to buy one ticket a week, never more. It’s past noon when he remembers the ticket stub and holds it up to the newspaper box to compare the numbers. Three numbers match, the fourth, the fifth_all seven! It can’t be true. Things like that don’t happen to him. Bums don’t win the New York Lottery.
“But it is true. Later that day he is squinting into the bright lights as television crews present the newest media darling, the unshaven, baggy pants vagrant who will receive $243,000 per year for the next twenty years. A chic_looking woman wearing a leather miniskirt shoves a microphone in his face and asks, “How do you feel?” He stares back dazed, and catches a whiff of her perfume. It has been a long time, a very long time, since anyone has asked him that question.
“He feels like a man who has been to the edge of starvation and back, and is beginning to fathom that he’ll never feel hunger again.”

What did that beggar to do deserve receiving several million dollars? Absolutely nothing! He had not even bought the winning ticket. All he did was pick it up and cash it in to receive his prize. Someone else had thrown it away as though it was useless, but he saw its potential worth. He had not worked for a long time. He did not earn the money. The check was given to him as a free gift, without conditions. He did not have a job or an education. He did not have to do anything but accept the check.

Having a relationship with God does not depend on how well we do or how perfect we are. It is based solely on the mercy and grace of God. This is good news for us failures. We read in the book of Titus: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4_5). Here is the unique message of the Christian faith. As it says in 2 Corinthians: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). This frees us from guilt and legalistic perfectionism. We understand that we can never be perfect and that our relationship with God is based solely on grace. The Bible says, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4_5).

In Christ,

Brown

http://youtu.be/a7ob0Jiyq8s

Brown's Daily Word 7-10-12

Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the summer season here in the America the beautiful. One of the verses that we used last Sunday during our morning worship was taken from Revelation 7:10, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb." Our grandson celebrated his fifth birthday on Sunday. He had asked several things for his birthday. Two of them were to go the beach in Boston and to Africa in the same day. He was able to do all the things that he asked for except to go the Africa. Simeon loves to sing, "O God you are my God, and I will ever praise you." One day he said, "Grandpa, our God is huger than this world".

Our four daughters, who were all raised raised in the country now live in cities. Janice lives in Boston, Sunita in Washington, Jessica in (near) Philadelphia, and Laureen in Binghamton. They love city life. The Bible talks in Revelation 21, about the New Jerusalem, the Holy City.

In Acts 17, as the apostle Paul approached the great city of Athens, he came not as a sightseer, but as a soul-winner. He arrived with open eyes and a broken heart. Athens had been in a period of decline in the early first-century. It had a famous university and numerous beautiful buildings, but it wasn’t the influential city it once had been. The city was given over to a “cultured paganism” that was nourished by idolatry, novelty, and philosophy. Taking center stage in the Areopagus, Paul announced, “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about” (Acts 17:22-23 NLT).
Paul began his introduction of this Unknown God by saying, “He is the God who made the world and everything in it” (v. 24 NLT). He is the Creator God. God created the heavens and the earth!” God made the world and everything in it. He is not a distant God, divorced from His creation; nor is He an imprisoned God, locked inside creation. He is a creative God—the Creator of heaven and earth.
The universe and everything in it was custom-tailored by a creative God—a God who expresses His imagination and artistry all throughout our swirling galaxy and beyond. All throughout the universe we see the fingerprints of God—the evidence of His omniscient mind at work.
We live on a very privileged planet. The Earth is just the right distance from the Sun so that water can exist in its liquid state, which is vital for life to exist. God hand-crafted this world and everything in it, including you and me! King David once praised God, saying, “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it” (Psalm 139:14 TLB). This was written three thousand years ago. Today, with all the scientific knowledge and technology of the ages at our fingertips, how much more amazed should we should be then at the marvelous workmanship of our Creative God!
After introducing the Unknown God to the Athenians, Paul continued to tell them how great this God is: “This God is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else to people. He does not need any help from them; he has everything he needs” (vs. 25 NCV). In other words, God did not merely set the world in motion and then leave us to fend for ourselves. He cares for us. He continues to be involved in the affairs of human life. He provides for our needs and He, Himself, has no needs. He lacks nothing and gives everything!
Paul wrote, saying that life itself is a gift from above, and every breath we breathe is courtesy of God. Everything we need and receive is a divine gift. The Bible says, “But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow” (James 1:17 TLB).
The time we have on Earth, the energy or mobility we have that enables us to get up and go, and our purpose in life are all gifts from God! Our families, parents and grandparents, and children are all God’s gifts. The Bible says, “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him” (Psalm 127:3 NLT).

When we count our blessings we should not neglect the spiritual ones. Eternal life, the greatest blessing of all, is from God. The Bible says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. You can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Ephesians 2:8 NLT). The bottom line is — we have a caring God, a God who loves us, who gives us life, breath, and everything else. Best of all He has given us eternal salvation which is free and full. How great is that! May we worship Him to day and enjoy all His abundance, He generosity and His Magnificence.

In Christ,

Brown
http://youtu.be/3Y_YpjrhCcE

Brown's Daily Word 7-9-12

Praise the Lord for this new day. I trust you had a blessed and a very beautiful weekend of rest, renewal, worship, witness, and celebration. Our grandson Simeon turned 5 years old yesterday. While we were camping with Janice and her family, Simeon whispered in my year loudly, " Grandpa, I do not need any clothes for my birthday this year, I need lots of Match Box Cars'. Yesterday, when I called him for his birthday, he said, "when I come to visit you in New York, I would like to have Ice cream for breakfast, lunch and supper. I would like to have pancakes with chocolate chips and maple syrup". We praise the Lord for Simeon. He loves Jesus. He loves some of the worship songs by Chris Tomlin. He also loves the hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". One time he told me that " Our Lord is Huger than this world" . I call this extreme faith.

We celebrated Mission's Sunday yesterday. John Wesley said, "The World is our parish". Our missionary friends Dave and Jean Coles shared during the Sunday School and worship time. We had a great banquet featuring international foods following the Morning worship.

Dave Coles was born and raised in the Union Center United Methodist Church. Dave and Jean are serving the Lord in Indonesia. They are finishing their 18th year of missionary work there. They are blessed with three sons and one daughter. All their children were home schooled. The oldest son earned his Ph.D. from Duke in Chemistry. The second son is doing his Ph.D. in engineering at Buffalo. The youngest son just graduated from Robert Wesleyan. Their daughter is finishing her nurse practitioner degree and is working with Mercy Ships. Dave Coles, who has spent years working in the Moslem context, spoke about our God as revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. He highlighted the wonderful gift of forgiveness that we have in Christ and because of Christ. Our daughter Laureen accompanied at the piano for worship yesterday. She chose as one of the hymns, "Jesus Paid It All".

Real forgiveness comes when you realize that you do not deserve it. The Bible says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way....” (Isaiah 53:6). The apostle Paul wrote: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). You will notice there are no exceptions in those verses. None of us deserves anything from God. We are fit only for judgment, but the Good News is, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). My sins are not excused, but they are forgiven when I turn to God with confession that springs from a humble heart and genuine sorrow for my sin against him. The Bible says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). My sins are not excused or passed over, they are forgiven and taken away as though they never existed when I come to God with a proper attitude of the heart. I confess my sin; I no longer try to hide it.
There is an interesting passage in First Corinthians where Paul says, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” No surprises so far, but then he continued by saying, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). That is what they were, but now they were members of the Kingdom of God — the family of the forgiven. The Bible says, “‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’” (Isaiah 1:18).
Isaiah wrote thousands of years ago: “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6,7). In the Apostles' Creed we join Christians all over the world in affirming "I believe in the forgiveness of sins."
Amy Carmichael, missionary to India and author, said: “There is no need to plead that the love of God shall fill our heart as though he were unwilling to fill us. He is willing as light is willing to flood a room that is opened to its brightness; willing as water is willing to flow into an emptied channel. Love is pressing round us on all sides like air. Cease to resist, and instantly love takes possession.” So we do not have to plead for his forgiveness either. As soon as we open the door of repentance, it floods in.
Joni Erickson quotes Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” and then writes, “My friend, Dan Earl, is a bee-keeper. Recently he presented me with a gift basket of his bee byproducts - creams, candles, and best of all, his top-selling honey. That Sunday I enjoyed a cup of Earl Grey tea and toasted crumpets with butter and honey. I was almost in heaven. It was so delicious."
The Puritan, Jonathan Edwards, drew a parallel between honey and Psalm 34:8. One can conclude that honey is honey because it is golden, has a certain viscosity, and has bits of comb in it. Therefore, it must be honey. But Edwards said there is a superior way to know. Put a drop on your tongue, and you'll see that knowing honey involves much more than understanding facts about it. To truly know honey is to taste and see that it is sweet, delicious, and delightful. There's nothing quite like it!”

There are all kinds of facts to be known about forgiveness, but it is meant to be tasted. Its sweetness is meant to be experienced.

In Christ,

Brown
http://youtu.be/38EVco7eba0