As you will already know Easter comes early this year and this means that Lent will commence on 6^th February. As part of our Lenten Preparation in Bo'ness I intend to use R.T. Kendall's book entitled "Totally Forgiving Ourselves" I hope to base a series of sermons around this book and encourage a number of new study groups to reflect on the sermons and the book. I also hope to recommend a number of other books that deal with the subject. Some will be from a Jewish perspective and perhaps from a muslim perspective. It will help us see what makes grace such an interesting idea for the Christian.

The more I think about this the more convinced I am that the way forward for so many of us is to embrace the concept of total forgiveness. Its not easy! I know that within the reformed tradition forgiveness can seem too easy, almost theoretical. theologians are great at arguing about the distinctive meaning of the death of Christ. However in practice it is not easy to let things go. It's certainly not easy to say to the one who has turned your world upside down and ripped your heart out I forgive you. In fact they don't want to hear it. But you know something I think those of us who have been hurt need to hear it.

I have a really good feeling about this up and coming series of sermons. How magnificent is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It tells us that we can forgive and that we can receive forgiveness and tied in with all this is a sense of freedom and healing. So why not buy the book and lets start talking about it over the next few weeks. I have all kind of suggestions that we can use to make our Sunday worship become a bit more engaging, especially with those of you who are artistic.

Iain Jamieson and I have written a song about forgiveness. Here are the lyrics:

FORGIVENESS

All the hidden secrets buried in my heart
If you really knew meIt would tear me apart
Would you really love me
If I took the blame
I'm walking on egg shells
Trying to speak your name
There was something special about our love
How the years have twisted and abused love
But I'm ready to begin
Do you think that we could start again?

Forgiveness
Forgiveness
Is the way
Your empty silence
Lingers in the air
There's nobody livingIn our living room
In the empty spaces
We could build a home
Life is for living
Not for being alone
There was something special about our love ...etc

Did I catch you smiling
At my turn around
The circle's completed
We're here on Holy Ground
And if rings are worn
And faith is too
Let the joy of forgiveness
Bind me and you
There was something special ...etc

I may try to get a version of this song put up on itunes as a podcast. So let's hear what you think.What is it that makes grace in theory sound so cheap but in practice so costly?