THE WEIRS TIMES & THE COCHECO TIMES, Thursday, May 26, 2011


METHODIST CHURCH, WEIRS-1889


COMMUNITY CHURCH MEDITATIONS THINKING ABOUT FORGIVING OTHERS


by Rev. Philip Polhemus Contributing Writer


A few weeks ago, Rita


and I, watched the movie, Amish Grace. It is a true story of the shooting of some Amish children in an Amish school. You may remember the event. The striking theme through- out the move is forgive- ness by those affected by the killing. In an early scene, the


Elder of the Community and two of the men, one who had lost a daughter, visit the shooter’s wife. They came to say they for- give the man and hold no malice against him or the family. They grieve, with the wife and children over the loss of her husband/ father, who committed suicide. They offer their assistance in any way she may need. Later in the movie, the father is talking with his younger daughter who expresses her hatred of the man who had killed her sister. The father understands her hatred but asks her if the hatred feels good or bad. The


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Sunday Night Bible Study 6 PM


All Are Welcome to Come and Worship With our Friendly Church Family


girl responds by saying it doesn’t. The father goes on to explain that hatred has sharp teeth and if we allow it to grow it will over come the ability to love in our hearts. We live in a society where


hate, anger, and the cry for vengeance is encour- aged in many ways. I remember when my aunt was murdered. I wanted vengeance for the man who did it; harbored hate against him and was an- gry. I am not sure what I might have done if I had confronted him. I ex- pressed this to my dad; it was his sister. His reply went something like this. “Son, your feelings are honest and a part of you, but you need to give them up. Our justice system will take care of that man according to the law. But we need to forgive him and hand all those feeling over to God. If you don’t


do It, hatred will poison you and seriously affect your ministry.” It wasn’t easy, and it


took some time, in fact, I had to do it several times before it took full effect. What I discovered is, in doing so I obtained a peace within my heart. I no longer carried that heavy load of hate and an- ger. It was truly a freeing moment for me. One last thought. As


hard as it is to forgive others, it is harder to for- give ourselves. For some reason guilt likes to keep hold of us. Again some wisdom from my dad, (He too was a pastor.) “Do you hold a higher standard than God? God forgives you, accept it and do the same for yourself.” Jesus says love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and forgive as you have been for- given.


Rev. Philip Polhemus is


a part of the pastoral staff of the First United Meth- odist Church in Gilford, NH, located on Route 11- A. It is a congregation of open hearts, open minds, and open doors. We in- vite you to worship with us on Sundays at 10:30 AM. Children’s activities


and nursery are available during the 10:30 morning worship. We also invite you to the United Method- ist Church in the Weirs, 35 Tower St., which wor- ships at 10:00 AM. There are also many other local congregations who would welcome you to worship.


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29


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Gas Pumps Open 24/7 • Pay at the Pump! Visit us by Snowmobile We are at Intersection of Corridor 19 & 15


www.Watsongeneralstore.com Email: WatsonNH@msn.com


Rt. 16 & 25 • West Ossipee


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