Forgiven.... So What???!

Hi there:
(Please forgive my title, the sarcasm is only intended to make an important point.)
I warn you this could be a long post, as many thoughts have been rolling around in my head. Sometimes the urge to write just overtakes me, and I must yield to it! Mom and I went to see the movie" Mommamia" yesterday, at least I think that is how you spell it, and I loved it! Until recently I never consider myself a fan of movie musicals, but after seeing the modern version of Hairspray, and now this, all that has changed. It was good for both mom and I to get out yesterday, there was breath taking beach scenery in the movie! I warn as with most movies, there are some less than" Christian" scenes, so if you have a strong sense of conviction God has given you about not watching anything other than family friendly movies, it is not my wish to cause anyone to stumble, I personally do not struggle in this specific area, but I do in many other things outside of movies. I was glad mom could "getaway" for a bit. I know she must get tired of hearing the "C" word all the time. Things with my new caregiver are wonderful, and I am so blessed God is taking care of me!
I want to ask you something? Do you know the joy of being forgiven by God? Have you recently been reminded of the reality that you need to be forgiven by God? I don't know about you, but I take the wonder of God's forgiveness for granted on a daily basis. I'm not talking about self condemnation or self-loathing here. I was reminded this week, that I once was lost, and Christ forgave me! I tend to either fixate on my sin or completely ignore my sin, instead of walking in the joy and victory of first, knowing I need to be forgiven, and as important: is living as a person who is being forgiven, has been forgiven and will be forgiven! Can others tell that Jesus has forgiven me? Can others tell that Christ has forgiven you, or do they just think that some how "us church folks are "good" enough? Deep deep down do we ever have those thoughts ourselves, they won't can't admit it can we? Romans: 3:23... "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." I know you have heard it preached until our ears are dulled to it, but if what the only way we truly grasp hold of the Good News" is by really taking hold of the bad news first, it isn't until I remember my sin, and my need to be forgiven, that I can really begin to walk in the joy and wonder of being forgiven!! Eph. 1.7" He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." How awesome to all who are forgiven!

All for now! Please keep praying for my mom, and also that God will intervene and stop the abortion clinic from locating in Chattanooga, and that Christians will fight evil, by doing good. To the world, the Gospel is foolish, even many "so called" Christians have abandoned the faith in times past and present, but oh how it is my desire that they return to the "way" and that I/we shall stand firm, not abandoning the hope of the true Gospel. Yes, I am fired up! In love I write, and preach to myself!