Tag: forgive

Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Heaven

“Keep your eyes fixed on Heaven, and earth will be thrown in. Keep your eyes fixed on earth and you will get nothing.”
— C. S. Lewis

There is a profound truth in these words attributed to C. S. Lewis. They remind us that where we focus our eyes, our hearts tend to follow.

We live in a world filled with distractions. We worry about money, politics, health, possessions, relationships, the news, and what tomorrow may bring. None of these things are necessarily bad. But when they become the center of our lives, they can cause us to forget what matters most.

This world is temporary. Heaven is eternal.

What Are Your Eyes Fixed On?

Imagine walking down a path while constantly looking behind you. You would stumble over things you could easily have avoided.

Life can be like that.

If we spend all our time looking at the problems of this world, our problems can become larger than they really are. Fear can replace faith. Anxiety can replace peace. Discouragement can replace hope.

But when we lift our eyes toward God, something changes.

We begin to see our problems from an eternal perspective.

The bills may still be there. The difficult person may still be difficult. The news may still be troubling. Our circumstances may not immediately change.

But we change.

We remember that God is bigger than our problems.

“Set Your Mind on Things Above”

St. Paul gives us a similar message:

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
— Colossians 3:2

This doesn’t mean that Christians should ignore earthly responsibilities.

Quite the opposite.

We have families to love, bills to pay, work to accomplish, neighbors to help, communities to serve, and people who need our kindness.

But we should do these things with Heaven in our hearts.

When Heaven becomes our destination, earth becomes our assignment—not our final home.

Earth Is a Gift, Not the Destination

God has given us this life as a tremendous gift.

We should enjoy the beauty around us. We should appreciate family and friends. We should laugh, work, serve, celebrate and give thanks.

But we should never confuse the gift with the Giver.

Everything we have ultimately comes from God.

Our homes, possessions, talents, opportunities, relationships and even our next breath are gifts.

And one day, we will leave all of those earthly things behind.

We cannot take our bank accounts with us.

We cannot take our houses.

We cannot take our cars.

We cannot take our accomplishments.

But we can take love.

We can take the good we have done for others in God’s name.

We can take the faith we have cultivated.

And, by God’s grace, we can take our souls home to Him.

When Heaven Is Our Focus, Earth Falls Into Perspective

Think about how different life looks when we remember that it is temporary.

Someone insults us.

Is it worth carrying resentment for years?

Someone hurts us.

Can we forgive them and place the matter in God’s hands?

We lose something we treasured.

Can we say, “Lord, thank You for the time I had it”?

We face an uncertain future.

Can we say, “God, I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know You hold tomorrow”?

That is the freedom that comes from keeping our eyes fixed on Heaven.

Don’t Let the World Steal Your Peace

The world constantly tells us:

“You need more.”

God tells us:

“Trust Me.”

The world says:

“Be afraid.”

God says:

“Do not be afraid.”

The world says:

“Look at what you don’t have.”

God says:

“Look at what I have already given you.”

The world says:

“Protect yourself at all costs.”

Christ teaches us to love, forgive, serve, and give.

The difference is enormous.

Heaven Changes How We Live Today

Keeping our eyes on Heaven doesn’t make us less useful on earth.

It makes us more useful.

If I know this life is temporary, I have a greater reason to make every day count.

I can encourage someone who is lonely.

I can forgive someone who has hurt me.

I can pray for someone who has wronged me.

I can feed someone who is hungry.

I can listen to someone who needs to talk.

I can share my faith.

I can thank God for another day.

I can use whatever blessings God has placed in my hands for His glory and for the good of others.

That is what living with our eyes on Heaven looks like.

A Simple Daily Practice

Perhaps we can begin each morning with a simple prayer:

“Lord, help me keep my eyes on You today.

Help me remember that this world is temporary and Heaven is eternal.

Help me use everything. You have given me for Your glory.

Help me forgive those who have hurt me.

Help me love those who are difficult to love.

Help me not become consumed by the problems of this world.

And when I become worried, remind me to look up.

My hope is not in this world. My hope is in You. Amen.”

Look Up

We don’t know how many days God has given us.

That is why today matters.

Don’t waste today worrying about yesterday.

Don’t spend today being consumed by tomorrow.

And don’t allow the temporary things of earth to make you forget the eternal things of Heaven.

Look up.

Fix your eyes on Christ.

Trust God with the things you cannot control.

Use today to love, forgive, serve, and give thanks.

Because when our eyes are fixed on Heaven, we can live on earth with greater peace, greater purpose, and greater hope.

Heaven is real. Eternity is coming.

So let us keep our eyes fixed on Heaven—and trust God to take care of the rest.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

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August 15, 2026
Forgiveness: The Heart of Christianity

Forgiveness is at the very center of Christianity. Jesus did not simply tell us to forgive the people we love—He challenged us to pray for those who hurt us, including those who may have deeply wronged us. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44) is not an easy command, but it is one of the most powerful ways we can follow Christ.

Forgiveness Does Not Mean Forgetting

When someone hurts us, forgiveness does not mean pretending that nothing happened. It does not mean that what they did was acceptable. It does not mean you must invite them back into your life, go out for coffee with them, or remove every healthy boundary.

Forgiveness means releasing the desire for revenge and placing the situation in God’s hands.

You can forgive someone and still remember the lesson. You can forgive someone and maintain appropriate boundaries. You can forgive someone without continuing a relationship that is unhealthy.

Forgiveness is for your heart and soul—not an excuse for someone else’s behavior.

Pray for Those Who Have Hurt You.

One of the most difficult parts of forgiveness is praying for the person who hurt you.

When anger rises, try a simple prayer:

“Lord, I forgive this person. Please bless them, guide them, and bring them closer to You. Heal my heart and theirs, and help me leave this hurt in Your hands.”

You may not feel forgiving when you first say those words. That’s okay. Forgiveness is sometimes a decision we make before our feelings catch up.

Pray anyway.

Remember How Much God Has Forgiven Us

Think about your own mistakes, failures, and weaknesses. Every one of us has needed God’s mercy.

The amazing truth of Christianity is that God’s forgiveness is not something we earn by being perfect. Through Jesus Christ, God offers us mercy, reconciliation, and a new beginning.

From the Cross, Jesus gave us one of the greatest examples of forgiveness the world has ever known:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34

If Jesus could pray for forgiveness for those who were crucifying Him, surely we can ask Him to help us forgive the people who have hurt us.

Forgiveness Sets the Heart Free

Holding onto anger can keep us tied to the person who hurt us. Forgiveness begins to break that chain.

When we forgive, we are not saying, “What happened doesn’t matter.”

We are saying:

“What happened mattered—but I will not allow it to control the rest of my life.”

We give the pain to God. We stop seeking revenge. We ask God to heal the wounds that we cannot heal by ourselves.

And sometimes, forgiveness is not a single moment. Sometimes it is a decision we have to make again and again.

Share the Forgiveness We Have Received

God has shown us tremendous mercy. As Christians, we are called to share that mercy with others.

That doesn’t mean forgiveness will always be easy. It doesn’t mean there won’t be tears. It doesn’t mean trust will automatically return.

It means that, with God’s help, we choose mercy over hatred, prayer over revenge, and peace over bitterness.

Be the face of Christ to someone who needs forgiveness.

Pray. Forgive. Let go. And let God heal your heart.

As Saint Paul reminds us:

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32

A Prayer for Forgiveness

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for forgiving me when I fail You. Help me remember how much mercy You have shown me.

Give me the grace to forgive those who have hurt me. Help me pray for them rather than wishing them harm. Give me wisdom to maintain healthy boundaries while keeping bitterness out of my heart.

Lord Jesus, You forgave from the Cross. Teach me to forgive as You forgave.

Take my anger, my hurt, and my resentment. Replace them with Your peace.

I place this person—and this pain—in Your hands.

Amen.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

P.S. To find more about THM, Click Here.

August 15, 2026
The Freedom of Forgiveness

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34

Someone once said, “Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” That simple statement contains a profound truth.

When we refuse to forgive, the person we are angry with may continue living life without ever thinking about us. Meanwhile, bitterness quietly takes root in our own hearts. Anger grows. Peace disappears. Joy fades. Our relationship with God can suffer because our hearts become occupied with yesterday’s wounds instead of today’s blessings.

Unforgiveness is a prison whose door can only be unlocked from the inside.

The Greatest Act of Forgiveness Ever Given

The greatest example of forgiveness the world has ever witnessed came from God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Out of infinite love, the Father sent His only Son into the world to redeem us.

How did humanity respond?

We rejected Him.

We mocked Him.

We humiliated Him.

We scourged Him until His body was torn.

We pressed a crown of thorns upon His sacred head.

We forced Him to carry the heavy Cross through the streets to Calvary.

Then we nailed Him to that Cross and lifted Him high before the crowds so they could continue to mock and ridicule Him.

Yet in the midst of unimaginable suffering, Jesus spoke words that continue to echo through history:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Those words were not spoken only for the Roman soldiers.

They were spoken for every sinner who has ever lived—including you and me.

Every sin, from the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden until the last person born before the end of time, was present before Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He willingly accepted the weight of our sins because of His immeasurable love for us.

He chose forgiveness instead of revenge.

He chose mercy instead of condemnation.

He chose love instead of hatred.

Why Is Forgiveness So Difficult?

Often, we struggle to forgive because we continue living in yesterday.

We replay the hurt.

We replay the conversation.

We replay the betrayal.

The past becomes our home.

But God is always inviting us into the present moment.

Yesterday cannot be changed.

Tomorrow has not yet arrived.

Grace is found today.

Peace is found today.

God meets us today.

When we constantly live in the past, we keep reopening wounds that Christ wants to heal.

Forgiveness does not mean pretending the hurt never happened.

It does not mean saying that evil was acceptable.

It does not always mean trusting the person again.

Forgiveness means placing the hurt into God’s hands instead of carrying it ourselves.

It means refusing to let bitterness control our hearts any longer.

The Father Is Waiting

Jesus beautifully illustrated God’s love in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

The father never stopped watching the road.

He never stopped hoping.

The moment his son returned, he ran to embrace him.

He clothed him.

He restored him.

Then he celebrated with a great feast.

That is our Heavenly Father.

Every one of us has wandered away from Him at one time or another.

Every one of us has needed mercy.

Every one of us has depended upon God’s forgiveness.

If God has forgiven us so generously, how can we refuse to forgive others?

A Prayer for the Grace to Forgive

If there is someone you have struggled to forgive, begin with a simple prayer.

“Lord Jesus, I cannot do this by myself. The hurt is real, and You know my heart. Give me the grace to forgive as You forgave me. Heal what is broken within me. Replace anger with peace, bitterness with love, and resentment with mercy. Help me to live in Your presence today rather than in yesterday’s pain. Amen.”

The Choice That Brings Freedom

Forgiveness is not weakness.

It is strength.

It is not surrendering to evil.

It is surrendering to God.

The Cross reminds us that love is stronger than hatred, mercy is greater than revenge, and forgiveness always has the final word.

Today, let us place our hurts at the foot of the Cross.

Let us leave behind the poison of resentment.

Let us receive the mercy Christ purchased for us.

And let us walk forward with peaceful hearts, knowing that our loving Father is waiting with open arms, ready to welcome every one of His sons and daughters home to the everlasting feast of Heaven.

Thank You for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

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July 26, 2026
Reflection:
Life Is Short… But Eternity Never Ends

“Life is short and death is sure,
The hour of death remains obscure.
A soul you have, and only one,
If that be lost, all hope is gone.

Waste not time while time shall last,
For after death ’tis ever past.

All-seeing God, your Judge will be,
And Heaven or Hell your destiny.

All earthly things will speed away,
Eternity alone will stay.”

These simple verses have echoed through Christian history because they speak a truth that every generation needs to hear. They are not meant to frighten us but to awaken us. They remind us that life is a precious gift from God, one that should never be taken for granted.

Every morning we wake is another opportunity to love God, serve others, forgive, pray, and grow in holiness. Yet how often do we become consumed with the temporary things of this world? We spend countless hours pursuing wealth, entertainment, possessions, and recognition, while giving little thought to the one journey every one of us must make—the journey into eternity.

Jesus Himself repeatedly told His followers to be ready.

“Be watchful! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”
— Matthew 24:42

The hour of our death truly remains unknown. No amount of wealth, influence, or technology can postpone it forever. Kings, presidents, billionaires, and the poorest among us all stand equal before God.

The One Possession That Lasts Forever

The poem says:

“A soul you have, and only one.”

Nothing we own will accompany us beyond the grave. Not our home. Not our bank account. Not our achievements.

Only our soul will stand before the Lord.

That is why Jesus urged us:

“Store up treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys.”

Every act of kindness, every sincere prayer, every sacrifice offered out of love, every confession made with a repentant heart, every Holy Communion received worthily, every act of forgiveness—these become treasures that can never be taken away.

Time Is God’s Gift

The older we become, the more quickly the years seem to pass.

Yesterday we were children.

Today we may be grandparents.

Tomorrow we will stand before Christ.

How wise it is, then, to use each day well.
- Pray every day.
- Read God’s Word.
- Attend Mass faithfully.
- Receive the Sacraments.
- Love your family.
- Help those in need.
- Forgive quickly.
- Trust completely in God’s mercy.
None of us knows how many tomorrows remain.

Heaven Is Worth Everything

The world offers many promises but cannot satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart.

Only God can.

Imagine the joy of Heaven—seeing God face to face, reunited with loved ones who died in Christ, joining the saints and angels in endless praise, where there is no sickness, no pain, no tears, and no death.

Compared to eternity, even the longest earthly life is but a brief moment.

As Saint Paul reminds us:

“Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

A Final Thought

One day our work will be finished.

One day our calendar will close.

One day our earthly journey will end.

When that day comes, may we hear the words every Christian longs to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Master.”

Let us live today with eternity in mind.

For while all earthly things will speed away, eternity alone will stay.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me never to lose sight of eternity. Teach me to use each day wisely, to love You with all my heart, to serve others with joy, and to remain faithful until the end. May my life bring You glory, and when You call me home, may I rejoice forever in Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.all seeing God, your Judge will be, And Heaven or Hell your destiny. All earthly things will speed away, Etdernity, alone will stay

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July 19, 2026