26 Jul, 2010
Awarded for Forgiveness!
Murdered coach Ed Thomas honored at ESPY Awards 2010
There was an emotional moment at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles Wednesday night as the family of murdered Iowa football coach Ed Thomas accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
In June 2009, Ed Thomas was shot to death by a former student, Mark Becker. Becker was hospitalized in a mental health unit and then released several days before the shooting. He currently is serving his sentence for life in prison.
The Arthur Ashe award was given to Ed Thomas family because of the forgiveness shown to the family of Mark Becker. ESPN honors those individuals who transcend sports each year with this awarad.
A video tribute about Ed Thomas was shown prior to his son, Aaron Thomas, taking to the stage and speaking to the audience about his father:
When you look at former winners and the company we’ve joined ... and to think that our dad and the example he set at doing what’s right has led us into the category ... We went through many tough times, but we had a great example from my father in how to handle adversity.'
Story and Photo found at http://news.google.com. Posted July 15, 2010.
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
What does today's God's Story Scripture teach us about Forgiveness?
Jesus gives a startling warning about forgiveness. If we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us. Why? Because when we don't forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God's forgiveness. God's forgiveness of sin is not the direct result of our forgiving others, but it is based on our realizing what forgiveness means. It is easy to ask God for forgiveness, but difficult to grant it to others. Whenever we ask God to forgive us for sin, we should ask, Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me? (Life Application Study Bible Notes, Tyndale House Publishers)
Is there someone in your life you are struggling to forgive?
- Pray for that person every day this week.
- Pray for yourself, asking God to continue to work on your heart in this matter of forgiveness.
- Thank God for His forgiveness for your sin.
- Do you know someone who is stuggling to forgive someone? Pray for them every day this week, asking God to continue working on their heart in this matter of forgiveness.
- Is there someone who is struggling with understading God's forgiveness for their sin. Pray for them this week as well.
- Is there someone who has wronged you that you need to seek out this week to express forgiveness? Don't just keep it between you and God. Step out and offer them forgiveness.
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