Happy Friday 13th

Today is Friday the 13th... If I actually believed in back luck or even good luck, I would have to say that amazing things have happened to me on this special day... Most of them were good... 
The first time I realized that the 13th was not back luck was when I went fishing with my Daddy Mac... It was my only time to go fishing with him and it was Friday the 13th... Caught 13 bream using Roaches as bait... Unlucky for the Roaches and Bream...
I have never been into fishing so that day was my personal best... 
I have sales calls to make today... Looking forward to a successful day... Happy Friday the 13th... Richard...
 
Forgiveness

“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke
23:34 NASB

Ruggiero Leoncavallo was a rising star. Born in Naples in 1857, he became a successful composer, particularly after his opera, “Pagliacci,” premiered under the baton of Arturo Toscanini in 1892. Seeking to build on this success, he discovered the novel, La Vie de Bohème. This, he believed, was the story upon which he could base his next great opera.

He was distressed to learn that another composer, Giacomo Puccini, already was writing an opera based on the same book. Nonetheless, Leoncavallo continued with his project.

Puccini was first to finish his work, and his opera, La Bohème, became a sensation. Leoncavallo also finished his opera, but after a fairly successful debut, it was quickly forgotten. In the aftermath, he never could forgive Puccini, and the two men never spoke again. Crippled by bitterness and unforgiveness, Leoncavallo was stuck with the label of “one-opera composer.”

A spirit of unforgiveness can creep into any person’s life. Just like Leoncavallo, our lack of forgiveness can poison our attitudes and even lead to physical or emotional anguish.

Jesus said it was important to forgive others and to receive forgiveness from those we may have offended. If we are “at the altar,” we are to be ready to forgive those who have something against us. We even are to leave our offering and “go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” (Matthew 5:23-24).

Forgiveness is so important that, while dying on the Cross, Jesus took the time to forgive those who were crucifying Him. As He demonstrated, we are not just to forgive our friends, but also our enemies. Forgiveness is not an option, but a cornerstone of the Christian faith—a key to mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and the healing of relationships.

Have you been wounded by the actions or words of someone? Have you forgiven them?

Daily Smile:
It was a cold winter day. An old man walked out onto a frozen lake, cut a hole in the ice and dropped in his fishing line. He was there for almost an hour, without even a nibble, when a young boy walked out onto the ice, cut a hole in the ice not far from him. The young boy dropped his fishing line and minutes later he hooked a Largemouth Bass.

The old man couldn't believe his eyes but chalked it up to plain luck. But, shortly thereafter, the young boy pulled in another large catch.

The young boy kept catching fish after fish. Finally, the old man couldn't take it any longer. "Son, I've been here for over an hour without even a nibble. You've been here only a few minutes and have caught a half
dozen fish! How do you do it?"

The boy responded, "Roo raf roo reep ra rums rrarm."

"What was that?" the old man asked.

Again the boy responded, "Roo raf roo reep ra rums rarrm."

"Look," said the old man, "I can't understand a word you're saying."

The boy spit the contents of his mouth into his hand and said, "You have to keep the worms warm!"