Dr. Laura makes forgiveness conditional.  No wonder this verse means so much.

Psalms 103:12  As far as the east is from the 
west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Aren't you glad He said east from the west and not, the north from the south?

earlier, Vicki and The Rors, wrote:
>Thanks for sharing, Helen.  Lots of thoughts there.
>
>Vicki
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Helen" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 12:11 PM
>Subject: Re: [ECHURCH-USA] Something I discovered-forgiveness
>
>
>Vinny and Angel,
>Your two posts reminded me of something I
>received in email this morning.  I'll paste it here for all to read:
>Love,
>Helen
>
>July 23 "for this is My blood of the covenant,
>which is to be shed on behalf of many for the
>forgiveness of sins."
><http://www.studylight.org/desk/?passage=mt+26:28&sr=1>Matthew 26:28
>
>Risky Business
>
>Forgiveness - What does forgiveness look like?
>That's not the same question as what it means. We
>are inclined to use a lot of theologically
>correct language when we talk about forgiveness.
>We mention casting away guilt, dealing with sins
>and bridging the gap between man and God. All
>that is correct and good to know. But what does
>forgiveness look like in action? The imagery of the Greek word can help us.
>
>Aphesis (forgiveness, remission) comes from two
>other Greek words. One is the simple preposition
>"from" (apo). The other is hiemi, to send.
>Literally, to send from, to send away. This
>combination results in meanings like, "to
>dismiss, to let pass, to send forth, to let go
>of, to release, to forsake, to leave and to
>abandon". What does forgiveness look like? It
>looks like the last rays of the sun disappearing
>over the horizon. It looks like the last wave of
>the passenger on the cruise ship. It looks like
>the airplane pulling out of sight. Forgiveness is a disappearing act.
>
>Is this your vision of forgiveness? When you
>forgive, do you see the incident disappear from
>your horizon? Do you wave it good-bye? Do you
>release it from your history and your vocabulary?
>Forgiveness is the active choice to send
>something away from you. God's forgiveness sends
>away the guilty verdict and the implied
>punishment. God's active choice in the matter
>means that it is removed from His vocabulary
>about us and from His actions toward us. Gone.
>Disappeared. God doesn't stand on the shore and
>look out at the sea, catching the wisp of smoke
>from the ship in order to remind Himself that He
>"forgave" us. There is no telltale sign on the
>horizon. God isn't looking in that direction.
>
>Dr. Laura gave advice about forgiveness to a
>caller. She said that forgiveness was not
>necessary unless the offender demonstrated
>remorse and changed behavior. Dr. Laura might
>have been well received among the Pharisees but
>she certainly would have had difficulty with
>Jesus. Jesus made forgiveness the most risky
>business in the world. From Jesus' perspective,
>forgiveness never demanded remorse or changed
>behavior. Forgiveness is my decision to wave
>good-bye. It does not depend on your response.
>Forgiveness with expectation is subtle
>obligation. And God is not subtle when it comes to dealing with sin.
>
>Let it go. Send it away. Release it. Take the risk. Wave good-bye. He did.
>
>
>----------
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>
>
>
>
>Earlier, Vinny Samarco wrote:
>Well, Angel,
>I'm glad the guy turned out to be a transcriber, and I'm glad you can
>forgive him, neverless, as you said in effect, he is not about to be your
>best friend.  Also, that still doesn't mean he can't or won't do that kind
>of thing again.  I'm so very sorry that that had to happen to you and your
>daughter.
>Yes, in spite of all, we have to pray that if there is anything that God can
>redeem and use for the good out of a situation like that, that He will do
>soAll in All, we just have to give it to the Lord, and be thankful to Him
>for any good that came out of it.
>In my case, I had to forgive someone who caused us to have to leave our
>home.  I can't go into details, but, as I am sure you have learned,
>forgiveness is as much for us as it is towards the other person.
>Forgive my rambling.
>Vinny
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Angel" <[log in to unmask]
>To: <[log in to unmask]
>Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 6:06 AM
>Subject: Something I discovered

John