Todd,
Everybody has blown it to some degree or another, but the more
important thing there is repentance and change.? You seem to
well understand this.? I appreciate your having admitted this to us,
as it betokens an honest beginning with the FSW and Wyoming.?
Let's use the term "fracture" as a metaphor for your past crimes.
You fractured once, went to prison, got out, and then fractured again.
To some, the second fracture points to a high probability of a third, fourth, etc.
They certainly have a point.? As the old saying goes:
"Burn me once, shame on you.? Burn me twice, shame on me!"
Will you ever fracture again?
That depends on the strength of the repair, of the "epoxy."
Some epoxies are stronger than even the parent material.
Meaning, the piece is likely to break anywhere but the area of repair.
Your first epoxy (sheer will power, apparently) was obviously lacking.
Your second epoxy (strength through Jesus Christ) has held up.
Can you still fracture again there?? Certainly, but not without a lot of work at it.
I.e., you will have to intentionally chip away at the join (by repeatedly giving
into tempting thoughts).
To some people, your past may be too high of a hurdle, and everyone
has a right to their own hurdles.?
Many others, however, will tend to judge you more for the current
you, vs. the past one.?
In short, I agree with Hunter's take on the matter:
If yer willin ta work, work hard, keep yer nose clean and be a respectable credit to your company and community you'll do well in WY.
The message of the Gospel can be condensed to Forgiveness through Love.
And when God forgives, He forgives in an awesome way:
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."? ?-- Psalms 103:12 (KJV)
As far as the east is from the west?? That's rather far!
North and south
do meet (at the poles), but east and west
never meet.
A forgiven man is a
changed man, and a changed man
acts differently.
The righteous in Christ don't cease their old sins merely because they believe
that they should--they cease because they no longer
want to sin as they did.
If this describes you, then the new folks you meet in Wyoming
simply will not be able to see that previous man...who is no longer there.
Boston
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