Bottoms Up...on repentance, that is...

Canadians have the reputation of being extremely apologetic; we say I’m sorry for every little oops and faux pas even though repentance never crosses our minds.

I remember being challenged with the ‘are you sorry you did it or sorry you got caught?’ question when I was young and I never forgot it…only the ‘sorry I did it’ reckons repentance.

Dr. Lakeland suggests this; a national repentance—from the bottom up, perhaps—may be our only hope.

We can apologize

Again and again

But only repentance

Brings about change

I’m sorry; the chieftain

Of Verbal fraud

Without Repentance

Before God

I’m sorry is nothing

But noisy Mouth-art

Without repentance

From the heart

© Janet Martin

Repent Definition;

1.  to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often followed by of):

He repented after his thoughtless act.

2.   to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.

verb (used with object)

3. to remember or regard with self-reproach or contrition:

to repent one's injustice to another.

4.  to feel sorry for; regret:

to repent an imprudent act.

  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Acts 3:19 NIV