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Recompense

Posted on April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 by Pam

Recompense is not a word we frequently use. The concept is everywhere in the Bible with these synonyms: amends, compensation, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, redress, reprisal, and restitution. Luke 14:14 is giving a lesson for hosts with, “and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous”. We do a ton of things that should go unrecognized and, seemingly, unrewarded because keeping score is a challenge. We do it. I gave a small gift last night and the recipient set it aside unopened. I hope she liked it but what I really want to know is that it did not get lost. I won’t ask but I’ll wonder. Yes I like getting proper ‘credit’. There is a score card in my mind and I have difficulty turning it off. I know it is better to give than to receive but I still want to give and ‘get’ the credit for being ‘thoughtful’. How shallow is that? In 2 Cor 5:7-10, in summary, …because we walk by faith and not by sight we are of good courage…and we have an ambition to please Him because we will all appear at the judgement to be recompensed for our deeds done on earth – whether good or bad… Did you know that it is a concept in Islam that there is a good angel and an opposing bad angel on our shoulders who keep score? It is more complex than that but an adopted concept by many who are unaware of the source. It is not true and it is not in God’s text. There is forgiveness through Christ or we carry our load to hell. There is no score card. “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”, 2 Cor 5:18-20. I think people want recompense and God offers reconciliation. We have a math story-problem in mind and He forgives without a scorecard. Think of Jonah’s disappointment that Ninevah was let off the hook when he wanted a score. See – we can never make amends for our human propensity to counter God’s better plans. We fail and God continues to rescue those who harm Him.

"Thoughts from a genuinely evaluative mind."

Pam writes so that must make her a writer. Recently retired, she can now fill days with family, friends, missions, writing, creating, and showing up for whomever needs her. Pam loves the Lord and people. The Bible is God’s love letter to us (and who does not need more love) so she studies and writes some more.

Pam lives in the Pacific Northwest but was home-grown in Southern California. She attended San Jose Bible College and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at UCLA. She became a teacher, then a Research and Development Chemist, then she built two successful real estate businesses in two states. Pam also pursued study at Fuller Theological Seminary and just completed six months serving in missions abroad.

Pam has two amazing children, married to two precious in-laws, and five sweet grandchildren. Pam is a gifted connector and communicator and the Northwest has the perfect climate for staying inside and writing – or baking! She has been writing since a wee one and is currently converting many years of blogging, by topic, into ten books. The first is a collection from 2011 titled, Beautiful Enough. The second is a yearly day-timer titled, Weekly Planner - Lessons in Life, Glory, and Grace. Number three is in progress with the working title, Christmas Today.

Ten facts about Pam in no particular order:

  1. On the team that developed an insulation for the Alaskan oil pipeline.
  2. Loves looking at homes, decorating, and has flipped five homes.
  3. Likes being tall.
  4. Films have helped define her vocabulary.
  5. Comes from Colorado tenement farmers with history traced to Wales.
  6. Was lost but now is found.
  7. Baking makes her happy – as does eating sweets with coffee, of course.
  8. She thinks mission work is the most important work in the world.
  9. The church started in Rome so she is learning Italian.
  10. Pam is a work in progress!

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

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