[GodBlessUSA]

[GodBlessUSA]

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[The Mayor]

November 3, 2006

Getting Even

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READ: Ephesians 4:25–5:1

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32 When we or someone we love has been hurt, thoughts of revenge may dominate our minds. But we won’t ever be able to “get even.” Dr. Lewis Smedes, a professor of theology, wrote extensively about forgiveness in Forgive and Forget, saying: “Revenge never evens the score, for alienated people never keep score of wrongs by the same mathematics. Forgiveness is the only way to stop the cycle of unfair pain turning in your memory.”

These insights help us understand why Paul wrote with urgency: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger . . . be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, . . . forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:31-32). Paul knew that a spirit of forgiveness was essential for the Ephesians’ spiritual survival. His appeal was based on God’s forgiveness of them.

Smedes said that forgiveness is not forgetting, excusing, or smoothing things over. Instead, forgiving breaks the cycle of revenge and “creates a new possibility of fairness by releasing us from the unfair past. Forgiving is love’s toughest work, and love’s biggest risk. To forgive is to dance to the beat of God’s forgiving heart. It is to ride the crest of love’s strongest wave. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” —David C. McCasland

Jesus came our debt to pay,
Saved our soul in grace one day,
So in love we all should live,
Ready always to forgive.  —Bosch

Revenge imprisons us; forgiveness sets us free.

Bible in One Year;  Jeremiah 30-31; Philemon

[DollyCali]

I still have my red nightie on.. does that count GeeBee?

TGIF

another day helping with GOTV at campaign headquarters.. Will squeeze in doggies walk, of course.. IN OUR SNOW!!!! couple inches fell last night.

Put off roof work at I worked at rep headquarters yesterday also..

Will try to check in on weekend as time permits. Thanks for opening the doors Sistah!!!

[luvie]

~Aaron Tippen~
The Stars and Stripes
and the Eagle Flies
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[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

061022-N-4207M-016 Pacific Ocean (Oct. 22, 2006) - A shell flies from an M-60 machine gun on the flight deck aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) as Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Casey Coulson shoots at a target placed on the edge of the portside elevator. The training was conducted to maintain proficiency in shooting the M-60 from a prone position. Essex and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are in the Philippines participating in the annual, bilateral exercises, Exercise Talon Vision (TV 07) and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX 07), with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFR). Essex is the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group based in Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Jhoan M. Montolio (RELEASED)

061101-N-1063M-003 Red Sea (Nov. 1, 2006) - An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the “Pukin Dogs” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Three (VFA-143), lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower is deployed in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dale Miller (RELEASED)

061015-M-0049M-008 Republic of the Philippines (Oct. 15, 2006) - U.S. Marines and Sailors from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts a long-range helicopter-borne raid using CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Two Six Five (HMM-265). The raid was executed with the assistance from members of the Philippine Air Force as part of bilateral training exercises Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) FY 2007. The annual exercises are designed to enhance interoperability and professional relations between the two armed forces. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ricardo Morales (RELEASED)

061026-N-1550W-006 Jacksonville, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2006) - Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets fly in unison during an air show performance. This year the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron “Blue Angels" returned to their original home as the featured performers for the 2006 NAS Jax Air Show. This year's theme recognizes the birth of the Blue Angels at NAS Jax 60 years ago. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elizabeth Williams (RELEASED)

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

061030-F-7426P-311 Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq (Oct. 30, 2006) - U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Technician 1st Class Donnie Walkey, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Three (EODMU-3), carries a 107 mm rocket out of the Iraqi police headquarters in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, for transport to Camp Echo. EODMU-3 responded to the Iraqi police headquarters to recover a cache of explosives found by policemen during a checkpoint vehicle search. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dawn M. Price (RELEASED)

061030-N-8547M-085 Persian Gulf (Oct. 30, 2006) - Landing Craft Utility 1656 and 1658 underway in the Persian Gulf performing small boat operations moments after departing the well deck of amphibious assault ship USS Saipan. Saipan is currently on deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations (MSO). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick W. Mullen III (RELEASED)

060316-N-6213R-001 Pacific Ocean (March 16, 2006) - Pilots sit in an EA-6B Prowler assigned the "Vikings" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron One Two Nine (VAQ-129), while flight deck crew members prepare their aircraft for night flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is currently conducting carrier qualifications off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Mark J. Rebilas (RELEASED)