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Posted on 08/19/2019 5:31:58 PM PDT by laurenmarlowe
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Hi !
Hi Everybody!
(((HUGS)))
Bible in a Year : Psalms 105–106; 1 Corinthians 3
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Luke 6:27 In Leif Enger’s novel Peace Like a River, Jeremiah Land is a single father of three working as a janitor at a local school. He’s also a man of deep, sometimes miraculous, faith. Throughout the book, his faith is often tested.
Jeremiah’s school is run by Chester Holden, a mean-spirited superintendent with a skin condition. Despite Jeremiah’s excellent work ethic—mopping up a sewage spill without complaint, picking up broken bottles the superintendent smashed—Holden wants him gone. One day, in front of all the students, he accuses Jeremiah of drunkenness and fires him. It’s a humiliating scene.
How does Jeremiah respond? He could threaten legal action for unfair dismissal or make accusations of his own. He could slink away, accepting the injustice. Think for a moment what you might do.
“Love your enemies,” Jesus says, “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27–28). These challenging words aren’t meant to excuse evil or stop justice from being pursued. Instead, they call us to imitate God (v. 36) by asking a profound question: How can I help my enemy become all God wants him or her to be?
Jeremiah looks at Holden for a moment, then reaches up and touches his face. Holden steps back defensively, then feels his chin and cheeks in wonder. His scarred skin has been healed.
An enemy touched by grace.
What would your first reaction be in Jeremiah’s situation? How can you help a difficult person move closer to God’s purposes for them?
God, when faced with unfairness, injustice, or abuse, show me how to help my enemy move closer to You.
Hai!! (((HUGS))) Home, relaxing before heading out again. This will be the last time this month. Rest of the month off.
I spent two weeks there one summer on a reserve tour of duty. Lived in barracks occupied by WW2 German POW’s. Their names were still visible as they carved them into the wood. Pretty cool.
For 23 years I spent several weeks a year training there.
Thanks, unique, for the road trippers!
~ Road Trip: Fort McCoy, Wisconsin ~
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Greetings to all at the Canteen!
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Howdy, PRO!
How was your weekend? Did you make it back out to the shooting range? Has the heat ratcheted back up out there?
Hotter ‘n hades here. Other than working at the museum, I stayed in. I’d been given a task by the congressional candidate I’m working for so had plenty to occupy the time while stuck inside.
Now trying to catch up on everything and not having a lot of luck. LOL Too far behind.
Good evening, Pro...a nice weekend?
We are completely covered in smoke from fires to the north and fires to the south. Can’t see much beyond across the street.
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