Today is Friday, February 22nd, 2008; Karen's Korner #1255

A last year's Lenten writing by Shirley Choat:

 
"I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may be children of your Father in heaven;
for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous."
~ Matthew 5:44,45
 
  Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive, as we had during World War II. To mention the subject may be greeted with howls of anger. I wonder how we'd feel about forgiving the Gestapo if we were a Pole or a Jew?
 
  Christianity tells me that I must not deny my religion even to save myself from death by torture, I wonder very much what I should do when it came to that point. I am not trying to tell you what I could do which would be precious little; I am telling you what Christianity is. I did not invent it. And there, right in the middle of it, I find "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." There is no slightest suggestion that we are offered forgiveness on any other terms. It is made perfectly clear that if we do not forgive we shall not be forgiven. There are no two ways about it.  C. S. Lewis
 
    God bids us love our enemies,
    As hard as that may be;
    The battle He will fight for us
    And give the victory.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - In overcoming an enemy, nothing is more effective than the weapon of love.

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