Tag: love of enemies

Pastor Note #132: Anger and Following Jesus

~ gachorpenning ~ 5 Comments

In my youth, which took place in those dark days before the existence of computers and apps on mobile devices, it was very difficult to say definitively how often, if at all, a given phrase appears in the Bible.  These days, of course, it is a matter of a few moments of thumb typing, and … Continue reading Pastor Note #132: Anger and Following Jesus

Quote of Note #165: “Love Your Enemies”

~ gachorpenning ~ Leave a comment

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says, … Continue reading Quote of Note #165: “Love Your Enemies”

Pastor Note #131: A Pastoral Response to Someone Struggling in these Divisive Times

~ gachorpenning ~ 4 Comments

Feeling connected and part of a community of believers has become increasingly hard for me, too, over the last several years.  So, I can understand how you feel.  There is a kind of spiritual homelessness that has set in for many of us.  We can feel such a desire to isolate and retreat from community … Continue reading Pastor Note #131: A Pastoral Response to Someone Struggling in these Divisive Times

Pastor Note #125: A Maundy Thursday Devotional

~ gachorpenning ~ Leave a comment

Introduction:Today, the Thursday before Easter is traditionally called Maundy Thursday.  This is pretty much the only context in which the word “maundy” is used in English.  So, what does the word mean?  Well, it comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “command.”  This Thursday is called Maundy Thursday because we are meant to remember … Continue reading Pastor Note #125: A Maundy Thursday Devotional

Quote of Note #154: The Inclusiveness of Loving my Neighbor

~ gachorpenning ~ Leave a comment

Photo by GAC "It is intriguing to me that when Jesus points to the centrality of love, he also invokes a metaphor which is not familial (e.g.. 'brother' or 'friend') or ethnic (e.g. 'your people'), but almost geographical: we are to love the neighbor -- the one next to us, who happens (by providence) to … Continue reading Quote of Note #154: The Inclusiveness of Loving my Neighbor

Quote of Note #145: Blessing our Enemies

~ gachorpenning ~ Leave a comment

Photo by GAC "Repentance and tearing down walls that we've built also means that we speak differently of 'them'. 'Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28). To bless means to speak well of. This biblical command can radically change our interactions within our circle of friends. When the topic … Continue reading Quote of Note #145: Blessing our Enemies

Quote of Note #141: The Power of Love

~ gachorpenning ~ Leave a comment

Western Pennsylvania Woodland Scene; photo by GAC "[L]ove is the only force that can transform an enemy into a friend. We never get rid of an enemy by meeting hate with hate; we get rid of an enemy by getting rid of enmity. By its very nature, hate destroys and tears down; by its very … Continue reading Quote of Note #141: The Power of Love

Pastor Note #103: Loving Like Crazy Jesus Followers

~ gachorpenning ~ 1 Comment

1 Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? Photo by GAC A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul,in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,and has set me free from the tyranny of the … Continue reading Pastor Note #103: Loving Like Crazy Jesus Followers