Ephesians 4:29�Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.�
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.�
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:�
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
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We teach the kids verse 32...encouraging them to develop positive communication, using kind words and having a forgiving heart at an early age.
Glad to see you're still around, Cat. Your Broncos started slow yesterday!
I was actually in Denver for several of their 'no-show' performances at the Super Bowls in the mid 90s...I think at least 3!
The sign of a true fan is one who sticks with their team even when they're having off-seasons. It's tough but when they come back or beat one of the 'unbeatable' teams it's always exciting.
One of my nephews is a Packers fan so I get to experience a little of the pain each time they lose. They can be a spoiler for some of the teams.
Hard to believe we're in the final weeks of the season!
Matthew 5:44�But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;�
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.�
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?�
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?�
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Luke 6:26�Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,�
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.�
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.�
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.�
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.�
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.�
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.�
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.�
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.�
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.�
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
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And here we have the precedence of men of God ordaining other men in the church....
Mike, I liked what you said about love being a choice. I think if more people, including me, would remember love IS a choice, we could work through so many issues. When the "feeling" fades, when struggles come, we need to remember and react in actions and attitudes of love...even when it's tough.