This entry came up in my Facebook memories from seven years ago (found HERE in 2014 then shared again in 2021) and so I thought I'd also put it here for others to read. I enjoyed this Lutheran book back when I was a Lutheran. I still like some of the quotes I kept over the years like this one: "My dear friends, unless you love people, unless your heart reaches out in sympathy to all who are troubled and distressed, unless you simply find yourself rejoicing with them that rejoice and weeping with them that weep, like Jesus at the grave of Lazarus, then for Christ's sake, don't enter the Christian ministry." Preus, "Preaching to Young Theologians" - Recorded in "The Fire and the Staff" St. Paul says in Romans 12.9-21: "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." If you read my blog post on reconciliation HERE from just a couple weeks ago, you'll see that we are to do so with love, and as St. Paul says: "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." When there is to be reconciliation there should be no finger pointing or retaliation. There should be a desire to love the person as in all circumstances, even our enemies. Preus is absolutely right in his warning not to enter the Christian ministry if a man is unwilling to reach out "in sympathy to all who are troubled and distressed" and weeping with those who weep. A Christian minister needs to have compassion on his parishioners. If not, they did not discern their calling right and should have entered a different vocation, using the talents and gifts God has given them. A note for those who suffer much in this life, I wrote a poem about that and you can read it HERE if you like. God's peace be with you. Forgiven much, Tamara Jack Check out my 90 lb. Weight Loss Journey with Weight Watchers HERE! To contact me, email: [email protected] (You can contact me for prayer, too.) Where to find me: Facebook: AssisiRosaries Page HERE YouTube: AssisiRosaries Channel HERE YouTube: Tamara Wigs Out Channel HERE Instagram: AssisiRosaries HERE Instagram: TamaraWigsOut HERE
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