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Bulletin
Lay Lake Church of Christ
Volume 5 March 28, 2010 Number 13
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Love Your Enemies
Ronnie Scherffius
In addition to serving as the 25th President of the United States, William F. McKinley achieved the rank of major in the Union Army during the Civil War and served two terms (1887–1882; 1885–1891) as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives for Ohio. During one of his congressional campaigns he was followed from place to place by a reporter for a paper of the opposite political party. The reporter was shrewd and persistent; always at work, quick to see an opportunity and skilled in making the most of it. While Mr. McKinley was annoyed by the misrepresentation to which he was almost daily subjected, he could not help admiring the skill and tenacity with which he was assailed. His admiration, too, was not unmixed with compassion.
On one occasion the reporter was ill, poorly dressed and had an annoying cough. That night Mr. McKinley took a closed carriage to a nearby town at which it had been announced he would speak. The weather was wretchedly raw and cold. He had not gone far when he heard that cough and knew that the reporter was riding with the driver in the exposed seat. McKinley called to the driver to stop so he could get out.
“Get down off that seat, young man,” he said. The reporter obeyed, thinking the time for vengeance had come. “Here,” said Mr. McKinley, taking off his overcoat, “You put on this overcoat and get into the carriage.”
“But Major McKinley,” said the reporter, “I guess you don’t know who I am. I have been with you the whole campaign, giving it to you every time you spoke, and I am going over tonight to rip you to pieces if I can.”
“I know,” said Mr. McKinley, “but you put on this coat, and get inside and get warm, so that you can do a good job.”
How easy it is to be kind to our friends and admirers, to those we love and hold in high esteem, but should we not with equal compassion show kindness to those who would do us harm and disservice? Jesus came to offer salvation not only to the good but also to the evil; He died for both the lovely and the unlovable. Christ gave us the supreme example of love – how are you walking in His footsteps?
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 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; 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. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?” Matthew 5:43-46.
Remember in Prayer:
Cecil Moody; Sandy Arrington; George & Margaret Walker (Maureen’s parents); Jason Coley (brain cancer) Wilsonville; Cathy Roberts; Greg Duncan; Martha Eckert; Corey Boothe; Adam Carskaddon; Adam Pilling; Jesse Spillman; Major Marshall. Charles Lancaster. Matthew Martin & Luke Atnip (Afganistan). Our college students.
“Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
News & Upcoming Activities
Scripture Reading: Matt. 13:1-9
Response: Hanna Hyche responded last Sunday night requesting prayer and encouragement.
Fellowship Meal: TODAY following our morning worship!!!
Teachers Meeting: Teachers for our Spring Quarter are asked to meet tonight following our worship. Our new quarter begins next Sunday.
Spring Gospel Meeting: April 11 - 14 with James Pilgrim.
Fellowship Meal: April 11th after our morning worship!
Mark Your Calendar
Backwoods-June 6 - 11
June Bug - June 18 - 19
Men’s Meeting: April 18th at 3:30.