What comes to your mind when you think of religious violence-Muslim extremists attacking church buildings, or fringe fundamental-ist Christians bombing abortion clinics? . - P81
Both are examples of religiousviolence in our world today, but the reality is that religious violenceis not always physical. Sometimes it takes other forms. - P81
Emotionaland psychological violence can be every bit as destructive as physicalviolence-sometimes worse - P81
The grace and truth of Jesus Christ are more than enough to combatthe wickedness in our world. - P81
But let us never forget that these weap-ons of righteousness are to be wielded in faith, with love for God andour neighbor as our motivation. - P81
Jesus, You alone are the Lord of my life, the one who leads, protects, andprovides for me. - P81
Help me to trust You in all of life‘s circumstances rather thantrusting in worldly ways or my own wisdom. In Your name, amen. - P81
22 But the men will agree to livewith us as one people only on the condition that ourmales be circumcised, as they themselves are. 23 Won‘ttheir livestock, their property and all their other animalsbecome ours? So let us agree to their terms, and they willsettle among us." - P82
25 Three days later, while all of them were still in pain,
two of Jacob‘s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah‘s broth-ers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspectingcity, killing every male. 26 They put Hamor and his sonShechem to the sword and took Dinah from Shechem‘shouse and left. - P83
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the dead bodies andlooted the city where their sister had been defiled.
28 They seized their flocks and herds and donkeys andeverything else of theirs in the city and out in the fields.
29 They carried off all their wealth and all their womenand children, taking as plunder everything in the houses. - P83
31 But they replied, "Should he have treated our sisterlike a prostitute?"
31 "But why should we let him treat our sister like a prostitute?" they retorted angrily. - P83
|