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I got home from work after 7pm tonight and had to work some more on the computer. I just popped in and saw this wonderful older writing of yours. It is very well written. That is what I am impressed with time and time again when I look at your stuff afresh. I mean lots of what you write I had already seen[inside me] many years before meeting you but, simply did not have the know how on how to get it out of me! lol It has taken some time, and much patience to convey as I do today, that is for sure. Yeah, and I realize that I do not even convey very well even now!

Anyway Jim, If you are caught up enough I wondered if you cared to expound a tad more on this wonderful portion of your writting:

"The people were used to hearing words of God preached to them by those who only saw themselves as victims in need of retribution. But did they hear anything about the multitude of scriptures where God showed MERCY to the guilty? The picture of turning the other check, etc is that of a heart that does not seek retribution but LEAVES GOD'S WORK UP TO GOD. If they had really been hearing the true preaching of the scriptures they would have also heard that God had also said,
VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, Deuteronomy 32:"

You know, this Deut. quote is also put in the Hebrews letter as well. I can remember thinking to myself so long ago that this could be taken a few different ways. Yeah, even with your very true statement about leaving God's work up to god. I mean think about it. Can you imagine someone hearing the scripture "vengeance is mine, I will repay" and then thinking: "yeah, I KNOW God will REPAY that worthless scum bag[referring to the offender]. He ALWAYS REPAYS the evil with His judgment!"? In other words he just sees god as even MORE of a God of wrath when he sees this verse here. Yeah, he even hears your statement of 'leaving God's work up to God" and thinks it makes allot of sense! I mean God REALLY knows how to get someone back so why do I need to worry about?!!!

I wonder if you would shake this tree a bit more? What has this 'vengence is mine, i will repay" meant to you over the years?

ok, one more comment. lol

If God says to love our enemies and yet He is getting His 'vengeance' still, then we really would BE LIKE HIM wouldn't we?!!![that is, in the flesh!]To seek 'vengeance' we must ignore the cross.