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"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
It wasn't until the past couple years that I started really learning about some of the depth of what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught and wrote. If you haven't done so, I recommend doing a search on the internet for some of his writings, and taking a look at them -- and you might be amazed by how extremely relevant they still are today!
He was firm in the Christian calling to love those who hate us -- and this wasn't abstract philosophy. As I understand it, after King's house was set ablaze, he made sure his family was safe, and then he stood on the steps of his still burning house and preached to an angry gathering of his followers about loving your enemies and not using violence to combat violence. King was convinced that the only real path forward was to love his enemies over to his side -- to overwhelm them with extreme and genuine love, against all odds.
It often isn't easy to remain calm, peaceful, purposeful, and loving when people want talk badly about us, insult us, or even physically hurt us. It might not even be safe. Yet Jesus called us to love our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us. We Christians are to be peculiar people, rather than to just blend in with the culture around it. Do you pray for good things for those who hurt you? I certainly fall short of that mark -- but people like King inspire me to try again.
Almighty God, give us strength and guide us in your way of extravagant and overflowing love. In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.
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Please feel free to share these emails with a friend -- many people won't know that we exist without your help. If you don't want to receive these emails, just reply and let us know. We don't want to spam anyone.
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Please feel free to share these emails with a friend -- many people won't know that we exist without your help. If you don't want to receive these emails, just reply and let us know. We don't want to spam anyone.
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Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations: Check out http://MLK.GMU.EDU for all the events that are part of Mason's official campus-wide celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -- and also to RSVP to attend, if applicable! (There are a few events this week!)
Theology Pub: Mon. 2/1, 5-7pm in the SUB1 Rathskeller (lower level). Feel free to bring questions or topics for discussion. Join fellow students and Pastor Meredith to discuss God, life, theology, and how they intersect. ALL are welcome for safe, open conversation. Facebook event. (If you want to come, but have class then, let us know.)
747 Creative Christian Worship resumes on Wed. 2/2 at 7:47pm in JC meeting room B (3rd floor, ask the info desk or call/TXT 703-829-0220 for help finding us). We have this room almost every week, so we should be easier to find this semester! ALL are welcome! (Co-sponsored with United College Ministries.) http://GMU747.org
Prayer Labyrinth: Mon. 2/14, Noon-4pm: JC mtg rm D. Drop in for 15 minutes or more to take a break from your stressful schedule to spend some time seeking peace and centering yourself in prayerful meditation. (Co-sponsored with United College Ministries.)
Hypothermia Shelters: Winter is a particularly hard time to be homeless. To help, Facets implements a hypothermia shelter program, hosted each week by various faith communities in Fairfax County. Some example host weeks:
+ St. Mark's Lutheran, Springfield (Jan. 30 - Feb. 5)
+ Lord of Life Lutheran, Fairfax (Feb. 6-12)
+ Bethlehem Lutheran, Fairfax (Feb. 20-26)
+ Holy Trinity Lutheran, Falls Church (Feb. 27 - March 5).
They almost always need more people to help (especially on weeknights)! If you are interested in helping out sometime (i.e. cooking and serving food, talking to people and providing hospitality, etc.), let me know and I'll try to put you in touch with the coordinator at the hosting congregation.
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Join the Facebook group & invite your friends: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=19907586200
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Grace and peace,
Ben
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Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
www.LCMGMU.org
http://facebook.com/LCMGMU
http://twitter.com/LCMGMU
http://GMU747.org
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220
Ben
--
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
www.LCMGMU.org
http://facebook.com/LCMGMU
http://twitter.com/LCMGMU
http://GMU747.org
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220
