A subject line from another message on this list put this idea in my head so
I am writing it as a general discussion message.
Mainly because it is something I struggle with and also to have something to
say.
As for us, we are gathering up money where we can to try and absorb the hit
of the new bike on top of the old.
We haven't heard back on the new one yet.
They are waiting on the paper work from the government to make it street
legal.

Now, the blessing and praying topic,

I am pulling this from memory but I think it is scripture.  I don't know the
chapter and vurse, or even the book.
Jesus said, bless those who curse you, pray for those who spitefully abuse
you.
Now, who all has trouble with this one?
I sure do but it's one of those things you have to work at when just
starting to grasp christianity.
Maybe it is a struggle for the rest of life.  I'm not sure.
Hah, I just flashed on Paul in Trafic blessing those who curse him.
I am lucky that I don't have a lot of people cursing me, but I have been
used, spitefully or not.
Felt pretty spiteful on the receiving end of things.
My trust has been abused, and my since of self honor and of course this all
leads to pain and abuse of the spirit.
I am working on it though.
It feels good to be getting along with my brother, the drug addict, but we
still tip toe a bit as it is new.
I currently have another brother who has backslid into drinking, which he
know's he can not handle but he's back their again, by his own hand,
literally.
Hand picks up beverage you know.
I am not dealing with him at all right now and I resist the compulsions to
tell my family members not to give him my current phone number or address
and also to call him up and tell him truely what I think or to call his
girlfriend who is a friend of our's and tell her that I think she should go
ahead and leave him and get on with her healthy life with someone deserving
of her devotion.
I guess this is where the pray for those who spitefully use you thing comes
in.
Those who abuse substance, when they know they can not handle are really
abusing the spirits of those around them.
Well, I'll forest Gump here by saying,
And, that's all I have to say about that...

Matt