"Pray for those who persecute you"...Why?

Because it's good for you! Today was an especially hard day at work. It wasn't physically strenuous, but relationally strenuous. One of my coworkers is like a wave going back and forth between happy and grumpy. I never know what to expect. Many times I find myself being hurt by his responses, and feel that they are unnecessary, or even unacceptable. I approached him after work today to see if we were "OK" with each other and he blew me off, which made me feel even worse.

As I was driving away I was fighting the notion to hate him. I was crying through my feelings of rage, then the Lord blessed me with a sweet thought. "Why don't you pray for Him? He needs me just as much as you do right now. He, just like you, is laced with the venom of the old man." He was right. He's always right.

So, I prayed for him and a sweet peace washed over my soul. No longer was I overwhelmed with feelings of hurt and anger. They didn't leave me. They still need to be dealt with. But now I was overwhelmed with the Lords goodness for me. It IS a good thing to pray for those who persecute you.

In class the other night we learned that when we think of ourselves as sinners, we see a man in bondage to sin who should be treated with grace and mercy. But when we think of others as sinners, we respond to them with judgment and condemnation. How true it is. Perhaps I need to view my coworker in the proper light, and respond to him properly.

May the Lord continue to give me grace and peace.

American World-view

At it's core, what is an American world-view?

Band name?

My friends and I were talking the other day about band names. Some suggestions were made that if I ever start a band to title it "Phil in the blank." The CD covers would have the phrase "Phil in the ______. with my picture in the ______. We would also start using phrases like, "Whoa, that was in the blank!" Or encourage one another but saying, "You're so in the blank tonight." Mostly, I think this would be utterly lame, and only evoke the embarrassing sounds of pity laughter. Since choosing a band name is the most difficult part of being in a band, I endeavor to never be in band that feels it has to have a title, or, I'll only be in a band that will settle on the name, "Phil in the blank."