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  11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 English Standard Version                “Well lieutenant, care to explain why you had your platoon deploy over the hill?” We all waited to hear what the young officer would say. It was sometime in the early 90s at what was then Fort Hood, now Fort Cavazos. The brigade commander, a full colonel, had showed up to watch an exercise in preparation for a deployment to the National Training Center (NTC). In those days a deployment to the NTC was considered a mandatory rite of passage for maneuver commanders. In sending his armored platoon over the hill, instead of around the flank, the lieutenant violated several tenants of armored doctrine and lost his entire platoon in the resulting mele. Just so you know, you try to never silhouette your vehicles against the sky and never, ever, ever, expose the bottom of your hull to enem...

  17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:17-18 English Standard Version                As a senior planner for MNC-I (Multi-National Corps-Iraq), I developed and helped implement plans that moved men and materiel around the globe, deploying them against our enemy, resulting in the deaths of terrorists and other belligerents. Modern communications technology aided in this effort, enabling me to coordinate actions across time-zones, oceans, and continents. My words, transmitted globally, set into motion events directed against my enemies. As a civilian, I enjoy the same level of communications ability. Using various digital platforms, my words and images may be viewed and read across oceans and continents, hopefully with less lethal results. This modern age with its astounding ...

  21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 English Standard Version                In my previous essay and podcast, I talked about loving your enemies, something I’m not very good at. Oh, I do well in the abstract theological realm; but, when it comes down to the actual nuts and bolts of my daily Christian walk, I’m not so good. This is especially true of the enemies near me. I can “love” those far away. I do not have to deal with them; but, those whose walks intersect mine present a difficult challenge. This week, I’d like to offer three concrete ways we can love our enemies, ways that we might actually put into practice. So let’s plunge in and perhaps together we can walk more closely to the example of Jesus. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You ...