701 Broadway, Paducah KY 42001

Welcome

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We joined Broadway United Methodist in 2005 because of the welcoming nature of the congregation.  Since joining, Amy has become baptized, we were married in the church, and welcomed our daughter, Christian Ellen into our family in February of 2008.  We have had such a positive experience with Broadway and feel fortunate to be active members in the church. 

John R. Anderson III; Amy Anderson and Christian Ellen Anderson

No Longer Friends

Dear Christian,

What do I do when a friend does something very mean to me?  How do I handle that?

Betrayed BFF

Dear Betrayed BFF,

That is a good question.  I wish I could say that I haven't burnt any bridges in my own past, but that is not the case.  Let's go straight to the source:

Luke 6: 27-31 says:

27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

A little further down in Luke 6 we read:

37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Romans 12:14-21 says:

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

   “I will take revenge;
      I will pay them back,”[c]
      says the Lord.

 20 Instead,

   “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
      If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
   In doing this, you will heap
      burning coals of shame on their heads.”[d]

 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

So, Betrayed BFF, without knowing all of the details of what ails you, I pray these words of the Bible give you guidance and direction as to how to handle your situation.  I pray God binds up your broken heart and mends this friendship if that be His will. 

~Christian