Category: lead

Agree or Argue? Only two choices?

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1 Corinthians 1:10

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

This verse from Paul seems so timely. Does anyone agree with anyone else anymore? Dissension is not just in politics but it has spread to everything in life. Nothing can be discussed without rancor. Sometimes I think that people defend things they don’t even believe.

Paul is reminding us that this is not how we should live. As a child many of us were taught “If you can’t say anything nice say nothing at all.” Maybe we can’t agree with the position others have taken but we can at least practise kindness and not press differing opinions into an argument. The problem is once we have planted our feet we can’t seem to back down. It is important to understand that we will never convince someone else to change their view by using arguments. It is possible that we still have things to learn from other insights. How WE behave is what matters. Things change by example not argument.

Do something!

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A man of words and not or deeds, is like a garden full of weeds.       English Proverb

Too often I see Christians not following through with the things Christ called us to do. If you have money it is much easier to throw money at a problem rather than do anything yourself. To get dirty actually helping is not what we want to do. Maybe those homeless will fix themselves.

do something

Don’t ever forget that we are called to actually do something!

Nothing has changed

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Psalm 12

Plea for Help in Evil Times

1 Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;

    the faithful have disappeared from humankind.
2 They utter lies to each other;
    with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
    the tongue that makes great boasts,

The psalmist must have written this yesterday. The very same problems are still around.

nothing has changed

How often do we say the wrong thing?….saying something that really hurts someone. We gossip about others and don’t think about how the gossip can damage lives.

People in the public eye lie and cheat and no one thinks anything about it. I guess it was the same in the psalmist’s day. Why else would he have asked God to “cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that makes great boasts.” Nothing has changed. That is really sad.

The only way for things to change is one person at a time. Begin with yourself!

One stone

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The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. —–Chinese Proverb

The political situation in the USA today is monumental. We truly have a mountain that must be removed and redone. It can be discouraging and we can fall into the mistake of thinking there is nothing we can do. The truth is there is always something. The only way that things will change is with one person, one voice. Each of us must do our part. It may seem small but mountains have been moved before. We need to believe that God will help and move that one stone.

one stone

Incredible God, you know the messes we can get ourselves into. Help us to find your path through it all and do our part. AMEN

God made us!

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God made me on a morning when he had nothing else to do.———-C.F. Lloyd

We can often feel this way about ourselves. We can’t imagine that we have any skills or talents to offer. We feel useless.

One quote that I have always loved is “God didn’t make junk.” Each of us has something to offer. Each of us has gifts that God has given us. We just have to recognize them and put them to use for his kingdom. We are worthy….God made us.

ta da

Imaginative God, you made each of us unique. Help us to find and use the gifts that you have given us. AMEN

Prayer and action

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Faith moves mountains, but you have to keep pushing while you are praying. —-Mason Cooley

EndAction

Prayer is a wonderful thing. It not only links us to God but it also changes us. Often when we pray we ask God for something from health to things. It is important to remember that we are also involved in the answer to the prayer. W can’t stay on our knees. We are God’s hands and feet and we must do what we can. Pray but work also.

God of wisdom, we are part of your plan for the people of earth. We are meant to us our hands and feet to do your will. Help us to remember this. AMEN

Families are the compass

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compassIn today’s world the family is at risk. Too many are floundering. We have lost our center. Families are the moral compass that holds us together.  Too many are floundering. We need the support and guidance that the family provides. We also need the love. We must teach about the love of God and his importance to our lives. Parents have to be a living example of that love.

 

God our Father, we need your help, guidance and love to be the parents you have called us to be. Be with us each and every day. AMEN

 

Speak out

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Hate is not the opposite of love; apathy is. –———-Rollo May

Apathy is a dangerous thing. It can lead us to do nothing and see a Hitler arise. We have to speak out against evil. We cannot ignore it. We cannot wait for someone else to take care of it. We must speak.

Jesus never sat back. He always spoke out.

speak out

Gracious Lord, help us to have the strength to speak up against evil. Help us to not be afraid. AMEN

Parent

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An ounce of parent is worth a pound of the clergy.———–Spanish proverb

Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs on earth. It is also one of the most important. What can matter more than shaping the lives of others. God sees us as his children and wants us to see what a loving parent looks like. Follow God’s example and love your children with all your heart.

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Loving father, you remind us that you love us. Help us to share our own love and yours with our children. AMEN