I was reading some things that friends had shared on the internet when it struck me that much of it was pretty negative. There were funny things, some good advice, but a lot of very negative words and articles making fun of people or their ideas or beliefs. In some cases it ridiculed the way that people in other cultures went about their daily life. This morning that started me thinking about what we say and do and share with others.
What do I want to do? Do I want to build up others or tear them down? Do I want to make fun of people or lift them up? Words, pictures, videos, all are powerful communicators of what we feel inside. The question I asked myself is, "How do I want to influence others?" I don't think I want to share things that tear down others. I think I would rather build them up and help them. If I have a different view of things then perhaps I should lovingly present my viewpoint, not angrily and mockingly dismiss theirs and in the process insult or belittle them.
For me, a Christian, the question becomes one of asking how God would like me to treat others and respond to ideas which are different from mine. In the Bible, in the fifth chapter of the book of Matthew, Jesus said, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," We are supposed to love even our enemies, even those whose ideas differ from ours. How much love am I showing to people if I mock them and their ideas? I am going to resolve to be careful what I share with others on the internet, or face to face. I think that is what Jesus wants me to do.
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Thursday, January 11, 2018
No New Year’s Resolutions
The year has changed. For me, just a number, nothing more, nothing less. I don’t wait for the new year to make resolutions or changes or turn over a new leaf. Neither do I live for the moment with no thought of tomorrow. Then what do I do?
As life moves on and changes we need to change. It is so easy to get caught up in the past, in memories of the good old days, in the glory of past victories or the pain of past defeat. But those things are behind and should be left there. Learn lessons from mistakes and failures and successes, but move forward. Is a change needed? If so, make the change now, today, don’t wait for a new year. New Year’s resolutions seldom last more than a few weeks. They are usually made on a whim with little thought. When change is needed make a plan, think through what needs to be done, take steps forward. Change takes determination and a good plan. It also has more success when you have the help and support of others. If we would listen, it is often others, our friends, who are trying to tell us change is needed. Listen to them. Most importantly I listen to my Saviour, Jesus, as I pray. He is the filter for my thoughts and the one I look to when I need help to change. And I count on my friends for support when change is needed.
I have no New Year’s resolutions. Instead I make constant corrections to my life. Don’t postpone a needed change, do it now, today. Make a plan, get help from others, and most importantly, seek Jesus and let Him help you always.
As life moves on and changes we need to change. It is so easy to get caught up in the past, in memories of the good old days, in the glory of past victories or the pain of past defeat. But those things are behind and should be left there. Learn lessons from mistakes and failures and successes, but move forward. Is a change needed? If so, make the change now, today, don’t wait for a new year. New Year’s resolutions seldom last more than a few weeks. They are usually made on a whim with little thought. When change is needed make a plan, think through what needs to be done, take steps forward. Change takes determination and a good plan. It also has more success when you have the help and support of others. If we would listen, it is often others, our friends, who are trying to tell us change is needed. Listen to them. Most importantly I listen to my Saviour, Jesus, as I pray. He is the filter for my thoughts and the one I look to when I need help to change. And I count on my friends for support when change is needed.
I have no New Year’s resolutions. Instead I make constant corrections to my life. Don’t postpone a needed change, do it now, today. Make a plan, get help from others, and most importantly, seek Jesus and let Him help you always.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Eclipse - Revealing the Hidden Corona
A week ago we drove to Oregon to see the eclipse of the sun. Lots of driving for a few days camping and a few minutes of indescribable excitement and beauty. The moon slid in front of the sun, blocking it's rays so that only the sun's glowing corona was seen. All the sun's brightness was blocked and we could stare at the corona, something normally hidden from us by the sun's brilliant glare.
In life, many things are seemingly hidden by bigger things going on around us. We don't notice details that we should, they are lost in the "noise" of daily life. It is difficult to see though the interference caused by our hectic lives. Do I see the neighbour suffering a tragic loss of a loved one? Do I see the single mom battling to stay afloat emotionally and financially so she can provide a normal life for her children? Do I see multitudes of people who do not know Jesus and are missing out on the best of life? These people, and many others, are lost in the busyness of our hectic life. We often don't notice them.
The solar eclipse was incredible. Once the sun's glare was blocked by the moon, we could see details that are normally invisible. Now I am thinking of all the things that Jesus can reveal to me when I take a step back, talk with Him and allow His Holy Spirit to teach me about the really important things in life, the things that are often hidden by my own hectic life.
In life, many things are seemingly hidden by bigger things going on around us. We don't notice details that we should, they are lost in the "noise" of daily life. It is difficult to see though the interference caused by our hectic lives. Do I see the neighbour suffering a tragic loss of a loved one? Do I see the single mom battling to stay afloat emotionally and financially so she can provide a normal life for her children? Do I see multitudes of people who do not know Jesus and are missing out on the best of life? These people, and many others, are lost in the busyness of our hectic life. We often don't notice them.
The solar eclipse was incredible. Once the sun's glare was blocked by the moon, we could see details that are normally invisible. Now I am thinking of all the things that Jesus can reveal to me when I take a step back, talk with Him and allow His Holy Spirit to teach me about the really important things in life, the things that are often hidden by my own hectic life.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
It's All About the Context
It’s getting close to Christmas. Here where we live we just had the worst snow storm in a decade. A snow storm here in a place where it almost never snows. Now it is cold, well below freezing, and we have lots of snow on the ground. People in other parts of Canada laugh at us because we declare “Snowmagedon” when temperatures hit freezing and a few snow flakes fall. No sympathy at all!
How we feel about things is all about context. Our context here is that it rains a lot and almost never snows. The temperature is almost always above freezing. Snow and cold are not normal so we don’t know what to do when we get winter weather which is normal in the rest of Canada. Context is important in our lives. Most people live pretty insulated lives, making their own decisions, doing what they want, trying to make the best of things. Christmas is a time when I am reminded that there is a lot bigger context than my own life. There is a God who formed the universe. There is a Saviour who was born in Bethlehem. He came to earth to die as a sacrifice, to die for me, to restore my relationship with God. When I accepted that relationship which was offered to me through Jesus my context instantly changed. Life is no longer about just me, but about how God want’s to use me to help others.
For me, Christmas truly is about Jesus’ birth, the gift of salvation he offered me and which I received. Christmas is about family, all of us together in Jesus, loving one another, loving our Saviour and serving Him. Christmas is about Joy. Merry Christmas.
How we feel about things is all about context. Our context here is that it rains a lot and almost never snows. The temperature is almost always above freezing. Snow and cold are not normal so we don’t know what to do when we get winter weather which is normal in the rest of Canada. Context is important in our lives. Most people live pretty insulated lives, making their own decisions, doing what they want, trying to make the best of things. Christmas is a time when I am reminded that there is a lot bigger context than my own life. There is a God who formed the universe. There is a Saviour who was born in Bethlehem. He came to earth to die as a sacrifice, to die for me, to restore my relationship with God. When I accepted that relationship which was offered to me through Jesus my context instantly changed. Life is no longer about just me, but about how God want’s to use me to help others.
For me, Christmas truly is about Jesus’ birth, the gift of salvation he offered me and which I received. Christmas is about family, all of us together in Jesus, loving one another, loving our Saviour and serving Him. Christmas is about Joy. Merry Christmas.
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