Hey everyone!
Just wanted to let you know that I am consolidating all my blogs into one location in order to help simplify my life. Therefore, the Bible Summit blog, the Authentic Relationships blog, and the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church - KCI Campus blog are now centrally located on this site
www.stephenboster.blogspot.com
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Google Reader to track all your blogs - it is great!
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Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Chapter 3 - A Soft Place to Fall
Yes - I am behind on my posts and comments. Now that I have unpacked my book from moving offices, I am committed to finishing this book. And what a great book this is!!!
This chapter can be summed up on p.36 -
"In one incredible moment [story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery], Jesus brought together all that God is in his holiness and all that we could be in his grace. When we experience that same mercy from him, we too will be as soft a place for poeple to fall as Jesus was."
Am I a safe place for people to fall? Boy, I sure hope so. This is such an important point for it is the crux of how we relate to people - r we judgmental? r we selfishly protective of ourselves? do we look to our own interests? r we truly transparent with others? r we vulnerable to others?
Only then are we able to connect as a safe haven for people to trust.
p.37 - "Learning to deal with our past is critical to maintaining our friendships and opening up to new ones. Forgiveness and acceptance are the detergents of body life that allow us to live free of the past"
I have to let go of the hurt of my past and deal with it in order to stand alongside others. Interestingly, this is a process, but a journey not taken alone. Forgiveness has been granted to me and therefore I should be able to share it with others.
p.39 - great clarification statement worth mentioning:
"Forgiving and accepting others simply means that we won't hold them accountable to us for their failures but will continue to respond to them with love and grace . . .
We can forgive someone who is abusive without continuing to subject ourselves to that abuse. And our forgiveness does not mean that we should keep silent if that person seeks to hurt others. Nor does our forgivenss absolve people of their responsibility, only of their accountability to us."
How many times do we think that to forgive someone is to let them walk all over us? AND that thought keeps us from forgiveness? I know that I have been guilty of that in the past. But when I truly forgave and let God handle the rest. I walked in knowledge of that hurt as to not be hurt again (i.e. put myself in that position again), but didn't focus on the pain. And God took care of the rest.
p.40-41 - good clarification on the difference between Forgiveness and Reconciliation.
p. 41 - "For the body of Christ to stay relationally healthy, we will need to jump freely and often into the waters of forgiveness"
The word that struck me here was 'often'. Often implies (correctly) that it is a frequent reoccuring action. The opportunity to forgive comes up 'often' and we should do so. From forgiveness flows the water of reconciliation and healing. What great and powerful teaching from the Bible!!
p.43 - the Ministry of Presence
Boy, just being available to so key. I encourage others to do the same - don't worry about what to say, and sometimes don't say anything at all. Just be there, be available.
This chapter can be summed up on p.36 -
"In one incredible moment [story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery], Jesus brought together all that God is in his holiness and all that we could be in his grace. When we experience that same mercy from him, we too will be as soft a place for poeple to fall as Jesus was."
Am I a safe place for people to fall? Boy, I sure hope so. This is such an important point for it is the crux of how we relate to people - r we judgmental? r we selfishly protective of ourselves? do we look to our own interests? r we truly transparent with others? r we vulnerable to others?
Only then are we able to connect as a safe haven for people to trust.
p.37 - "Learning to deal with our past is critical to maintaining our friendships and opening up to new ones. Forgiveness and acceptance are the detergents of body life that allow us to live free of the past"
I have to let go of the hurt of my past and deal with it in order to stand alongside others. Interestingly, this is a process, but a journey not taken alone. Forgiveness has been granted to me and therefore I should be able to share it with others.
p.39 - great clarification statement worth mentioning:
"Forgiving and accepting others simply means that we won't hold them accountable to us for their failures but will continue to respond to them with love and grace . . .
We can forgive someone who is abusive without continuing to subject ourselves to that abuse. And our forgiveness does not mean that we should keep silent if that person seeks to hurt others. Nor does our forgivenss absolve people of their responsibility, only of their accountability to us."
How many times do we think that to forgive someone is to let them walk all over us? AND that thought keeps us from forgiveness? I know that I have been guilty of that in the past. But when I truly forgave and let God handle the rest. I walked in knowledge of that hurt as to not be hurt again (i.e. put myself in that position again), but didn't focus on the pain. And God took care of the rest.
p.40-41 - good clarification on the difference between Forgiveness and Reconciliation.
p. 41 - "For the body of Christ to stay relationally healthy, we will need to jump freely and often into the waters of forgiveness"
The word that struck me here was 'often'. Often implies (correctly) that it is a frequent reoccuring action. The opportunity to forgive comes up 'often' and we should do so. From forgiveness flows the water of reconciliation and healing. What great and powerful teaching from the Bible!!
p.43 - the Ministry of Presence
Boy, just being available to so key. I encourage others to do the same - don't worry about what to say, and sometimes don't say anything at all. Just be there, be available.
Chapter 2 - Loving Others like God loves you
Okay, so I like totally remember that we discussed this at Caribou, but I wanted to add some of those points to the blog.
Loved the quote:
"To love another person is to see the face of God" - Les Miserables
p. 27 - "Jesus frees us to demonstrate love in the moment for whoever is before us. We will never learn to love others, if we don't do it one at a time"
Man! I have been so guilty of looking at the 'biggest bang for the buck'. In other words, how can I effect the most amount of people in the shortest amount of time. When truly, one at a time is the key! We cannot microwave maturity.
p.29 - "Perhaps the greatest freedom of one anothering is the freedom God gives us not to be focused on ourselves all the time"
Whew - no more navel gazing here!
p.29 - "But is is sad that we find more enjoyment in watching [reality tv] people in contrived circumstances than we do in engaging in the fascinating stories going on in our own neighborhoods, workplaces, and congregations, where amazing heroes are doing the right thing against incredible odds."
Watching television has replaced our seeking to be involved in people's stories. I know flocking to the tube creates a sense that I won't get hurt, a false perception (or intimacy). Shame on me.
p. 29 - "We cannot do for others what hasn't already been done for us"
I must experience and accept God's forgiveness, service, and kindness, if I am to be able to do for others.
p. 30 - "He wants to set you so free in his love that it spills out of you and touches others"
Sweet. Use me Lord.
p.31 - "Relationships are organic, and as such they develop best when an outside regimen is not imposed on them."
Relationships are messy and do not subscribe to a certain formula, program, or pattern. Living life together is more important than the next or lastest or greatest new church growth strategy. We want things now, rather than work for the long haul . . .
Loved the quote:
"To love another person is to see the face of God" - Les Miserables
p. 27 - "Jesus frees us to demonstrate love in the moment for whoever is before us. We will never learn to love others, if we don't do it one at a time"
Man! I have been so guilty of looking at the 'biggest bang for the buck'. In other words, how can I effect the most amount of people in the shortest amount of time. When truly, one at a time is the key! We cannot microwave maturity.
p.29 - "Perhaps the greatest freedom of one anothering is the freedom God gives us not to be focused on ourselves all the time"
Whew - no more navel gazing here!
p.29 - "But is is sad that we find more enjoyment in watching [reality tv] people in contrived circumstances than we do in engaging in the fascinating stories going on in our own neighborhoods, workplaces, and congregations, where amazing heroes are doing the right thing against incredible odds."
Watching television has replaced our seeking to be involved in people's stories. I know flocking to the tube creates a sense that I won't get hurt, a false perception (or intimacy). Shame on me.
p. 29 - "We cannot do for others what hasn't already been done for us"
I must experience and accept God's forgiveness, service, and kindness, if I am to be able to do for others.
p. 30 - "He wants to set you so free in his love that it spills out of you and touches others"
Sweet. Use me Lord.
p.31 - "Relationships are organic, and as such they develop best when an outside regimen is not imposed on them."
Relationships are messy and do not subscribe to a certain formula, program, or pattern. Living life together is more important than the next or lastest or greatest new church growth strategy. We want things now, rather than work for the long haul . . .
Sunday, November 16, 2008
ChEeRLeAdIng Chaper 8
ENCOURAGE ON ANOTHER DAILY- heb. 3:13
COMFORT ONE ANOTHER- I thess. 4:18
STIMULATER ON ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS- heb. 10:24 (nasb)
"The best way to know what to say is to look back at your own experience. What have people said to you that made it easier to trust Jesus, and what misguided words only made Him seem farther away?"
Well- that quote about sums it up!? We learn from what has either happen to us or what didn't happen that we would of like to of! But not only the things that made us feel better but how did our faith in Christ influence our experience.
page 91- the author says, "being encouraged daily is not a luxury; it is a necessity." Seemingly our once a week gathering as a church body isn't enough; but rather the one on one relationship is where encouragement can be met at an even more indepth manner. Receiving that encouragement but we are to think of how we can help; ie- encourage; those that are around us that need a word to help them through the day.
thinking of encouragement makes me first think of an affirmation from someone or reciproctating by giving words of affirmation back. I believe there are times for that but more so it is the little purposeful acts of thoughtfullness allows people to know that we have made that special effort to encourage them. A phone call, a drop by to see them, an email to say hi, or even pat on the back can go a long way!
Comfort = 'to enable'
page 92, "Paul said that in the midst of their despair, God both comforted and delivered them."
My first thought here is that if you have to be comforted by someone you are a weak person- ok, I know that isn't very nice but I have also discovered that it isn't even the same type of comfort used in the text! as in the verse above the comforted meant to be able to enable them to endure the suffering so that they could have victory on the other side of the trouble.
"what comfort does best is to get our eyes off our efforts and our limitied resources and put them bakc on God and His power! " When our son was first born he was shipped immediately from our small town hospital to KC for immediate care for his heart. Talking about feeling useless! Several days went by without any progress on his care and at one time he almost went the other way too far. Our pastor called us and encouraged us to turn our son's life over to God and to allow Him to have control over that situation. I had never thought of this act or advise as being that of comfort until I had read this; but it certainly is. when we prayed that pray, giving our son back to the Lord to whom had created him and allowing Him the 'responsibility' of whatever was going to happen to happen- comfort soon came upon us. It was like a huge weight had been lifter from our shoulders. 2 Cor. 1:6 "If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in your patient endourance of the same suffering we suffer. " (tbc)
COMFORT ONE ANOTHER- I thess. 4:18
STIMULATER ON ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS- heb. 10:24 (nasb)
"The best way to know what to say is to look back at your own experience. What have people said to you that made it easier to trust Jesus, and what misguided words only made Him seem farther away?"
Well- that quote about sums it up!? We learn from what has either happen to us or what didn't happen that we would of like to of! But not only the things that made us feel better but how did our faith in Christ influence our experience.
page 91- the author says, "being encouraged daily is not a luxury; it is a necessity." Seemingly our once a week gathering as a church body isn't enough; but rather the one on one relationship is where encouragement can be met at an even more indepth manner. Receiving that encouragement but we are to think of how we can help; ie- encourage; those that are around us that need a word to help them through the day.
thinking of encouragement makes me first think of an affirmation from someone or reciproctating by giving words of affirmation back. I believe there are times for that but more so it is the little purposeful acts of thoughtfullness allows people to know that we have made that special effort to encourage them. A phone call, a drop by to see them, an email to say hi, or even pat on the back can go a long way!
Comfort = 'to enable'
page 92, "Paul said that in the midst of their despair, God both comforted and delivered them."
My first thought here is that if you have to be comforted by someone you are a weak person- ok, I know that isn't very nice but I have also discovered that it isn't even the same type of comfort used in the text! as in the verse above the comforted meant to be able to enable them to endure the suffering so that they could have victory on the other side of the trouble.
"what comfort does best is to get our eyes off our efforts and our limitied resources and put them bakc on God and His power! " When our son was first born he was shipped immediately from our small town hospital to KC for immediate care for his heart. Talking about feeling useless! Several days went by without any progress on his care and at one time he almost went the other way too far. Our pastor called us and encouraged us to turn our son's life over to God and to allow Him to have control over that situation. I had never thought of this act or advise as being that of comfort until I had read this; but it certainly is. when we prayed that pray, giving our son back to the Lord to whom had created him and allowing Him the 'responsibility' of whatever was going to happen to happen- comfort soon came upon us. It was like a huge weight had been lifter from our shoulders. 2 Cor. 1:6 "If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in your patient endourance of the same suffering we suffer. " (tbc)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Chapter 7- Lightening the Load
Serve on another- Gal. 5:13
Carry each other's burdens- Gal. 6:2
Build each other up- I Thes. 5:11
Coming into the seventh chapter and just reading these excerpts from scripture makes us see the building up of learning to 'one another'. First we are to serve, rather than to be served! Second, we can unload on each other to help us with the burdens that weigh our lives down and thirdly; we need to encourage each other and lift each other up!
the quote from Albert Schweitzer is an invaluable insight: "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."
The story the author shares about the couple that saw the need of a neighbor and met that need without hesitation seems like a common thing among those that are actively listening for the Holy Spirits moving. "Sharing the Journey"- together in life we must be willing to be a part of others and vice versa, allow others to be a part of us. It seems that in today's world of individuality that premise is hard to wrap our thoughts around; allowing others to do for me?!!!
The best blessings I have received is from acting on the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do (or serve) something for someone. It may of been a phone call, a 'good deed' for someone, or a variety of other 'moments' that have shown itself to be HS induced!
page 81- serve one another
Jesus washing the feet of His disciples is the ultimate example of serving one another without thought of 'position' or status.
I know that I am guilty of see a real need and telling the people, 'well, if there is anything I can do, just let me know' when in reality I have let an opportunity go to help/serve.
A friend of mine just got back from serving in Turkestan (an old part of Russia) where it is very primitive to live- almost like living in the biblical times. Not speaking much of the language communication was limited. His neighbors wife passed away and as typical in that part of the world people would come to the house to mourn. Not know what else to do, that is exactly what my friend did, sat in the court yard of the sorrowing husband and mourned the death of someone he barely knew. His obedience and action was a huge message to the man; I care.
E.W. Howe says, "when a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it!"
page 82- serving from a heart of love
I don't know about you but it seems when someone finally does call for help it is the most inoperable time! After reading this section I realize that service to others is not always perfect timing- and perhaps it is a test of our attitudes! Paul tells us that serving isn't an act of slavery to be drudged but rather an opportunity for us to find JOY in Serving! "But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Gal. 5:13
"serving out of obedience alone is slavery; serving with love is a joy." doing with a good attitude! seems to be the secret to a joyful life.
page 84 "Carry Each Other's Burdens"
The example the books gives is great. A guy realizes that a friend, while playing basketball was in need of someone to talk to about his business. In doing so they ended up going to God in prayer for the situation.
I had served as a deacon in our past church and my wife and I had went to the hospital to visit a dear older friend of ours that was in his last stages of cancer. We had so much respect for this man of God and we listened as he told us that it wasn't the dieing part of this illness that bothered him, but rather the way in which he would die. He told us of how he had prayed to God just to let him die in peace so that he could come on and meet him. During his hospital stay he had shared with the workers of the love of Christ and the confidence he had in his Saviour. His testimony was awesome of the love he had for Christ. It was time for us to leave and I asked him if we could pray with him. We, my wife, Bill, and I held hands and I started to pray. My emotions so over come me that I couldn't stop weeping so I gently squeezed my wife's hand to prompt her to pray, as she started the same thing happened to her. So here we are, the two of us that came to bring comfort to this man that was dieing, bawling our eyes out, so......... Bill prayed for us! Even in Bill's dieing days, he was serving- he loved, he cared for those around him, and through it all, totally trusted and was sold out for Christ. (Why were we crying? I'm not sure but for some reason there seemed to be an unworthiness about me praying for Bill! Retrospectively, I wonder if it wasn't because of being awestruck with his confidence and love he so gracefully and marvelously showed of his Savior.)
page 85- build each other up.
Edifying each other is an act of putting our focus back on Jesus.
Life pretty much sucks at times and our focus is sometimes thrown off keel. As the book mentions, edifying one another allows us to help each other take our eyes off the world and to remember who we are in Christ!
My friend that was dieing was just that type of guy. Any time you were around Bill for very long you knew who Christ was and how He was there for you! Bill had that ornate ability to remember who's we are- Christ!
Trying to build one another up with worldly adoration's doesn't do it- but to reminded of who we belong to and who we can glorify in- lives worries and struggles are just not as pressing as they once were. Having the ability to rely on God for His care for us rather than us trying to do it ourselves free us of the heavy load. Giving friends a scripture that has helped us during trying times serves well with encouraging one another. Sometimes it is sharing our own struggles that makes the experience of building one another up the most useful!
Results from building each other up isn't something that is always seen. Truthful expressions of honesty and openness in order to edify each other may take time. It is the prompting of the Holy Spirit we are following in order to build others up, let the Holy Spirit do the job in the encourager- we just need to be obedient and share with each other.
Carry each other's burdens- Gal. 6:2
Build each other up- I Thes. 5:11
Coming into the seventh chapter and just reading these excerpts from scripture makes us see the building up of learning to 'one another'. First we are to serve, rather than to be served! Second, we can unload on each other to help us with the burdens that weigh our lives down and thirdly; we need to encourage each other and lift each other up!
the quote from Albert Schweitzer is an invaluable insight: "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."
The story the author shares about the couple that saw the need of a neighbor and met that need without hesitation seems like a common thing among those that are actively listening for the Holy Spirits moving. "Sharing the Journey"- together in life we must be willing to be a part of others and vice versa, allow others to be a part of us. It seems that in today's world of individuality that premise is hard to wrap our thoughts around; allowing others to do for me?!!!
The best blessings I have received is from acting on the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do (or serve) something for someone. It may of been a phone call, a 'good deed' for someone, or a variety of other 'moments' that have shown itself to be HS induced!
page 81- serve one another
Jesus washing the feet of His disciples is the ultimate example of serving one another without thought of 'position' or status.
I know that I am guilty of see a real need and telling the people, 'well, if there is anything I can do, just let me know' when in reality I have let an opportunity go to help/serve.
A friend of mine just got back from serving in Turkestan (an old part of Russia) where it is very primitive to live- almost like living in the biblical times. Not speaking much of the language communication was limited. His neighbors wife passed away and as typical in that part of the world people would come to the house to mourn. Not know what else to do, that is exactly what my friend did, sat in the court yard of the sorrowing husband and mourned the death of someone he barely knew. His obedience and action was a huge message to the man; I care.
E.W. Howe says, "when a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it!"
page 82- serving from a heart of love
I don't know about you but it seems when someone finally does call for help it is the most inoperable time! After reading this section I realize that service to others is not always perfect timing- and perhaps it is a test of our attitudes! Paul tells us that serving isn't an act of slavery to be drudged but rather an opportunity for us to find JOY in Serving! "But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Gal. 5:13
"serving out of obedience alone is slavery; serving with love is a joy." doing with a good attitude! seems to be the secret to a joyful life.
page 84 "Carry Each Other's Burdens"
The example the books gives is great. A guy realizes that a friend, while playing basketball was in need of someone to talk to about his business. In doing so they ended up going to God in prayer for the situation.
I had served as a deacon in our past church and my wife and I had went to the hospital to visit a dear older friend of ours that was in his last stages of cancer. We had so much respect for this man of God and we listened as he told us that it wasn't the dieing part of this illness that bothered him, but rather the way in which he would die. He told us of how he had prayed to God just to let him die in peace so that he could come on and meet him. During his hospital stay he had shared with the workers of the love of Christ and the confidence he had in his Saviour. His testimony was awesome of the love he had for Christ. It was time for us to leave and I asked him if we could pray with him. We, my wife, Bill, and I held hands and I started to pray. My emotions so over come me that I couldn't stop weeping so I gently squeezed my wife's hand to prompt her to pray, as she started the same thing happened to her. So here we are, the two of us that came to bring comfort to this man that was dieing, bawling our eyes out, so......... Bill prayed for us! Even in Bill's dieing days, he was serving- he loved, he cared for those around him, and through it all, totally trusted and was sold out for Christ. (Why were we crying? I'm not sure but for some reason there seemed to be an unworthiness about me praying for Bill! Retrospectively, I wonder if it wasn't because of being awestruck with his confidence and love he so gracefully and marvelously showed of his Savior.)
page 85- build each other up.
Edifying each other is an act of putting our focus back on Jesus.
Life pretty much sucks at times and our focus is sometimes thrown off keel. As the book mentions, edifying one another allows us to help each other take our eyes off the world and to remember who we are in Christ!
My friend that was dieing was just that type of guy. Any time you were around Bill for very long you knew who Christ was and how He was there for you! Bill had that ornate ability to remember who's we are- Christ!
Trying to build one another up with worldly adoration's doesn't do it- but to reminded of who we belong to and who we can glorify in- lives worries and struggles are just not as pressing as they once were. Having the ability to rely on God for His care for us rather than us trying to do it ourselves free us of the heavy load. Giving friends a scripture that has helped us during trying times serves well with encouraging one another. Sometimes it is sharing our own struggles that makes the experience of building one another up the most useful!
Results from building each other up isn't something that is always seen. Truthful expressions of honesty and openness in order to edify each other may take time. It is the prompting of the Holy Spirit we are following in order to build others up, let the Holy Spirit do the job in the encourager- we just need to be obedient and share with each other.
Part 3
"Having a friend to share your journey in uncertain moments and dark stretches will multiply your wisdom an dcourage greatly. We are not asked to go it alone but to enjoy the resources of others God has placed around us. "
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Chapter 6 Sharing God's Kindness!
Kindness is a way of doing what isn't able to be spoken at times.
The act of kindness was demonstrated to us by Christ- many times. In the example the book gives it shows that a very small act over time may prove to be more effective than words that hasn't been helpful and sometimes even be more harmful.
page 71- kindness in a selfish age
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless" Mother Theresa
I think back to my childhood and the man that was always kind and happy- his occasional but persistence of kindness made an impression on me. He was different- his kindness wasn't 'for anything' but rather it was just who he was! Later that difference helped me understand that unselfish kindness is a gift from God.
Focusing on needs of others allows us to see how we can be kind thus spreading the graciousness of Christ.
"while greeting and hospitality can open the door to relationships, acts of kindness and sharing can take them much further." It seems to be my tendency to evaluate the greeting and hospitality portion before providing the acts of kindness. That sounds awful when I spell it out but I'm thinking there is a lot of truth to that. Isn't that how we pick and choose our friends; after the greeting and hospitality deciding if we want to pursue the relationship or not; and if so then provide the kindness. ugh! that's not right! but dang it, it seems to be true!
page 72 - breaking the cycle
Some scriptures-
Eph. 4:31 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice"
I Thes. 5:15 "make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."
These words from scripture is not words that you would hear outside the realms of Christian circle, and perhaps disappointedly not in many Christian cirlces. It's almost a precursor to being able to be kind- get the crud out of the way so that when we do kind things they are for the right reason.
I believe it is in proverbs that says that bitterness is poison to our soul- makes sense, doesn't it!? I know I have known people that have hung on to things that has done nothing for the situation except cause more hurt and animosity- as a matter of fact I have been there! It seems that Paul is causing us to look at ourselves and rid ourselves of things that could prevent us to being the kind people that we are meant to be.
After ridding ourselves of the bitterness Paul instructs us to do what goes against what we would normally do- be kind! ikes! Being intentionally kind when our nature says to hold a grudge is a way of breaking the cycle- doing what seemingly seems contrary to our nature!
Page 73- Living in Generosity
Of all the words in the world I'm thinking that generosity would not be one that would describe me! Being able to let go of 'things' is difficult for me. The author encourages us to let go and see the needs around us as being opportunities to give to others. He also talks about our generosity being something that can never exceed the generosity of God. Being aware of opportunities to give our stuff away will help us be better prepared to be resourceful with God's gifts to us.
Page 75- You Did it for me
"More than anything else, Jesus said our acts of kindness and sharing reveal the depth of our relationship with him." The tool that we can measure our relationship with Christ is our kindness? He also states that at the end of the day we can measure our love for God by the love and kindness we show to others!
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." "Whenever you did not do for one for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." per Jesus.
Our lives are a reflection of the compassion and kindness that Christ has shown us. How's your reflection? Mine is sometimes tarnished because of my humanly nature to hold grudges. It is my desire to be more keenly aware of the compassion and grace that God has bestowed upon me so that I can and will reciprocate to others those wonderful gifts.
The act of kindness was demonstrated to us by Christ- many times. In the example the book gives it shows that a very small act over time may prove to be more effective than words that hasn't been helpful and sometimes even be more harmful.
page 71- kindness in a selfish age
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless" Mother Theresa
I think back to my childhood and the man that was always kind and happy- his occasional but persistence of kindness made an impression on me. He was different- his kindness wasn't 'for anything' but rather it was just who he was! Later that difference helped me understand that unselfish kindness is a gift from God.
Focusing on needs of others allows us to see how we can be kind thus spreading the graciousness of Christ.
"while greeting and hospitality can open the door to relationships, acts of kindness and sharing can take them much further." It seems to be my tendency to evaluate the greeting and hospitality portion before providing the acts of kindness. That sounds awful when I spell it out but I'm thinking there is a lot of truth to that. Isn't that how we pick and choose our friends; after the greeting and hospitality deciding if we want to pursue the relationship or not; and if so then provide the kindness. ugh! that's not right! but dang it, it seems to be true!
page 72 - breaking the cycle
Some scriptures-
Eph. 4:31 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice"
I Thes. 5:15 "make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."
These words from scripture is not words that you would hear outside the realms of Christian circle, and perhaps disappointedly not in many Christian cirlces. It's almost a precursor to being able to be kind- get the crud out of the way so that when we do kind things they are for the right reason.
I believe it is in proverbs that says that bitterness is poison to our soul- makes sense, doesn't it!? I know I have known people that have hung on to things that has done nothing for the situation except cause more hurt and animosity- as a matter of fact I have been there! It seems that Paul is causing us to look at ourselves and rid ourselves of things that could prevent us to being the kind people that we are meant to be.
After ridding ourselves of the bitterness Paul instructs us to do what goes against what we would normally do- be kind! ikes! Being intentionally kind when our nature says to hold a grudge is a way of breaking the cycle- doing what seemingly seems contrary to our nature!
Page 73- Living in Generosity
Of all the words in the world I'm thinking that generosity would not be one that would describe me! Being able to let go of 'things' is difficult for me. The author encourages us to let go and see the needs around us as being opportunities to give to others. He also talks about our generosity being something that can never exceed the generosity of God. Being aware of opportunities to give our stuff away will help us be better prepared to be resourceful with God's gifts to us.
Page 75- You Did it for me
"More than anything else, Jesus said our acts of kindness and sharing reveal the depth of our relationship with him." The tool that we can measure our relationship with Christ is our kindness? He also states that at the end of the day we can measure our love for God by the love and kindness we show to others!
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." "Whenever you did not do for one for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." per Jesus.
Our lives are a reflection of the compassion and kindness that Christ has shown us. How's your reflection? Mine is sometimes tarnished because of my humanly nature to hold grudges. It is my desire to be more keenly aware of the compassion and grace that God has bestowed upon me so that I can and will reciprocate to others those wonderful gifts.
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