Randon Act of Kindness

     Random Acts of Kindness and Pass It On have been going on for years.  It is simply good deeds done with no expectation of gaining anything in return.  These acts of kindness are not often announced in the media, so we seldom hear about them.  Yet, they bring joy to the heart of those in need.  They can also bring satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment to those providing the kindness. 

     Often random acts of kindness are hard to do.  It involves getting rid of self and placing someone else first.  It involves giving up personal time to make time for others. It could also mean redistributing the financial budget to open up opportunities to give to those less fortunate.

     The second prayer offered up to God as described in “The Prayer Of Jabez," written by Bruce Wilkerson is a request for God to expand his territory.  This could be anything from a witness opportunity for God or a means of providing a random act of kindness. 

     God does provide blessings on us all, but He expects His second commandment to be observed, and that means, His people getting involved.   “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”   

     As I sit beneath my “Friendly Shade” and contemplate how I can provide a simply act of kindness on a daily basis, I realize that it can only happen if I become watchful, observant, and willing.  Life just cannot be “all about me.”  I do not believe that is a purposeful life.   A purposeful life means loving my neighbor; it could be a stranger, someone I do not even like, or one that does not like me.  This could be difficult!  How do I keep my mind open to moments of opportunity if I am not willing?   There has to be an attitude change- one that will make me receptive to any person I make contact with-  a willingness to help, a willingness to take a little time out of my busy schedule, and a willingness to share my own good fortune.  Only by acknowledging that God controls all the power, every activity, and every financial gain can I began to get rid of self.  Only by recognizing that all I have belongs to God can I make an earnest effort to give my valuable time and money to “love my neighbor as myself.”    

     I hope that at the end of the day, I can look back and be able to say, “Today, I was able to do a simple, random act of kindness.” 

Walking on Holy Ground or Dead Man Walking

     Are you walking on Holy Ground or just a Dead Man Walking?  

     I had been thinking about what it would be like to leave a legacy, but couldn’t quite come up with a summary of events that led to a legacy until this morning in church when we sang songs about “Holy Ground”. 

     When I think about Holy Ground I usually think about being in Church, but Holy Ground involves all that a Christian does and says and everywhere he goes.  Once God comes into your life you carry Him everywhere.  You are on Holy Ground in every walk of your life whether it involves the people you meet, the things that you do and say, or even the food you put into your mouth and your body.  You are on Holy Ground because God lives within your body, mind, and soul. 

     Even with God in your life, there are times when events leave you struggling with life’s situations, and you may be  tempted to say you are just getting through the day much like a “dead man walking.”  However, with God, all things are possible.   God is mighty, strong, and powerful. These traits He gives to His people.   God can make the weak strong or the strong weak.  When Gods' traits and His power are applied and added to the armor of the Christian spirit, a legacy is being formed.  Although the Christian may feel life no longer needs them, and they are much like a “dead man walking” their love for others, theirs deeds of kindness, their zest for God is actually leaving a legacy.  They will be remembered as having walked on Holy Ground. 

Chick-fil-A Episode-Marriage

     I am often disturbed about a lot of things but do strive to stay out of politics and disputes; however, the episode regarding Chick-fil-A which spiked over its owner declaring he believed in marriage between a man and a woman and which led to being un-welcomed in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago greatly bothers me.

    I, personally, have several friends who live in a same-sex relationship.   I don’t judge their living standards.  I also have friends that live as man and woman in unmarried relationships.  I don’t judge those living standards either.  They are all good people.  Hopefully, no one will judge my own “errors and omissions”  when I fall short and fail to live by the Biblical Word which, for me, has not changed and will never change.  True, today the world holds different views, but God’s Word is “forever.”  It is never out of date.   

     We find in Genesis that when God said, “It is not good that  man should be alone,” he created a woman. Later, He said, “a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Time and time again, in the Bible, reference is made about a husband and a wife.  My interpretation of a husband and a wife is a marriage and that is between a man and a woman. 

     I think the point which is missing here is the fact that should two people of opposite sex (man and woman) decide to live together without marriage vows, they do not try to change the law by attempting to eliminate the actual union of marriage.  These people have the right to live together just as two people of the same sex do without trying to change the law.  Others, also, have the right to state that they believe what the Bible says without opposition. 

     Sin is sin in God’s eyes.  He loves all His children, and we are all sinful. 

     There are truly important issues at hand.  Our nation is failing. Our families are failing.  People are without work. Our leaders need prayers, families need prayers, children and school leaders need prayers.  If everyone will begin to study God’s Word and turn to Him for direction this nation can prosper once again.  This nation was founded upon the promises of God and we need to stop trying to change those principles and remember that God’s promises still hold true today. 

    “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

 

God Covered It All

     My friendly shade may be a little warm today, but it is a welcome gift compared to standing outside under the mid-day sun; it is serving a purpose.  In fact, everything that God creates has a purpose, just as all His people have a purpose, whether it be teaching, raising children, supporting the family, praying for others, witnessing with the way you live your life, or…(and the list goes on and on….) Every creation is a gift from God and serves many purposes.  He covered it all! 

God Covered It All

He spread the stars across the sky,

Giving them sparkle to shine out bright-

A twinkle to light up the darkness;

A vision and peace that life will be alright.

God covered it all!

He formed the sparkling dew,

Stretching across the meadow and field;

Wide and diverse as the angels

Watching over to protect and shield.

God covered it all!

He set the day with the rising sun,

Shedding a warmth over sea and glen-

A warmth for all to grow-

A strength to tackle what’s not foreseen.

God covered it all!

 He formed the clouds to pour out the rain,

Providing a moisture, restoring the lands-

Water that refreshes-

Nourishment for whatever life demands.

God covered it all!

  He formed the moon to end the day,

Sending an awesome color across the sky-

A glow to light and direct the path-

A joy of inspiration to the human eye.

God covered it all!

  

                                                                        Mary Crisp Jameson- 7/31/2012