“Fill your world with Love and laughter. Never mind what anguish lies behind you. Forget, forgive, love and laugh. Treat all as you would treat Me [God], with Love and consideration. Let nothing that others do to you alter your treatment of them.” (From the book, God Calling)
What is your world filled with today? Laughter or sadness? Pleasure or torment? Are you willing to let God’s Holy Spirit fill it with forgiveness and giggles? With loving kindness toward others? When someone treats you badly, what’s your first instinct? To exact revenge, pay them back evil for evil? “Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.” (From the New Testament book of Romans)
Forgive and forget. That’s how the saying goes. Has it gone out of style or is it something we still, with God’s help, can practice with each new day? What do you think?
It’s been a wonderful, long, productive day! My husband Russ and I visited our pastor friend Clifton Howard for worship at St. Andrew’s in Arlington this morning. The music was spectacular-very uplifting. It had been a long time since I had heard Clifton preach. It was delightful. I’ve read advertising about churches being “for real people.” Well, there’s nothing fake about my friend Clifton. He’s definitely authentic. The REAL deal!
I hope when you’re worshiping, you experience “the real deal,” too. That you know God is always present with you. I pray you find a church where you feel at home. Of course, I’d love for that home to be at New Day, but wherever you choose, my wish is that you find strength and peace from God in a community longing to know God and serve God’s people.
“There is only one way to succeed at anything and that is to give everything.”
Vince Lombardi, United States Football Coach
I just can’t seem to get back into the swing of blogging again. I guess it’s been because I’ve had so much catching up to do since the end of vacation. Can you believe the number of emails you receive in a single day? Multiply that by a couple of weeks and it’s unbelievable! What did we ever do in the days before email and twitter and facebook? Although I have to admit that I really like keeping up with friends and family on facebook. I probably “talk” to more people now that it’s so easy to keep in touch.
Is there someone you have lost contact with? Who is that person in your life? A friend from school? An estranged family member? What’s keeping you from reconnecting?
What about God? How long has it been since you’ve had a real heart-to-heart? Too long you say? This Sunday night at our worship gathering, I’m going to give you some ideas for refueling your soul and reconnecting with the One who loves you more than you can imagine. Come fill up your spiritual tank. You’ll be glad you did.
Hope to see you at the Mansfield Activites Center at 6 p.m. I’ll be there. God will make an appearance. How about you? Will you show up? My prayer is that you will.
Take care and God Bless!