Love is…

•September 1, 2011 • Leave a Comment

… more than an emotion, more than a warm feeling.

Love has to be an action.  To love, is to do something about it.

This is what Paul points us to:

Romans 12:9-21

New International Version (NIV)

Love in Action

 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited.

 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Saying we love, is not enough.  It involves doing something about it.

Love involves honouring, patience, faithfulness and blessing.  It means being with someone – truly being there.  It means putting aside pride and seeking harmony.  Love means not looking for revenge, but peace. Love means feeding the hungry.

This is love God’s way.

We can say we love, but would anyone notice that love, if we didn’t mention it?

Lord help me to love

your way;

help me to love

that people see you;

help me to love

in and through you

Posted in Lectionary, love
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Watch Out

•August 31, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Ezekiel 33:7-11

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel (v7)

Ezekiel was charged with the task of being a watchman for his people.

The task of  a watchman is to protect – property, assets, people.

Ezekiel is called to watch over those he lived amongst; to bring God’s message to them; to warn them of the wrong they were doing and help them to turn their lives in the right direction.

God doesn’t want his people to suffer because of the bad ways they choose to run their lives.  He wants them to live the right way, because that is the best way for them.

I’m wondering how we are called to be watchmen and women in our lives?

Any thoughts?

Lord you call us

to live in a time and a place.

May we live there

as your people;

may we show your ways;

and watch over

those we live amongst

for you

Posted in calling, God, Lectionary
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Fault Finding

•August 30, 2011 • 1 Comment

It seems to have become the thing for the media to do what they can to find out things about public figures and do all they can to spread that information.

Tonight’s “news” includes

Minister snapped leaving No 10 with Afghan memo

whatever happened to the moral responsibility to not spread this, but perhaps think to just delete the photo and say no more, or have a quiet word in the ear of the minister concerned.

Jesus has some advice that seems totally pertinent to us:

“If your brother or sister sins,go and point out their fault, just between the two of you” (Matthew 18:15)

Don’t go making a song and dance about it.  Don’t go escalating it to make a big fuss – or a law suit!  Just a quiet word is the way to go – certainly to start with.

They may not realise what they’ve done.  We may even have misunderstood.  A quiet word may quickly sort it out.

Now isn’t that a better way to live?

 

Forgive me Lord,

when I am quick to point out others faults;

when I want to shout about them,

so everyone knows what THEY have done wrong.

Help me to care,

to seek to understand,

and walk the way of reconciliation

Posted in Jesus, Lectionary
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