07/16/2024
Top Eight Tips For Doing Unto Others:
Taking The Golden Rule of Jesus To The Next Level
The following are eight principles that work in almost all circumstances as we follow through on our commitment to treat others as we wish to be treated. I intended to use this in Sunday’s sermon but totally spaced it.
1. Listen long and hard—try to understand what someone is communicating before you begin thinking about your response or sharing your own ideas and experiences
2. Go out of your way to be helpful when others are in obvious need of a helping hand. (Being inconvenienced is the hallmark of faithful disciples of Jesus.)
3. Be twice as patient with others as you’d like them to be patient with you. (You can never go wrong with adding extra patience).
4. Don’t read ulterior motives into the actions of others. Assume the best about others as you’d want them to assume the best about you.
5. Offer a specific act of support and caring when someone is going through a rough patch. Avoid an offer of “If you need anything”. Instead try, ‘What can I do to be helpful? Mow your lawn, cook your dinner, walk your dog, etc.’
6. Be encouraging and positive just as you enjoy being surrounded by encouragement and optimism. Look to ‘catch’ the people around you being good.
7. Admit your mistakes readily and apologize immediately when you’ve hurt someone’s feelings or done something unworthy of your calling in Christ.
8. Offer to pray for someone and follow through with it. Taking prayer for others seriously is a powerful way to care for another. (Whether folks believe in God or not, making the offer will help them believe that you want what is best for them. Prayer is our way of expressing that.)
Archived Posts
The Gift of Ourselves As A Gift of Love
The more the giving of myself costs me something, the greater the power of the gift. You know I love quotes, so after a little research, let me share a few of my favorites on this very subject:
The Loss of a Great Christian Leader
The death today of Pope Francis was particularly poignant, falling as it did on the day after Easter. As Protestant Christians we have a once removed interest in the leader of the Roman Catholic church. Yet the pope is the authoritative leader of 1.4 billion women and men around the world. It is worth our time to pause and consider what kind of man and what kind of legacy Pope Francis left behind.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Judas Iscariot
(Drawn from online sources)
Jesus Hears A Who
Few people know that Horton Hears A Who comes from the 25th Chapter of Matthew.
Matthew 24: One More Thing...
I sometimes stumble on old documents I’ve created but have completely forgotten about. I cannot remember why I created them or what purpose they were originally supposed to serve....
Keeping the Church Doors Unencumbered
Sunday, we considered Jesus’ disruptive actions in the Temple in light of his frustration with keeping gentiles from worshipping in their designated courtyard. We then reflected on how we still tend to throw up roadblocks to those who don’t normally attend church. I found the following, but didn’t have space for it in the sermon. It’s provocative and worth chewing on for a while.
What Was the Crowd Celebrating on Palm Sunday?
I came across this list which feels a little like a "Greatest Hits of Jesus' Ministry". I share it with you today for your inspiration and edification. Enjoy!