Loving One Another

Archive for the ‘respect’ Category

Ubuntu!


Ubuntu!

 

Guest Minister

Today at church our guest minister was Dan Hollard, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bozeman, Montana. Our pastor for the past 25+ years has been Rev. Jean Johnson. Jean is on disability leave right now … in a rehab facility in Great Falls, MT.

Pray for Jean

Join me in prayer for Rev. Jean Johnson’s release from pain and ability to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

Sunday Surprises

Meantime, it’s a surprise each Sunday to see who is in the pulpit and to hear a different kind of message. Today’s message was titled, “Spirit of Peace.” I think Dan Hollard must have spent some time in Africa, because he put on an authentic African accent and told us the story of Ubuntu (Oooo-boon-too).

He based his message on the scripture of Matthew 25:35 “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.”

Here’s what I heard through my filter and took away this morning:

lunch table

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

There was a woman in Africa named Dorothy
Who embodied the spirit of Ubuntu
She was all about community and humanity.
Her kitchen was open to all … she’d welcome you.

She lived the spirit of Matthew 25:
If you see someone naked, clothe them.
If you see someone hungry, feed them.
We’re all one; you should never loathe them!

Dorothy was like a mother to all
Who entered her village; she’d invite
The hungry and poor to dine in her kitchen.
The sense of community was pure delight.

Like Nelson Mandela who invited his captors
To enjoy his inauguration feast,
Dorothy welcomed one and all –
Didn’t label anyone as one of the “least.”

Instead she lived a life that demonstrated
“I am who I am because of who we are.”
She knew “We are all connected.”
Her love lifted all people to “par.”

Everywhere in the world what we need
Is more Dorothys who live out Matthew 25.
Regardless of religion or color or creed,
We need Ubuntu to spread far and wide.

We must fill our world with love and joy.
We must fill the world with God’s peace.
We must feed the hungry and show respect
And love to all. Come and join my feast!

Shalom!

Ubuntu!
Have a Matthew 25 Sunday.
“I am because we are.”
We are all connected.
colorful dancers
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See you tomorrow.

 

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, food, friendship, Giving, God, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, peace, Poetry, prayer, respect, Serving One Another, writing

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What Do You Choose?


What Do You Choose?

Choose love

How About YOU?

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Let’s Just Keep on Loving One Another!

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Living in Harmony, Love, respect

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Look Beyond!


Look Beyond!

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Here are my sermon notes from the message
delivered by Pastor Steve Hundley
today at our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church

He titled it “The Bible Says”
and he had lots of stories about
how people use Bible verses
to prove their varying/opposing opinions

 

Sometimes people of God
Seem bent to disagree;
They argue and they point fingers.
Seems rather strange to me.

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Infighting creates doubts.
Why does it have to be?
Why do we let issues divide us?
Why can’t love define you and me?

Why is there dissension
Among the people of Christ
Why can’t we pray and obey
And treat each other nice?

There always has been fighting
Because issues raise their head
And divisions seems to reign.
Why can’t we just love instead?

We often disagree with others
Because we’re really at odd (that’s poetic license)
With ourselves – our own beliefs.
Why can’t we focus on our constant God?

God’s spirit is poured out
On the hearts of ALL folks.
Why do we create divisions
And make fun of others with jokes?

Why refuse to make the round trip
From our mind to our heart?
Our heart knows the love of God.
When will our minds know? Let’s start!

Let’s celebrate diversity –
And stop trying to point blame.
Let’s look beyond our differences;
Let’s praise and worship in God’s name.

Amen?

 

Just Love One Another
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See ya tomorrow

Category:

Bible Lessons, God, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, respect

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Quote

Hands Tell The Story


Look at the hands in this picture of my son and daughter-in-law as they watch their youngest daughter in her first dance as a new bride. The hands tell a story.

I looked at my old, wrinkled, arthritic hands as I read this lovely post- and as I walked memory lane, decided to share this thoughtfully written blog with you – via “Old” Hands Gave LIFE

Written

on July 27, 2019

No Hero Stands Alone


No hero stands alone
Each stands on the shoulders
Of the ones who came before

So, to become a hero,
Decide who is worthy to emulate
And then –  copy, work hard, and endure

CoCO is a tennis star
Who took Wimbledon by storm
But she acknowledged others

The Vanessa and Serenas of this world
Opened doors for the CoCos
And now they can walk through

 

 

Needed Hero

 

She played on Center Court
And although she didn’t take all,
She made her presence known

There will be other center courts
And other heroes to emulate
Just know…
No Hero Stands Alone!  

 

Here is one of my heroes:

Bob
My Precious Husband

He’s my hero because:
. He exemplifies unconditional love
. He is a hard-worker, a faithful provider
. He’s a wonderful Dad, Grampa & GGB
. He attends church with me and loves the Lord
. He never lets me down

Who is your hero?

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Have a Marvelous Monday!

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Love, Poetry, respect, work

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True Colors


True Colors

colorful dancers

You Color My Life!
You’re there to spread the sunshine
When shadows hide joy.

Show your true colors
By joining hands all around –
Reaching out in love.

tough times

Do you agree with that?
Do you think leaving answers
Issues of Respect?

Thinking of abuse;
Considering disrespect –
Sometimes there’s no choice.

But, looking at most
Issues of the “toughest times,”
LOVE is the answer.

Demonstrate bright love!
Climb the rainbow of color
To the Pot of Gold.

 

scenic view of sky with rainbow

Photo by Jessica Lewis on Pexels.com

Compassion is gold.
Stick around and help others –
Absence creates voids!

What’re YOUR True Colors??
Are they Love and Compassion?
Or blackness and voids?

heart of love
See Ya Tomorrow!

 

Category:

friendship, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry, respect

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Love Uniqueness


Love Uniqueness

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Photo by Daniel Reche from Pexels


Sermon notes
from message based on
John 17:20-26
“That They May Be One.”


Jesus prayed for Oneness
For each divided sect.
As He is One with God,
He prayed we will show respect.

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.
The ways in which we
Polarize ourselves here
Is tiring. It saddens me.
It brings no one cheer.
.
All people are more similar
Than different from each other.
We establish boundaries
To separate from our brothers.
.
We do it to prove that
We are right and we’re accepted.
We name others as losers
And place them outside  –  rejected.
.
Jesus prayed that we would just
Love One another – differences and all.
He prayed for our Oneness.
Honor uniqueness; stand tall!
.
Oneness is not about eliminating
The differences we see.
It’s about loving our uniqueness.
Love your neighbor, even your enemy!
.
It is about Oneness with God;
It’s a boundary-less love.
It’s only possible with help
From the Divine Source above.
.
If we call ourselves Christian,
We must stop bickering and be
The loving children our Creator intended.
Love differences;  love even me!

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.
Be one with all.
In Christ’s Love we Pray,
Amen.
.

JanBeek’s poetic notes
from a sermon
by Rev. Jean Johnson
at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
Ennis, Montana
June 2, 2019

What will you do today to demontrate your love for one another?
pexels-photo-887349
See you tomorrow

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, prayer, respect

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