Loving One Another

Posts tagged ‘peace’

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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Place of Peace


Place of Peace

From my place of Peace

I hear the whippoorwill’s song

A very good day

I have you in prayer.

You have a very good day, too, okay?

Soar with your own song!

God bless you.

Category:

blessings, contentment, God, Haiku, happiness, Love, peace, Poetry

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We’ve Tried Hate


We’ve Tried Hate

Tried Hate - Try PEACE

Destruction must go
Let’s try something different
COLLABORATION

Eliminate Hate
Substitute empowerment
LET’S COMMUNICATE

Outdoor Fireplace during Nighttime

Matheus Bertelli

Let’s solve world problems
Come sit by the fireside
Let’s try peace and love.

ARE  YOU  WITH  ME?
What might we talk about?

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See ya tomorrow.

Category:

friendship, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, Sharing

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Feed Your Mind


Feed Your Mind

Feed your mind

Feed Hope, Truth and Love
To your ever hungry mind –
Your mind will believe.

Peace to you, my friends.

Love and Peace…
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See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Faith, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, peace, Poetry, truth

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Project Peace


Project Peace

World Peace is illusive.
Can it ever be attained?
What role do I play in it?
Is my attitude engrained?

Do I project Attitude Peace?
Am I carrying my load?
Today’s sermon told me
It’s a very illusive road.

woman sitting in grey fur sofa

Rev. Jean Johnson’s sermon topic:
“God Bless This House with Peace”
based on Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20

Violence against older adults
Is on the rise; peace gunned
Down in constant upheavels –
Headlines leave us stunned.

God entrusts us with
The lives others. Take part
In providing care for
The deeper issue: the human heart.

We need a change of heart.
We need a heart of peace.
God asks us to spread
His peace to all – – – Release!

We need to reorient
Our idea of how peace acts.
We need to be willing
To understand the facts.

Peace is not an ideal
To be attained from others.
It is not something given
By our sisters and our brothers.

We do not have the power
To change the hearts of others.
We each must choose our peace,
Not the hate that smothers.

The struggle for peace
Is not between me and thee.
It is a face in the mirror;
The face of peace I see.

Do I regard the needs
Of others as great as my own?
Do I forgive 70 x 7?
And love those with hearts of stone?

Do I acknowledge the value
Of each human being?
Do I give unconditionally?
Do I love those who’re disagreeing?

Do I set aside old baggage
And see others free and clear?
Or do I carry resentment,
And prejudge those ever near?

God asks us to bring peace
With us wherever we go.
Work to create a change of heart.
Offer peace to all you know.

Peace to you, my friends.
I hope you’re having a peaceful Sunday.

Way to go, FIFA, USA Soccer Gals!!
You’re awesome!!

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See you tomorrow.

 

Category:

Bible Lessons, Love, peace, Poetry, Serving One Another, writing

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