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Striving to be Kind

8/18/2020

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"What is desirable in a person is kindness..." Proverbs 19:22
Chris Tomlin, "Kindness"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmlmUsx_O68


In this age of COVID19, many of us have become a short-tempered, depressed, snappy people. Because of social, economic and political movements at play, We see our nation divided as it has never been before, so much so that  some wonder if we are turning a corner, going down a dark road it will be hard to return from. Hearts are hardening.  Harsh judgments are forming. Cracks are widening. Attitudes are sharpening.  


It is not too late to turn things around.  We always have the power to do this.  Learning to be kind, acting generously, friendly and considerate, puts our faith into action.  Kindness grows out of an attitude of gratitude that we cultivate in our time of prayer and devotion.  We become kind as we seek to imitate God.  Our God, who cares for all people, righteous and unrighteous  alike, teaches us to have sympathy for all living beings. As a fruit of the spirit, kindness grows when our lives are rooted in God and actively seeks the well being of all around us. Kindness is not just being nice, it is seeking the best for others, even those we may not care for. Kindness is concerned about the feelings and perspective of others. We may not agree with each other's views, but we can act with regard for others, as God does.


There's a very good chance our circumstances will become more tense and problematic.  Let us ask God to plant in our hearts the seeds of kindness, so during the times we face, we may be light bearers, peace makers, kind-hearted bringing a space of healing in the difficult  situations we face.


He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8


TIPS TO CULTIVATE AND DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF KINDNESS


1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. & while you walk, SMILE.


2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

3. When you wake up in the morning, Pray to ask God’s

guidance for your purpose, today.


.4, Read scriptures and devotional material every day.


5. Pray, especially for those who bother you the most.


6. Try to make at least three people smile each day
.

7 Guard against negative thoughts or things you cannot control.



9. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
.


10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Forgive

11. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
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12. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree

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13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present

.
14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what


their journey is all about -- let alone the full perspective of yours.
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15. No one is in charge of your kindness except you.  Seek to share kindness every day.


16. Help someone you may not ordinarily help. Offer a compliment to someone you might ordinarily avoid.


17. Help the needy, Be generous ! Be a ‘Giver’ not a ‘Taker’

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your

friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need
.

23. Each night before you go to bed remember that you are too blessed to be stressed
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Be Generous!

8/4/2020

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​"A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)


WATCH:
  Random Acts of Kindness 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9ViAZBUqEE

The root  meaning of generous is "of noble birth," and "race," or "clan."  This meaning has slowly disappeared to refer to nobility in behavior or actions, as in the willingness to give abundantly or to be magnanimous in spirit towards others.  As followers of Jesus, we are members of the family of God. As members of the "God clan," we are called to be recognized by acts of generosity and kindness.  


This simple but powerful verse from Proverbs reminds us of the spiritual principle God has ordained: we will find spiritual renewal as we give to others.  Our life is rooted in Christ, but branches out to include all of creation. Let us be renewers of the world. In this age of COVID and conflict, let us refresh each other through our ongoing acts of kindness, forgiveness and mercy. We will be refreshed as we reach out to others in caring, following in the footsteps of Jesus, the example of God's compassion and generosity for our lives.  
Do something good for someone today! It'll make your day!

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Raising Our Youth

8/4/2020

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​"Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, "Talitha kum!" (which translated means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!".  Matt. 5:41.

"Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. "Young man," he said, "I say to you rise" Luke 7:14


"Jesus Loves Me" Whitney Houston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNqAHrNNLqA


It is not surprising that two of the three miracles Jesus performs raising someone from the dead involves  young persons.  It's not easy being a young person.  


We hear nothing about Jesus' adolescence and young life although for sure it was a fundamental time to creating the teacher, leader and healer we read of in the gospels.  So we must trust that this time is critical in the development of our young people.  This is why churches pray and seek to minister to youth and young adults, to give them a spiritual foundation for the rest of their lives.


Being a mom of two young persons, it was painful and heart-breaking at times watching them navigate those teen aged/young adult years. Girls are bombarded to look like the air-brushed photos in fashion  magazines or ads. They are either too skinny (are you anorexic or something?) or a little chubby (what are you pregnant)? So body image disorders abound.  Boys are under the same scrutiny too -- and between the extra-curriculars, grades, and other expectations, the pressures are enormous.   And if you happen to have a special-needs child, the struggle becomes particularly poignant and difficult.


In the midst of the pandemic young people are directed to self-isolate which is the most unnatural for them. They are at the most social time of their life, forging connections with other people outside their families.  They are studying remotely, compounding an already difficult passage. This fall some will be returning to school, some from home, creating a disruptive time, in an already disruptive age.  They need our prayers more than ever!


Although my children are now young adults,   I pray for them daily  that God would lead them through their struggles, become real in their lives, would give them role models,  and would keep them safe and guide them to make good decisions.  They are making it.  Maybe not how I thought they would, but they are finding their way, in a manner that's authentic and true to them.  So we pray not just for our young people, but for ourselves -- to love them as God does, and accept them for who they are, for whom God made them to be.  May God bless and keep our young people, help them make wise decisions and to grow in wisdom and stature, like Jesus did.


May God bring to life all that is dead or ill within their hearts -- and ours.
 


 
PRAY:
 “Help us to create safe spaces for the young people among us. May they know they are loved by us and by you.”
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    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

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