Jesus said, “So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
There was a time where I understood the Golden Rule to be a rule of reciprocity, where I would do exactly to others what I wanted them to do to me. But then I gradually came to understand that following the Golden Rule by literally responding to people in the way I had wanted them to treat me, did not take into consideration the uniqueness of each person and their felt needs.
On further examination I came to see that Jesus didn’t treat …
Category: Christian Living
PRAYER POWER….out of the saltshaker
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments (logical thinking) and every pretension (pride) that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought (scheme) to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 19:3-5
Jesus told His followers that they are to be the salt of the earth, agents of transformation for the Kingdom of God that preserves, adds flavour and influences our surrounding society. He also said that if salt remains in …
THE TIMES THEY ARE CHANGING…..Living in times of transition
In 1964 when I was about to be conscripted into the Australian Army for 2 years during the Vietnam War, the well known song writer, singer Bob Dylan wrote the song called The Times They Are A-Changing, a song deliberately written to create an anthem of change for the moment. There was a new generation making its voice felt and it was particularly expressed in the following verse:
“Come mothers and fathers throughout the land, And don’t criticise what you don’t understand,
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command, Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new if you can’t lend a hand, For …
THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE….. live RESILIENTLY and you won’t miss them!
In 1967 The Beatles released a memorable song called, “When I’m Sixty-Four”. The song asks the question that can stir in the minds of many people who are facing old age when it repeats the words, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I’m sixty-four?”
The thought of no longer being needed with the advancement of old age cuts across the very purpose for which we were created.
Interestingly, I belong to a denomination that requires its pastors to retire at 65, even though it is possible to believe for a number of them that their best years are still to come.
( Sue still needed …