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King Day!

It’s King day, so I thought it would be good to share some of his work.  I like these words he said.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.  – Martin Luther King, Jr.

I like that he sought to fight injustice with love and peace.  I think I also like them because they seem grounded in these words of John

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:5

and maybe these

At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.  1 John 2:8-11 ESV

Shine your light today and do good!

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Fear

I am back, and the week ( sorry for Friday) of auto posts is over!  Hopefully the content picks up for you this week, although it is hard to beat a week of straight scripture.  I saw this tweet a few weeks ago and have finally got around to sharing it. It has taken some time, because I have been sort of stumped on the question.

Figure out what you’re most afraid of today, then ask God for the courage to decide you’re not anymore

Hm, this may not puzzle you has much as it has puzzled me, but regardless, it’s a great way to attack fear.  Oh, I have struggled with this because I have been really trying to see what I am really afraid of, and I am not talking about spiders, or heights, or clowns.  So, once you figure out what you are afraid of, turning it over to God turns it into a matter of trust and not a matter of fear.

And that may, for some of us, be the thing we fear the most!

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (New International Version)

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No Profit

Last night as I was going to sleep I was looking for something to watch, and noticed that someone had DVRed a movie called “The 13th Warrior”.  It was just interesting enough to keep my attention, but not overly remarkable.  However, I did perk up a little when I heard the viking Herger the Joyous say

Fear profits a man nothing.

For some reason those 5 words were still with me this morning.  Maybe because they are so similar to the words spoken by my leader

 

28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 New International Version (NIV)

or these words penned by one of his closest friends on this Earth.

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love.  1 John 4:18  Common English Bible (CEB)

Today as you go hither and yon ( I had to talk like Viking after watching that movie), remember Herger’s words (and Johns, and mostly probably – Jesus’) and live life with love, not with fear!

 

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Love Another

As we approach the holiday weekend, spend a little time of the reason for our celebration – peace, hope and love.  And don’t forget the example that Christ-followers try to base there lives on.

 

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4 7-12

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Ides of March

Yikes, it’s the Ides of March ( already!).  Beware!!

Yep, there you have a idyllic warning of pending catastrophe!  Idyllic? really. Well I think so when you compare it to the warning bells and whistles that went off last week in Japan. Have you been able to watch any of those videos of the water crashing in, and the only warning being a shrill high pitched alarm. And with that warning the people reacted.

Of course, those of us who “buffet our bodies daily” realize that with each and every day, we must be watchful and careful.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

It is something that we must do each and every day, not just on the Ides of March, not just when the warning whistle is sounding. We have been provided a warning and always need to be on the lookout! Not only watching for attacks on our faith, and on our soul, but also watching for those in need, seeking opportunities to multiply mercy peace and love.

Oh, and back to Japan, if you are looking for a place to help, Healing Hands International will be working with local churches in the area – trying to get supplies, water, and blankets to those who are suffering and are in need. You can check it out here.

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (New International Version, ©2011)

Heed the warning and be watchful today