Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Five Things to Do to Make the World a Better Place
Five Things to Do to Make the World a Better Place by Gary Peluso-Verdend
1. Take a moment - respond rather than react
2. Treat yourself and everyone you meet as the Image of God that you are and that they are.
3. Learn to accept forgiveness and to offer forgiveness.
4. In a world drowning in data, learn what is saving knowledge and pay attention there.
5. Practice hospitality as Henri Nouwen defined it: Make a space in your life for others who are not like you without requiring that they become like you.
I wish I could take credit for this list but I am just not that insightful. The list and other information about Peluso-Verdend can be found on page 196 of Banned Questions of the Bible. That doesn't mean that I don't have an opinion about it though.
Think parenting on this one. Parents are hesitant about teaching this lesson because they fear other people with be a greater influence than they are. It's a valid fear because there is a lot of bad stuff out there waiting to suck people in. We let other people's habits, politics, dress, religion, and even sports team affect how we choose to interact with them. Nobody wants their child to go to Tuscaloosa so "Roll Tide" is not an acceptable phrase in my home. Sound familiar? The same applies to immigration reform, healthcare, music, etc. - anything really. We have become consumed with always having to be right instead of just enjoying that person's company. I am as guilty as anyone on this one and it is taking a very intentional mindset to try to stop.
We too often forget that each person is a unique child of God and has something to offer the world. I am encouraged by reminders like this list and I pray that it finds a place in many more lives.
1. Take a moment - respond rather than react
2. Treat yourself and everyone you meet as the Image of God that you are and that they are.
3. Learn to accept forgiveness and to offer forgiveness.
4. In a world drowning in data, learn what is saving knowledge and pay attention there.
5. Practice hospitality as Henri Nouwen defined it: Make a space in your life for others who are not like you without requiring that they become like you.
I wish I could take credit for this list but I am just not that insightful. The list and other information about Peluso-Verdend can be found on page 196 of Banned Questions of the Bible. That doesn't mean that I don't have an opinion about it though.
Think parenting on this one. Parents are hesitant about teaching this lesson because they fear other people with be a greater influence than they are. It's a valid fear because there is a lot of bad stuff out there waiting to suck people in. We let other people's habits, politics, dress, religion, and even sports team affect how we choose to interact with them. Nobody wants their child to go to Tuscaloosa so "Roll Tide" is not an acceptable phrase in my home. Sound familiar? The same applies to immigration reform, healthcare, music, etc. - anything really. We have become consumed with always having to be right instead of just enjoying that person's company. I am as guilty as anyone on this one and it is taking a very intentional mindset to try to stop.
We too often forget that each person is a unique child of God and has something to offer the world. I am encouraged by reminders like this list and I pray that it finds a place in many more lives.
a quick read but a good one for the 4th.
I wanted to pass along, this is worth taking minute to read. I especially like the next to last paragraph.
http://revjameshowell.blogspot.com/2010/07/jesus-and-july-4.html
http://revjameshowell.blogspot.com/2010/07/jesus-and-july-4.html
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