Common Courtesy

Philippians 2:4 (ESV)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Rub shoulders in enough malls, sports arenas, and airports – anywhere there are people, really – and you’ll discover one thing: common courtesy isn’t so common anymore. But if more of us were like Christina and Michael, we could turn that around.

Have you ever had to board an airplane with a baby in tow? It can be an awkward and uncomfortable experience. Weary passengers are a notoriously impatient bunch, and the sight of a baby can sour their attitudes in a flash. No welcoming smiles here. Just icy glares … if they’re willing to make eye contact at all.

Lots of parents, sensing that condemnation, guard against it with a cynical attitude of their own. But one couple chose a refreshing approach. They launched what could only be called a “preemptive strike of courtesy.” After boarding, Christina and Michael handed out baggies of candy to the passengers around them. Attached to each was a note on behalf of their twin fourteen-week-old boys. In part, it read: “We’ll try to be on our best behavior, but we apologize in advance in case we get scared or our ears hurt.”

It was a simple gesture that diffused what is typically a tense situation. Fellow travelers who otherwise might have been easily irritated were suddenly understanding and friendly. And these thoughtful parents showed that when you extend consideration, you’ll often get it in return. So as you go about your day today, what can you do to look to the interests of others?

Dear Lord, we pray that we look out for the interest of others today. Help us to find small ways to reach out and show Your love to those around us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Simple Kindness

2 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

And godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Something amazing happened at a Major League Baseball park not long ago. No, there weren’t any records broken. In fact, the extraordinary event didn’t even take place on the field. It happened in the stands.

The whole scene unfolded on camera. At the end of the third inning, a player from the Milwaukee Brewers threw a ball into the stands to a young fan wearing their jersey. Also standing at the railing hoping for a ball was twelve-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks fan, Ian McMillan. When the ball came down, Ian reached out and caught it in his hat. Excited, he headed back to his seat. But that’s when Ian looked back and noticed how sad the younger boy was about not getting the ball. Without prompting from adults, Ian immediately turned, walked back to the younger fan, and handed him the ball.

It was an unusual display of selflessness and maturity. In the days that followed, news stations illustrated that fact by contrasting Ian’s behavior with that of adults. One man literally wrestled a ball away from a woman a few seats away. And, in another video, two men nearly got into a fist fight.

Maybe it strikes you like it does me that selfish behavior is so common that a simple act of kindness by a youngster at a ball game is enough to capture our attention. That’s why we need more examples like Ian to remind us of what’s really important in life. May our love for Christ make an impression on everyone around us simply because we’re quick to do what’s right toward other people.

Dear Lord, help us to look for ways to show kindness today. Thank You for being a great example of on that shows love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Are you attentive to people's needs around you?

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Are the people around you happy, or are they struggling in some area of life? Maybe the real question is: Are you attentive enough that you would recognize the difference?

Let’s face it, we have pretty shallow relationships with most of the people we cross paths with every day. Sure, we’ll nod at co-workers in the hall and grunt a robotic “How’re you doing?” But our demeanor lets the person know we’re busy and would prefer a generic, “Fine, thank you,” rather than a genuine answer. It could be that someone near to us is having a rough go of it, but we’d never notice because we’re too wrapped up in our own world.

It reminds me of a poem I read from the 1950s, called “Not Waving, But Drowning.” It serves as a metaphor for people suffering alone in their pain. The stanzas describe a dying man, thrashing about in the surf, struggling to keep his head above water. But the people walking by on shore simply nod with a smile and continue on, confusing the man’s frantic struggle for survival with a friendly wave.

How many people do we run into each day who are fighting to keep their head above water in life? Are we simply nodding with a smile when what that person really needs is help carrying their burdens? Although we may not be able to solve all their problems, a simple word of encouragement is sometimes enough to lift the weight of the world off their shoulders. But to do that we have to be tuned in to the lives of the people around us and God’s leading. Be willing to stop, listen, and care.

Dear Lord, we ask that we would be sensitive to those around us. Help us to see those in need and help them and not just wave. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Happy birthday America 2018

John 8:36 (ESV)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

We live in the United States. The United States of America was started over 225 years ago. That seems very old. But the ideas it was started with are still important. Americans are free to live where they want, and say what they believe, and to worship God where they would like to do so. These are BIG Freedoms. Some other countries don’t have those freedoms. Today we are celebrating Independence Day: the day our country declared its independence (or freedom) from rule by others. It takes hard work and sacrifice to keep our country safe and free. These may include: Veterans, persons in the armed forces, first responders, statesmen, citizens, etc.)

When our county started, the people then fought a great war for America. They were victorious in that fight! and they started a new country here, the United States of America. They had a new flag for their new country. Each thing in our flag means something special. The stars represent the number of states we have now. The stripes represent the number of states America started with (13, 7 red & 6 white). Even the colors of the flag mean special things.

 RED – COURAGE

 WHITE – PURITY

 BLUE – FAITHFULNESS

As we know there was a man named Jesus, who was and is the Son of God, who came to earth many years ago, way back before America was started. Jesus came to set us all free. He came to set us free from sin and death. He was COURAGEOUS because He stood up to evil and did what was right. He was PURE because He was the Son of God and because He never did anything wrong. He was FAITHFUL to do what He came to do, even though it was very hard. And in the end He was victorious and WON over sin and death.

HE came to set people FREE, not only in this country, but in every country all over the world. He came for all people who would believe in Him, no matter where they lived or when they lived. He came for all people everywhere!

Jesus came to save us! He came to set us free!

Dear Lord,  We come to You this July 4th, grateful for our country and grateful for the men and women who gave their lives so that we might be free. We proclaim our allegiance to our country and total dedication to You. May Your name be praised and celebrated throughout our country on this our joyous national holiday. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The blessings of Interruptions

Matthew 9:18-19 (ESV)

18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples.

When was the last time you helped someone in need? It could be you’ve missed several chances because they were disguised as interruptions instead of opportunities.

Not long ago, a young man was running a quick errand before an important meeting he had across town. As he hustled from the store to his car, he saw a young mother struggling to corral two toddlers while muscling a grocery cart across the parking lot. She looked tired and overwhelmed. He was just backing out when it happened: She reached her car and broke into tears. Her tire was flat.

He wasn’t prepared for this situation. He was running late, and he wasn’t dressed to wrestle with a flat tire. But this young lady clearly needed help, so he rolled up my sleeves and introduced himself. It turns out she was stressed with good reason. Her husband was deployed overseas, and being new to the area, she had no family or friends nearby. She was alone with two children in a new and unfamiliar city. That day, he learned how significant a small act of kindness can be.

And he almost missed it.

Whether it’s single mothers, the elderly, a coworker, or your next-door neighbor, people in need are all around us. But the opportunity to come alongside someone doesn’t always present itself when it’s convenient. In fact, it’s usually an interruption. But that shouldn’t surprise us. Much of Jesus’ ministry took place because He welcomed interruption. The woman who touched His cloak, the paralytic lowered through the roof mid-sermon, the disciples waking Him from sleep to calm the storm. Our challenge is this – to keep ourselves open and willing because the chance to be a blessing most often surfaces in unexpected moments.

Dear Lord, help our eyes and hearts be open to those around us. Help us to not look at things as interruptions but opportunities to serve others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Being a neighbor

Luke 6:31-33 (ESV)

31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Robert Frost wrote that “good fences make good neighbors.” It’s true. But so does “being neighborly.”

I read a story about a family that took a trip in the used camper they had bought the year before. Unfortunately, they were still unfamiliar with many of the camper’s hook-ups and settings, which led to a mini comedy of errors as soon as they arrived at the grounds. Right away, they popped open the side panel and wrestled to get the sewer hose connected. The problem was, they forgot the panel was open above them, and they bonked their head. When they stepped backward, they scraped their back along the bottom latch. And that’s when they stood up and hit their head again. When they looked up, they noticed several veteran campers were intently taking in the entire scene.

Given the spectacle they had created, you’d think some of the more experienced campers nearby would have offered a helping hand. Instead, they were surprised by the distance they kept from them. They seemed almost offended by their inexperience. Over the course of the week, they did get to know some of the folks around them … after they took the initiative to say hello.

That story reinforced the importance of “being neighborly” with the people God has placed in our path. Whether it’s a family moving into your neighborhood, a new co-worker learning the ropes, or just a bumbling camper next to you, we should take the first step, extend to them the love of Christ, and help them feel welcome.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would be the neighbor You would have us to be. Hep us to reach out to those around us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Where two or three are gathered

Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

A lot had happened to the disciples who followed Jesus. They saw Jesus go through horrible pain as he was killed. But then miracle of all miracles, he rose from the dead. They saw him, talked to him, and hung out with him. And then to top off their unearthly experience, He rose up into heaven right in front of their eyes. It’s no big surprise that the first thing they did was all go to the upper room (their hangout place). They probably sat there for a few minutes just staring at each other: Did we just see what we think we saw? Next they prayed. They prayed and prayed and prayed. They’d just seen the impossible happen and now they had to wonder, what next? Instead of just rushing out and coming up with their own great ideas, they pulled together and prayed: God, help us. God, strengthen us. God, show us what to do for you.

What next? They went on to tell the world about Jesus. We know about Jesus today because of what they did then. Now it’s true that we can experience great things when we pray on our own, but something special happens when we pray together. We get to encourage each other, comfort one another, and grow deeper in our friendships — all because of prayer. Jesus said, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them”. Maybe that’s one of the main reasons they gathered together to pray — they wanted Jesus!

Do you have some people that you can pray with? If not, look around your church, talk to your family, and ask a few trusted people to pray with you. Pray with a friend for your teachers, and pray with your siblings for your parents, pray with those you love for God to show the way.

Dear Lord, we thank You that we can come to You in prayer. Give us people this week that we can pray with. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.