R-E-S-P-E-C-T

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – James 1:19-20
 

As children we learn that it is polite to let others finish speaking before we do, that it is rude to interrupt another person as they are speaking.  How many times have you been interrupted by a young child with something that is completely off topic and unrelated to the current thread of a discussion?  It’s a difficult lesson to learn for most children, because the mind of a 6 year old can only focus on one thing at a time and “big people” take too long to say what they have to say. There is a maturity that involves respecting one another that evolves over time but is essential in life. 

One of the biggest issues this world faces today is the lack of respect we have for one another.  I believe that this has been lost amongst the masses as individuals think more about themselves and less about others.  There is a universal standard called the golden rule which comes from the scripture in Matthew 7:12 that teaches us to treat others as we want to be treated.  Yet, many of us will continue to pursue gain at the expense of others in our actions and communication.  This sense of entitlement has become a significant influence and even a barrier in our society’s ability to truly love one another the way God intended us to love one another.

James words seem simple and logical, but continually they have become a stumbling block for most people at some point in life.  Just as we were taught as children to respect our parents and adults and not to interrupt, we need to continue to focus on this principal as we mature.  Respecting others is a fundamental element of a follower of Jesus Christ.  We do not have to agree with others words, actions or character elements but we must give them the respect that comes from God the Father.  His love is immutable, that is never changing, and equal amongst all people.  Consider His love for another individual before making a judgment on their words, action or character.  We must all learn from James to respect one another and be slow to anger, allowing God’s righteousness to surface in our actions


 
© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Pursuing Hope

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32
Mankind is inherently sinful.  We all know this from our youth and having been taught as children, from our parents and Sunday School teachers.  We are also taught the Golden Rule; can everyone say it with me:  “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”  It’s pretty basic when you really come down to it.  There is very little wiggle room and when it is followed, most people can generally get along.  Yet, there is something inside of us that at times, bubbles up and comes forth with wickedness and hatred for another, and we allow it to overcome our better judgment to treat others as you would like to be treated.  When my son started Kindergarten, the principle pulled the entire student body together on the first day of school and laid out this same guidelines for the students to abide in; he also added to it the Thumper Rule.  You all remember Thumper right?  He was the cute little bunny on Bambi, who pretty much said whatever was on his mind without considering the consequences or the impact to another person’s feelings.  The Thumper Rule goes like this: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” 

Put these two rules together and you have a basic formula for co-existence in this life.  Treat others with kindness, generosity, love and forgiveness.  Keep your words in check and don’t slander others behind their back or in front of them.  This life is difficult and we are all pressing hard to make it through each day.  When we treat others with disrespect, callousness and resentment it only serves to create more animosity and strife in the relationship.  I personally believe we are here on this earth to help one another, to demonstrate love, hospitality and forgiveness to others as we all try to make it through each day.  Words, actions and anger do nothing but fuel the separation of individuals from this purpose in life.  In turn this creates bitterness and unforgiveness to fester and we fall farther and farther from the representation of God’s love to each other.

This life is not about today, or tomorrow.  It is about the whole and the opportunity to share His gospel with others, through the way we represent His love and peace in our daily walk.  It’s about leaving a legacy of truthfulness, integrity, love, humility and generosity for those who will carry on after we are long gone.  Hope for something better than what we have today is what binds us together as a human race, all striving for peaceful co-existence.  Without hope, we have no love, we have no future and we have no reason for following the Golden Rule or the Thumper Rule.  For without hope for a better tomorrow; who cares who you might offend, anger or step on today.  Living life in love, peace and pursuit of happiness for you and those around you will inspire you to continue down this path of hope for a better future together as mankind.  I hope you are able to consider the big picture of life in your day to day activities and forgive those who have wronged you and ask forgiveness of those you have wronged.  Don’t make this life any more difficult than it already is, and strive to help others simplify and improve upon their life as much as you can.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
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