A Thought or Two: September 10 -16
Psycholgists have found that the act of giving can produce satisfaction, which comes to the giver when they see the recipient’s joy. Some experts think that we are wired to be generous.
St. Paul knew this many years ago, as he encouraged the Thessalonican Church to help the weak. Indeed, he cited our blessed Lord’s direction in these things when he said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
This not only applies financially, it applies as well to the giving of our time and effort. When we give, we get a better understanding of how God feels. He freely gives us His love, so let’s pass it on every day.
Blessings to you and yours this week.
Pastor Leon
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A Thought or Two: September 3 -9
We are increasingly living in a world bent in favour of the negative. St. John gives us a great example of encouraging others in his little letter to his “beloved Gaius.” He was not able to be with Gaius in person, so he wrote this little note on parchment, and had it hand delivered by a friend.—much more demanding than sitting in front of our computers and tapping away. Ha!
How important our words and actions of encouragement are to others! I guess the key is not the form, rather that we start with even a moment of time, and let others know that we care for them in ‘Jesus’ name.
Think of the encouragement Gaius experienced when he opened John’s letter. We can similarly shine God’s love on our friends with a thoughtful note, an uplifting call or visit.
Blessings to you and yours this week.
Pastor Leon
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A Thought or Two: January 29 – February 4
In the late 1800s, a familiar sight greeted all of the ships as they sailed into the port of Savannah Georgia. Florence Martus, “The Waving Girl,’ greeted them. She waved her handkerchief during the day and a lantern at night. Today, a statue of Florence and her faithful dog stands in Savannah’s Memorial Park, permanently welcoming incoming vessels.
Is it not true that there is something in a warm welcome that speaks of acceptance? St. Paul urged his readers: “Accept one another then, just as Christ has accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:17).
Indeed, our acceptance of other people is simply an expression of how Jesus accepts us and loves us.
Blessings to you and yours this week.
Pastor Leon
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A Thought or Two: January 22 – 28
G.K. Chesterton was known for his excellent, insightful writings, and at times, humor.
He wrote the following: “Many people say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the play and the opera, and grace before the concert and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching a painting, swimming, boxing, walking, playing, dancing: and grace before I dip the pen in ink.” In other words, Chesterton was a very thankful man. Actually it appears he was thankful for every moment of every day. In mere mortals, Chesterton had a pretty good example in St. Paul.
The Apostle Paul saw every activity, every endeavor, something for which we should thank God, and that we should do for His glory. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3 : 17).
Blessings to you and yours this week.
Pastor Leon
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A Thought or Two: January 8-14
Did you ever have the feeling that you should speak to someone about the Lord, and kind of held back, for fear of offending them? If we have that feeling just maybe, it might be the Lord nudging us to go ahead. Sometimes in our caution of offending, we may be like the farmer who kept his eye on the weather, looking for the perfect day to plant his crops. The season passed and he planted nothing.
We can never tell what is going on in the heart of someone else. Some may be dwelling in the pit darkness, and longing for someone to lead them into the light. When you encounter such a situation, forget the programs you took on evangelism, and just follow your heart. We do not have to say much. Perhaps a smile starts it all, and the Lord takes over.
Blessings to you and yours this week.
Pastor Leon