Christianity’s most famous directive for right living is found in Luke 6:31 – “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12 adds a phrase: “ So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” In everything! There’s no carving out exceptions, darn it!. We can all look and sound good when things are going our way, but how about the times they’re not? I know I’m faced with those challenges every day, from a surly store clerk to someone with different political views to the driver who pulls out in front of me. Jesus doesn’t tell me I’m responsible for my feelings about these things but makes it clear that I am for my actions. Perhaps it will help us understand the Golden Rule better if we recast it. Five centuries before Jesus, the great Chinese philosopher Confucius wrote a kind of manual for living a moral and ethical life. And here’s his version of what Jesus later commanded us: “Do not to others what you do not want done to yourself.” Got it!

Let us pray:
Merciful God, you loved us so much that you sent your beloved Son to be born as one of us, walk among us, teach us, heal us, and lead us to right living through his example. Fill our hearts with gratitude for this priceless gift, we pray, so that we are inspired to live out his example in our own life. We’re not going to do it perfectly, and you understand that, but inspire us to work mindfully toward living out the goal so lovingly set for us. Amen

Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper. Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed!”

It is amazing how often in the New Testament Paul’s letters include words of encouragement. He almost always opens his letters with thanksgiving for those to whom he is writing. And he almost always finds something supportive, something uplifting to share with them.

In the book of Acts, we see that encouragement returned. Wherever Paul travels, those who know him, love him and they receive him with affection and support.

This week try and find at least one person each day who may need some encouragement. Whether it is a note, a call, a hug or a spoken word, refresh them with thanksgiving or praise. At the end of the week, notice your own spirit feeling renewed!

Let us pray: God of Hope, we all know people who are discouraged or down or hurting. We all know people who seem to be just going through the motions. Give us the words or the actions to build up, to bless, to encourage, to show grace. And may your Spirit fall upon us, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Over the years I have kept much of the feedback I have received as a pastor – both good and bad. I do glance back over it from time to time. I look at the positive correspondence when I need a lift, when I need to be reminded of why I do what I do. The negative stuff reminds me to be humble, and that there is always room for improvement. Sometimes in seeing my failures, I can also see how they contributed to my growth.

As a pastor, I’ve noticed that some people have a hard time with criticism – even constructive feedback. Don’t get me wrong, it’s never pleasant at first. And, it’s true that some people are just bitter and angry and take that out on others. It is also true that people can be mistaken, they can get it wrong. But sometimes, if we sit with the feedback long enough, there is something to learn – some kernel of truth that can help us grow.

I pray that when you receive criticism, you would hang on to it a while. Give it a second thought, and try to see what is at the heart of it. Then, if there is nothing to it, lift up in prayer the person who shared it with you, and then let it go. But, if there is something to learn, give thanks.

Let us pray: Loving God, it is hard to look at our own mistakes and failures. It is hard to acknowledge that we are not perfect. We remember today that we are human and that there is always room to grow and learn. We ask for both insight and grace, and we thank you that in spite of our flaws and imperfections, you love us still. What a gift! Amen.

In an old Peanuts comic strip, Snoopy’s brother Spike who lives in the desert is sitting with his back against a cactus. He’s writing a letter, “At night the sun goes down, and the stars come out; and then in the morning, the sun comes up again. It’s so exciting to live in the desert.”

I love Spike’s sense of wonder and awe at the natural world. In our fast-paced world, filled with technological wonders, sometimes we take for granted the beauty that surrounds us on every side. Sunrises and sunsets, beautiful cloud formations and star clusters abound. But often, we fail to notice – much less be amazed.

In his book, This Sunrise of Wonder, Michael Mayne writes this to his grandchildren: “If I could have waved a fairy grandfather’s wand at your birth and wished upon you just one gift it would not have been beauty or riches or a long life: It would have been the gift of wonder.” (Michael Mayne, This Sunrise of Wonder, p. 11)

Today I invite you to recover your sense of wonder. Try to get outside even if it is for a brief moment. Breathe the fresh air. Smell the rain or marvel at the snow. Watch the clouds drift across the sky. Remember the words of the psalmist:

O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!… When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?

Let us pray: Open our spirits again, O God, that we might be moved and awestruck by your creation, and by the beauty of music and art, and by the love of friends and family.
Through this beauty, draw us closer to you. We give you all thanks and praise this day. Amen.

When I lived in Jamaica, a couple of my neighbors kept a regular Sabbath. One such neighbor was called Smith – though I think that was his last name. Smith worked two jobs and his wife was a full-time nursing student. She actually worked and attended school an hour away in Kingston. They led busy, hectic lives.

On their day off together, they would go to church in the morning. Then, their afternoons would be spent sharing food with family and friends. Sometimes they’d hang out under the mango tree. I remember lots of laughter from their house, lots of singing. They took this time of rest so seriously – and yet had so much fun with it. It was a pattern of holy rest, a ritual. And it was amazing to see every weekend all of their stress just disappear.

Looking back, I too had this day off. In fact, I had the whole weekend free. But I spent Saturday mornings doing my wash, the afternoons grading papers. On Sunday afternoons I’d make the lesson plans for the next week. There always seemed to be something that needed to be done.

One Sunday afternoon, I was sitting outside grading papers as my neighbor walked up. I’ll never forget the moment. With a big smile on his face, Smith asked, “Presbyterians take no rest mon?” I said, “Sure. But I’ve got to get this done.” He gently replied, “Even God rests, Joe. Are you more important than God?” He was kidding. But not really. He was right.

Today I pray for you – that you would be able to take one day a week and let go of work; let go of laundry or paying bills. Or, maybe for you it is simply letting go of worry. One day a week. Instead, fill that day with things that nourish your soul: family, friends, prayer and worship.

Let us pray: Loving God, We want to honor you, and we want to experience the abundant life that you offer. Help us, O God, set a healthy pattern of work and rest, that we may live a life that puts you at the heart and center. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.