Contemporary Considerations presented by Rev. E. Anderson

November 29, 2007 at 10:00 pm (Contemporary Considerations)

ernest-anderson.jpg                                      pictures-for-web-006.jpg

Rev. E. Anderson

The Hard Work of Getting Along
by Jon Walker

“Let us agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other.” Romans 14:19a (Message) 

If you have children, you’ll know exactly what I mean: Some days you look into their faces, and you see the attitudes of angels; on other days you want to scream, “Why can’t you just get along!” as they get into a cyclical argument about who moved a toy 1/32nd of an inch.  

Sometimes these opposite attitudes shift back and forth six times in five minutes! But let me ask you this: Do you think God ever looks at us – we adults; believers in community together – and he sighs, saying, “why can’t my children just get along?’” 

There are dozens of reasons we don’t get along with each other with the sin of pride right at the top of the list. But I think another huge reason we fail to live in authentic, consistent, committed, Christian community is because it’s too hard.  It requires real effort to work through our differences, to remain transparent and honest, to confront and to pay close attention to each other.

Frankly, it’s easier to keep relationships superficial; to ‘demonize’ one another when we don’t agree; to cut and run at the first sign of trouble rather than commit to each other. Yet, God placed within us a need for ‘stick-with-it’ commitments; his commitment to us is unbreakable, and he wants to see us extend the same commitment to each other (2 Cor. 8:5). But this kind of commitment takes time; something that has become far too scarce in our lives today (and that is a choice). 

God knows we will live in a healthy, Christian community if we will commit to living our lives together beyond our weekly meetings, if we will make each other a priority - sharing our lives over coffee, after work, at the ballpark, in the hospital.  The only way for us to become a “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) is when we focus on the quality of our relationships, not mere quantity or mere acquaintances. 

“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” (James 3:18, Message, Emphasis mine)  

So what? 

     ·                            Love no matter what – How can you plan to help others at all times (not just when it’s convenient? Proverbs 17:17) ~~ How can you develop a strategy for loving others at their worst, not just when they seem loveable? (Romans 5:8). 

     ·                            Show up – The most basic behavior of commitment is simply showing up. ‘If you care, you’ll be there.’ You may be surprised that your mere presence is a source of encouragement (Hebrews 10:25). 

     ·                            Intentional Commitments – Other than your spouse, have you ever told someone else, “I will always be there for you.” This week established an intentional commitment with another believer. Approach the Spirit’s choice, and bless that person by saying, “I want to grow close to you as a friend.”  

Jon Walker is a pastor-advocate living in Tennessee and the former pastor of communications at Saddleback Church

Comments

A Time to Laugh presented by Rev. E. Anderson

November 29, 2007 at 9:52 pm (A Time to Laugh)

earnest-nig.gif                                     picture-013.jpg  

Rev. E. Anderson 

Marriage humour

Definition of a wife:  The person who is first to put their foot down after crossing the threshold; a female who would rather mend your ways than your socks; the one person who in an argument, if you win- you lose; she says that she has nothing to wear yet she also moans that she needs more wardrobe space. Definition of a husband:  A man who always consults his better half before his better judgment; A man who thinks twice before saying nothing; a man who buys his wife such fine china that she will never trust him to do the dishes; a person who has learned to turn off the car motor when his wife calls `I’ll be right out’.  

 How do men define marriage? ‘A very expensive way to get your laundry done free’. 

 ‘The most effective way to remember your wife’s birthday is to forget it once’. 

A man was speaking to God. `God why did you make women so beautiful?’ he asked. God said `I did that to make you love them.’Then the man asked: `Well, God; why did you make them such good cooks.’God said: `I did that to make you love them.’The man then asked: `But God why did you make women so stupid?’God said: `I did that to make them love you!’” 

Wedding Dress

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, “Why is the bride dressed in white?” ‘Because white is the colour of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life’. her mother tried to explain, keeping it simple. The child thought about this for a moment, then said, ‘So why is the groom wearing black?’ 

Why Are Wedding Dresses White?

 A fresh-faced lad on the eve of his wedding night goes to his mother with the following question. “Mom, why are wedding dresses white?” The mother looks at her son and replies, ‘Son, this shows the town that your bride is pure’.  The son thanks his mom and goes off to double-check this with his father. ‘Dad why are wedding dresses white?’ The father looks at his son in surprise and says, ‘Son, all household appliances come in white.’ 

Comments