Devotion
Hey buddy, you have some dust in your eye!
David Jacobs
It is not easy to be criticized, even if it is constructive. My lovely wife, who I love more than anyone except my children (don't tell them), gave me a healthy piece of advice that maybe some of you have heard as well: "Honey, why don't we join a gym?" She wanted me to be healthier and live longer, but her question made me defensive: why should I join a gym if she doesn't go to the gym? It made me sad that this was my initial reaction because I realized eventually that she was not trying to tell me that she thought I was unattractive. She was telling me that she wanted someone to go to the gym with her! I was quite embarrassed that I felt the way I did...luckily I kept my mouth shut.
We don't always receive constructive criticism; sometimes it is destructive. Have you heard the phrase, "the pot calling the kettle black"? It means when someone tells you that you act a certain way, generally with a negative connotation, that they also exhibit. It reminds me of these verses from the gospel of Matthew. If King David said to his sons, "I can't believe you committed adultery. That is so bad," I can only imagine how they would roll their eyes considering the actions of their father (2 Samuel 11). We should focus on our own problems rather than criticizing the problems of others. All this criticism does is fall on deaf ears and get flung back in our face because it is like a black pot calling a black kettle...black.
Nobody is perfect, yet we all have a chance to be redeemed. We should focus on our own salvation and in doing so, led by example.
Prayer
Do not put others down and try to tell them how to live their lives; live your own life as we know we should: according to the word of God, following the path lain out by his son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Devotion
The Lost Coin
Frances Taylor
We all know the story of the lost sheep and the prodigal or lost, son, but do we remember the story of the lost coin which is sandwiched between the two in Luke's Gospel? The ten drachma were most likely the woman's dowry and very important to her. She rejoices with her friends just as Jesus tells us the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner repenting. I hope the angels rejoice several times a day! These three parables tell us how important it is to repent, to turn our lives around and get back on the right track. I once taught in a juvenile facility where a young man told me he was bad and could never be better than he already was. He was sixteen years old! He had already given up hope. He couldn't see any way out of the life he had been leading. I tried to tell him he wasn't a bad person but had made bad choices. He couldn't believe me. I wondered how many times in his young life he had been called "bad?" I still am bothered when I hear a parent,...
Morning Prayer
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Inspiration
Though the shepherds were startled and afraid by the angel, they could hardly be blamed perhaps for not recognizing the absolute significance of the events that were coming to faithfully unfold in front of their eyes that very night. Little did it perhaps yet dawn on them what miraculous event was coming to pass. However, can we even now dare to fully comprehend the magnitude of Christ's teaching and salvation? Have you truly considered its implications for your life? Be not like the shepherds, for one has already heard their ...
