Thomas Burgess
General Talk - 5:40 PM
For the past 11 years, I have posted this...Why? Because of it's profound look at you and I in relation to life and what many go through. Our lives seem to be so busy that we fail to remember what others endure. It has ministered to many over the years, I pray it will for you again this Thanksgiving season...
"Contemplate" ... Heavenly Father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night could be a single father who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with his children.
Help us remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly could be a worried 19 year old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job) could be a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress could be savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
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"Contemplate" ... Heavenly Father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night could be a single father who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with his children.
Help us remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly could be a worried 19 year old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job) could be a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress could be savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
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JUDGE NOT AND JUST SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF GRACE
First Corinthians 15:1-11
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 3:16-17
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