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| Luke 10:27: He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself." I am writing this article in the middle of July and I look forward to August. I realize that life is busy, full and challenging. I have prayed for children as young as three with cancer and I have prayed for adults as they come to the end of their life. I continue to pray for the sale of my house as well as for patience and faith. I am grateful that Laura was able to come out in mid-July and that the first week of August will be a time of vacation for both of us. Vacation Bible School is the last week in July. I look forward to hearing the Anderson Family Reunion Choir August 1, the start of Operation Backpack on August 8 and Youth Sunday on August 29. I look forward to continue preaching from Luke as guided by the lectionary. I also look forward to continue teaching Luke during the Thursday noon bible study. The Senior Adult Fellowship will begin on August 10. Shut-ins will be served communion as I am helped by Lin Bridge and Gordon Denton. Session continues to work on how we can communicate our church to others. We had four people join the church in June and two more will join in July. I look ahead to September for a sermon series on the 23rd Psalm. I also look ahead to teach an evening class mid-September to mid-November. Yes, life is busy, full and challenging. One time I ran across an article entitled 10 Rules For A Blessed Day. The author was unknown. I was struck by the common sense of the rules and how consistent they were in following the commandment to love your neighbor and to love one another. If each day was challenged with this perspective, I believe that the Holy Spirit will transform you. As a pastor, I am especially reminded how helpful these rules are to help me become a better person. I share them with you. 1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK . . . 2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY 'ENEMY' If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger. 3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY . . . I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip. 4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE . . . I will find ways to help share the burden of another person. 5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE . . . I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way. 6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING KIND FOR SOMEONE, (BUT I WILL DO IT IN SECRET . . .) I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another. 7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED . . . I will practice the golden rule. "Do Unto others as I would have them do unto me"- with EVERYONE I encounter. 8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED . . . My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life. 9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY . . . I will eat less . . . I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for my body. 10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY . . . I will spend a little more time in prayer today. I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to God's voice. Remember, today is a gift from God so treat it preciously. May God bless you and keep you in His care, Pastor Tom |