Living Hope's Prayer Of The Week

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant, we beseech you, that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Living Hope's Verse Of The Week-Matthew 6:14

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.


Following the tragic Amish school shooting of 10 young schoolgirls in a one-room Amish school in October 2006, reporters from throughout the world invaded Lancaster County, PA to cover the story. However, in the hours and days following the shooting a different, an unexpected story developed.

In the midst of their grief over this shocking loss, the Amish community didn't cast blame, they didn't point fingers, they didn't hold a press conference with attorneys at their sides. Instead, they reached out with grace and compassion toward the killer's family.

The afternoon of the shooting an Amish grandfather of one of the girls who was killed expressed forgiveness toward the killer, Charles Roberts. That same day Amish neighbors visited the Roberts family to comfort them in their sorrow and pain.

Later that week the Roberts family was invited to the funeral of one of the Amish girls who had been killed. And Amish mourners outnumbered the non-Amish at Charles Roberts' funeral.

It's ironic that the killer was tormented for nine years by the pre-mature death of his young daughter. He never forgave God for her death. Yet, after he cold-bloodedly shot 10 innocent Amish school girls, the Amish almost immediately forgave him and showed compassion toward his family.

In a world at war and in a society that often points fingers and blames others, this reaction was unheard of. Many reporters and interested followers of the story asked, "How could they forgive such a terrible, unprovoked act of violence against innocent lives?"

The Amish culture closely follows the teachings of Jesus, who taught his followers to forgive one another, to place the needs of others before themselves, and to rest in the knowledge that God is still in control and can bring good out of any situation. Love and compassion toward others is to be life's theme. Vengeance and revenge is to be left to God.

Read through some of the passages regarding Biblical forgiveness and love toward others and you'll better understand how the Amish were able to forgive.

All of Lancaster County mourns the loss of these young girls and the terrible affect this has had on so many lives. We request your prayers for the families of the children who died, as well as those children and adults who have lived through this terrible ordeal. We also ask your prayers for the wife and three young children of the man who committed this senseless act. They, too, will have to live with this for the rest of their lives.
http://www.800padutch.com/amishforgiveness.shtml 

Delight In The Lord Song Of The Week- Creed

Living Hope's Verse of The Week- Matthew 6:11-13

Matthew 6:11-13 
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² Forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

The Royal Law

Living For Jesus:

1.   Do I live out the royal law?  Does my group live out the royal law?

-James, Jesus' baby brother,  called "Love your neighbor as yourself" the Royal Law. James 2:8

-If I wan to be rewared by the King of Kings I must follow his roayl law.

-Do the groups I associate with, social, political, community, church, etc help me keep the Royal Law?

-If not I better distance myself from those groups.

    

2.   How can I love my neighbor as myself? 

-Neighbor means "close by"

-What tangible ways can I love those close by

-Meet their needs for encouragement, for physically care, and for love as much as I meet my own

-I must love my neighbor as much as I love myself.

3.   Who is my neighbor? Who is my enemy?  How can I treat my enemy like my neighbor?

-The test for love of God is love of neighbor

-The test for love of neighbor is love of enemy

-John says in I John 4:20 If I say I love God but hate my brother I am a liar

-The best way to love your enemy is by praying for them, by not being vengeful, and if their is an opportunity to good, then do do it.

-James 2:8 tells us if we love our neighbor as yourself we are doing right.

-Did I love my family, friends, neighbors, Obamaians, Romneyians, Muslims, Atheists, sinners of every shape and form today?  If I did, well I am doing right.    

Delight In The Lord Song Of The Week- Me Without You

My daughter likes this song.  It is a fun song.  I think it is ok.  Although no 43 year should say the word brim.  Act your age Toby.  On second thought, no one should use the word brim when referring to your hat no matter their age.

Living Hope's Verse Of The Week-Matthew 6:9-10

Matthew 6:9-10 9 “This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,10 your kingdom come,your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

If someone asked you the question, "How do I pray?" Our answer would most likely be, "Just talk to God."  While there is a lot of truth in that, it falls short of answering the question.  Many times we have trouble just talking to those who are closest to us, so how am I just suppose to talk to God.  Just talk to God, would never be Jesus answer.  The disciples did ask Jesus to teach them to pray, and Jesus taught them a prayer, what we call "The Lord's Prayer."  A prayer that we should all pray, daily.  This prayer forms us, so that we can pray rightly.  And as we are formed we  can, "Just talk to God." 

Delight In The Lord Song Of The Week- Just As I Am

Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind, yea, all I need in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; 
because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

This great old hymn is for people who are not very good at being spiritual. 

Jesus walks towards the messes of life and he invites the messiest of lives to come to him.

Book Review- It Worked For Me In Life And Leadership by Colin Powell

It Worked For Me In Life And Leadership





-This is one of the best leadership books I have ever read.  I will give you 10 excerpts of things that inspired me from this book.

 
1. It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
Well, maybe it will, maybe it won’t. This rule reflects an attitude and not a prediction. I have always tried to keep my confidence and optimism up, no matter how difficult the situation. A good night’s rest and the passage of just eight hours will usually reduce the infection. Leaving the office at night with a winning attitude affects more than you alone; it also conveys that attitude to your followers. It strengthens their resolve to believe we can solve any problem. Page 4 para 5-6

2.  It can be done.   

This is an attitude not reality.  It may not be able to be done, but start with a can do attitude.  I try to be an optimist not stupid.  So I start with the can do attitude and realize the struggles of reality. Page 11 para 2

3.  People need recognition and since of worth, as much as they need food and water.   

When something goes well, share the credit.  Let all the people think they are the ones who did it.  Cause they were.  Send out cards, pats on the back, smiles, promotions, phone calls, anything to spread the credit. Page 20 para 4

4.  Don't run when you can walk, don't stand when you can sit, don't sit when you can lay down, don’t stay awake if you can go to sleep. Page 40 para 3

5.  Always show more kindness than seems necessary, ­because the person receiving it needs it more than you will ever know.

Kindness is not just about being nice; it’s about recognizing another human being who deserves care and respect. Page 45 para 2

6.  To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. Page 48 para 3

7.  Problems come with just being alive, even more come with responsibility.   

When they come, suck it up and start again.  Solving problems is what leaders do.  The day you stop solving problems is the day you are no longer leading.  When people no longer bring you problems they think you can’t solve them or do not care.  They have lost confidence in you.  Look for problems and solve them.  Install a problem-solving attitude in your staff.Page 50 para 1-4

8.  I do not measure your success by your position, but by the contribution you are making. 

If you do not rise to the top of your field you did not fail.  Only a few can rise to the top.  Most who didn’t continue to make the place work.  They are no less important than the guy at the top.  They are no less dedicated.  They contribute no less to the success of the organization. Page 64 para 3

9. Glad you asked attitude.   

When someone asks you a question, especially one you do not want to answer, start out with I am glad you asked me that.  It lightens your attitude and the person sees you care about their opinion. Page 75 para 4

10.  If you break it you bought it, so try not to break it.   

If there is a chance you will break it, if you plan to break it, or cannot not control whether it breaks or not, consider the cost of ownership and have plans ready to deal with the consequences of breaking it. Page 215 para 5

Just For Laughs

Delight In The Lord Song Of The Week- God of Wonders

-This week look for the beauty in God's created world.

-This week enjoy the mystery of God and Christianity.  Don't try and be Bible answer man and have to figure everything out.

-This week think about the wonder of God, His creation, but mainly that he saved you, is saving you, and will save you completely.  A sinner, like me, he loves. Wow.

Sunday's sermon at Living Hope "The Greatest Command Part 2"