Thought of the Day-11/23/2009

Today's thought involves respect and responsibility.
Respect is defined as:
-esteem: a feeling or attitude of admiration and deference toward somebody or something
- state of being admired: the state of being admired deferentially
- thoughtfulness: consideration or thoughtfulness

Responsibility is defined as:
- accountability: the state, fact, or position of being accountable to somebody or for something
- something to be responsible for: somebody or something for which a person or organization is responsible
- blame: the blame for something that has happened

Yesterdays Sunday School lesson was on 2Peter: 1:3-15

We talked about having a responsibility in our relationship with

our Heavenly Father. Within that responsibility

we have a duty to respect the Word, ourselves and others.

I have paired these two words together today

for one reason and one reason only.

That is to give glory to God.

We might not like the instruction manual placed before

us because of how many steps it takes to get to the

end result. Some of us disregard the instruction manual (bible)

altogether. Then there are some of us that follow it

step by step, sometimes having to repeat

some steps that aren't truly clear to us.

Then there are those of us Disciples that seek

to use the instruction manual in fellowship with

other Disciples in order to learn more clearly how to work

through the steps.

No matter what type of disciple you are from 1-3,

it is important that you know that you have a responsibility.

A responsibility in your relationship with Christ. At different

times you will need to look back at the instruction manual (bible)

to see what it says about a particular step in your journey.

Some areas of the instruction manual you know quite well

while others need to be read and re-read to get what it is

saying. An instruction manual (bible) that comes in

all languages, but is your responsibility to be in relationship

with the Heavenly Father to understand how it applies to you.

Respect:comes in when you chose

to love the person, but hate the sin. We are to pray for

one another, not judge or create an environment of hostility.

When that lost sheep came home the other day, I am sure it was quite challenging

for him or her to be in the presence of such perfect people.

We need to be killing the fatted calf in celebration of them being

in the house of the Lord again.

So Lord, regardless how I feel, which

clearly does not matter a hill of beans.

I thank you that O was at church and that K was at

church. Bless them Father for standing in the fire.

I chose to honor my responsibility I have in relationship

with you and I respect other Disciples.