FRANKTON —
I’ve been reading Debbie Macomber’s, “One Perfect Word.” It’s a little book with big meaning and even bigger challenges. It’s about what happened when Macomber and some of her friends picked one word and focused on that word for an entire year. Then, God planted in my heart I should write a column about humility. So I did (last week), but I couldn’t get that word out of my mind. I asked myself what would happen if I studied the meaning of and read Scriptures about humility? For the past week, that’s just what I’ve done. I’m amazed at what I’ve already learned.
We tend to think being humble is a weakness, a meekness that is degrading and shameful. We think of humility as groveling in front of others, of thinking there is nothing good about us. But to God, humility is being free from pride and arrogance. Being humble is knowing that alone, in our own flesh, we are inadequate, but with Christ, we are saved and whole.
A biblically humble person displays strength of purpose. Philippians 2:5-8 states it like this: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross.”
Humility helps defuse arguments, for biblically humble people understand that they don’t need to constantly defend themselves, nor do they have to win every argument, nor even attend every argument they are invited to!
Biblical humility helps us respond to life’s unfairness without becoming bitter. A biblically humble person never asks, “Why me?” Instead, with humility, he asks, “Why not me?”
In the church, the truly humble people know they don’t need to act like a big shot, or wield their power, or try to control things. A biblically humble person understands that the more you know God, the less you have something to prove to or impress others. Humble people can ask for forgiveness, for their pride is under control. Humble people realize they are not wimps; they are merely trying to be obedient.
On the other hand, biblical humility doesn’t mean we are unaware of our gifts. The key is that, in humility, we regard our abilities as gifts God has bestowed on us, not as talents we have built up in ourselves. I’d rather listen to a humble singer who is flat than a proud singer who is always on pitch.
I’m writing this with tears pouring down my face. I guess what I’m saying is, I’m starting on a new journey. It’s going to take me a while to sort out all this humility business. Maybe even a whole year! Want to join me in my journey?
“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,” 1st Peter 5:5.
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at
vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: Want to join me in my journey of studying humility?
- Religion
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The Joy Lady: What kind of promises does a God like ours deserve?
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Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has died
Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, died early this morning at her home in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it is being reported on the Sisters of Providence Facebook site.
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A night of prayer
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to another Taizé prayer event at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to reflect on the joys and wonders of the river through prayer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 8, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Pull your wheels out of the Sunday morning rut
Go about five miles west of Guernsey, Wy., and you might fall into some ruts. During the Oregon Trail years, so many wagons traveled through the soft sandstone there that deep ruts were formed—some as deep as four to six feet.
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‘Prayer Warrior Mom’ author at Open Door Bookstore June 3
Author and speaker Marla Alupoaicei will sign copies of her new book “Prayer Warrior Mom” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 3, in The Open Door Christian Bookstore at 3125 S. Third Place, behind Honey Creek Mall.
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THE JOY LADY: Because Vacation Bible School is that important!
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‘The Conscience Monologues’ at St. Mary-of-the-Woods
There is something moving and powerful in hearing a woman recount her story of faith and courage in today’s world. Plan now to attend a dramatic telling of more than 10 such stories during “The Conscience Monologues: Women’s Stories of Conscience within the Catholic Church” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 in Reilly Auditorium, Owens Hall, at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 1, 2013
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South Vigo Congregational Christian plans memorial service
The South Vigo Congregational Christian Church and the South Vigo Cemetery will stage an annual memorial service at 2 p.m. on June 2 in the church at 6499 Darwin Road, West Terre Haute.
The public is invited to attend and share a poem, song or other sentiment. - RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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