Ever notice how “helpful” some people are when you’ve lost something? Say you can’t find your keys or your cell phone or a piece of paper with important information written on it. You’ve looked and looked and looked. Then, some considerate soul approaches, looks over shoulder and asks, “Do you need some help?” After you explain the obvious, that yes, you do need help finding something you’ve lost, this oh-so-not-very-helpful person asks, “Well, where were you when you had it last?” Well, good grief. If you knew that, would it be lost in the first place? I don’t know about you, but things like that really bother me.
Don’t forget the times I let my temper get the best of me. It usually happens when my husband and I disagree about something, and I tend to get a bit excited (OK, and a bit heated, too) in defending my point of view. Doug will touch my hand and tell me to calm down. Gggrrrrr! If it weren’t for him getting me riled up in the first place, I wouldn’t have to calm down, now, would I? It really bothers me when that happens.
It bothered me when people told me that in order to understand my enemy, I needed to walk a mile in his shoes. Until one day my grandfather told me that it was good to walk a mile in your enemy’s shoes. That way you’d be a mile away from your enemy and you’d have a new pair of shoes, too.
Other things tend to bother me, too. Things like trying to watch a movie while sitting behind a tall person with a big head. Or being around people who unconsciously make the same noises as my coffee maker. Or being in the slow cashier’s line. Or being stuck driving behind all the slow traffic in the fast lane. It all makes me wonder: Why can’t people be more like me, anyway?
But what really bothers me is the realization that I have no control over anyone’s behavior but my own. It is not my responsibility to be the boss, to make sure that everyone does what everyone is supposed to do when it is supposed to get done. Nor is it my duty to enforce the rules and dictate which rules should be adhered to the strongest. I am not in charge of anyone’s life. If I tried, I would be bossy, angry, critical, and no fun at all to be around.
What is my responsibility toward others? Galatians 5:14-15 says, “The entire law is summed up in a single command; ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
Watching a bunch of Christians who don’t really love each other try to work together while busy complaining, griping, and irritating each other is nasty business. I don’t know about you, but it really bothers me when that happens.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins,” (1 Peter 4:8).
Verna Davis may be reached at VrdSpeaks@
yahoo.com.
Religion
The Joy Lady: ‘Above all, love each other deeply’
- Religion
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THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
I just finished up doing a little surfing on some Valentine’s Day sites. After the necessary censoring for language and questionable love hints, I have gathered a few Valentine hints that might make your upcoming Valentine’s Day easier.
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Paris church launches Bible-reading campaign
The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in our communities are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 11, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: Doug and I made one promise — to love each other
The first time I met my then future husband, he was no catch. Trust me. It was my first semester in college — August 1970.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 4, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: Spurred on to husk out the good works left to do
I’ve got this thing. It was passed down to me inside a tin box that once belonged to my grandfather’s aunt. The thing is about 6-inches-long and 2-inches-wide.
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Maryland Community Church develops app
People can experience a church activity without physically being there. A smart phone helps make that connection for a Terre Haute church.
- Church briefs: Jan. 21, 2012
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BOOKS: Wabash Valley author to sign books at Java Haute on Saturday
Brazil resident Marjorie E. Hopkins will sign copies of her Christian Life book, “Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Java Haute, at 3805 Wabash Ave.
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THE JOY LADY: Be VERY careful with all the words you say
Our language is peculiar, isn’t it?
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 14, 2012
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New Signing for the Savior class beginning
Senior Education Ministries Inc. in partnership with Families by Choice and Park Place Apartments has scheduled Signing for the Savior.
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Holiness Association to offer Indoor Camp
Vigo County Holiness Association will offer an Indoor Camp from Jan. 17 to 22 in 8th Street Wesleyan Church at Eighth Street and National Avenue in West Terre Haute.
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THE JOY LADY: Lyrics of hymns, worship choruses soothe my soul
When my children were teenagers, I annoyed them. On purpose! Of course, their reaction to my attempts to annoy just added to my fun. The frustrated sighs, the shaking heads, the averted faces only served to keep me going.
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Church to break ground on sanctuary
Groundbreaking on new expansion and remodel project at Cross Lane Community Church is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday in the church at 2204 Lafayette Ave.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 7, 2012
- Church Briefs: Dec. 31, 2011
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THE JOY LADY: With forming habits in mind, let’s ask some basic questions
OK. It’s over. Pack up the snowmen, the manger scenes, the mistletoe and the ornaments. Put the tree back in the box and cart it all to the attic. Christmas is over.
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THE JOY LADY: Do we forget that Christmas is all about Jesus?
I have a collection of manger scenes. Seventeen, as a matter of fact. A small one, about two inches by three, was purchased in the Holy Land and is carved out of olive wood. It was given to me a couple of weeks ago by a dear friend (thank you, Norma) because she wanted to add to my collection.
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NEWSMAKERS: Dec. 24, 2011
Seventeen individuals made their first commitments as Providence Associates during a recent Eucharistic Liturgy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods and at other sites across the United States.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 24, 2011
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First Congregational Church offering ‘Longest Night Service’
During this season, we often think of Santa and presents, nativity scenes and the birth of the Savior, as well as family gatherings and meals.
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Independent Nazarene Church plans Christmas concert
The Singing Barrick Family will be presenting a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 25 at the Independent Nazarene Church.
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THE JOY LADY: He is worthy: Are our hearts full of worship this Christmas?
Those manger scenes I’ve been talking about remind us that Joseph’s heart was full of courage and Mary’s heart was obedient. As for the shepherds — their hearts were full of worship.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 17, 2011
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Christmas Dinner planned at Marshall church
The fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Marshall First United Methodist Church will be on Dec. 25 at the church in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone who lives in the Marshall area is welcome to attend this free dinner.
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THE JOY LADY: Like Mary, we should give God our total, humble obedience
My heart needs to be more like Mary’s. Here she was, minding her own business, busily preparing for her wedding, when the angel Gabriel showed up and told her she had found favor with God and that soon she would be with child. She was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom would never, ever, never end.
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Sponsor a child at Christmas
All 18 elementary schools in Vigo County were able to submit names of three to five families from their school that need the most help for the holiday season.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 10, 2011
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Terre Haute native on her book: It’s a ‘Bible study with a twist’
“Refreshing Bible study with a twist” is how Terre Haute native Mary Ann (Shouse) Crum describes her recently released book, “Live. Learn. Laugh! Stories and Studies That Reveal God’s Amazing Heart” (Xulon Press, 2011).
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THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
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