What a beautiful day! God bless you all as you enjoy summer!
With love, Rev. Dr. Sandy Seaton-Todd
Bible Verses Romans 12:18 So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 14:13 Let us therefore not pass judgment on another but resolve never to put a stumbling block in the way of another.
I look back at my life and realize I probably caused a lot of people to stumble or go astray when I was young, and I never even thought about it. I remember the day someone told me that I have a Christian responsibility to be a positive influence on others, and that I should take that responsibility seriously. Ever since then I have tried to use my words, actions, and attitudes for the benefit of others. That works really well much of the time, but sometimes my self-centeredness can get the best of me and I let someone get under my skin, and then my attitudes and actions aren't always positive.
In what ways do you cause others to stumble? What could you do differently that would make others' lives easier? Have you ever asked your boss or your family member or your friend what you could do differently that would be helpful or make their life easier? It is so easy to sit in judgment of others. It is so easy to be self-centered instead of getting out of our own perspective. If the people in your life are easygoing and a positive influence, be grateful. I am so grateful my family members are responsible, helpful, and positive. They lift me up and bring me joy. We can all do that for others. Let us decide to be positive influences instead of mindlessly or intentionally being stumbling blocks in our own sphere of influence and in the world. By the grace of God, may we live peaceably with all. Life is so much more pleasant and better for everyone when we do!
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Hymn # 753 PCUSA Glory to God Hymnal
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, and where there's doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, only light, and where there's sadness, ever joy.
O, Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled, as to console, to be understood, as to understand, to be loved, as to love, with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in giving of ourselves that we receive, and in dying that we're born to eternal life.