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A BUMPER STICKER
I always like to read bumper stickers. Of course, that can be a dangerous hobby—especially for those ones that start, ‘If you can read this…’
I wonder how some people can put vulgar ones on their cars. Don’t their mothers ever notice?
Here’s the bumper sticker I saw on vacation. It was not at all vulgar, but thought provoking:
The moral high ground is built on compassion.
There is something to that. Of all the things that ought to characterize the Church, one of them is surely compassion! While we should both live on and be advocates for the moral high ground, we should always do it from a position of compassion.
And remember, the greatest act of taking the moral high ground to build compassion was Jesus. He was lifted up on the high ground of Calvary in compassion for all. The one who never wavered in morality suffered for all of us who do.
Because we have experienced the compassion of Christ, let us be careful to never tread the moral high ground without that same compassion
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A BOOK
Books are a staple of our vacations. They stack about as high as the junk food.
I read an autobiography by G.K. Chesterton. A number of the fellas in the congregation have read a couple of his books for our Thursday Men’s Bible class.
Many authors quote Chesterton. He turns phrases in the cleverest and most thought provoking ways.
This one stuck in my mind:
It is not familiarity that breeds contempt; it is comparison.
The more you think on that, he’s right. Where might you apply this truth in your life? Properly applied I’ll bet you will end up with more peace, more joy and a lower VISA bill!
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A BIBLE PASSAGE
While away I got caught up on my Read through the Bible in a Year schedule. (Practicing what I preach!!) I was reading through Titus.
Paul wrote in simple terms how we are to live out our lives in a sinful world:
Remind the people to be subject to rulers, and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men… Stress these things so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:1-2, 8)
What might our nation be like if Christians put these words into practice?
Although I had read them before, somehow they struck me this last week. Thought I would pass them on.
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A BIT MORE
Here are a few other stray notes as all of our vacation times come to an end:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Recently this church body took actions in its Convention that we believe to be contrary to Scripture. Remember, as Lutheran Christians we are committed to letting the Bible be the source for all our doctrines. Click on this link to read the comments of our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod President, Rev. Gerald Kieschnick. http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=15620 (More on this later.)
Last Thursday Evening Outdoor Service: Our last summer Thursday evening service will be tonight, September 3. If you are headed out of town this weekend, make sure you join us for worship first. (Matthew 6:33)
New Men’s Thursday Morning Study: In the next couple weeks we will roll out all our new classes. Let me take the privilege of using this space to invite men to join us at Coral Gables at 7:00 a.m. on Thursdays. We are just now beginning a new study that should be very helpful in understanding our Christian faith in our pluralistic culture.
Be Nice and Welcoming! We have lots of university students in town now. Hopefully many will come join us for worship.
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I hope your Labor Day is not filled with much (labor).