No matter where you are on the political spectrum, there is one thing most of us can agree on: we need God’s help to restore this nation. This week as we focus on Independence Day, let’s join our hearts together to pray for America. I plan to post a prayer on Instagram and Facebook each day seeking God’s help and guidance for our leaders as well as revival in hearts of the people in our country.
Starting with praise and adoration, I will lead us every morning this week in a prayer for restoration. I hope you will join me. May we be committed to seek God’s forgiveness, help, and favor as we recognize how far we have moved from Him. He is filled with mercy and grace, and is able to do more than we ask or imagine.
Healthy discourse seems to be a dying art in today’s society. All too often meaningful engagement is replaced with everything from quick texts, hurried emails, or even rants and raves on social media. What happened to rich and stimulating dialogue?
A good and balanced conversation builds connections. It can strengthen our understanding of others and encourage our interests and reasoning. Talking with one another in a civil and kind way allows us to maintain relationships while perhaps disagreeing on certain points. It invites us to learn, to grow, and to explore. So, what are the components of positive conversation? Here are three elements to consider.
A Humble Heart – It’s been said, “Humility doesn’t mean we think less of ourselves, it means we think of ourselves less.” When we live with humility, we elevate others and see the value in each person. A humble person doesn’t think they know it all, but rather truly cares about what the other person has to say, even though they may not agree. Humility opens the door to truly hearing another person’s point of view and inviting them to understand ours.
Insightful Questions – We can jump-start interesting conversations by asking good questions. “Can you tell me one of the most interesting aspects of your job?” “What are your thoughts about….?” “I would love to know your story. Can you share a little about yourself?” Questions such as these open doors to connectedness. And if someone makes a statement you disagree with, ask a good question instead of spilling out your viewpoint. “What has brought you to that point of view?” or “Can you give me a little more insight into what you are saying?” Questions such as these steer us away from assumptions and lead to surfacing what is deep in the heart.
Listening Ears – It’s easy to dismiss what someone is saying because we don’t agree with them or don’t quite understand what they are talking about. Sometimes fail to listen to others because we are trying to think of the next thing we want to say. But when we are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, we create space for dialogue. Listen from three different angles, paying attention to what the other person is saying, and to what they are not saying, and to what they are trying to say but just don’t know how. Stay focused with eye contact and body language and allow your good listening to lead to the next insightful question.
If we apply these simple steps in engaging with family, friends, and those who see life differently than us, we will begin to experience positive outcomes and greater understanding. Let’s build bridges rather than walls with our creative and intuitive conversations.
The beauty of Spring spurs in us a sense of newness and hope. This week in particular gives us renewed joy as we celebrate Christ’s victory over death. We are reminded that no matter how dark the day, God brings light and redeems what seems broken. As we reflect on the powerful stories of this week, let us find renewed love and gratitude for all God is doing in our lives.
Take some time to pause and ponder the events of Holy Week. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the last supper with His disciples, Jesus washing their feet, the prayer in the garden, and His arrest. The turn of the crowd shouting, “Crucify Him!” The agony of the cross and the mocking voices, “Save yourself!” His declaration, “It is finished.”
And it was finished. He had paid the price for our sins. A loving sacrifice. But the story was far from over. On the third day, He arose. The angels declared it, the women proclaimed it, His disciples believed it (except for Thomas who eventually came around). Victory over death – a glorious hope for all who believe!
How do we participate in this story? We begin with faith in the Son of God, Jesus, who loved us and gave himself for us. We continue by praising Him and thanking Him. Rejoicing in the fact that He gives us forgiveness of sins, life everlasting, and hope for each day.
We joyfully grow in a love relationship with Him. He is not far off. He is near. His Spirit who dwells within us is our helper who guides us and gives us strength. This week, let us relish the fact that we are never alone. The living and eternal God loves us and is with us.
This weekend we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but the life lessons we glean from Patrick’s amazing life are far different than the parade and celebrations of today. His story is truly inspirational and a beautiful picture of God’s work through a humble heart.
Born to a noble family in Roman Britain (now part of Scotland) in 373 AD, he didn’t adhere to his family’s Christian faith in his early years. Yet at the age of 16, Patrick was taken captive by pirates and sold into slavery in Hibernia (Ireland). While in captivity he gave his life to Christ.
At age 22, God miraculously led him to freedom, and he was able to find a ship that took him to Britain. Although there were setbacks, he eventually made it home. There in the safety and joy of being reunited with his family, the Lord spoke to him in a dream and told him to return to Hibernia. His family begged him not to go, but at the age of 30, he returned to the place that once held him captive. The one book in his hand – a Latin Bible!
He began preaching about Jesus and sharing the victory of the gospel story. He preached of the resurrection and used a clover to illustrate the Trinity. God worked powerfully through Patrick as thousands were converted to Christ. He put an end to the Druid’s human sacrifices as well as ending slavery.
Many generations to come were transformed by the willing heart of this faithful servant. His life was filled with hardship, humility and the joy of seeing many come to faith in Jesus. May his story inspire us to share Christ’s love and hope wherever we find ourselves, even in the hard places.
In short, I am a slave in Christ to this faraway people for the indescribable glory of ‘everlasting life which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. – St. Patrick, “A Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus”
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