As I grow in my understanding of God’s purposes, I believe that life is meant to be celebrated. He is teaching my heart to cherish it. I find in me a desire to enjoy and embrace each day for what it is, a precious gift that greets me every morning. If we are not celebrating life, we are wasting it, pure and simple.
“Always put on your party clothes.” Ecc.9 Conversations Within” ts 10/12/2020
I agree with the statement above. I should, I wrote it years ago. Even so, I would add that we can point out foolish behavior and still be respectful in our manner of doing so. Respect is an attitude before it is an action. Its sister is humility. We are encouraged to rebuke when rebuke is needed, but to do so as one would speak to a parent or to a grandparent.
“Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father.” 1Tim.5.1 Conversations Within” ts 10/9/2020
My parents taught me to say, “Yes Sir.” and “Yes Ma’am.” Reverence and respect were an important part of my upbringing. The reason behind my parents teaching was simple: when you show respect for authority, or someone of age, you show respect to their Maker. We may disagree with our parents or the policies of someone in a position of authority, but we should never be disrespectful to them.
“For there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Rom.13 Conversations Within” ts 10/8/2020
It is not what people say about us that reveals our character, but what we say about them, and more importantly what we refuse to say about them, when they gossip about us. There is a singular beauty in someone who chooses to always treat people with respect, and refuses to stoop to anything less.
"Honor all people,” 1Pet.2.17 Conversations Within” ts 10/8/2020
This East Indian greeting literally translates “I bow to you.” I read that it conveys this thought, “that which is divine in me, bows to that which is divine in you.” My Christian worldview likes the idea that I respect others by acknowledging that everyone I meet is made in the image of God, and as such, should be respected.
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...” God the Father spoken to God the Son. Conversations Within” ts 10/7/2020
