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Do No Harm |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 7/15/2009 12:01 PM | Greetings on this beautiful summer day!
It’s funny how things pop up at just the moment you need them. Yesterday afternoon I broke my rule about listening to talk radio and was bombarded by caustic comments, subtle and not so subtle putdowns, outright questioning of someone’s patriotism and an absolutely obnoxious discussion/rant/argument about the merits of different college football conferences. And I didn’t have the radio on for more than about 5 minutes! I know, I know, it gets me every time! I should know better, and I have promised myself it will be a long, long time before I fall into this trap again.
This morning, I picked up a book off my desk that had been sitting there about a week. It was a little book that I picked up on sale at the Christian bookstore because the title intrigued me: “Three Simple Rules”. It was written by a minister who had done some research on the 18th century theologian John Wesley and found embedded in his theology what he considered the simple basics for living the Christian life. As I have started to go through it, it struck me that there might be a sermon series in there! Not to mention the fact that I am automatically attracted to anything that promises “simple” in the title!
As I read the introduction, I saw these words: “Nations are increasingly hostile toward one another; communities are divided around issues of education, development, and the status quo. Religion is divided with each claiming to have a firm grip on the truth. Denominations and congregations are divided over doctrine and what constitutes faithful discipleship and sin. And families are divided by competing agendas, rival priorities and the daily pressure to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive culture. Those who seek to follow Jesus must be asking if this is the way Christians are to live. Are we really measuring up to our calling as children of God? Is there a better way for us to practice our faith? A way so simple and substantial that none are turned away and all are able to practice as together we engage in our quest for faithful living?”
When I think about the noise and dissension in our culture, I have to wonder how we might do a better job of setting an example of a different way, a different life, the life we are called to as Christians. The author of this little book says we can reclaim that life with three simple rules:
1. Do no harm.
2. Do good.
3. Stay in love with God.
I was particularly taken with rule number 1. Do no harm. This is exactly what all those folks on talk radio needed to hear! There’s nothing wrong with disagreeing, but if I were do it with anger and disparaging comments, I would be doing harm! And if I demonize the one I disagree with, it makes it almost impossible to reach any common ground. All because what’s important is that if I were to do this, it would be because I am more interested in WHO is right, not WHAT is right. And the only way to get to the place where we can truly discover what is right is to be open and respectful of the people we disagree with, and quite simply, think long and hard before we say something that would cause harm. Simple right? But not always easy! But it is something that I think is worth trying…and so I am going to do my best this week to not say anything that is not positive and productive. I will do my best to explain why I think the way I do, and do my best to NOT disparage the way others think. I fully expect this to be difficult at times, but I am ready to try...and maybe something good will come out of my turning on talk radio yesterday! Would you like to join me?
For an updated prayer list and list of upcoming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer list:
Dan Mosteller, a regular visitor to BCC who underwent knee surgery last week.
Grace Parker, former member of BCC and mother of Mike Parker as she deals with health problems.
Our national and international leaders as they seek to right our economic situation and provide positive leadership for the world.
Announcements
This Sunday is the third Sunday of the month and so that means it is Pot Luck Fellowship Luncheon Sunday. Bring a dish or two to share and join us in a time of great fellowship and food!
In the summer, contributions generally slack off a bit, but our expenses keep right on coming! If you are going away, please remember to keep up with your pledge over the summer, if for no other reason that it keeps our bookkeeper calm and in a good mood!
If you would like to contribute school supplies for the Rainbow House kids, please bring them to church sometime before August 9. There is a bin set up in the narthex for your contributions of book bags, notebook paper, pens, pencils, crayons and composition books.
If you would like to contribute to the Love Offering for the Cambodian church, please drop a check in the offering plate, or bring it by the church by August 9. Make the check out to BCC and write “Love Offering” in the memo line.
Just in case you didn’t notice: it is the All-Star break in Major League Baseball and the Detroit Tigers are in first place in the American League Central Division, 3 and ½ games in front of the Chicago White Sox. Not for nothin’… I’m just sayin’…..I figured you’d want to know.
I hope you can make it to worship this Sunday as we once again celebrate the Lord’s Day together. The sermon is titled “Promise Made…Promise Kept” and the scripture is 2 Samuel 7: 1-14a. Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad
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