Dear American News…

Dear American News,

We. Just. Can’t.

You have everyone fighting and taking sides over very limited information. Whatever channel the television is on, or whatever news paper you read wants you to believe that THEY are the ones telling you the unbiased truth. BUT YOU’RE NOT. Not one of you!

You’re always screaming at one another, twisting each other’s words, and can’t seem to allow for other differentiating opinions without calling each other names!

And the problem…. those who listen to you are becoming like you!

Social Media used to be a place to connect with old friends, see pictures of each other’s families, and sending funny videos to one another. You know… the things in life that make us smile.

But now this is a place where we are posting stupid articles to try and support our stances on issues knowing that it will bring out the “amens” from the people that believe like us… and the “oh my’s” followed by hateful remarks and name calling from people who believe something else.

This is because we have allowed your negativity to bleed over into our lives. And it has to stop!

This doesn’t mean that we just ignore the issues our country is facing today. It just means that we face the issues together… with a little more dignity and class. Allowing others to believe something different without fighting them, or trying to negatively label them. We can stand up without lashing out. We can believe without bullying.

We’re better people than this. We’re smarter people than this. And we have to stop allowing you to alter our moods and the way we view each other.

So I think we need to break up!

It’s not us… it’s you. All we ever wanted was cute pictures of our friends kids, the chance to say hello after years, and cat videos. But you’ve given us so much more. More than we can handle.

So we’re moving on! And we sincerely hope you’ll change your ways.

Best wishes,

Level Headed People

The Land of Hospitality

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“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:9-10

Disney World may be the most magical place on the planet. The rides are so much fun with a mix of nostalgia in them. The shows are second to none. And I’m not even sure how they keep the bathrooms so clean with that many people coming through. But there is one thing that Disney has that sets them apart from anywhere else. Hospitable employees!

It seems as though everyone who works for Disney absolutely loves what they do. If you need directions, they will not only tell you where to go… they will walk you there. They will find out the answer to any question you may have.

If anything gets in your way of a good time, they will give it all they have to make it up to you. And they do it all with smiles on their faces. It’s amazing! Heck, even the custodians are dancing and having fun with you while they clean up!

Hospitality is Disney’s goal… And as Christians, it should be ours as well.

As Christians, we should be the most hospitable people on the planet. Constantly seeking out ways to put other peoples’ needs before our own. And we should do it without complaining – with smiles on our faces.

It’s our job to not only talk about the love of Jesus… but to demonstrate it as well. And Jesus gives us the greatest model of what true hospitality looks like in the book of Matthew.

“The last shall be first, and the first will be last.” — Matthew 20:16

Who Are You Listening To?

 

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“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27

By now many of us have a GPS. They are a great thing to have; something to guide us on our way. And if we follow the instructions the guide gives us… we will indeed arrive at our destination.

But there are times when we think we know the right path to take. So we trust ourselves, or someone else… and those tend to be the moments where we get lost. The moments we neglect the wisdom of the guide and try to take over ourselves are the moments we find ourselves in the most trouble. I once ended up in an entirely different state because I “knew where I was going” and didn’t need any help to get there! It was both costly and stupid.

In John 10, a group of people approached Jesus and asked him if he was indeed the Christ. His answer, “I did tell you… but you don’t believe me.” It’s as if they were asking for directions but didn’t believe the answer. They were not listening to the guide.

God has a plan, purpose, and direction for each of us. His route is perfect. And if we listen to him… We will arrive at our perfect destination. Or we can neglect the voice of God and listen to ourselves and the voice of others. But let me tell you… this route is both costly and stupid.

So how do you know the voice of God? It’s a voice you will only hear when you spend time with him in his word and through prayer. And let me tell you, when you hear it… you’ll know. Just follow what he tells you to do… And you’ll be just fine.

Prayer: Father, in a world that is loud and chaotic, I pray that we are able to drown out the noise of ourselves and others and follow your voice. And please give us the wisdom to know the difference.