I read my verses when I get to work and prop them up by my monitor.  Yesterday was gonna be one of those days, my difficult boss was on my back getting me to do unneccesary stuff, so I started to have a rant to my colleagues, got prepared to send my boss a snotty email back, and saw the verse. It stopped me short, I stopped my fingers typing what my big mouth wanted to say. I decided to do my verse!!
Thank goodness for this challenge.
None of us are perfect, especially me, but hang on in there
people, Jesus cares about all our problems.
xx

I once had to study Kant’s Critique of pure reason which puts forward the Categorical Imperative: which goes something like this: Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. Which is sometimes confused what has become known as the Golden Rule as if Jesus is suggesting something eminently reasonable. From recent events of the last 2 days I can categorically say that he isn’t. We can’t universalise to make everyone happy. So be self interested - on your neighbour’s behalf. Welcoming the stranger who doesn’t come with a CRB check..

I feel we need to look at this verse in the context of yesterday’s verse and the passage from which it is taken.  It seems very simple just to quote the “Golden Rule” and claim it for Christianity, but that is not what Jesus does here.  This verse occurs in the middle of a passage where Jesus challenges our basic assumptions about human nature and how we should treat one another.  We should give to everyone who asks, and give more than they ask; love those who hate us; lend to those who won’t repay us.  These are truly challenging instructions - far more challenging than verse 31 alone.

Todays verse has really coloured my day.  It has made me think about everything that I have done - what would I want to find in that situation, how can I do that job in such a way as to love my friends and family?  I did my cleaning job this morning and instead of thinking hear we go again, I found myself asking, well how would I like to find the kitchen when I come home from work? How can I make it as welcoming as possible for the person who lives here? It really changed the day and I found it gave me a new unity with god.

This reminds me of The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley. It is about basic human rights. My Grandma used to read it to me as a child. Maybe I should look at it again.

I love the daily emails, especially this one. So simple, so true. Thank you for the reminder to Do to others as you would have them do to you. Need to always remember.
God Bless you.

Such a simple message, and from experience such a potential reward.  However our selfish nature tends to click in and we often fail miserably to achieve this goal.  We have to admit that we can’t always do this on our own - we need to call upon the strength of the Holy Spirit to help us.

Coincidence or not. Today before I saw the verse, I was asked to give someone a reference for a selection process. Much too much other work already, but I said “yes”, thinking if I asked for help, I would hope those I asked said “yes”. Then I read the verse. Makes me smile, and despite snow today, makes for a great start, knowing somehow this was what God wanted me to do.

Age 77, about a month ago I had a major operation. I have been surpised that so many people have prayed for me, supported me and sent good wishes for my speedy recovery. The Lord has certtainly acted quickly in response to the many requests from not only the U.K but other countries, I am well on the way to recovery.
Now comes the difficult bit. Having witnessed the power of prayer and support from others, I now have to constantly remind myself of the needs of other people and respond appropriately.

In church yesterday’s sermon was from Eph 4 - building each other up. My bible reading today was 1 Thess 5 - build each other up. Today’s challenge verse is “Do to others…” Could it be that my Father is trying to get through to me?