Reports from Rome via Diversity Chronicle.

http://diversitychronicle.wordpress.com/2013/12/05/pope-francis-condemns-racism-and-declares-that-all-religions-are-true-at-historic-third-vatican-council/

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works."               -Hebrews 10:24

What ways have you gone to motivate someone to love more or do more good works?

One company proves miracles can happen, but seriously...where's my luggage?

Please watch and try not to cry.

http://youtu.be/zIEIvi2MuEk

Another Nouwenism to embrace:

The marvelous vision of the peaceable Kingdom, in which all violence has been overcome and all men, women, and children live in loving unity with nature, calls for its realisation in our day-to-day lives.   Instead of being an escapist dream, it challenges us to anticipate what it promises.  Every time we forgive our neighbor, every time we make a child smile, every time we show compassion to a suffering person, every time we arrange a bouquet of flowers, offer care to tame or wild animals, prevent pollution, create beauty in our homes and gardens, and work for peace and justice among peoples and nations we are making the vision come true.

 

We must remind one another constantly of the vision.  Whenever it comes alive in us we will find new energy to live it out, right where we are.  Instead of making us escape real life, this beautiful vision gets us involved.

Week ten. The last week of the quarter. My energy is low and I do not have the desire to do my school work. I need motivation. I have to muster some sort of energy to get me going. But I can’t seem to do it. And so I use the excuse, “It must be senioritous.” You know, that feeling of being so close to graduation that finishing the horrific task of final papers and final exams no longer carries any weight or fear or anxiety.  I felt this way my entire senior year of high school, and pretty much my final year in undergrad. But this is different. I am in seminary and I am suppose to care about every little thing, every bit of knowledge and wisdom I can attain is of vital importance to my calling. God’s calling! It has to be important. Right? So why do I let myself blow off my work?

But then, as I am trying to pretend I am holy, I open a bible app on my phone (not to read a bible verse mind you but to see who the developer is who made the app.) and what pops up? The verse of the day. Colossians 3:17… “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Good Jewish mother style guilt. Just when I need a good kick in the butt, God is there to give it to me.

This verse helped me realized that no matter what I am trying to get of doing, be it homework or ignoring a human being or changing the way we think about one another, we are not doing it for ourselves or for others or even for a better world (all which are great and positive things). We are doing well for the world as a means to give thanks for God who gave us this wonderful world to live and play in.  So go out and give thanks to God by doing something God would want you to do.