June 2004

Hello All,
Over the course of the next few weeks many of us will watch as brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters take one of the biggest steps of the lives as they leave high school and begin a new chapter in their lives. There are so many different ways that each will travel. Some will go on to some form of continuing education, some will go to work, some will go in to the military, and still others will take any number of other paths. Left behind will be friends, parents, and among other things those awkward teen years. Those years for me were awkward to say the least. I never have understand why kids like to poke fun at others just because they are different or because they are not the same. What is even more amazing is that it is not just kids. I have come to realize over the years that poking fun at other to the point of just being mean does not discriminate against age. In fact, there are some people that actually get worse the older that they get. Now what is that all about? I thought we were supposed to get wiser as we got older.
How would we act if someone who had pierced a lip or nose or who dyed their hair purple or green came in to church one Sunday to worship with us? Would we stare? Would we whisper to one another about how the person was dressed? I would hope not. That is certainly not the way to behave. We need to take a lesson from Jesus. We read in the New Testament about when Jesus goes to meet with Levi. He is not concerned about how Levi looks, behaves, or even what he does for a living. What He is concerned about is making sure that the message gets to Levi. The following is from Luke 5:27 - 32 (TEV):
After this, Jesus went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting in his office. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Then Levi had a big feast in his house for Jesus, and among the guests was a large number of tax collectors and other people. Some Pharisees and some teachers of the Law who belonged to their group complained to Jesus' disciples. "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and other outcasts?" they asked. Jesus answered them, "People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. I have not come to call respectable people to repent, but outcasts."
Just because some people think that others are outcasts, does not make it so. We are all God's children, looking to find our way home. The next time that you think someone is different just because of the way that they are dressed or because the have been less fortunate, think again. Anyone that comes to us seeking to know more about Jesus needs to be met with open arms, not whispers, funny looks, or up turned noses. Who knows, that person may be related to your best friend and any comment you make could get back to that friend and destroy the friendship. Is it worth that? Someone always notices. Even when no one is around, God is watching.
I often wonder what would happen if I came to church with a pieced nose and blue hair. Would you look at me funny? Would you whisper behind my back? Would you ignore me? But then again you already know me, so the way I look should not matter and that is how we should look at others, who are they on the inside.
Remember that none of us is perfect, so don't start judging others. Let's make sure that we are inviting to others no matter how they are dressed or what they look like, and that includes each other. In the end we will all be judged. And when the Lord asks you how you treated others are you going to be able to say that you treated them respect? Or are you going to have to lower your head and say that you were rude or even down right mean?

Because of Him,

Terry and Diane


Give us Guideance Lord
Gracious and loving Father. Help us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Gives your guidance in all that we do. Help us to truly become a people that looks past it all and helps anyone that wants to know more about you. We pray that you would help us to understand what it is to be your Servants. Everything that we are, everything that we have is yours Lord. Walk with us as we learn and help us when we are weak so that our faith becomes solid. We look forward to your return. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen.