Dear friends, it grieves my heart to even be writing this post today. It seems that we cannot get rid of that neanderthal-like, thuggish urge that some have to bully others. Bullying has become such a bad problem these days that it is even being done through our newly developed technologies. We are talking more than just being made fun of, because I think that everyone expereinces that in life. And to a certain extent, we better be able to laugh at ourselves a little bit. No, I am talking about the constant badgering, relentless making fun of, saying and doing pure meanness to others.
I am writing this from personal experience, as well as in support of anyone who has ever been bullied. For me it was because I had acne as an adolescent, and from the age of 12, far too many others picked on me on a daily basis. As an already shy kid, it was difficult to respond, and so these kids kept doing it, because I would do/say nothing. To those who did, I forgive you for your actions/words that were so hurtful. But just because I forgive you does not make such behavior right or acceptable.
I would also say that this behavior needs to stop, and for many reasons. You may not be aware of just how bad you are hurting someone, even with just words. They might begin to believe what you are saying about them, especially in thier own weakness. You may not be aware of what they might be capable of if you keep pushing them.
Bullying has become a real problem in our society, and it is not just happening in Jr. High and High Schools. It happens in adulthood as well. We can't just look the other way and pretend like it is not a real problem.
I challenge everyone to stand up to those who would bully others, and challenge thier behavior instead of pretending that it did not happen. If we don't stand up to it, that is the same as condoning it.
I have never understood the mind of a bully, because it makes no sense to me to treat someone so callously and without love for our neighbor. I suppose there may be something insecure in the person who would bully, that makes them feel superior or "stronger" themselves, when they treat others poorly, or as "lesser" than themselves.
If you see or hear bullying of another, try to stop it. If you are a bully, take a few seconds to think about how much you might be hurting someone else, and STOP yourself. Think for a moment about how it would make you feel if people were ganging up on you relentlessly.
Let's all work together to STOP bullying from hurting others!
Thanks for reading and God bless you!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
This night has it all....almost!!!
A blessed Holy Week and Maundy Thursday to you all!
I would imagine that most of my brother pastors who blog are probably writing something similar today, but how can we pass up writing about the important events that we celebrate on this day?
To begin with, Maundy Thursday--which is part of the Triduum [consisting of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday], is the night when Jesus instituted a "memorial" of His Passion in the Lord's Supper. "Maundy" comes from the Latin Mandatum--the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you")
On this night also, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, demonstrating that He "came not to be served, but to serve others," a principle that He wanted to pass on to His disciples.
On this night Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. Later on in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas would betray Jesus to His accusers with a kiss. And they would arrest Him.
On this night while His disciples fell asleep at their watch, Jesus would pray, "with drops of sweat as blood" asking that this cup be taken from Him, but not His will but the Father's will be done.
On this night, Jesus would tell Peter that Peter would deny Him 3 times. When he was questioned about his relationship to Jesus, Peter did deny His Lord 3 times, and realized what he had done after the rooster crowed.
The Lord's Supper, Love, Serving, Prayer, Betrayal, Arrest, Denial...This night has it all....almost!!!
On Maundy Thursday, when the Divine Service finishes, in preparation for Good Friday, the altar is stripped and the chancel is cleared. Psalm 22 is chanted while this is being done.
I would imagine that most of my brother pastors who blog are probably writing something similar today, but how can we pass up writing about the important events that we celebrate on this day?
To begin with, Maundy Thursday--which is part of the Triduum [consisting of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday], is the night when Jesus instituted a "memorial" of His Passion in the Lord's Supper. "Maundy" comes from the Latin Mandatum--the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you")
On this night also, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, demonstrating that He "came not to be served, but to serve others," a principle that He wanted to pass on to His disciples.
On this night Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. Later on in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas would betray Jesus to His accusers with a kiss. And they would arrest Him.
On this night while His disciples fell asleep at their watch, Jesus would pray, "with drops of sweat as blood" asking that this cup be taken from Him, but not His will but the Father's will be done.
On this night, Jesus would tell Peter that Peter would deny Him 3 times. When he was questioned about his relationship to Jesus, Peter did deny His Lord 3 times, and realized what he had done after the rooster crowed.
The Lord's Supper, Love, Serving, Prayer, Betrayal, Arrest, Denial...This night has it all....almost!!!
On Maundy Thursday, when the Divine Service finishes, in preparation for Good Friday, the altar is stripped and the chancel is cleared. Psalm 22 is chanted while this is being done.
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