Gray is the Color of an Open Door

It's interesting, to read in the Gospels, how many times Jesus was confronted by Pharisees who tried to trick him with black and white scenarios.  On one occasion they said, "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" (Matthew 22:17) and on another occasion they brought to Jesus a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery and said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.  Now what do you say?"  (John 8:4- 5).  In both cases, religious leaders were using black and white scenarios as a way of trapping Jesus into saying something that could be used against him.

In both cases, Jesus saw the gray.  In regards to taxes, he said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.  In regards to the woman caught in the act of adultery, he said to the men, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be a first to throw a stone at her."  Well, they all walked away because none of them were without sin.  However, Jesus was without sin.  Jesus could have stoned her, but instead he said, "Has no one condemned you?  Neither do I condemn you.  Go now and leave your life of sin."  Instead of stoning her, Jesus chose to forgive her and challenged her to leave her sin filled ways.    Yes, even when some things are clearly right & wrong, Jesus left a door of gray open to move from wrong to right. 

Today you will encounter many people who live in many different lifestyles.  Some are living well while others are not, but what kind of doors are you opening by the way you interact with others?  Our words have the power to close doors, or open doors.  Jesus always used his words to open doors.  We would be wise to imitate his teaching and to follow in his way.

Dennis   

Giving Thanks Can Be Healthy For You!

The other day I ran across an article that caused me to pause and think about the benefits of giving thanks.  A 20th century endocrinologist named Dr. Hans Selye was known across the world for studying the effects of stress on human life.  Dr. Selye claimed that there are two emotions, more than any other emotions, that exert the most influence on our peace of mind and sense of self-fulfillment.  The two emotions are revenge and gratitude.  Revenge, which springs from unresolved hostility can destroy a person as well as those around him or her.  Gratitude can heal the soul.  People who experience gratitude here in life are more at peace within themselves and have much higher degrees of self-fulfillment.  According to Selye, the degree of fulfillment verses frustration can be directly influenced by these two emotions of revenge vs. gratitude. 

How do we experience gratitude?  One way is by learning to give thanks.  The psalmist said in Psalm 107:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."  The psalmist then continues taking the reader down memory lane when ancient Israel was wandering, and how much they need to thank the God who delivered them from their lonely wanderings, bringing them to a good place, satisfying their thirst & hunger with good things. - Psalm 107:9.  The metaphor is powerful, because we live in a world where many wander inside themselves, not really knowing where their place is in this world, or where they need to go to find a good place.  They hunger and thirst for what they do not yet know.  The good news is that God can bring them to a good place as well, satisfying their thirst and hunger with good things.  So, want gratitude?  Learn to give thanks!  Nothing heals a bitter spirit more than a thankful heart.