A Peek into Borepatch's Life

What with his new puppy and all, I imagine life inside Borepatch's secure compound is a little like this:

Respecting Others

In the business world, I've often been involved in conversations regarding respect for others, whether it was a new co-worker, a long-time boss, or a temporary contractor. We would talk about how someone was too new or young to have earned respect, or how their latest escapade diminished the amount of respect due them.

Basically, every conversation came down to whether or not someone had earned the right to be respected. Truth be told, I subscribed to that view for a long time, and still think that way on occasion, even though I know better.

Today on Facebook, I saw this, and it resonated with me.

The Golden Rule of Respect?

However, I think it does get one thing wrong. Or, rather, it takes a worldly view instead of a Kingdom view on the issue.

Romans 12:10  tells us to love one another with brotherly affection, while Philippians 2:3 admonishes us to count others as more significant than ourselves. Neither of them includes an "if they've earned it" or "if you like them" codicil. We are commanded to love and give everyone honor (1 Peter 2:17).

Perhaps the most forceful passage about respecting everyone equally is found in James 2:1-9. James has some very strong words for us in regards to showing partiality to those that are rich or powerful, while shunning the poor and the weak. This applies as well, I think, to showing respect and extending courtesies. (For an excellent treatment of this passage, I would recommend to you this sermon from Dr. Corey Abney.)

In short, it comes down to one very simple truth. We are all children of God, created in His image, and we have all fallen short of His glory. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, "as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

So, we show respect not just because of their character or our character, but because of His character in us.

From the mouths of babes

As we were sitting down to our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, we partook in our annual ritual of talking about all the things we were thankful for. The kids, naturally, were mostly thankful for friends, families and toys. When it was my turn, I decided to add some frivolity to the mix and decided to quote our pastor. I told everyone I was thankful for my smoking hot wife. Everyone chuckled, and I quickly forgot about it.

Well, I briefly forgot about it.

Not 5 minutes later my son looks up and says "Mommy, you're smoking. That's why your shirt is red."

I think I'll be out of the doghouse in 5 years or so.

If he says it in public, maybe never *grin*

Thanksgiving

I hope today finds you in the company of friends, family and loved ones. As you hang out and celebrate, I pray that you can look back on the previous year with thankfulness, even for the hard times.

I wanted to share a list of verses with you our Sunday School teacher gave us in our last class.

First, know that God wants us, in fact commands us, to be thankful in all things. We need to be intentional in giving thanks. Like biblical love, it is an affirmative action, not just a mindset. Second, don't forget the little things. Don't just remember the big awesome things that have happened, but be thankful for the food in your pantry, the roof over your head, the job you go to each day.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

• Hebrews 12:28-29 - Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

• Psalm 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

• Psalm 69:30 - I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

• Psalm 95:1-6 - Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!

• 1 Chronicles 16:8 - Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

• 1 Chronicles 16:34 - Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

• Psalm 107:29-32 - He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

• Colossians 2:6-7 - Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

• Psalm 34:1 - I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

• Psalm 100:4 - Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

• Jonah 2:9 - But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!"

• Ephesians 5:3-4 - But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

• Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

• 1 Timothy 4:4-5 - For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.