The Golden Rule is not enough

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Also known as ethic of reciprocity.
Is such a beautiful rule, common across many cultures and faiths.

But it does not go far enough, in my opinion.

I was listening to one of my favorite Christian Songs this afternoon.
Go Do Something Beautiful
By Graham Kendrick

I can never listen to this song without smiling.
It lifts my heart, even when I'm angry, disappointed or sad.

It reminds me that it's not just about,
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
It's also about asking yourself ..

"Would Jesus do that?"

So.....
Go do something beautiful,
In the name of Jesus,
Do something beautiful.
Go do something Jesus would -
Do something beautiful.


It's what we do, not what we say that makes us followers of Christ.

How will I be judged....

At the end of my life, I do not expect God to greet me with, 'Welcome good and faithful servant.'
I'm rather expecting I will be asked to account for my wrong doings.

Did you make the planet a better place to live?
Did you help your fellow man to overcome their pain?
Did you save the life of another?
Did you fill the belly of a hungry child?
Did you look after the earth's precious resources?
Did you hurt others?
Did you treat animals with gentleness?
Did you judge others?
Did you speak harshly of others?
Did you take anything that was not yours to take?
Did you act with compassion and love, even when you didn't feel like it?
Did you swindle the government?
Did you pay back your debts?
Did you return what you stole?
Did you lie?
Did you make amends for the hurts you did to others?
Did you tell the truth, even when you didn't want to?
Did you raise your hand in anger?
Did you judge others?
Is the world a better place because you have lived?

I believe I will be judged by my deeds not by how much I prayed. I think some of my answers may not be too pleasing.

But if I've left this world with children who can answer those questions with better answers than me, I'll be a proud woman. (we won't talk about the sin of pride!)

Acceptance vs Tolerance

Which do you practice?

I believe Jesus would of wanted me to accept others not just tolerate them. He wanted me to love my fellow man as he loved me.

On this very special day let us not just tolerate others but accept and love them as Jesus commanded.
Wouldn't the world be such a beautiful place, if we all could follow this beautiful commandment.
( and the one about not judging one another! boy do I fail at this one!)

“Love One Another, As I Have Loved You”

Luke 22:1-38; John 13