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Thought for Today

“The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thought for Today

English: Pearl Buck (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free.’ — Pearl S. Buck

Freedom for One Requires Freedom for All

This is sometimes a difficult concept for even Americans to understand. No one is free, unless everyone is free.

I know how difficult it can be to listen to people stirring up fear, mistrust and hatred and want them to have the freedom to continue to do so, especially when they seem to want to take the same freedoms away from those who disagree.

So what do we do? We continue to speak our truth and live our lives as a reflection of that truth. We must work to guard freedom for all or there will be freedom for none.

Thought for Today

English: Coretta Scott King poses next to the ... — English: Coretta Scott King poses next to the portrait of her late husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, in the East Colonnade of the White House. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others.” — Coretta Scott King

Thought for Today

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” — Nelson Mandela

Thought for Today

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and it there be any praise, think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8, The Bible

Making the Church Fellowship Hour Healthier

Lutherans love coffee hour (Photo credit: Tatiana12)

In many churches Sunday morning fellowship hour means coffee, some sort of sweet drink and doughnuts with nothing for those with special needs. Stewardship includes keeping our bodies healthy and including people rather than excluding or inadvertently leaving them out. Keeping this in mind let’s consider these points.

1. It isn’t about food. The purpose of the fellowship hour is to encourage people to talk, get to know each other and welcome visitors. No one should feel left out. Food and drink are used to encourage interaction. If food is driving people apart we need to think of other ways to accomplish this.

2. Add healthier foods instead of taking away the doughnuts. Steer away from having nothing but sweets. Take known special needs into account. Given choices, fewer people may eat doughnuts.

3. Add pitchers of fresh water.

4. Change may not happen quickly — we are talking about church. Don’t be demanding, just casually bring it up. Take a fruit or veggie plate on your turn to provide food. Remember we are talking about adding healthy options, not taking away the doughnuts.