HOA AND PRAYER MEETINGS
I have a feeling that HOA meetings and prayer meetings have some of the same issues in common.
I have attended prayer meetings at several churches over the past 45 years. They generally start out with good intentions. People want to do a good thing for God and for the people in their church. They come to prayer meeting with ideas about how the church can be made better and hopefully get the agreement of others to pray for these issues. They also bring their thoughts and information about problems with individuals in the church in order to pray for their healing and deliverance.
Unfortunately, the prayer meetings will devolve into gossip sessions about people in the church. They spend more time talking about the issues that people have and what is wrong with them than they spend praying for the people. Soon they will be telling others about what is shared in the prayer meeting or they begin complaining about the pastor, leaders, teachers or anyone different than they are. They spend more and more of their time looking for faults in others and less and less time addressing issues in their own lives. More time judging and less time loving.
I suppose this can happen in any local gathering intent on making changes for the community. We often come with our own agenda, pride or complaint and expect that it be addressed. Our government is a perfect example. What the prayer meeting and the HOA should have in common is a true love for others and a personal commitment to resolve problems and division with truth, love and sacrifice. We must learn to love each other no matter the difference.
Love covers a multitude of sins.
Love endures long and is kind. Love is never envious or boastful. It is not arrogant or inflated with pride. It is not rude and does not insist on its own way because it is not self-seeking. It is not touchy, fretful or resentful. It rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up and is ready to believe the best of every person. It continues to hope for the best, no matter the situation. LOVE NEVER FAILS.—KLN
I have attended prayer meetings at several churches over the past 45 years. They generally start out with good intentions. People want to do a good thing for God and for the people in their church. They come to prayer meeting with ideas about how the church can be made better and hopefully get the agreement of others to pray for these issues. They also bring their thoughts and information about problems with individuals in the church in order to pray for their healing and deliverance.
Unfortunately, the prayer meetings will devolve into gossip sessions about people in the church. They spend more time talking about the issues that people have and what is wrong with them than they spend praying for the people. Soon they will be telling others about what is shared in the prayer meeting or they begin complaining about the pastor, leaders, teachers or anyone different than they are. They spend more and more of their time looking for faults in others and less and less time addressing issues in their own lives. More time judging and less time loving.
I suppose this can happen in any local gathering intent on making changes for the community. We often come with our own agenda, pride or complaint and expect that it be addressed. Our government is a perfect example. What the prayer meeting and the HOA should have in common is a true love for others and a personal commitment to resolve problems and division with truth, love and sacrifice. We must learn to love each other no matter the difference.
Love covers a multitude of sins.
Love endures long and is kind. Love is never envious or boastful. It is not arrogant or inflated with pride. It is not rude and does not insist on its own way because it is not self-seeking. It is not touchy, fretful or resentful. It rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up and is ready to believe the best of every person. It continues to hope for the best, no matter the situation. LOVE NEVER FAILS.—KLN
A Fun Way to Give Back
Several months ago Country Citizens reported on the Rocky Mountain Dawgs Project. Their mission to connect retired veterans home from war with a retired service dog. The heartwarming push to honor men, women and dogs for their commitment and sacrifice to our country is echoed in this month’s featured non-profit. Combat Hero Bike Build is a national organization that seeks to rebuild, outfit and donate motorcycles to veterans who have come home with either mental or physical disabilities after war or service. Motorcycles are modified specifically to work for the riders so that they can enjoy the freedom to ride.
The I-70 Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a fundraising event along the corridor that will benefit this organization with a donation to Combat Hero Bike Build. Bikers from all over the area are encouraged to join in for a POKER RUN.
A poker run is an organized event in which participants, usually using motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, horses, on foot or other means of transportation, must visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. Participants will start at Lulu’s in Watkins, get a card and travel to other locations along the way to try and put together the best poker hand, and win prizes at the end of the trip, in Byers. All proceeds will benefit the Combat Hero Bike Build group. What a fun way to give back to those we honor most. Thanks to all of the sponsors, and especially to the Combat Hero Bike Build group. |
Strasburg Hometown Days
Although many will celebrate the joining of the two continental railroads across the United States at Promontory Point Utah, they are slightly misled. It was right here on the eastern plains in a little town called Strasburg (previously Comanche Crossing) that the last stake of the first continuous railroad across the U.S. was hammered in. Hometown Days is a wonderful celebration with something for everyone in the family.