remember Dr. King

This is the day that our country celebrates one of our heroes.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke up for people who could not speak for themselves.  He loved and worked during a time when our country needed to make some drastic changes. 

There are many people through the history of our nation that stand out as heroes who went above and beyond the call of citizenship and public office to people be strong and to succeed.  Dr. King is one who we can learn much from.

Proverbs 31:8  NLT

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

Here are some things that Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us:

“the time is always right to do the right thing”

"I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

"The ultimate test of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and moments of convenience, but where he stands in moments of challenge and moments of controversy."

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction."

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'”

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.”

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

The themes Dr. King talked about go from dealing with injustice and on to love and forgiveness.  The ones that stick out to me are those about others, about serving and about making a difference in our world.

This world is a better stronger place because Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood, spoke and set high standards for those who walked with Him.  We must learn from him and do the same.

Proverbs 31:9  NLT

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.