the influence of Dr. King

Proverbs 31:8 NLT

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

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King did that well. On this day, the 3rd Monday of January, our nation honors Mark Luther King, Jr. for his impact on countless lives and on our county. His impact continues today.

Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke up for people who could not speak for themselves. I agreed with his heart and his desire to see our nation embrace more people and stand stronger together. We are indebted to Dr. King and to many others who stood when we couldn’t and when many wouldn’t stand.

He spoke of a nation where people were free to live and serve as equals. There were marches, there were speeches, there were acts of violence and hatred. Sounds a little like our day as well. Dr. King said, “the time is always right to do what is right.”

It takes very little to be kind. Smiling or speaking words of kindness in situations where there is stress and struggle will go a long way to helping people know they are important. Dr. King spoke of the worth of every human. That was also what our God tells us.

Here are some quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr that have influenced me:

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

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

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

That is only a few that stick out to me. May we learn from those who have gone before us, those who spoke up for the oppressed and the poor.

Thank you, Dr. King, for the influence you had on us and on so many others throughout the years. We will follow in the path of the great ones.

Psalm 15:2 NASB

He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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