The Golden Rule

I give the devil the blame - what for you might ask? If you look directly below this post, the next one is from Sept of 2008. I have had the most awful time trying to even log in to this blog. Even when I could, my posts failed... I will not cease though, and perhaps the problem is fixed this time...

(Note: Much of this post was originally shared over at my Paper Crafting blog Softangelkisses, because I am seeing it happen all too often in the world of paper-crafting and scrapbooking lately. I know there are many other areas of life this lesson may relate to also. I hope it blesses you.)

Good afternoon everyone. Today I wanted to share a Bible lesson with everyone about the Golden Rule. I constantly "preach" this and pray that my actions help to teach this. Many times in the Bible, the Lord tells us and gives us examples of how to and not to treat one another, yet somehow, it often gets so messed up! I think what hurts the most is either when a Christian hurts another Christian due to not obeying this rule or when a Christian hurts a non believer. How hard it is to win someone to Christ when they have been mistreated by a Christian. On the other hand, as Christian brothers and sisters we are supposed to work together for the Lord, to encourage one another, and lift one another up. Sisters, how sad is it that many have let paper-crafting and scrapbooking - a topic that could bring us all together in the Lord closer - become an envying topic and a stumbling block. God truly does give us all unique gifts, and we all function at different levels of our gift, but everyone deserves a fair try. Everyone starts somewhere, all things must have a beginning. Do not criticize yourself or try to measure up to someone else's standards - God loves you very much just the way you are. The same holds true on the other hand, if someone is not quiet at your level, love them the way they are. If you can't say something nice about their work, it's often better to not say anything at all. Remember, to ask not only "How would I want someone to treat me?", but more importantly, "What would Jesus do?"

God Bless You,
Mary