This picture from my evening walk at Lenora Park reminds me that sometimes life’s pathway leads us through darkness. But Jesus, the Light of the World, shines through to give us hope and remind us there is a bright side somewhere.
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I was driving to Minter, Alabama, to visit a family in my shiny new gray Toyota Corolla with a black vinyl roof. They had given me directions: “Drive south on Hwy 41 until you reach a fork in the road. At the fork, turn left and go until you see a large oak tree on the left side of the road with an old car under it.” I followed their instructions, reached the tree, and turned left onto a dirt road. Bumping along, I came to a mud hole that stretched across the road. Seeing no way around it, I stopped, shifted into reverse, and started backing up. I didn’t want to drive my new car through that mud hole.
But then I heard my conscience ask, “Whose car is this?” Immediately, I remembered dedicating the car to God before I drove it off the lot at Selma Toyota. “Yours,” I replied. God then said, “If you use this car to take care of my people, I will take care of it.”
I shifted the gear into drive, splashed through the mud, and headed to the family’s house. I realized that my car was not to be for show but for service. With that Toyota, I took church members where they needed to go, carried building materials for the church renovation, taught young people how to drive, and did many other tasks. And God kept His word. With his blessing, I put over 270,000 miles on that car.
From then on, every time I have purchased a vehicle, I make sure to do two things before I leave the car lot: one, ensure my automobile insurance covers it; and two, dedicate it to God for His service. And God has blessed each vehicle. My current 2007 Ford F-150 has more than 370,000 miles, looks good, and is running well. God blesses what we give to him.
The lyrics from Diana Ross’ 1970 hit “Reach Out and Touch” are resonating with me today as I reflect on the state of the world. How can we contribute to making the world a better place? In the song, Ross offers valuable suggestions, and there are also various ways we can connect with and support our neighbors, as guided by principles found in the Bible. Each principle includes the words “one another.”
Thirty-One Things We Can Do for One Another
– Love one another (John 13:34 – This command occurs at least 16 times)
– Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
– Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)
– Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
– Build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
– Be like-minded towards one another (Romans 15:5)
– Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
– Admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16)
– Greet one another (Romans 16:16)
– Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)
– Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
– Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
– Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13)
– Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)
– Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25)
– Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
– Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19)
– Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5)
– Consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3)
– Look to the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4)
– Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)
– Teach one another (Colossians 3:16)
– Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
– Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
– Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13)
– Stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)
– Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
– Employ the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of one another (1 Peter 4:10)
– Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 Peter 5:5)
– Pray for one another (James 5:16)
– Confess your faults to one another (James 5:16)
Six Things to Avoid Doing to One Another
– Do not lie to one another (Colossians 3:9)
– Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13)
– If you keep on biting and devouring each other . . . you’ll be destroyed by each other (Galatians 5:15)
– Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:26)
– Do not slander one another (James 4:11)
– Don’t grumble against each other (James 5:9)
At the conclusion of my classmate’s interment, the grief I had held so tightly gurgled up from the depths of my soul like an irrepressible geyser. My once-placid countenance shattered. I couldn’t stay beneath the tent—I had to get out, to find space where I could release what I could no longer contain.
I took off across the cemetery, walking fast, my sobs breaking into cries: “Oh Jesus, oh Jesus!” Each step felt like an attempt to outrun the sorrow, but grief clung to me.
Then, through my tears, I looked up. There, standing before me, was this statue of Jesus. In that moment, I was reminded—just when I need Him, Jesus is near.
Just when I need Him, Jesus is near, Just when I falter, just when I fear; Ready to help me, ready to cheer, Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most, Just when I need Him most, Jesus is near to comfort and cheer, Just when I need Him most.
“Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:1–2)
This Franciscan Chapel sits on the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It is believed that Jesus spoke the Beatitudes from the mountain that this chapel sits on. This site on the Jesus trail is near Capernaum and Tabgha.
Is a visit to Israel on your bucket list? Make it happen. It will change you life!
This was my view of the Sea of Galilee on my second morning in Israel. When I read my Bible that morning, I experienced something I had never experienced before. As I read the stories I could see, smell, hear, and feel what I was reading about. I no longer had to imagine what the Sea of Galilee and other places looked like. In fact, I had left the sliding door of my room open all night so I could hear the soothing lapping sound of the waves where Jesus said “Peace be still.” The peace and safety I felt while I was there made me so happy I had dismissed my fears of visiting Israel.
Later that morning, our group rode across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. Here our guide, Tsion Ben-david, took out a map and helped us understand the geography of the area.
Rimonim Galei Kinnereth Hotel
1 Eliezer Kaplan Street
Tiberias, Tiberias 14100, Israel
Groom, Texas
Steven's Travels and Thoughts 