Thank you Richard for a great way to start out my day. You are right- our world wants to boil things down to sound bites and generalizations. God created us all with all our complexities and uniqueness. For that reason alone we should strive to treat people with respect and honor. That can be hard to do because not everyone is lovable. But it not about them - it's about us and whether we make the choice to to treat everyone as God's beloved.

Thanks Richard and Vash for the insight. It is difficult to respect the media due to the generalizations and sound bites especially in the political arena. I am reminded of Lautan's devotional not too long ago about the disabled. All labeling is disrespectful. May we see with God's eyes and not speak at all.

Please continue prayers for my brother in law. He has a scan Thursday and the results by Monday that he/they are hoping will indicate he is healing or at least not getting worse. He has been able to regain and keep on weight since his initial losses. Praises for that! Blessings all.

Richard, thank you for your message. I was talking with someone about this after our worship service at the shelter yesterday. My first step to deep faith was a prayer I made to have relationships with homeless people; a request I didn't really understand. However, once each homeless person had a name and face, each became unique and a person of value. God has since called me to seek this kind of relationship with people in other groups I had diminished in my mind. How rich my faith has become.

Good morning to all! A positive attitude is a conscious choice; it is something that must be practiced like playing a musical instrument or honing sports skills. I have to work at it everyday. Admittedly, I sometimes catch myself saying something negative and must stop to correct my speech. Thank you, Richard, for taking the time to write today's meditation. JK, the best way not to be influenced by the media is to turn off the generalizations and sound bites. You can get the news in other forms besides the spoken word. The Internet is a buffet that allows us to choose our news sources. Thank you, Cindy of Jersey Shore, for your faithfulness and for your servant's heart. Thank You, Lord, for our brothers and sisters. Thank You for the Upper Room staff that has made it possible for us to lift up each other and encourage one another. Blessings to all!

It is hard to not notice the terrible attitude that pervades our world in this day and time. We in this world seem to have no respect for each other. I have worked along with and beside people of various races, religions, nationalities and cultural groups, all within 20 miles of my home in Ozark and have never felt bad about working with them. The color of a person's skin does not tell you what they are like or what kind of worker they are. Jesus told us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. That is the standard that we are to adopt in our lives. For all of us who face difficulties in this world today, I pray that God will meet your needs. Continue in your faith in Him. Have a good day today and in the future.

Thanks Richard for getting me to look at how I can be quick to compare and judge others when the only one I need to worry about is myself. I have a morning prayer that has a line that says "Help me be patient, gentle, wise, to see beyond what seems to be, and to know Your children as You know them; and so naught but the good in anyone behold". How quickly I can forget this when I get out in the real world dealing with people. My prayers go out to all of you and please keep my friend Bob in your prayers who had some tests done on a lump in his stoach and my 19 year old twin boys that are facing some tough financial decisions as they moved in to their own house and are finding out living on your own is not as easy as they thought!

F. Richard - than you so much for your message today. All I can say is Amen! Amen! Amen! Christ didn't limit his ministry just to those who looked like him, talked like him or thought like him... Christ reached out to all because all people are of sacred worth. If I strive to be Christ-like, I must do the same. JK - I'm praying for your brother in law! Dan - I know exactly what you mean. My heart was transformed when I started to serve at a homeless shelter... getting to know each person's name, their story, and their hopes/fears. My prayer request today is for my daughter who gave birth to a wonderful, healthy little boy a little over a week ago - she still has staples from the C-section and is extremely uncomfortable on top of the exhaustion of having a newborn. Also - please pray for a former student of mine (now a young adult) who is undergoing tests to determine if she is in the early stages of MS. Wishing all of you a very blessed day!

Oops... of course that should have been "thank" you so much to F. Richard. :-) Good thing I teach science, huh!

Thanks Mary.....I don't watch the news/media much and am immediately reminded why each time I decide to catch the local weather or traffic!! ;-) George what a wonderful line from your prayer. Prayers for those twin teens......don't you love how they "face reality" once they are living it. Usually doesn't take too long!! Bills and laundry day usually have that effect!! Don, I could not agree more. Thankfully you are open to having a relationship/working with others regardless. Sadly there are those who won't/don't. Dan what a wonderful ministry you have going. Feeding your faith and planting seeds sounds awesome. Thank you!! Good morning Cindy and thanks for all you do.

Thanks Jill. Prayers for your daughter's healing and strength during this exciting, yet tiring time for her and for your student and the tests for MS.

I try to remember to pray for the media personnel, JK. You just reminded me to do so yet again.

What an appropriate reading and devotional. Richard is on target. I have been longing to hear such honest observation. If we all cut off the TV and radio and turn to God's word, we would find the peace of knowing God's love. We can then witness to His love.

I am reminded of the verse "If we deceive ourselves, then the truth is not in us" 1 John 1:8.

Thanks

I made the choice to stop watching news years ago, partly because of the labeling and catogorizing, but mostly because it is all so negative. From the kinds of stories the media choose to tell, to the name calling. I am able to get news from positive and encouraging radio stations and newspapers, sometimes on internet. I can pick and choose what I am exposed to. I am not oblivious to world and local events, but I seldom watch TV, especially when elections are coming up.
It is much better to spend time reading The Good News and then sharing what we learn from it with our actions, with how we live, how we talk. As one pastor put it, we should live our lives so that people notice and ask, "what's different about you?"
I recently had a new friend ask me why so many 'Christians' go around with stern looks on their faces. He asked, "Where's the joy? If they have the joy of the Lord, shouldn't it be showing on their faces?" I think he asked a valid question, because I used to be one of those stern faced Christians.
God loved us too much to leave us in a state of stern rules and regulations and too much to label us as unworthy. He loved us enough to come down and climb into a suit of flesh so He could show us in person that all of the commandments is best followed by "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt. 22:37-40 NRSV
It's so simple...JUST LOVE. Live in the freedom of love, seeing others through "love colored glasses". But how can we love others if we don't know how to love ourselves? I am 57 years old and have just learned in the past 2 years how to love myself the way Papa does....well, almost. No one can love like He does. But we can try. I love how He loves us.

Richard Thank you for your message. This scripture hit home with me. I am guilty of being judgmental sometimes. It is definitely something I should work on.
My prayers go out to all of you on this wonderful Wednesday. Cindy I hope all is well with you and your family yo usually post by now!
Have a great day!

thank you my brother for your devotional today and. to everyone who commented . first, I was convicted about the main point of some of the comments after 9/11. I now live in a state and work at a place where others dont look like me. I view them as souls and one of God's children just like myself not a status or someone with more zero's in their paycheck.About the tv and radio thing. I was more of a radio person to this very day and it helps me stay connected to people and community as i've been thru quite a few back in my previous career as a truck driver/salesman and career military soldier. I'm not that as they say"news junkie/cnn 24/7.Thank God for the internet, computers and ipods, ipads, tablets and smartphones. We can have acess to ministries like this and others and share what God has placed in us, his love for others it's a day by day thing to grow just look out your window at the plants and grass and trees.My prayer everyday is that we all grow in his likeness and love for one another and that you wont find on a bumper sticker unless it has a 1 800 number attached to it lol be encouraged and blessed today and everyday for what you have and not what you dont have..

Good morning to all my UR brothers and sisters hoping you all have a wonderful and blessed day. Praises and prayers being sent today for:
Raynard of Newark, DE- Your post made me laugh out loud yesterday when you mentioned McQuiver and duct tape. My kids always watched that show.
Luann- Praising God for your daughter’s preschool graduation and your husband’s graduation from seminary with a Masters of Divinity. What a wonderful feeling that must be for all of you. After five years of schooling, he must be thrilled. Congrats!
Don of Ozark, MD- I really appreciate your words “No matter what problem that you may face, take it to Him and have faith in His promises and He will carry you through.” I am a walking and talking example of this being true. God is so good and merciful, I just love Him so much!
Prayers for all spoken and unspoken needs.
Dan of Summerfield, NC- Prayers for your friend who fell off the ladder and broke his arm as well as having damage to his right side. Asking God to be with him as he recovers and heals.
M.J. of Punta Gorda, FL- Continued prayers for your nephew and for your job interview. Asking God to lead you to the job He has planned for you. I agree with you, I, too, miss hearing from April from Thomasville, NC. Please post to let us know you are OK.
Jackie of San Antonio, TX- Ditto! I, too, can’t wait to meet you at heaven’s door. There are many of the UR family that I can’t wait to see there as well.

Gwenn of Columbia City, IN- Prayers for Bill and Becky who have now lost two of their children due to traffic accidents. Asking God to uphold them with His hands, showering them with His almighty love. Asking for comfort, strength, and peace during this time.
Bob of Ilgin IL- Since reading your post, I’ve been singing “Love lifted me” I just love that song and especially the words. Thanks for the reminder.
Continued prayers for Ally of Rome, GA and for Eric of Atlanta, GA- Asking God to be with you both.
Henry of Alexandria, VA- Prayers for Randy Newman and his evangelical ministry. Thanks for sharing the site
Marisa of Kingsland, GA- Prayers for your grandmother who is on an oxygen machine and feeding tube. Asking for God’s will to be done and to be with the family during this time.
Linda of West Point, VA- Continued prayers for your anxiety. Give it to God, He will help you and He will take it away from you.
Hazel- It is always good to hear from you and getting your insight in your post. Prayers for the friend who is transitioning to her heavenly home. Asking God to be with her family as she has asked them and gave permission for her to die. Asking God to be with her as well as her family.
Brenda of Houston, TX- Continued prayers for your mother. Asking God to be with her and to allow her to remain on this earth until her grandson’s graduation this upcoming Monday. God willing she will be there to see and hear about the graduation. Praising God for your son’s successful interview and his obtaining a job. What a wonderful feeling!

Patricia of Lynnwood, WA- Continued prayers for your daughter-in-law asking God to pull her close and for her to feel His precious love.
Sandy of Corpus Christi, TX- Prayers for you as you continue to seek employment, asking God to lead you to where He wants you to be. Prayers for all those who experience addictions.
Anita of Los Lunas, NM- Prayers for you and your rash, asking God to be with you.
JK- Praising God for the visit you had with your daughter and for your safe return home. Continued prayers for your brother-in-law as he battles pancreatic cancer and all the challenges that accompany that horrible disease. Asking God to be with him and to provide comfort and strength for him and for his family. I have often wondered how April and Sleydar are doing too, I wish she would let us know how they are doing, meanwhile keeping them in my prayers.
Teresa of Happy Valley, OR- Prayers for Kim as she is facing multiple cancers, asking God to wrap His loving arms around her as she is getting closer to going home with her heavenly Father. Asking God to be with her, her family and her friends. Continued prayers for all those who have been touched by the dreaded disease of cancer and praising God for all cancer survivors. Asking God to be with all of the researchers who are studying cures and treatments for cancer patients.
Ally of Rome, GA- Praising God that you are doing better. Continued prayers for your cousin’s mother in law.

Melinda of West Hartford, CT- Continued prayers for all who suffer from PTSD asking God to be with each.
Adam of Dublin OH- Thank you for your beautiful words….”There is nothing like You. Loving You until the morning comes with a new song and the mercies Your beauty brings.” As this day begins let us continue to praise God for all of our blessings. You are definitely a blessing in my life. I look so forward to repeating your prayers throughout my day. God bless you.
Cindy of Jersey Shore, Pa. – Continued prayers for Jerry’s work release. We’ve had several inquiries but nothing definite yet. Please keep him in your prayers asking God to place him at a site of other believers and one in which Jerry can be an example for Christ. Today is my first day of no classes (have to admit I slept in a bit) and really no obligations, other than picking up my two grandsons after school today. It feels so good to have the flexibility of the day, lots of time for praising God and going to Him in prayer. Forever in Christ.

Richard, your testimony is a text that needs to be amplify. JK the divisivenessis is not only being echo in the media but from pulpits to social media networks. You hear time after time anti____ ( fill in the blanks with your own comentary) to the point that we have become a polarized nation. Jesus came to tear down the old order that separate groups ( Gentiles  from the Jews; slave from the master and so on).2Cor5:11-20.We need to build the Ministry of Reconcillation. That is why I come back to the UR blog again and again. However, our we preaching just to our choir...how to we spread the word in spirit and in action? Holding all in need of prayer and love in my heart and prayer as you have done likewise for me. Peace and Love

God made man in his image, So we are all His!

So very true, Richard. Would that we gently, lovingly say to those around us - "I choose not to wound; I want candidates that are stewards, not power-wielders". The political parties of this world don't think there are many like us - yet look at the deep chord Richard's testimony struck!

Thank you Richard for your lovely testimony! Great way to start the day. Blessings to you and all that are the doers of the word.

Thank you Richard for your lovely testimony! Great way to start the day. Blessings to you and all that are the doers of the word.

Good morning UR family!! JK, prayers go out that tomorrows scan on your brother in law will show healing!! Thank you Richard...truly a thought provoking devotional this morning!! Somr time ago, I read about a teacher separating her students, by placing all blue eyed students on one side of the room and the brown eyed on the other side...For a portion of that day, she devoted all her time and effort to the brown eyed side of the room and neglected the blue eyes. Afterward she asked all the students to take there regular seats and questioned them about how they felt. The blue eyes said they felt sad, inferior, left out, etc. Of course the brown eyes were elated, loved the attention, etc. I think that was probably a valuable lesson learned that day about how they should treat people that are diffirent. I agree with Vash and JK...We should never categorize or generalize any group of people. God loves each of us the same and with everlasting love!! My prayers are for all of you, those on Cindy's list and those both spoken and unspoken. May you all have a wonderfully blessed day!!

JK- Continued prayers for your brother in law as he is scheduled for an appt on Thursday. Asking God to be with him and for results of his tests to be positive indicating healing. George of Virginia Beach VA, thanks for your words this AM, "Help me be patient, gentle, wise, to see beyond what seems to be, and to know Your children as You know them; and so naught but the good in anyone behold".
George of Virginia Beach, VA- Prayers for your friend Bob who is having tests for a lump in his stomach and for your twin boys as they are facing financial decisions regarding their housing.
Jill of Damascus- Prayers for your daughter and her newborn asking God to be with the mother as she is recovering from a c-section, asking Him to provide healing and comfort for her. Also prayers for your former student who is being tested for early stages of MS- asking God to be with her and for the doctors as they determine the test results.
Sheila of Bryantsville, KY- Praising God for your post today, so thought-provoking and true. Thank you for sharing.
Raynard of Newark DE- I can’t wait to meet you in heaven, I absolutely love your sense of humor. I always look forward to reading your posts, they always put a smile on my face. God bless.

“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!”
― Billy Graham,

Good Day to all and thanks to god for this day. Thanks for the devotion and the comments which are thought provoking and helpful for prayer this morning.
This time of pre election rhetorics, " political adversaries " is a great topic for prayer. Very much needed topic. Thanks for the reminder.
Please Father be with each one this day.

Luann, congratulations on your graduation too. Yes, I know it was your husband who was the one in classes at seminary, but you have graduated too. When you are married to a minister, it is both of you that are serving a church. Life won't be easy! You will be hurt. You will be tired. You will be poor but have to live in a society that has much. But if you allow it to happen. you will be blessed beyond measure. You have the armor of God. I know. I'm a RPW (retired pastor's wife)

Good Morning God and UR. The morning has arrived and Your light of dawn has broken through the dark night. Rising to greet I reach to You and await Your responses which I know will come. How blessed I feel this morning. Knowing first that You are in my life. Good and loving. Strong and beautiful, I sing a song of hope and strength that I began last night. I pray I sing it all the day long. So as my eyes take in the wonder of You in the morning light and my soul breathes in Your love, know I take my rest in the comfort of Your forever arms. Bless me today with Your presence and Your love. Walk with me through my trials. Love on me when I am afraid.
To Me You are so many things. Thank You for all You are in my life. I love You.

Grateful for the verses in James. How I want to LIVE the word, and DO it.... not just hear it. I have trouble with this. Grateful for Vash's observations too... and so many others on this site. This morning I woke up thinking about how important it is to receive godly discipline and to walk in it... with joy (not only with a "stern face"). Humbly asking God to intervene in my life and in the lives of others to bring joy and peace of mind and heart. (really. REALLY)

Richard, thank you for today's devotion and scripture. I pray that I will see Christ in those that I meet and to not put on the glasses of judgement. This morning I give praise and glory to God for the great results we received yesterday from my P.E.T. and C.T. scans. Today I have a pre-op appointment with my surgeon to prepare for next weeks surgery, one more step towards healing of this breast cancer. I pray for all of the prayer requests, both posted and private and ask, Lord hear our prayers.

Thank you Richard for this mornings devotion, you sparked quite a fire storm but all agree we are all HIS. My prayer this morning is that we all 'love one another as Christ loved us'. Thanx David of Henrico for the prayer. I have heard it before and it is so true. May the Lord cleanse us body, mind & soul. Prayers to all, God bless

Richard, thank you for your thought provoking message it is resounding in my heart and mind and convicting me to look past the labels. Vash, you are so right it's not about them , its about how or whether I choose to respond to those around me with God's love and kindness. I'm always blessed to read not only the day's devotion but also the "family's" comments.Blessings on you all !

Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to God's word; instead put it into practice!

Accept others as you would like to be accepted. It sounds familiar and true.

F. Richard, this Devotion is right on time. Thank you. This is what I call a shouting devotion! Praying for everyone this morning knowing God is a Healer, our Savior, Father, Deliverer, The Intercessor, understanding we have to trust Him in all things; praying for those that maybe growing tired; praying God will give you strength to encourage yourself this morning; God can open doors no man can close; He knows all of our situations. In the name of Jesus. Amen. Have a peaceful day UR Family. Praying always,

Dear brother in Christ, Richard, Thank you for your full of God's wisdom, commentaries. Persons like you are what God wants all of us in this world to be, that is to create unity among all nations.Creatures of God,as we are,must be first concerned not to be pointing to our cultural or physical differences but to our common resemblance to the will of God, His main purpose in creating the human race to praise Him and love each other.God bless you.

Good morning UR family. This devotional hit home with me this morning. Only I'm not dealing with a political figure butan ex-director of our dept who just retired. This woman doesn't have a life and just won't go away. Each summer our dept does a camp for students. I worked very last yr to make changes to the instruction and curriculum used in the camps. I found out yesterday that she made all of these changes and didn't tell anyone. Now it looks like I didn't do my job and I don't know what I'm doing. I've done this camp for 14 yrs. I can do it in my sleep! Blessings. Cindy I was worried about you I didn't see your post at the top. But I found them.

Richard, your devotion hit me this morning as I find myself sometimes being judgemental. That I have been working on and praying not to, because we don't always know what a person is going through. David, of Henrico, what a lovely prayer do use each day, especially in the times we are living in. As usual Adam, your prayers are so real and I look forward to them morning/evening. I thank you all for your prayers for me and the anxiety and ask for continued prayers. Also, I ask for prayers for my grandson, as I am with him today, since he has a high temperature associated with a virus. Thank you all wonderful prayer partners for keeping us both in your prayers through the day. I don't watch t.v. much either, because the media is so negative and I use that time to pray for peace for the world over. May God's blessings of healing be with each of you my dear friends in Christ today.

I don't often write comments but always read them and pray for you all! I am having quad heart bypass surgery this Friday and my daughter who is losing her kidney transplant is having surgery Tuesday, 22nd, to place a graft for dialysis. It will be the first time I have not been with her for any of her procedures since she was 2 - she is now 41. And the first surgery for me. Please pray for God's guidance with the surgeons for us both and no complications for either of us too! Thank you so much - God is good - all the time!

Good morning UR Family, Man that made me open my eyes, I see how subject able we are in the way we think, in the news, in our political thoughts, in our religious faith as well as in our immediate circle of influence and friends, even if it’s not them that are doing the subjecting. It provokes thoughts, negative and positive. It’s easy to call this situation this or that without ever really knowing the truth, because all our lives we have had someone to give us their slant on the subject. Every time we hear some news, TV commercials, radio broadcasts or even the preached sermons, we just take it trusting that what we heard is accurate, what I just realized is that it’s done on purpose, there are people who purpose is to lead us where they want. After reading Richards’s word this morning and some of the comments some made, I thought that we can make a difference too, if we bring the word to the world, buy what we say and how we walk. The truth seems to be diluted, reduced to make it look like every other bit of information, competing for space. But most know that Gods word doesn’t have to compete for space, because Gods truth is real, uncompromising, and after all the other hype is gone the only thing that will still be standing is Gods Truth. Be blessing today.

I haven't had time this morning to read all the blogs, so if I have repeated another blogger I apologize. By the way, I don't post often, but I spending each morning with you, to read your thoughts and share prayers with all of you.
Please check out http://devotional.upperroom.org/ then scroll down to the story F. Richard Garland (New Hampshire, USA) has also shared, it's beautiful! "We Preserve What We Share"
Have a great day everyone!

Praying for those going through on the job; know that God knows; hold your peace; I have found out it is not always wise to speak on everything we see, even when we know it is wrong. Ask God for instruction and direction, in the name of Jesus. I know it is tough. Some of the folks we have to deal with say they are Christians. They may be fooling some people, but not God. Hang in there. Look up.

Thanks, Richard, for putting this so succinctly. It's so easy to become polarized these days with all the rhetoric. But no good fruit comes from it. I'd like to post this on every corner for all to read. When did we stop agreeing to disagree and still get along? Thanks for this reminder to guard my heart with all diligence.

Do unto others (Golden Rule) came to mind as I read today's devotion. A very difficult rule to follow! Yet we are called to follow it as we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Billy Graham's prayer is so timely in 2012! Thank you David for sharing it. It is thought provoking and a theme for prayer. Cynthia, please know that the God we serve is able! Be encouraged and trusting as you and your daughter are in our Father's hands and in our prayers. Be encouraged and blessed UR family.

God bless those who disagree with me--especially other Christians, since they may be most upset about my beliefs.

Wow! Powerful devotional and much thought-provoking discussing this Wednesday morning in May. I, like many of you here, do not watch much TV or listen to much news on the radio. I prefer to pick and choose via the internet. I feel our media here in the U.S. has become much too politicized and rare is the story about the good people do in this world. I ask now that God help each and every one of us to make a difference in our corners of this crazy world by letting His light shine through us. Sometimes something as simple as a smile can change someone's day and perhaps the rest of their lives. Not that I always succeed in living that way but I'm working on it and am trying to make it a point to pray not just in the morning's and evenings, but throughout the day. Being a "work in progress" is hard work but well worth the time! Have a blessed day!!

Also, please add my son Chris and his family to your prayers. They were in a car accident (minor) yesterday so added stress to their lives. Thank you!

Good morning, UR Family!! I hope you all had a restful night! Richard, thank you so much for this devotional! I simply could not agree with you more! Too often, people are labeled in ways that make them appear to have less value than others. One way some people are labeled, in particular, that has always bothered me are those who have served time in prison. When they have finished their sentences and return to society, they are labeled as "ex-cons" and because of that label, they sometimes find it so difficult to rebuild their lives outside the prison walls. I do not like that because these people, who have completed their sentences and want to have a better life, deserve the chance to do so, without society "labeling" them and making it all the more difficult. In my opinion, this is as though society is sentencing them to yet another prison term...and this one even harder to be freed from. There are so many ways we label people. But, Jesus loves all the people! I think about the disciples in Jesus' time. As many of us know, the Jews and the Gentiles literally could not stand each other. Each group thought the other was beneath them and of little value. But, Jesus, in His love and mercy, told His disciples that He came to this earth to save BOTH the Jew and the Gentile!! He died for all of us, not just a few. There is a statement I heard once, "The person you dismiss or deem as unimportant, is a person who Jesus Christ died to redeem"....powerful words!!

- Sheila - I don't watch much news either. In fact, very little. There is so much negativity in the media today. Instead of being informational, it is full of "mud-slinging". I don't care for that at all.

- Maggie - That was a great exercise that teacher did with those students! That was a great way to teach them about the value of people!

- Judy - Bless you for your ministry as a pastor's wife!! As you know, being a pastor's wife is not an easy job, but it is worth it! You are so correct in that this calling, this ministry, is about both of us....not just my pastor husband!

- Cynthia of Palm Coast - Thank you for bringing your concerns to us today so that we can take them to the Lord in prayer. I will be praying for both you and your daughter! May God be with you, the doctors, hospital staff, and all those who will be involved. I pray for your healing and I pray for God's comfort and peace to fill you!!

I pray you all have a blessed day and I will keep you lifted in prayer!!! Blessings...

Thank-you, David, for the Billy Graham quote. It is a telling description of our attitudes today; our character is surely being tested. May we help and share with others, showing them the way of love, not hate.

Richard and the UR staff, thank you for this devotion. During these days of mudslinging, finger pointing, and name calling, especially in the political arena, it's important to remember that we're ALL God's children, and therefore worthy of love and respect. We must set the example for our children and grand children. Just because we don't share the same faith, sexual orientation, race, economic background,or politics does not give us license to belittle, judge, or discount the worth of our fellow man (or woman)!

Dialogue creates respect. I always say that if you can spend a half hour just conversing with someone, you will find you have something in common. It doesn't matter what background you come from. It also seems that many of us have grown weary of the soundbite mentality, the negativity, and the name-calling, and are searching for something more. It's amazing how people will respond to a little kindness, and any positive interaction. A little "nice" goes a long way. Have a great day!

Cynthia, Palm Coast, you and your daughter will be in my prayers and I am sure from all the faithful prayer partners. May God's hand of healing be with you and your daughter and that all will go well for you both, Sisterly love in God.

This is such a wonderful devotion and such a badly needed message in our society today. We do indeed live in a time when anger, positioning, and shouting seem to have become the norm. We need to rediscover the value of listening thoughtfully, objectively, and respectfully to those with whom we differ. We mislead ourselves when we paste labels and pigeonhole people into convenient groups. Each of us is a child of God, and a unique creation; no two of us are alike. Thank you, Richard.

David, thank you for posting Reverend Graham's comments, a man who never yields to the influence or divisiveness of secularism. Rich, Marietta, GA

Lots of thought provoking items in today's devotional and comments for sure! Prayers to Cynthia and daughter, Cindy and son, and all others who have spoken and unspoken needs. Thanks for the prayers for my dear friend Randy Newman's ministry and I will let him know our UR family from around the world are lifting him in prayer. Peace, blessings and grace to all.

Thanks you Richard for the message. What we need to realize is that every one has something to bring to the table. Some just take longer to get there than others. When I get up in the morning I do not turn on the TV until I have read all the Ur messages . My wife will ask me can I turn on the TV now. We all need our time ..........I life everyone in Prayer and Blessing to all.........

I awoke somewhat panicked. What if my mother passes while I am away? How can I honor all the people who are traveling to the celebration while leaving my mother behind? What if my son doesn't pass the entrance test to the new job?

Once again reading the scripture, Richard's reflection and the messages posted herein, I find my center. As I read your thoughts, concerns and hopes I am reminded that God is in charge. All will be well. My sister and I are not only ministering to our widowed mother in her distress but witnessing to those who are watching. By the grace of God and legacy of our parents, we will testify to the scriptures this day.

2 Timothy 1:7-10
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,...

Bless each and everyone of you as you go through this day. Amen and Amen.

Thank you Richard. Help me, Lord, today and everyday to see past the outside of a person and get to know them even they may look and act much differently. I too don't watch much tv, reading the Bible and getting on this site is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you for all the words of wisdom you all share.
May the joy inside of us as Christians reflect on our faces today and everyday.
Blessings to you all UR family and prayers go out to you.

Thank you for sharing your profound reflection with us. Today is my birthday, so I am thankful to God for another year. My parents are in the Land of Love, but I feel their spirit, especially today. My mother used to say people dislike what they don’t understand. As followers of Christ, WE ARE FAMILY!

To Dan Nelson's comment on 2012-05-16 at 4:45 AM
Dan, I believe your insight into the transformation you experienced in your relationships with people and how this influenced your personal faith would have great value among our readers. I encourage you to develop your comment this morning into a devotional/meditation and submit it for possible publication in The Upper Room magazine.

Amen Richard, simply Amen and God's blessings to all :-) TAN

Good morning, UR family! What a glorious day the Lord has made. The devotional is very thought provoking and timely. There will be more "antagonism" as the world tries to intervene on God's world. I am pleased, though, to see more and more Christian groups taking a stand. Could we possibly be in a revival and wanting to put people's eyes on God rather than what the world values? I pray that I will be more open about the Lord's work and also less judgmental with others. Be more open to the children of God. So many valued comments. Blessings to all. Praying for those on Cindy's list and those who have posted after. What better place to open up the prayer lines. Thanks, too, for the prayer of Billy Graham. It is amazing how his words and his belief in the Lord still con't to surface in a timely manner. Truly a man of God.

Prayers go out to Deborah on her birthday today!
JK, I too, remembered Lautan's devotional while reading today's. Praying for brother in laws scans today.
Jill, praying for your daughter's healing. Isn't is something how pain and joy are together in our life. New baby, but needed healing.
Cynthia, special prayers for you and your daughter. Praying God will guide the hands of the surgeons and you can rest in peace that God is in control during this time for both of you. Remember, Let go and Let God!
Cindy, enjoy your "first day of freedom" after a year of school related things. God does know our needs, doesn't he?
Praises to our Lord and Savior.

Thank you Richard for the devotional today....Prayers JK. for your brother in-law that his scan will show healing.... Dan praise you for having a relationship with the homeless, it can be very rewarding. I have worked in a soup kitchen years ago and it always made me feel so warm inside to do that. I now knit hats and scarfs for the homeless and the poor . We call our group " The mile a minute Knitters"... Thank you Cindy for continued prayers for my Daughter in-law. Praying always for Jerry...Charlotte prayers for your Son and family , thanking God that the accident was minor and praying that it will not cause stress in their lives. Blessings to all

Jackie of San Antonio. . . I could so identify with your concerns, and I'm sure we have all encountered people like this. It reminded me of something about my mother. When someone really annoyed her, she would often say under her breath, "Give me strength, Lord, give me strength!"
 As I grew up I realized that it was her way of admitting that she did not want to argue, and would do just about anything to avoid conflict, even when she was pretty upset.

When I sometimes came home from school really mad over something another child said or did, one of her responses was to ask me, "If you had to choose, would you rather be (that person) or would you rather be you?" I always said I'd rather be me," although as a teenager, I had to think about my answer a little longer.

Over the years that helped me to realize that many people who behave badly like the woman you describe are very insecure. They think they are hiding that by being overbearing, taking credit for the work of others, or putting other people down. The vast majority of those who interact with such a person can see what's going on. You said she "doesn't have a life," and how sad if that is really the case. Who would want to live like that?
I would rather be me!
When I get over my initial negative response to such behavior, at least sometimes I realize the sadness behind someone who really does want to "be" someone else, and is going about it all the wrong ways.

Please give me strength, Lord, to see past the behavior of people who push others out of the way. Please give me the grace to love them in their weakness, and pray that they can learn to love themselves in the same way God loves us all.

Amen

Sheila- Really enjoyed your comments. JUST LOVE, what powerful words. What a great world if people would love God and others as we are told to in the Bible.
Deborah- Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day!
David- Thanks for sharing the words from Billy Graham, so wise and true.

Good afternoon UR family I am a little late today I was busy setting up early tables and chairs for AP and IB testing at our church. I pray you all had a blessed day. Richard, thanks for you scripture, I totally agree I have even stopped watching the news because all they have is violence and nasty comments about politicians . Listening to them it is amazing anyone is ever elected. As a retired sailor you can imagine how difficult it is for me to bridle my tongue and thank the Lord for His forgiveness or I would be in real trouble. I pray the Lord will continue to work with me, because lately he has done an exceptional job. God is Love!!!
Edd of Ocala, FL

I echo the words of Vicki, Teresa, Dena and Patricia.....Thanks to all for the prayers for my b-i-l. Thanks Richard for the thoughts today and sharing them with this family.

Thank you for that Richard. I live in Australia where we've just had a particularly nasty state election with lots of attacks from both sides of politics. Your devotion was a good reminder that we shouldn't be like that, but we should value people even if we disagree with their viewpoint. Thanks for sharing.