Using the gifts differing according to the grace

God's ideas always aim to reveal undetected, underdeveloped potential.

'Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.' Romans 12:6


Dear God, I ask you to constantly feed me
with your wisdom
and give me an insight into your wonderful works.
I thank you for your grace
and ask that it may help me to come to help others,
to let them know You and your son better.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Met behulp van de verscheiden gaven naar de genade

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Speciesism and racism

English: Peter Singer speaking at a Veritas Forum event on MIT's campus on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Veritas Forum: http://www.veritas.org/ Photo by Joel Travis Sage: http://www.joelsage.com/ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The doyen of utilitarian philosophers, Peter Singer, of Princeton University explains in an interview in the New York Times  that while racism still exists, most people are aware that they are wrong. However, this is far from being the case with animals.

Although it is true, of course, that we have not overcome racism, sexism or discrimination against people with disabilities, there is at least widespread acceptance that such discrimination is wrong, and there are laws that seek to prevent it. With speciesism, we are very far from reaching that point. If we were to compare attitudes about speciesism today with past racist attitudes, we would have to say that we are back in the days in which the slave trade was still legal, although under challenge by some enlightened voices.

Christians should be much more aware of their impact of their food use in this universe. We should be much more aware what we are doing in nature or causing to animals and plants by our choice of food.

one might argue that to kill a normal human being who wants to go on living is more seriously wrong than killing a nonhuman animal. Whether this claim is or is not sound, it is not speciesist. But given that some human beings – most obviously, those with profound intellectual impairment – lack this capacity, or have it to a lower degree than some nonhuman animals, it would be speciesist to claim that it is always more seriously wrong to kill a member of the species Homo sapiens than it is to kill a nonhuman animal.

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God Feeds The Birds

God Feeds The Birds

MATTHEW 6:26 LB
26 Look at the birds! They don't worry about what to eat-- they don't need to sow or reap or store up food -- for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.

 

English: Female House Sparrow, Bairnsdale Australia. Taken in September 2006. See also Image:House sparrow03.jpg. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever watched birds eating on a snowy day? It takes some effort on their part. They don't just sit in a heated house waiting for someone to bring them food.
Is God feeding them? Directly or indirectly?
Jesus stated clearly that God is the one who provides food for the birds. This implies that God provides for every creature.
Yet, if a bird sits still, instead of gathering the food God has provided for them, they will starve.
Yes, the birds can be a good lesson for us. They don't worry. Neither should we. They gather what God provides for them. So should we.

I don't know whether the birds are thankful to God, or not. But we should be thankful. And we should recognize that God is the Source of all the good that we enjoy in life.

So work, but don't worry. (And if you can't do normal work -- still don't worry, because God cares more for you than He does the birds, and He will provide for you somehow.)
SAY THIS: God cares for the birds, so I know He will take care of me.

-   a devotion

2013 update:

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Count your blessings

If you have food in the fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than three quarters of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or a few coins lying around, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than sickness, you are more blessed than the million that will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of war, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation,

you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married,

you are blessed with a rare gift.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, touch them on the shoulder, or even hug them, you are blessed because you can offer a healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over countless millions in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings,

and remind others how blessed we all are.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Tel uw zegeningen

A treasure which can give me everything I need

"For anything worth having one must pay the price;
and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice.
No paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service."
- John Burroughs 1837-1921

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant,
whom the master has put in charge of the servants
in his household to give them their food at the proper time?
It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions."
Matthew 24:45-47

Dear God, do give me spiritual food and blessing.
Let me carry your Word as a precious treasure
which can give me everything I need.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Een schat die mij alles kan geven wat ik nodig heb