Ever hear of, "UBUNTU?"

What can "UBUNTU" teach you and I?

An anthropologist proposed a game to African tribe kids. 
He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told them that whoever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each others hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: UBUNTU, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?

Did you know that the Bible emphasizes this idea of "togetherness" throughout its pages? I searched online and look what I came up with: 

. Matthew 18:15-19.Restore one another.
. Matthew 22:35-40.Love one another.
. Matthew 23:23-26.Practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness with one another.
. Matthew 28:18-20.Disciple one another.
. Mark 9:50.Be at peace with one another.
. Luke 10:25-37.Love one another.
. John 13:14.Serve one another.
. John 13:34-35.Love one another.
. John 15:12-13, 17.Love one another.
. John 17:20-26.United with one another.
. Acts 2:42-47.Learn, share, and worship with one another.
. Acts 4:32-37.United in heart with one another.
. Acts 6:1-7.Care for one another.
. Acts 11:22-26.Encourage one another.
. Romans 1:11-12.Mutually encourage one another.
. Romans 12:3-8.Members one of another.
. Romans 12:10.Devoted to one another in brotherly love.
. Romans 12:10.Honor one another.
. Romans 12:15.Rejoice with one another.
. Romans 12:15.Weep with one another.
. Romans 12:16.Live in harmony with one another.
. Romans 13:8-10.Love one another.
. Romans 14:13.Stop passing judgment on one another.
. Romans 14:19.Edify one another.
. Romans 15:1.Bear with one another.
. Romans 15:2.Please one another.
. Romans 15:2.Build up one another.
. Romans 15:5.United with one another.
. Romans 15:7.Accept one another.
. Romans 15:14.Instruct one another.
. Romans 16:16.Greet one another with a holy kiss.
. 1 Corinthians 1:10.Agree with one another.
. 1 Corinthians 4:6.Do not take pride in one person over another.
. 1 Corinthians 10:24.Seek the good of one another.
. 1 Corinthians 12:4-27.Members one of another.
. 1 Corinthians 12:25.Equal concern for one another.
. 1 Corinthians 12:26.Suffer with one another.
. 1 Corinthians 12:26.Rejoice with one another.
. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.Love one another.
. 1 Corinthians 14:1-3.Strengthen, encourage, and comfort one another.
. 1 Corinthians 16:20.Greet one another with a holy kiss.
. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11.Comfort one another.
. 2 Corinthians 2:7-11.Forgive one another and reaffirm your love for one another.
. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.Live for one another.
. 2 Corinthians 13:12.Greet one another with a holy kiss.
. Galatians 5:13.Serve one another in love.
. Galatians 5:15.Stop biting and devouring one another.
. Galatians 5:26.Stop provoking and envying one another.
. Galatians 6:1-3.Restore one another.
. Galatians 6:1-3.Carry each otherfs burdens.
. Ephesians 4:1-7.Bear with one another in love.
. Ephesians 4:11-16.Equip one another through speaking the truth in love.
. Ephesians 4:25.Speak truthfully to one another.
. Ephesians 4:29.Speak words that build up one another.
. Ephesians 4:32.Be kind and compassionate to one another.
. Ephesians 4:32.Forgive each other.
. Ephesians 5:19.Speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
. Ephesians 5:21.Submit to one another.
. Philippians 2:1-5.Consider others better than self.
. Philippians 2:1-5.Look out for the interests of others.
. Philippians 4:2.Agree with each other in the Lord.
. Colossians 1:25-2:2.Admonish, and teach one another.
. Colossians 3:9.Do not lie to one another.
. Colossians 3:12-14.Bear with one another.
. Colossians 3:12-14.Forgive one another.
. Colossians 3:15-17.Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.
. 1 Thessalonians 2:12.Encourage, comfort, and urge one another.
. 1 Thessalonians 3:12.Increase in overflowing love for one another.
. 1 Thessalonians 4:9.Love each other.
. 1 Thessalonians 4:18.Encourage each other.
.. 1 Thessalonians 5:11.Build up each other.
. 1 Thessalonians 5:13.Live in peace with one another.
. 1 Thessalonians 5:14.Urge, warn, encourage, help, and be patient with one another.
. 1 Thessalonians 5:15.Be kind to each other.
. 2 Thessalonians 1:3.Love one another.
. 2 Thessalonians 3:15.Warn one another as brothers.
. 1 Timothy 5:20.Rebuke one another.
. 2 Timothy 2:2.Disciple and teach one another.
. 2 Timothy 2:22-26.Gently instruct one another in kindness.
. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.Teach, rebuke, correct, and train one another.
. 2 Timothy 4:1-8.Preach, correct, rebuke, encourage, and carefully instruct one another.
. Titus 1:6-11.Encourage one another by sound doctrine.
. Titus 2:1-15.Mentor one another.
. Hebrews 3:7-19.Encourage one another daily.
. Hebrews 10:24.Consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
. Hebrews 10:25.Do not give up meeting with one another.
. Hebrews 10:25.Encourage one another.
. Hebrews 13:1.Keep on loving each other as brothers.
. James 2:8.Love one another.
. James 4:11.Do not slander one another.
. James 5:9.Do not grumble against one another.
. James 5:13-16.Pray for one another.
. James 5:16.Confess your sins to one another.
. 1 Peter 1:22.Love one another deeply from the heart.
. 1 Peter 3:8.Live in harmony with one another.
. 1 Peter 4:8.Above all, love each other deeply.
. 1 Peter 4:9.Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
. 1 Peter 4:10.Use all gifts to serve one another faithfully.
. 1 Peter 5:5.Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.
. 1 Peter 5:14.Greet one another with a kiss of love.
. 1 John 1:7.Have fellowship with one another.
. 1 John 2:7-17.Love one another.
. 1 John 3:16-18.Lay down your life for one another.

Yowza! Enough "One Another's" for you? Apparently, living in community and helping one another is very close to God's heart! 
I lead a bible study where one of our key values is "family-style" ministry. Sometimes the group laughs when I ask them how a family should treat one another -but then I challenge them to consider our group the "ideal" family. A family where we get it right, a family where the standards are high. 
Let's circle back before I close. In the described African community above, UBUNTU means, "I am because we are." Think for a momenent about your life. Today. Yesterday. The day before that. Is UBUNTU a part of it? If it isn't, you might be living a bit too selfishly. Find a way to expand your living by helping others. Take a small step in the direction of UBUNTU, it will change your life for the better.

Poem: Sermons We See

Sermons We See 

by Edgar A. Guest 

I'd rather see a sermon

than hear one any day,

I'd rather one would walk with me

than merely tell the way;

The eye's a better pupil

and more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing,

but example's always clear;

The best of all the preachers

are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action

is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it,

if you'll let me see it done,

I can watch your hands in action,

your tongue too fast may run;

The lectures you deliver

may be very wise and true,

But I'd rather get my lessons

by observing what you do;

I may not understand

the high advice you give,

But there's no misunderstanding

how you act and how you live. 

Crack Pot

A story ...

An elderly Chinese man had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the man bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the man one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old man smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?" "That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them." "For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

The Apostle Paul said, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:9-11).  Thinking of the story above, it is interesting to note that God sees our cracks -and in spite of them - decides to use us.  

LORD, thank you for seeing our flaws and in spite of them still use us as your vessels.  Amen. 

The Blue Rose

The Blue Rose

A Story...

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to

go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs,

paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the 
checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who

appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently 

waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his 

hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice,

"Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned 
and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened
and surprise exploded on his face as I said, 

"Hey Buddy, what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.

"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. "You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass
by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes
about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with
excitement, because he was the center of someone's attention. He then
abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time
to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him,
much less talk to him.

I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea
where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. 

I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in
God's Garden; however, 
"Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. 

You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion, but I sure love living in God's garden."

She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes. 

May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head and 
walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.

A friend of mine emailed this story to me.  

It moved me deeply.  

No wonder Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto Me." 

I get the idea that Jesus was trying to get a message across that was much deeper than what His disciples could actually see.  I believe He wanted to teach His followers to stop and acknowledge people.  Too often we just hurry through life and miss all kinds of hurting people right around us.  

The man in this story was wise enough to give a little of his time to this 15 year old boy and in doing so, he was giving more than just time, he was giving part of his life away.  

He was investing.  He was acknowledging something unique.  

He took the time to smell the rose. 

Building Bridges

Once upon a time,
two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door.
He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I 'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with?

     Could I help you?

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

--It was a bridge. 

-A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other-

A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his
hand outstretched..

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."

Ephesians 4:32  
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."