Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

• Hebrews 10:24-25

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

• Ephesians 4:29

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:14

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

• Philippians 2:4

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Before I get started, if anyone who regularly gets likes from me has had gaps in that lately, I apologize.  I get about one hundred e-mails each day, advertising the posts of people who I follow.  My reading has been hampered lately due to a couple of minor outpatient surgeries.  These surgeries have carried with them an inability to sit for any length of time.  Thus, my writings have been decidedly shorter in most cases, and I have had to skip reading many of the posts from those that I follow.

I truly think that if I can become more efficient, I can improve in those areas.  The like button is a little encouragement, but leaving comments behind is more.  Conversations can get started, and we both can benefit as a result.

God does not want us to be too busy, but He wants us to love one another.  That can start with an encouraging word.

I will try to improve my performance.  Maybe with less medical procedures, that can be accomplished, but I know of many time-wasting activities that are not productive in my life.

With prayer and focusing more on God each day, we can all be better at showing God’s love for others.  And I put myself among those who can improve in such regards.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.