OCTOBER 2017

NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH

Before getting into the chosen topic for this month, I would like to mention that October 29th is Reformation Sunday, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation that led from Luther in Germany to John Calvin in Switzerland.  Calvin was the developer of the theological school of practice that led to what we know as Presbyterianism today.  Now to the topic for the month.
National Bullying Prevention Month was founded in 2006.  I’m sure that there has been a time in the life of each of us that we have felt like someone was bulling or trying to bully us.  Bullying is a disgraceful action that too often is put into action by people who don’t know how to accept others who are different than they are.  Somehow the bully feels like he or she is superior or better than the person or group chosen to be bullied.  I personally think that it is reflective of in inward insecurity about one’s own personhood and covers it up by putting down, making fun of others, or even doing physical harm to someone. 

There are a number of verses in the Bible that can be useful in our defense against a bully or reminding us not to be a bully.  Let’s take them to heart and practice their message for us.

“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. ---Leviticus 19:18
“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life.”---1 John 3:15
“Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads to evildoing.”---Psalm 37:8
“Never pay back evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.”--- Prov. 17:14.

“The beginning of strife is like letting out water.  So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.”---Proverbs 15:1.

“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGENCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN DOING SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”---Romans 12:19-20

God bless!  Fred