This Amanda Marrazzo column was well done. Think about how you treat the people you see the most…

“So, think about the guy who gives you coffee in the morning, the garbage man, waiter or waitress, anyone who is doing anything that makes your life a bit better. We are all of equal value sharing this earth for a short time, working hard to make a better life. Each interaction presents an opportunity to leave the world a little warmer or a lot colder.”

The post AOK Thursday: Daily Interactions first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

“Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I’m telling you, you’re not my brother and you’re not my sister, and I want to be your brother.”

He has since apologized, and as Jesus taught forgiveness, perhaps we’ll cut him a little slack. Then you’ve got Franklin Graham, son of Billy, complaining about the terrific Obama speech gave at the memorial for the Tucson shooting victims. Apparently there wasn’t enough Christian God in the text for Graham, so he made the gigantic leap to:

“They scoff at the name of Jesus Christ.”

So, I need a little reminder that there is some kindness and sanity in this world. For that, I’ll turn to the Southwest Airlines pilot who purposely delayed the departure of a flight so that one of his late-arriving passengers could make the trip to say goodbye to a dying grandson. When the passenger finally boarded, the pilot was there to greet him:

“They can’t go anywhere without me and I wasn’t going anywhere without you. Now relax. We’ll get you there. And again, I’m so sorry.”

The post AOK Thursday: Bags Fly Free + first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

“If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.” – Matthew 5:40-42

Brought to present day, here’s a nice story of a Waukegan waitress who took Jesus’ instructions to heart (whether she knew it or not).

The post AOK Thursday: Giving first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

Watch, think, and thank a Veteran for their service:

The post AOK Thursday: Veterans Day first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

I’m talking about the “comments” people post. It could be a story about baby pandas or a child prodigy or a new all-natural candy bar that tastes great and has no calories and the comments would be still be filled to the brim with hate and churning stomach acids. People screaming at each other and the world at large. I won’t even mention the political articles.

Wouldn’t Jesus be appalled at this behavior? You may hide behind your WACKBOY885 handle and think all of your bile is anonymous fun, but it’s not. It’s hate pollution.

If you believe Jesus is watching all things at all times, consider yourself in line for a good smiting.

Then consider some kindness.

The post AOK Thursday: Online Comments first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

“The court is going to require that you do three random acts of kindness which you don’t have to come back to the court to report on. That’s between you and your maker.”

Watch the full story:

The post AOK Thursday: Judge’s Orders first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

Broadway’s Pastor, Brent Beasley, wrote a letter to BGCT saying that his church is committed to:

“welcoming all persons into our church, including the outcast, those on the margins of society, and those who have not found that welcome in many other places, including, unfortunately, many churches.” [As a result, Broadway Baptist Church has] “become a vital and diverse community of faith, coming from many different backgrounds and representing many different perspectives, but united in the love and grace of Jesus Christ.”

So how is this “radical,” very Christian stance working out?

“These are good days at Broadway. Our finances are strong — our giving is ahead of expenses and well ahead of last year; the spirit of the congregation is positive and healthy; our worship attendance is on the rise; new families and individuals are finding their place at Broadway.  We continue to serve those in need in a multitude of ways.  We are focused on our mission in the present and beginning to look to the future, which is exciting.”

The post AOK Thursday: Where Kindness and Justice Meet first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

The Center will use the funds to continue its exploration “into how healthy qualities of mind such as kindness, empathy and compassion develop and might be nurtured.”

Pretty interesting. If you take a look around you, I’m sure you’ll agree that not everyone is kind. Or at least that some people are kinder than others. Maybe it’s genes, maybe it’s upbringing. But maybe, kindness can be taught.

The post AOK Thursday: Kindness Research first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

Ms. Mustion is a single mother of three daughters who has offered to donate a kidney to her mother who is suffering from kidney disease and diabetes:

“Even if you’re on the list, sometimes it takes 10 years or more to find a suitable donor.” The doctors said her body would have a better chance of accepting the kidney if it came from a family member. I got tested and found out that the match was beyond perfect. I agreed immediately – it was never a question.”

It will take a couple of months for Ms. Muntion to recover, and the three girls will no doubt have a few more items on their to-do list during that time. It’s an act of kindness from the whole family.

The post AOK Thursday: Definitely Not Random first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.

Sorry, but I don’t buy it and neither does Susan Smalley, PhD in Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA. She says in a recent essay,

“While the acts may be directed toward anonymous people or animals, the person’s act of kindness is anything but random — it is deliberate and directional — non-random in nature.

I think that the non-random nature of kindness is key to its value. It reflects a conscious choice on the part of the actor, to give, to help, to share and to soothe.”

So give some kindness, and give yourself some credit at the same time.

The post AOK Thursday: No Such Thing as “Random” first appeared on What He Said: The Words of Jesus Christ.