THE CALL TO TOLERANCE

In the last few years, for whatso ever reason, many people are becoming more, and more intolerant to one another. The Sage Journals says, speaking on, The Psychology of Intolerance says, “Prejudiced people are narrow-minded because of their need for structure and definiteness, whereas non-prejudiced people are characterized by mental flexibility and differentiation… The intolerant person is characterized by a closed mind or dogmatic personality in contrast to the open-mindedness of the tolerant person. The intolerant person has difficulty accepting different views, beliefs, and practices of other people because of a lack of openness to experience and feelings of fear and uncertainty.”

 

Although intolerance has a negative connotation, no individual or group can be tolerant of everything. Intolerance of drinking and driving is not considered a vice but a virtue. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines tolerance as "sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own."

 

As humans, what should be our response to people who are different? The word of GOD encourages all men to, "Let your speech always be gracious, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." Colossians 4:6 NASB.

 

Put it another way. When differences arise, God clearly instructs His followers to respond with grace. In its simplest form, grace is patience, understanding, forgiveness and tolerance. More specifically, it is compassion for another's differences that mimics the forgiveness each person is granted through the Holy Spirit.

 

Worldly tolerance says: There are no rules, so don’t judge others’ choices. Biblical tolerance says: I will share God’s truth with others in gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15-16. In Scripture, tolerance is linked with love — agape love, the selfless kind. For example, Ephesians 4:2 urges us to show “tolerance for one another in love” (NASB). Tolerance starts with being others-centered rather than self-centered.

As it is said, “Toleration has never been the cause of civil war; while, on the contrary, persecution has covered the earth with blood and carnage.”

 

My friend, in every association of life, calls for the exercise of self-control, forbearance, and sympathy. As humans, “we differ so widely in disposition, habits, and education, that our ways of looking at things vary. We judge differently. Our understanding of truth, our ideas regarding the conduct of life, are not in all respects the same. There are no two persons on earth whose experience is alike in every particular. The trials of one are not the trials of another. The duties that one finds light, are to another most difficult and perplexing.”

 

Truth be spoken, we all are struggling with low tolerance as more and more people are securing comfort in what you call, "the stupidly Love Chair of not looking to God for help.”

 

Simply spoken, we are all in the same boat together. Some people are getting to the exit part of the boat, some are at the entrance, and some are somewhere between. The question we need to ask ourselves today is, which part of the boat am I in?  

 

Today, if we seek God for help, He will help us overcome our low tolerance. May God help me / you / all of us to overcome! 

 

Not looking down on anyone, at times, we are so frail, and ignorant to misconception is human nature, that each should be careful in the estimate we place upon another. We little know the bearing of our acts upon the experience of others. What we do or say to others may seem to us of little importance, but if our eyes were opened to the feelings of others, we would see the real results of our words, deeds, and reaction, for good or for evil.

 

Let us all remember, the willingness to allow the existence of opinions, or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with, shows great tolerance on our part. Despite our inherent and attained differences, tolerance allows us to keep an open mind in our dealings with those who are not the same as us. Today is a wakeup call for all of us to be more tolerant with each other. May the peace of the LORD go with you. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings.

 

By GARDEN MINISTRY – Chaplain Kevin J.T. Santucci

THE IMPORTANCE OF REST

The aim of this devotional today, as all of the messages God gives me, is to encourage all of us in our walk with Him, and our fellowman. The importance of rest goes back to creation. Physicians tell us that the average human needs 8 hours of sleep. But rest is not something you can quantify. Rest is broad. Sleep is a form of rest . Rest is freedom from work. Notice the word "freedom" in the definition. It implies that if you don't rest, you are a slave to work.

There are many forms of rest . Oftentimes, we only focus on physical rest, but the other forms are equally important. There's SOCIAL rest, which includes spending time with friends and family, and there is also mental rest.

Within every twenty-four hours, the body should have time to rest. The principle of rest also applies to the weekly cycle. In creation, God set aside one full day for rest, and the other six days are to be used for work and recreation.

Biblically speaking, the day of rest in the Bible is called the Sabbath. During this day, the body and mind should pull away from the cares of the world to worship and rest in the Lord. Spending time in nature brings edit rejuvenation to the body and mind.

"Overall, rest is a crucial part of maintaining our health and wellbeing. By allowing our bodies time to recover, rest helps prevent injuries and improve overall performance. It also aids in muscle repair, reduces inflammation, and supports a healthy immune system. Additionally, rest helps manage stress levels and lowers blood pressure, contributing to a healthier heart. The impact of rest on mental and emotional well-being should not be underestimated. Taking regular breaks and engaging in activities like meditation or simply unplugging from technology can enhance focus, concentration, and cognitive function. Rest also promotes stress reduction, anxiety management, and mood regulation. Furthermore, it allows the brain to process information, fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities."

The big question today is, should everyone follow the command of God to stop working on the day of rest outlined in the Bible? The answer to this question is, NO! In every country, there are some jobs that require people to work. The persons who work in these jobs are called essential workers. As a citizen of your country, It is important you understand the role you play in helping your country, and its people to function at the highest level if they need your services.

In Sabbath observance, God has made provisions for mankind to care for His children's needs, health and safety. These people are classified as essential workers in their countries.

This includes: doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, prison officers, police service officers, fire fighters, social workers, border control personnel (immigration and customs enforcement officers), care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff, including community pharmacists and their staff, students on clinical placements, volunteers and unpaid careers.

If you are a person who is working in your country in any of these areas. Serve your country with joy, as unto the Lord. And take time where you can to rest.

When God created the world, the day of rest, which is the Sabbath, was hallowed at the creation. It had its origin when "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Job 38:7.

Peace brooded over the world; for the earth was in harmony with heaven. "God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good;" and He rested in the joy of His completed work. Genesis 1:31.

Because He had rested upon the Sabbath, "God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it,"--set it apart for a holy use. He gave it to Adam as a day of rest. It was a memorial of the work of creation, and thus a sign of His creative power and His love. Genesis 2:3.

The Scripture says, "He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered." Psalms 111:4

"The things that are made," declare "the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world," "even His everlasting power and divinity." Romans 1:20.

All things were created by the Son of God. "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. . . . All things were made by Him; and without Him, was not anything made, that was made." John 1:1-3.

The Sabbath calls our thoughts to nature, and brings us into communion with the Creator. In the song of the bird, the sighing of the trees, and the music of the sea, we still may hear His voice who talked with Adam in Eden in the cool of the day. And as we behold His power in nature, we find comfort, for the word that created all things is that which speaks life to the soul. He "who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6.

African Proverb is right: Even the mightiest eagle comes down to the tree tops to rest. May we all take out time where we can, to rest.

If you are blessed through this devotion, share it. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings.

By GARDEN MINISTRY - Chaplain Kevin J.T Santucci

WE ALL HEAL OVER TIME - (IN HONOR OF KEVINA J.L. SANTUCCI

 

If you have suffered the loss of a significant person in your life, then you understand the pain that death brings when it comes.

On this day, three years ago, February 12, 2021, our families heart, was torn apart at the death of our daughter Kevina J. L. Santucci.

She was in her 34th year, and mother to one child, Karis.

Lessons learned so far:

1. To this day, people still speak of her work ethics, and attention to detail. Kevina was a person who helped people, up to the last day of her unexpected death. Try to do the same if you can.

2. Take time to glorify and magnify God, for giving us the life of our loving, caring, big hearted daughter, mother, sister, couson, and friend.

3. Personally, I thank God for giving comfort (console and encouragement) to my family in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by Him.

4. Let us all remember that life is a journey filled with trials and tribulations that test our resilience, strength, and character. Each one of us faces obstacles every day. Yet, with each challenge, whether big or small, it tests the limits of our inner strength.

5. The word of inspiration to all of us today is, "Those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are living proof of the tender care of God, who makes the darkness as well as the light and chastens us for our good. Christ is the light of the world; in Him is no darkness."

6. Words will always be inadequate to express our love of her, until we see her with all our loved once, at the Second Coming of Jesus. From that day on, we will never part again.

7. Finally, I leave you with the words from Kevina's last public post on Facebook on February 9th, 2021, "Don't waste your words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all."

Have a happy day. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings.

By GARDEN MINISTRY - Chaplain Kevin J.T Santucci 

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