MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023, MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023, MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY 

I decided a while back that today I would look at some quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King.  But, I realized they were both new to me - and “old” to me.  I could say “I have a dream” and attribute that to Dr. King, but I didn’t know the rest of that statement.  I didn’t realize that we had so much in common with my “preaching Love Wins” (I don’t think I’m preaching, but I probably am”

So, take some time to reflect on where we are - and where we need to go.

https://www.countryliving.com/life/inspirational-stories/g38736601/mlk-quotes/

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First, I remember just the first four words - I have a dream.  Do I have a dream?  Do you have a dream?  Maybe it can be “I have a vision”!!! I see a world with love, and not hate.  Sure that is impossible with people but possible with God!!

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."

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"Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.”

He said, “I want you to be the first in love” (and moral excellence and generosity).  Think of that - how can I be the FIRST in LOVE?  How can YOU be the FIRST in LOVE?  Agape Love - God’s LOVE - “For God so LOVED the world” type of love!!! 

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“The time is always right to do what is right.”

I sometimes (most times?) have “lead in my butt”.  It is too comfortable to sit in my cozy chair in my cozy living room to get up and do what is right.  I can rationalize and say “Somebody else will do that <action> It doesn’t need to be me”.  And, maybe it doesn’t need to be me - but there have been times that God’s Spirit moves me to get up and live LOVE.

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“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

Yup, I agree with Dr. King - LOVE is a much lighter load to carry, than hatred.  I have been consumed by hatred only a few times and I’m ashamed of myself.  

“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”

There have been times I wanted to gloat (and with bitterness and hatred).  I see that in sports - “OUR” team just beat the terrible mean rival - Yeehaw”.  I see that in business and even in education.  Gloating (at least to me) is a form of hatred.

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“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Mark 3:24 says, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

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“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.”

Always be ready to forgive.  (I am reminded of some unforgiveness in my life - over a dumb financial thing.  God has dealt with me several times on forgiveness - may be some day I’ll learn!!!) 

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“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

Unarmed truth AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE will WIN!!  I can’t let my love be conditional - I’ll love you if you do <thus and so> is wrong.  I’ll love you even if you nail me to a cross!!!

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"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' "

Life is not a spectator sport!!!  Get up and love others!!!

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“Because I've been to the mountaintop. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” (excerpts)

I’ve been to the mountaintop too.  It’s beautiful, it is awesome, it is infinite love, infinite beauty, the infinity of God.  But, I can’t live there - at least I can’t live there today.  Maybe someday.

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I have been given a dream - a mission - “Total Quality Love encourages and promotes kindness, empathy, and agape love”.  

Like Dr. Martin Luther King - we need to have a dream.  Complacency isn’t enough.  Let’s promote love, kindness, compassion, and agape love!!!

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © JANUARY 16, 2023