Where Does Praise for You Come From? (1 Thes 2:6) by Jimmy Mack

25 Aug Where Does Praise for You Come From? (1 Thes 2:6) by Jimmy Mack

“Nor did we seek praise from men, either from you or from others.” ~ 1 Thes 2:6 (full readings)
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Jimmy’s Reflections:  I struggle with this.  I can be so much like Detective Yemana from the TV comedy Barney Miller (it’s on Youtube).  In one episode he and his partners were part of a sting operation where they had to get some drug dealers to sell them drugs.  He was the only one who did not get approached.  When his other partners were bragging about being the first to bust this ring, Captain Miller saw that Yemana was sad.  After a few exchanges Miller said, “Are you telling me that you would have REALLY considered using drugs that you would have bought.”  And Yemana said,  “No Barney never.  It’s just nice to be asked.”  As I write this, the saying that “pride comes before the fall” is in my thoughts.  Several verses back God spoke through Paul to the Thessalonians:  “… We were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, that is how we speak.  And praise can come in unexpected places.”  Jesus says “There is joy in (that is, praise from) the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 10)  As an old Southern Gospel song says, shouldn’t that be “good enough for me?” Or as Matthew Maher sings:  Jesus grace is ( or: should be) enough for me.
*  Jimmy is married to Peggy; they have six children.  He is a Project Manager for a software communications company.  Jimmy is active with the Daughters of Saint Paul and an avid fan of Contemporary Christian Music.

Faith Challenge:  Read Matthew 6: 1-4.  Do something good at home, at work, and at Church today in which no one (except God) will recognize that it was you who did the good deed.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. Louis King of France
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Faith Quote:  “God made me fast.  And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” ~ Eric Liddell (as portrayed in movie “Chariots of Fire”.

Through Christ our Lord,
Jimmy Mack
Mt 6:33