From the Pulpit

Excerpts from messages being presented at area places of worship this weekend.

Rabbi Mordechai Levin Beth El Synagogue

After the exodus from Egypt and during their return to the land of Israel, the people complained repeatedly to Moses about the food, the water, his leadership and the hardships of the desert.

We, too, complain. We complain about the weather, our jobs, our loved ones, our economic situation, the behavior of others, etc. That’s normal. Everyone complains at one time or another, because there are times when we have legitimate grievances. And occasionally, we have good reason to complain for a drawn-out period of time — when we’re in the middle of major personal life crises such as sickness, mourning, divorce or joblessness.

But some people seem to grumble almost all the time and are seen as chronic complainers. If we belong in that category, how can we change?

Let’s start with gratitude. We can cry and find fault because roses have thorns, or we can celebrate because thorns have roses. Let us be grateful for who we are, what we do, what we have and the blessings we enjoy. Let us be more appreciative of the positive aspects of our lives. Our upbeat attitudes will influence both our lives and those around us, and help create a happier environment.

Vance Gardiner, Council Bluffs Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The July 4 holiday is to celebrate and remember the founding of America, the land of the free. This great nation contains the rights, freedoms and constitutional guarantees that enable us as sons and daughters of God to exercise our God-given agency for the good of our families, communities and our nation. There has been a drift in society from the moral foundation of this great country in areas of virtue, priorities, attitudes and focus. Ours is a call for greater respect for one another and for the betterment of our country by following the simple teachings of Jesus Christ. He taught us to love, respect and serve one another. James 1:27 reads, “Pure religion ... is this, to visit the fatherless and widows ... and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” As we celebrate this great country’s freedom, may we improve our attitudes and actions to follow in the footsteps of the Savior and His teachings.

« Living

Share