Daily Thought for Thursday, June 9th

June 9, 2011

The Blame Game

Today’s Thought:

“As long as we incorrectly blame outside sources for our miseries, it remains impossible to do much about them.” – Arnold Lazarus

Today’s Quote:

“’Oh well,’ said Mr. Hennessy, ‘ we are as th’ Lord made us.’ ‘No,’ said Mr. Dooley, ‘ Lave us be fair.  Lave us take some iv th’ blame ourselves.’” – Finley Peter Dunne (from ‘Observations by Mr. Dooley’)

Today’s Question

Did you realize that: “No man can tell another his faults so as to benefit him, unless he loves him?” – Henry Ward Beecher (from ‘Proverbs from the Plymouth Pulpit’)

Today’s Bible Verses:                   John 8:2-11

And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

                      

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

It sometimes seems that in the Christian world today we have many self appointed ‘Accusers of the Brethren.’  And in a world where things are figuratively, ‘going to hell in a hand basket,’ it is easier to find a scapegoat to lay the blame on; rather than accept our role and the responsibilities for our own actions.  Now don’t misunderstand me, I realize many of the world’s problems are much bigger than us and some have nothing to do with us, but the point remains, what are we doing about the problems that do?  Are we blaming others or are we taking strides and making efforts to become a part of the solution?

Remember scripture teaches us that we should; “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” – The Bible (Matthew 7:1-2)   And it also tells us: “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” – The Bible (Romans 2:1) 

It might do us all some good to be reminded of Jesus’ words in the parable above, “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.”

Rather than contribute to the ‘Blame Game’ may we seek God’s wisdom and ask for His help to become a part of the solution rather than an add-on to he the problem.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, this world I live in is far from perfect, but then so am I.  Help me to try harder, pray more and seek your face with more diligence so that I can be better able to help, rather than hinder.