Friday, November 9, 2012
"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Respect
Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: respect
What does the word respect mean to you?
Do you think respect is different than honor? If so, how?
How can we balance having respect for our earthly leaders, while still honoring God?
Let me know what you think!!
(Is anyone else getting in touch with their inner Aretha Franklin???)
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
6 comments:
"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)
Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!
(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)
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Sharon my life seems like Rodney Dangerfield - I just don't get any respect! lol sandie
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteJust popping in to say Hello, thank you for visiting me and hope you have a good week. I will try and participate in Fan the Flames again soon, after we are settled in our new home.
God Bless - Nita
When my "then almost son-in-law" called me Pam I was delighted. Then one day I stopped and listened and realized he was calling me Ma'am. A true southern boy taught to respect women. I tell him that's why his business is so successful--all the women like the "ma'am."
ReplyDeleteR E S P E C T... find out what it means to me...
ReplyDeleteYep. In my head, I just sounded like Aretha Franklin. I generally do, you know. That is when I don't sound like Loretty.
I know I'm late to this but wanted to give my two cents anyway.
I think that respect is something you earn, but honor is what you show to someone whether they have "earned" it or not. I think we're called to honor our parents, not because of what they have done but because of who they are. I might be wrong about that. That's just what I'm thinking right now.
Respect--When I think of respect, I usually think of it in terms of how children should respect their parents or students their teachers. This makes it real personal for me. Respect involves the way you treat that person. It involves dignity, kindness, admiration, and in certain situations--love. It does mean that you treat that person differently because of their position and how that position relates to your life.
ReplyDeleteI'm sort of like your first commenter up there. I'm lacking in that area--as far as the offspring go but being blessed abundantly by it at work!
It's good to see you here. We have to talk some day soon!!
Blessings,
Janis
What does the word respect mean to you?
ReplyDeleteIt means to admire someone for their abilities or character - to show deference to them. To treat them with dignity. To take their opinions seriously, to treat their feelings as valid, to uphold their worth as a person.
Do you think respect is different than honor? If so, how?
I guess the words hold a different meaning to me in some ways. I might respect someone without feeling like I need to honor them. On the other hand, we are called to honor our parents - even though we might not respect everything they do. Honor feels more like a positional attitude to me - I honor someone who I look up to. Just to be a little silly, here's an example I thought of: I might respect the police officer who gives me a ticket, but I will show honor to the judge who has the potential to let me off with a warning!!
How can we balance having respect for our earthly leaders, while still honoring God?
We are called by Scripture to respect our leaders. We can do that by obeying the laws of the land, and respecting the authority of our leaders. We don't have to agree with them always. In showing this respect, we are honoring God by accepting the authority of the leaders that HE has placed in position. However, there may come a time when we choose to honor God above our respect to earthly leaders. I'm thinking of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - honoring God instead of bowing to an earthly leader. I'm thinking of Germany in World War II - choosing to keep the faith when it goes against the government.
It is crucial to keep God as the FIRST and FOREMOST authority in our lives. Worship only Him. Show Him the honor He deserves as the Almighty Ruler of the universe.
GOD BLESS!