Dear Susanna,
I did it! I took the plunge and I am keeping up with the Kingdom Greatness reading plan. I was surprised when it didn't go exactly on the front-to-back track. The study guide is full of cross references and things I never thought of when I read the passages. Can you give me a little more information about the plan?
Roger Readers
Dear Readers,
Certainly! The Kingdom Greatness plan came from reading Matt. 5:17-19 at a YMC Leadership Council meeting. Arline Applegate, lay leader, was instrumental in encouraging the program. Ron Sloan wrote the commentaries for February and March. Pastor Matthew is writing them for 1 Corinthians. Ron is picking it up again with 2 Corinthians. They hope to engage some other local Bible scholars in the writing. Ron looked online at various reading plans. This one seemed to have a nice balance of covering the whole Bible while going slowly enough to reflect on the content: Read the Bible in 3 Years (lakewoodlife.org) Ron said, "Other than staying on track with each day's assignment, the hardest part is keeping the comments to no more than 2 pages per day. It is good discipline to be concise, though. Another challenge is writing about difficult passages that often I would skim over when reading for just myself."
Love & Prayers,
Susanna
Dear Susanna,
It's happening all over again. There are a few people out there who are saying things they shouldn't on social media. I am ready to give it up, but I like the way Facebook keeps me connected with my family, neighbors, and friends. How do I deal with it?
Media Maybe
Dear Maybe,
I got this advice from my niece, Susan, and it seems like the fit for this problem. "If someone you know well says or asks (or even posts) something contrary to what you think you know about them, don't automatically assume the worst. Assume the best. Ask good questions. Don't overreact and say hurtful things that can't be unsaid. Be willing to admit the problem might be your interpretation of what they said. Keep the conversation going, even if it is hard or awkward. Don't quit until you know for sure everyone is on the same page. Layers of misunderstanding and an unwillingness to listen and learn can ruin friendships. Sometimes you have to say "I am sorry, I thought you were saying X, but in fact you were saying Y." It is also true that they may have been 100% saying what you thought they were, but it is much healthier to work through the issue once everyone has clearly communicated their meaning."
Love & Prayers,
Susanna
"Dear Susanna" is a feature of the YMC monthly newsletter. Susanna Wesley never preached a sermon, published a book, or founded a church, yet Susanna Wesley is known as the Mother of Methodism. The example of faith and religious reverence she set for her children John and Charles inspired them to become powerful spiritual leaders, and to launch the Methodist movement.
