Rev. Danny Massie
Interim Pastor
Our days in confinement and isolation are surely providing more time and opportunity for catching up on our reading lists and our neglected correspondence.
A retired Methodist minister friend of mine with whom we have vacationed together for a week every year since 1973 told me of an inspirational book he had just finished by the Dalai Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu entitled The Book of Joy. In sharing their individual faiths, each man brought to the other and to their readers a sense of faith, hope and love from similar yet different personal perspectives.
Together they spoke of Eight Pillars of Joy, four qualities of the mind and four of the heart.
Qualities of the Mind
Perspective: Seeing life as a gift and opportunity for individual life
Humility: Seeing others as being of equal value in the sight of God
Humor: Finding ways to share in the joy and humor and excitement of life
Acceptance: Knowing that life has its ups and downs, joys and sorrows, opportunities and challenges
Qualities of the Heart
Forgiveness: The desire and gift of forgiving ourselves, in order to be able to forgive others
Gratitude: Being able to give thanks for all, and in all ways, and for all things
Compassion: Feeling the needs and cares of others, in the deepest sense of life together
Generosity: Being willing to give and to share with others as we are able
How do we measure up to these lofty traits? Surely they reflect the teachings and example of Christ and we can affirm them and embrace them to the best of our ability.
Be blessed and stay healthy!
