The title of the message, “Blaming the Victim” is the same as the title of a book I read in an undergraduate psychology class years ago. Recent social events and media advertisements called it to mind as I reflected on the gospel verses for today, and Jesus’ vivid description of the differences between sheep and goats.

Curious whether or not it was still in print I looked it up and was surprised to learn that not only is it still in print, but is considered as groundbreaking and relevant today as when I read it in the 1970’s.

This is the basic premise...

Emergency preparedness.
 
I thought a lot about it last week as we made our first trip to gather winter evacuation and survival supplies. The winter of 2015 was enough to convince us of the importance of planning ahead and putting together an evacuation kit as well as having extra water, batteries, matches, stern-o or another source of warmth, cell- phone back-up chargers fully charged; crank and/or solar-powered weather radio Being prepared and planning ahead is nothing new.

True humility elevates serving others over serving primarily oneself.
 
Have you ever had to "eat humble pie"?
 
Most of us have heard this expression. It is a phrase meaning "to face humiliation for an error or wrongdoing, something for which we must apologize, often in some public way."