Recently Kristi, Beth, and I participated in the 100 year celebration of the Blue Whale (on highway 66 in Catoosa).  It was a festive event and we enjoyed seeing this historical landmark.  As we went into the "belly" of the whale, and eventually re-emerged, I couldn't help but feel a little bit like Jonah.  The main difference being that we entered and exited willingly!  lol.  But the experience did make me stop and think about the Biblical character and to ask myself,  "Am I fully following God, or does God sometimes (like Jonah) have to get my attention?...

Many tools can be used to measure a physical object.  We can use a yard stick, a ruler, a tape measure.  Any one these can help us determine the hight, width, or length of an object.  But what if we are trying to measure something more intangible?  What if we are trying to measure: an attitude, a behavior, or the quality of a relationship?  How are we to measure these aspects of our daily life?  Well I believe there is a type of "ruler" that can help us measure these qualities - it is know as The Golden Rule.  It is not a new or modern philosophy - but rather a simple and profound principle.  There are several variations of it (found in various cultures and religious writings), The version most of us know best was taught by Jesus in Matthew 7:12 (NIV), "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets."  As I ponder the Golden Rule, I'm struck by how desperately we need to apply this law to every area of our life today...