“Regard one another as more important than yourselves.” (Phil 2:3)

Dear Friends,

​Last night, the Hams watched the movie “Saving Private Ryan”; even though we have seen it several times it still brings a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.  I believe it’s because the movie reminds us of the generous sacrifice the young men of that generation had made on our behalf.  I’m also reminded of all the young men and women that have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan to assist in providing freedom to people that don’t even know.

The above scripture tells us to “regard one another as more important than yourselves” but, how does one practically do this?  Allow me to give you a few practical steps.

STEP ONE:   PUT OTHERS BEFORE YOURSELF - Actually, this step can be accomplished every day, from allowing a mom with her children to go ahead of us in line in the grocery store to picking up your husband’s socks off the floor.  What would our world look like if we practiced this step daily?

STEP TWO:  ACCEPT YOUR PART IN HIS PLAN -“The master will dress himself to serve and tell the servants to sit at the table and he will serve them.”  Luke 12:37.  Some years ago, when I was a Teaching Assistant at Azusa Pacific University one of my mentors and I went to get breakfast.  We were promptly seated and served our coffee and waited for our waitress to take our order.  Minutes passed and our coffee cups emptied that is when I witnessed an action that I will never forget.  My mentor got up and when to the coffee station picked up a coffee pot and refilled our cups then another table asked him to refill their cups so he proceeded to fill theirs and then he continued on to the next table.  I found myself appalled on how could these people ask my mentor to fill their coffee cups. “Do they even know who he is?”  A few minutes later when Dr. Miranda returned to our table I asked him, “Why did you do that?”  He answered with a smile on his face, I know who I am.  If Jesus served why can’t I?”

STEP THREE:  BE QUICK TO APPLAUD THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS – Jesus is our example
He was content to be known as a carpenter.  He was happy to be mistaken for the gardener.  He served his followers by washing their feet.  He serves us by doing the same.  Each morning he gifts us with beauty.  Each Sunday he calls us to his table.  Each moment he dwells in our hearts.  Isn’t it amazing how God is our biggest cheerleader!

I recently read this challenge:  If I think you are more important than I am . . . and you think I am more important than you are . . . and he thinks she is more important than he is  . .  .and she thinks he is more important than she is . . . Then in the end everyone feels important but no one acts important.
Hmmm, do you think that’s what God had in mind?  You think about that.

​Because of Him,
Betty Alvarez Ham
President