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Program Notes or Transcript

If you were in charge of your community or your nation, what is the one thing that you would require of all your citizens? Think carefully before you answer.  Because the thing you expect from everyone else should first be expressed by you yourself. Hi this is Doug Flemming with life changing thoughts and music, today on Take Five.  Take Five is brought to you by the Church of the Nazarene and this station. If you would be so kind as to contact me, I’d return the favor with my own act of kindness by sending you a free daily devotional booklet.  Write to my email address radio@wmc-ap.org.  A few years ago, one world leader campaigned that he would create a “kinder, gentler nation.”  That candidate won and had his chance to legislate kindness.  It was a nice idea, but throughout his term of office, that nation went to war, crime was up, social problems continued.  The fact is, no matter what our laws require, kindness is an individual choice that comes from the heart.  Therefore, kindness does not depend on our circumstances, or even on other people’s reactions.  As author Audray Landrum wrote, “Kindness is for all times in all situations -- not just when it suits you."   I guarantee that if you will begin practicing kindness with your words and your deeds, your world will begin to seem like a kinder, gentler place.  This principle has always been true.  Many centuries ago, in 447 BC, Greek philosopher Sophocles said, “Kindness gives birth to kindness.”  If kindness is what you want in your community, then let is start with you.

Today’s Music: Life is Precious, Wes King

I think all of us would like to live in a kinder, gentler world.  But this is not just wishful thinking.  With God’s help, we can develop and practice the gift of kindness, regardless of how we feel.  I’ll leave you today with a poem written by R. Foreman:  If you were busy being kind, Before you knew it, you would find You'd soon forget to think 'twas true That someone was unkind to you. If you were busy being glad, And cheering people who are sad, Although your heart might ache a bit, You'd soon forget to notice it." No matter how you feel today, practice kindness anyway.