Over the years I have received a number of bookmarks.  Some bookmarks were paper, some were cloth and others were  plastic.  Some have the Lord's Prayer, Ten Commandments, Psalm 23, or a picture of Jesus' Praying Hands by Albrecht Durer, or Christ in Gethsemane by Johann Heinrich Hofmann.  I still see these writings and images around, but one writing I haven't seen for a while is the Golden Rule. 

The Golden Rule is the part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 7:12.  In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

While this teaching of Jesus is from about two-thousand years ago, it wasn't until the seventh century the Golden Rule was first known as the Golden Law.  Variations of this teaching are known in most of the religions of the world in both positive and negative forms.  For Christianity, this is part of the "backbone" of what Jesus taught his disciples.

Thank you to all the volunteers and contributors to the Freshman BBQ and the Freshmen Welcome Packages for United Church of Christ students at Defiance College.  Why?  How would you want your son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter welcomed to  Defiance College and St. John United Church of Christ?  Yes, do to others as you would have them do to you.

Because of higher fuel prices more people are driving motorcycles and bicycles.  Be watchful and share the road with these cyclists.  Why?  Yes, do to others as you would have them do to you.

Forgive freely.  Love abundantly.  Give generously.  Kiss loved-ones.  Rejoice with those who rejoice.  Mourn with those who mourn.  Why?  Listen to Jesus and do to others as you would have them do to you.