Got Meek? Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.-- Matthew 5:5 In the early ‘90s, the “Got Milk?” advertising campaign was created to encourage the purchase of cow’s milk and increase sales after a twenty-year slump in the dairy industry.
Over the years, various celebrities, sports figures and other famous folk have been featured in these creative and compelling print ads—always with a “milk moustache” and always with the headline: Got Milk?
I got to thinking about these ads earlier this year when pondering what it meant to be meek, and who would star in a “Got Meek?” campaign if there were such a thing. Perhaps the acquisition of some meekness needed to happen in my life so that I could appear in one of these ads.
Years ago, I had often thought someone who is meek must be very quiet and without opinion. Someone who would let anyone walk all over them. Someone with no backbone. Someone…unlike myself.
As I began seeing what the Scriptures had to say about it, I started realizing that this adjective was really describing a way of living and a state of mind—one that I was pretty sure I wasn’t doing and didn’t have. And pardon my poor grammar, but I didn’t “got meek.”
Jesus talks about those who are meek in the Beatitudes (part of the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel of Matthew). It’s one in a list of attributes or attitudes defining the perfect follower of Jesus. The Beatitudes are truly a description of Jesus himself. If you read through all twelve verses (Matthew 5:1-12), you’ll gulp, shake your head and admit that the standards are very high. How can anyone be these ways all of the time? We can only live beatitude-ly with God’s help through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Those who are meek are those who are humble before God. Submissive. They have a proper appreciation of their place and understand how they relate to their Creator. Basically, they understand that the world does not revolve around them, but God. He is the general manager of their universe, and they are not.
If you’re like me, that’s a hard way to live. No sooner am I done singing “It’s all about you, Jesus,” in my weekly Sunday morning church service, then I’m already hitting the prideful potholes (“It’s all about me, Jesus”) on my way driving home.
Yes, it’s hard to “get” what being meek is all about. But the more time we spend knowing God, spending time with Him in that intimate, personal relationship he desires to have with you and studying who He is and His will for our lives, the more we understand our human condition and how desperately we need to bend the knee and submit our will to that of our heavenly Father.
When you get all that, that’s when you’ve “got meek.” REFLECTIONIs there an area of your life that you have not submitted to the Lord? Pray that He would help you become meek, as you humble yourself and give whatever you’re holding onto so tightly to Him. PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of July 4, 2010 * indicates a new or updated prayer request FOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO THE LORD FOR HEALING:*Treva Kahle: [Norma Brown’s Aunt] suffered a serious stroke following surgery.
Frank Walker recovering from surgery this past Thursday, to close an open wound on his leg.
Carolyn Taylor: [ friend of Billie Detroy] undergoing treatment for bile duct cancer.
Billie Detroy’s Family: as she has moved her dad into skilled care at the Masonic Home.
Nicholas Masterson: [son of Richard and Amy] for a speedy recovery from ACL knee surgery.
Carolyn Daughtery: [Aunt of Billie Detroy] was called home on Wednesday morning.
H C Baker: [co-worker of Billie Detroy] died in an auto accident last Friday.
Nicholas Masterson (son of Richard and Amy) for a speedy recovery from ACL knee surgery
Tim Mattson (Brother of Beverly Silletto) dealing with blood clots in lungs.
Heather Hall for healing of injuries suffered during an OSLC Women’s Softball game.
Rev. Ed Keinath [District Counselor] anticipating surgery for injuries sustained in a fall.
Kayla Hitzler [Friend of Andrea Osborne and former OSLS student] for thanksgiving in surviving a severe automobile accident.
Lester Ranzau [Father of Robert Ranzau] for healing and strength for he and his family with his recent diagnosis of cancer.
Annaliese Bratcher [Daughter of Bill and Annaliese Griffin] prayers for May 25 surgery.
Mary Rose Crask Recovering from surgery on May 20.
Marilyn Lose Recovering from surgery for a brain tumor
Frank & Rosina Walker Frank is recovering from another surgery; prayers for spiritual uplifting and peace for both Frank and Rosina.
Caron Fausel Recovering from knee-replacement surgery.
Amy Velez [Daughter of Harvey and Billie Detroy] for healing and patience after knee surgery.
Paul Mattson [Nephew of Beverly Silletto] continuing therapy and recovery from spinal surgery.
Steve Lindgren Reoccurrence of previous health issues.
Danny Shorter [Brother-in-Law of Karen Shorter] hospitalized with pneumonia, kidney infection and anemia.
Herb Henry [Brother of Cindy Oberhaus] had a heart procedure on April 30, awaiting additional prognosis.
Elaine Gookin [Friend of Sherry Ederheimer] We pray for continued healing of serious burns and pneumonia.
Alice Puckett [Sister in law of Marsha Puckett] preparing for surgery to remove colon and vertebrae.
Troy Hartman [Friend of Kathy Eskridge] critically injured in a motorcycle accident on Thursday evening; prayers for Troy and his son, Max.
Charlotte Williams [Mother of Tracy Hannon] suffered a stroke on April 3; hospitalized in St. Louis
Catherine Shultz-Unger Continued healing of fractured hip
Jerry Skaggs [Brother of Jane Stopher] in rehab following a motorcycle accident in Minnesota.
Bill Collignon Please include Bill and Betty in your prayers.
Bill Berger [Father of Billie Detroy] Health problem have improved significantly with treatment and is out of the hospital. Prayer for thanksgiving and
continued improvement.
Dave Sheldon [Terry Lindgren’s Uncle] Diagnosed with Hepatitis C and Liver Cancer
Nora Horecny Fracture of vertebrae, having pain
Craig Lowry [Father of OSLS preschool childcare student, Marissa] serious health concerns
Solissa Arms [Friend of Pat Kuecker] Recovering from injuries from auto accident
Rosina Walker Strength
Pauline Rye [Mother of Noble Rye] recovering from a stroke
Sarah Austin [Family friend of The Mueller Family] undergoing testing
Linda White [Sister of Sharon Coleman] Cancer, praying for comfort and peace, and for God’s
will to occur
Bob Wolke [Brother of Pat Otten] suffering from severe pain
Orval Bestian [Brother of Shirley Atkins] heart problems
Kim Hunter [Friend of Pat Kuecker] 37 yr. old suffering from multiple health concerns
Karen Jackson [Friend of Melissa Nelson] waiting for a transplant FOR THOSE SUFFERING CHRONIC ILLNESS: Bill Berger, Daniel Shorter, Bob Farley, Christopher, Lance Muessle, Erin Brady Worsham, Nick Zimmer FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM CANCER: Alice Puckett, Pastor Don Dengler, David Sheldon, Thomas Davidson, Phil Sanders, Barbara Robertson, Lorna Benkendorf, Ruth Smith, Lu Aiella, Jim Bush, Kay Mitchell, Leona Walker, Pam Russo, Brock Douglas, Joan Beck, Kim Phillips, Karen Gardner, Roger, Jana Maher, Judi Rice, Jack Quinlan, Mark Hayden, Joanne Leeming, Venessa Brady, Joey Eckler, Jim Siegfried FOR THOSE CONFINED AT HOME, A NURSING HOME OR REHABILITATION CENTER: Ray Wahlbrink, Isabella Tappendorf, Dorothy Ordel, Mary Rose Crask, Jim Ashley, Ricky Hayes, Inge Kaulitz, Lydia Eggers, Nancy Heiden, Myrtle Wiggins, Glenna Goepfert, Elvera Weltzin, Jerry and Marge Tauscher, Virginia Alexander, Helen, Dennis Krause FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY: Matthew Kuecker, Jason, Chris and Kim Wolter, Matt Fitzgibbon, Joshua Burkett, Roy Oberhaus, Don Wheeler, Lori Alix, James Marshburn, Tony Crespo, Donnie Tyler, Zachary Holland, Michael Alexander, Jeffrey Davis, Erik Sheldon FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM CANCER OR CHRONIC ILLNESS:Dave Sheldon [Terry Lindgren’s Uncle] Diagnosed with Hepatitis C and Liver Cancer
Alice Puckett [Sister-in-law of the Puckett’s] has colo-rectal cancer that has spread to her spine
Pastor Don Dengler Diagnosed with advanced lung cancer
Johanne Thonney [Friend of Kathy Baki] 25-year old diagnosed recovering from brain surgery
Brock Douglas [Brother-in-law of Melanie Douglas] Advanced cancer, in hospice care
Brooke McGrew [Sister of Scott Smith] Diagnosed with Cervical cancer, awaiting treatment
Nora Horecny Fracture of vertebrae, having pain
Craig Lowry [Father of OSLS preschool childcare student, Marissa] serious health concerns
Frank Walker Recovering from another surgery attempting to save his leg
Solissa Arms [Friend of Pat Kuecker] Recovering from injuries from auto accident
Rosina Walker Strength
Pauline Rye [Mother of Noble Rye] recovering from a stroke
Lt. Daniel Berschinski [25 year old fellow soldier and friend of Matt Kuecker] at Walter Reed
fighting infection in his amputated legs, which were the result of injuries sustained in an IED explosion.
Sarah Austin [Family friend of The Mueller Family] undergoing testing
Linda White [Sister of Sharon Coleman] Cancer, praying for comfort and peace, and for God’s
will to occur
Bob Wolke [Brother of Pat Otten] suffering from severe pain
Orval Bestian [Brother of Shirley Atkins] heart problem
Kim Hunter [Friend of Pat Kuecker] 37 yr. old suffering from multiple health concerns
Karen Jackson [Friend of Melissa Nelson] waiting for a transplant
Joanne Leeming [Cousin of Karen Shorter] Healing from a stroke and Lymphoma
Hannah Dirkse [Friend of the Detroy’s] 18 yrs. old diagnosed with Leukemia
Ty Hassler, Jr. [Friend of the Lindgren’s] health and life concerns
Phil Ritz [Friend of Joe and Doris Deuth] recovering from a heart attack
Kay Mitchell [Friend of Barbe Lamkin] major health concerns
Barbara Robertson [Mother of Debbie Novak] recovering from heart attack and cancer treatment
Thomas Davidson [14 y.o. neighbor of the Coleman’s] Responding well to treatment
Lorna Benkendorf [Friend of Tony Arnold] Undergoing treatment for cancer
Leona Walker [Friend of the Belza’s] Recurrent lung cancer that has spread to her brain
Jim Ashley [Brother of Larry Ashley] suffering from health concerns
Ruth Smith [Mother of Scott Smith] In remission
Phil Sanders Suffering from throat cancer, in discomfort
Lu Aiella Undergoing chemo treatment for breast and brain cancer
Kay Mitchell [Friend of Barbe Lankin] suffering from cancer
Jim Bush [Father of Julie Yeager] diagnosed with cancer, undergoing testing for treatment options
Bill Berger [Father of Billie Detroy] Alzheimers
Joan Beck [Mother of Karen Young, a friend of Caron Fausel] diagnosed with a serious brain tumor
Kim Phillips [Cousin of Steve Lindgren] breast cancer
Karen Gardner [Daughter of Jean Pillischafske] breast cancer
Roger [Uncle of a friend of the Lindgren’s] cancer
Jana Maher [Friend of the Belza’s] Recurrent breast cancer, has young children at home
Jack Quinlan [Friend of the Haller’s] Leukemia
Joanne Leeming [Cousin of Karen Shorter] Lymphoma
Venessa Brady Hodgkin’s Disease
Joey Eckler [Grandson of the Kendt’s] cancer
Lance Muessle [Friend of Nelson’s] paralyzed from an accident
Erin Brady Worsham [Friend of Marty Belza] Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
Nick Zimmer [Nephew of the Coleman’s] MS I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.—Psalm 7:17 In Christ,
Paul Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church
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