Value Added has occupied our theme for this date.  In the Freshman Series we reviewed the five star evaluating designates: poor, fair, good, excellent, and superior with some of the legitimate effort we exert to gain the biblical concept of excellence in Christian life performance.  For the Sophomore Series we reviewed oddities for self-improvement, likely to gain interest without contributing to self-improvement.  For this date we try again to accent specific points rather well known we can try to achieve maturity.

  1. Give attention to language – this includes such factors as avoidance of expletives, enlargement of vocabulary which leads to greater objectivity and sensitivity to the context, especially in questions.
  2. Give attention to values – the authority for values for the Christian is found in Scripture and practice.
  3. Give attention to time schedules – the time one gives to others is evidence of sensitivity to others.
  4. Give attention to respect – all human beings have something of the image of God in their natures.
  5. Give attention to reading – substantive materials will contribute to expanding education and competency.
  6. Give attention to family – this is guided first by sincere interest in the needs of mate, children and family others. The use of the question is supreme with the note that it is asked in non-judgmental terms: What Do You Need? That implies you will do what you can to meet agreed need and go forward with the habit.
  7. Give attention to causes – what is the cause of this or that situation, and can I advance the meaning or help in removing a negative or contrived cause. Some persons invent problems and need help in losing them.
  8. Give attention to grooming – how we present ourselves in silent communication is taken as revealing our maturity, showing respect for others, and suggesting the awareness of the dignity of human beings.
  9. Give attention to devotions – the development of prayer and spiritual maturity on us is to relate both to God and mankind in the realization that love and humility is persuasive: We are in this together – empathy.
  10. Give attention to money management – others have unrealized confidence in those who seem to have resources for living and giving that have grown out of work leading to better than ordinary life context.
  11. Give attention to attitude – a smile beats a frown, an affirmation beats a complaint, with all managed by an attitude of thanksgiving that suggests the better side of life and matters, even health.
  12. Give attention to hospitality – findings ways to be hospitable, which is to relate to persons at some cost to ourselves in time, perhaps in our homes or in gracious substitution and cost that celebrates life.
  13. Give attention to outcomes – privately ask early: Where is all this leading us? That may mean a greater effort is indicated to advance the matter, or a reduction even to closing it with lessons learned.
  14. Give attention to emotions – cerebral thought is highly regarded, but we are emotional creatures and we need to treat the emotions of others cerebrally which is to decide to assist self and others in our feelings.
  15. Give attention to personality – There is a personality for every person made open to others by admission such as: I am a shy person, but like to be with you if you will permit my silence and seeming reluctance.

All of the above may be summarized in the biblical admonition that we treat others better than we may treat ourselves.  It is an unselfish life (not selfless) that leads to Christlikeness. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020