Being "Mr. Lovewell"

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

We have been speaking about love over the past few posts. The study at my church has concluded and one thing I wish to leave you all with is that love is a verb. Love requires action. Love is never stagnant. If we say we love but our actions do not support it then we cannot truly be loving. God so loved us that he gave his son for us. Jesus so loved us that his entire ministry was an example of love in action. From birth to the cross everything he did was out of love. Often we say we love but do our actions support that?

Mercy Me, one of my favorite Christian artists, has a new album out. It is simply entitled "The Generous Mr. Lovewell." Many of the songs deal with love in one form or another. The title song is about a man named Mr. Lovewell. I would like to take a look at some of the lyrics with you and show you how they apply to what we have been talking about.

Click to read more ...

Even The Small Things Are Important

By Pat

I often struggle with feeling inadequate in God's kingdom, and wish that I was in a position to do bigger, better things. I call it the "Mother Theresa" syndrome. It seemed as though the little things I do are very insignificant, and that I am hiding my light under a bushel basket.

But very recently, as I shared those feelings with a friend, I was reminded that sometimes it's the little things that can make the largest impact; in this case, kind words. Just by caring about him, praying for him, and sending words of faith and encouragement, I reminded him that God is at work in his life, and that He loves him. My heartfelt words, although they seemed small to me, impacted him deeply, and I had no idea. When my friend shared with me what a difference my words had made, I was truly surprised. But why? God tells us through scripture of the importance of our words and of the impact they can make, both positive and negative.

Click to read more ...

What Can God Do Through You?

By Pat

In Mark 5:1-20, we learn the account of the demon-possessed man who encountered Jesus. We read about the classic battle of good vs. evil, and that, of course, Jesus triumphs over evil by sending the man's evil spirits into a herd of pigs who rush down a steep bank and are drowned.

I have read this story many times, and the overriding theme to me has always been the great healing power of Jesus, and His ability to overcome evil. But this morning when I read it, a point I had never noticed before stood out to me. The grateful man, now free of his demons, begged Jesus to let him go with Him, but Jesus said no. He had other plans for the newly freed man. He told him to go and tell everyone what Jesus had done for him, and the man obeyed. It wasn't what he had in mind, but never the less, he did what Jesus told him to do.

Click to read more ...

Compassion For The Broken

By MAD21

We are all broken. Every single one of us. If we weren't, there'd have been no reason for Jesus to be born and die for us.

What does it mean to be broken? Well, do you suffer from: depression; excessive eating or spending; working too much; ignoring the needs of others; physical ailments; bad attitude; alcoholic/addict; the list could go on forever. The list also includes many things that would be considered politically incorrect to discuss in our society, but are very much on God's list of sins. We are all dealing with something. It's part of life.

But the big question is this: Is one sin worse than another? I know it's hard to not want to make one person's choice of sins worse than another, and I admit, it's hard for me, too. Very. My point here is not to debate whether murder is worse than gambling (I certainly know what my human mind would say). That is for God to determine, not me. What I want to talk about is compassion.

Click to read more ...

World Aids Day

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

Today is December 1st...a day set aside by the Global Community to mark awareness of Aids. A time to reflect and perhaps to Make a Difference. I challenge you to just not think about this today but perhaps make the month of December a period of introspection and reflection. Compassion has several great ways to get involved. There is a prayer guide, a "walk a mile" challenge, and a call for donations. You can get involved as an individual or as a group. I challenge you to do something....even if you decide just to walk that mile and pray you will be Making a Difference. If you do please leave a comment and lets see what happens. Blessings!