Not Just Another Sunday

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

The core event of Compassion’s volunteer advocate ministry is an event called Compassion Sunday. Each year over 1000 churches participate in this event to further the cause of releasing children from poverty. For many years, outside of concerts, this was the primary means to introduce potential sponsors to available children. These special church services are hosted by both sponsors and advocates alike. These services can range from being the focus of an entire service involving the entire church to something as simple as a table in a special location. It really does not matter how complex or simple~the message is the same:

Please make a difference and help release a child from poverty.

Most of us advocates are willing to go anywhere or to present in any method in order to further the ministry. Last Sunday I attended a Compassion Sunday in Elkton, MD. One of my advocates was having her event and had asked me to speak.

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Going Through The Motions

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

This has been on my heart for the past few days so I thought I would attempt to verbalize it here. Matthew West has an awesome song titled "The Motions." If you have not heard it I encourage you to do so before reading further.

I want to take some of those lyrics and apply them to our walk with God.

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What Are Your Values?

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

Growing up I was always taught that it would be my values that defined my character. That is, what truly mattered to me, what I held close to my heart would be those things that people remembered me for. 

Back then I think I scoffed at that notion and often chose the quick and easy path. I did what I could to succeed with the easiest amount of effort.  I know I cut corners and did what I needed to in order to be successful. Interestingly enough I grew up through the late seventies to nineties when the economy was booming and the norm was to do "whatever it took".  As a society we wanted the best of everything and held those things loosely.

It has been said that we live in a world that knows
the cost of everything but the value of nothing.

Sadly we would almost rather grab that quick extra value meal as it cheap and easy then to sit down and take the time to prepare something healthy and nutritious. Looking back I think that would be almost the way to describe my values. Why take the time to make a difference? What we had today could be gone tomorrow or at least replaced by something bigger and better.  Grabbing the quick and easy rather than getting something better…….

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Youth "Get It" ~ Responding With Their Hearts

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

The past two weekends I had the privilege to represent Compassion at Youth Encounter's Quake Conference in Hunt Valley, MD.  This was a new partnership for Compassion and my involvement is interesting. We had signed up last fall to work the table for sponsorships. Late last year the event dropped off our list of events to work and it was explained to us that they would be doing their own staffing due to the long periods of downtime. With my job situation I felt that it was for the best as I did not know what my schedule would be. Fast forward to the second week of January and I got a call from Colorado asking if I would be willing to do the event. They actually wanted someone who would be willing to work the table for the weekend and if I wanted to then perhaps be available to speak to the youth.  Still not employed I certainly had the time and those that know me know I would never pass up a chance to speak on behalf of Compassion.

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Whose Eyes Are You Looking Through?

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

This past Sunday at church, our sermon was on "Entering A New Year." Our pastor challenged us to Live for Eternity & Live with Passion. Somewhere near the beginning of the service there was something he said that triggered the title of this post. I spent some time reflecting on it and thought it was a great way to begin this year....it is a question that we should all ask ourselves. It is a question that can change our focus and perspective for 2010. As far as I can determine there are really two answers to this question that really impact us.

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