How Do We Become Merciful?

"So how do we become "merciful"? One pastor suggested that we need to get into the skin of others. We need to see like them. We need to think like them. We need to feel like them....Getting into their skin will mean much more than throwing money at them or praying for them. That's the easy way out. Getting into their skin will mean that you'll have to hang out with them. Spend time with them. Look into their eyes and listen to them. You can't get into the skin of others without acting, moving or doing. Getting into the skin of others has nothing to do with sitting on a pew or laying on the couch. Getting into the skin of others is all about "compassionate action.""

- An excerpt from Get Into Their Skin by Mike Ellis on his blog Mike is Messed Up

Faith Like A Child

"...Those are the ups that make the nose-dives a little easier to live with. I know it’s normal for them to have questions, and even to doubt… but it doesn’t make it hurt any less to see them struggle. As a parent I think we all want to believe they’ll never walk away, but unfortunately… this is completely out of our control. We can teach them with our words and our actions, then all we can do is pray and be there for all the UPS and the DOWNS.

Mark 10:15
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Reality is… I still have questions, doubts and fears, but then I’m reminded that God has made us promises that I know we can count on. We simply have to open our hearts like my kids did on that amazing evening eight years ago… and believe."

- An excerpt from Believe by Bridget Chumbley on her blog One Word at a Time

God Is Constant

"While I have ups and downs, highs and lows, happy days and grumpy ones, God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

He doesn’t have ups and downs. He doesn’t have grumpy days when he smites people just because he’s in a bad mood and he doesn’t ever tell us to stay out of his way because he got up on the wrong side of the bed.

He is constant, he is unchanging and he is faithful."

- An excerpt from Monday Encouragement by Peter Pollock on his blog Rediscovering the Church

Freedom Is In The Surrender

"We are taught that freedom is going and doing where we want, when we want, and so on.  This, sadly, conflicts with my living a completely surrendered life to Jesus. I end up trying to dance with Daddy and still trying to lead.  My toes bear the price, but if I don’t recognize what’s happening I miss the lesson.

The freedom is in the surrender.  The joy is not in me getting my way, trying to pull God along, but in letting go and allowing Him to scoop me up in His arms and listen to the song of love He sings."

- An excerpt from So You Think You Can Dance by Jason on his blog Connecting to Impact

Slow And Steady Progress

"We are a society of people looking for instant gratification, “quick fixes,” when things get tough. As our faith grows, we realize that seeking quick fixes is not the answer, only slow steady progress to receive God’s grace and love. Everyone can receive God’s grace, but a mature Christian realizes the extent of what that grace means."

- A quote from Discipline on the Path to Maturity by Heather Sunseri on her blog Balance With Purpose