compassion

How do you show compassion to someone who "falls into a pit"? It could be someone you know who has fallen critically ill or who has met with a misfortune or who has fallen into hard times.

We are familiar with the Parable of the Good Samaritan told by Jesus in Luke 10:30-37. Below is the modern-day version of this parable.

A man fell into a pit and couldn't get himself out.

A Christian Scientist said, "You only think that you are in a pit."
A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into a pit."
A Fundamentalist said, "You deserve your pit."
A Charismatic said, "Just confess that you're not in a pit."
A Methodist said, "We brought you some food and clothing while you're in the pit."
A Presbyterian said, "This was no accident, you know."
An Optimist said, "Things could be worse."
A Pessimist said, "Things will get worse!"

Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.

That is the essence of Christ and of His compassion.
That is the spirit of Christian compassion.

"For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near
the grave.
I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am like a man without strength." (Psalm 88:3-4)

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud & mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand." (Psalm 40:2)

living with adversity

In a small village in Shandong, China lives a woman without arms who makes her way through adversity and found her happiness in life.

The strong determination of this amazing woman to live a normal life despite her handicap is very inspiring. If you think life is tough for you, think again. If she can do it, so can you.

Simply click on the following link to watch this moving story :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GNzBFnUAdo

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth
comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Rom 8:18)

15 things God won't ask

God won't ask what kind of car you drove,
but will ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

God won't ask the square footage of your house,
but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won't ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet,
but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.

God won't ask about your social status,
but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

God won't ask how many material possessions you had,
but will ask if they dictated your life.

God won't ask what your highest salary was,
but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.

God won't ask how much overtime you worked,
but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.

God won't ask how many promotions you received,
but will ask how you promoted others.

God won't ask what your job title was,
but will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

God won't ask what you did to help yourself,
but will ask what you did to help others.

God won't ask how many friends you had,
but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

God won't ask what you did to protect your rights,
but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

God won't ask in what neighbourhood you lived,
but will ask how you treated your neighbours.

God won't ask about the colour of your skin,
but will ask about the content of your character.

God won't ask how many times your deeds matched your words,
but will ask how many times they didn't.

When there is nothing left but God,
that is when you find out God is all you need.

just checking in

A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kind of shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
a lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
for finding strength and power.

'I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
this is what I say :

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM
CHECKING IN TODAY.'

The minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
to come and pray just anytime.

Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer :

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME
CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
but he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them,
brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious,
changed people were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand
why Jim was so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
he voiced the nurse's concern.
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up
and with a winsome smile.
'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that in here all the while."

"Everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me :

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.

I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS
CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only Jesus is a True Friend who will leave His footprints in your heart.

the holy alphabet

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to anyone according to what He has done. I am the Alpha & the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:12-13)

a piece of cake

A little boy is telling his grandma how everything is going wrong.....school, family problems, severe health problems, etc.

Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack which, of course, he does.

"Here, have some cooking oil."
"Yucks!" says the boy.

"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Grandma!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"

"Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves, but when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

shoes in church

I showered and shaved.....I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat.....In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer..... As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me.....Touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side.....I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine.....But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: 'Our Father'.....I thought, 'This man with the shoes has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched.....Even worse, there are holes on the side!'
'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on....The shoe man said a quiet 'Amen.'
I tried to focus on the prayer.....But my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best.....When walking through that door?
'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought.....Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended.....And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud.....Sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters.....His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear.....The shoe man's voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering..... And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached.....Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out.....What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft 'clink'.....As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me.....To tears, and that's no lie.
It was the same for the shoe man.....For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service.....As is the custom here.
We must greet new visitors..... And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow.....And wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer.....I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark.....And his hair was truly a mess.
But I thanked him for coming.....For being our guest.

He said, 'My name's Charlie.....I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'
There were tears in his eyes.....But he had a large, wide grin.
'Let me explain,' he said.....Wiping tears from his eyes.
'I've been coming here for months.....And you're the first to say 'Hi.'' '
'I know that my appearance.....Is not like all the rest.'
'But I really do try.....To always look my best.'
'I always clean and polish my shoes.....Before my very long walk.'
'But by the time I get here.....They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'

My heart filled with pain.....And I swallowed to hide my tears.
As he continued to apologize.....For daring to sit so near.
He said, 'When I get here.....I know I must look a sight.'
'But I thought if I could touch you.....Then maybe our souls might unite.'

I was silent for a moment.....Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison.....I spoke from my heart, not my head.
'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......And taught me, in part'.
'That the best of any man.....Is what is found in his heart.'
The rest, I thought..... This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am.....That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.

"My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus,
don't show favouritism." (James 2:1)