Compassion. Can you give it?

"Everyone needs compassion. A love that's never failing. Let mercy fall on me."
And my favorite line, "Everyone needs forgiveness. The kindness of a Savior."
(Song: Mighty to Save. Artist: Hillsong)

There are so many things on my heart, so many I could say right now.
I do feel an urgency. An urgency for true followers of Christ to rise. To show compassion.
Before we lose the lost world to the louder voices. 

What would Jesus want from us?
If they need the kindness of  a Savior, and we are an extension of Christ--then, we should BE the kindness.
Have you been kind? Have I been kind?

Everyone needs compassion.
Your neighbor needs compassion.
Your boss needs compassion.
Your spouse needs compassion.
Your political right friend needs compassion. As does your political left.
Hillary Clinton needs compassion.
Donald Trump needs compassion.
Those who hate you need compassion.
People of color need compassion.
Racists need compassion. (and, no, I don't support racism at all. but only love wins.)
Police officers need compassion.
The McDonald's worker needs compassion.
NONE need more compassion than the other.
If we are giving compassion out freely, there would be no condemnation between us.

You get the idea. "Fill in the blank" needs compassion. Where do you stand?
Do those you have put in the blank feel compassion?

Have our actions this past month made people want what we have (the Spirit) or made them run as far away as possible? Heaven help us if it's the latter.

I am writing to myself.
I am writing to you if you claim to follow Christ.
Could we agree to show more compassion?

Could we get off our phones at check out, the drive thru, and in our homes and genuinely look at the person across from us and show compassion? Smile and show we care. Ask how someone is doing. Pray for the broken-hearted whether we know them or not?

Could we go out of our way to reassure those who are fearful right now?
Go out of the way to show compassion?
Whether or not you understand their fear isn't the issue.
Their fear is real and, honestly, once we take the time to understand those different from us we will realize they have a reason to fear.

Could we take time to hear the other side?
I can be compassionate. I can demonstrate mercy and still know what I believe to be true.

I wonder if any of us really want to live in Heaven?
Because at that time, we will have to live together in harmony. Yes, the Prince of Peace will be in front of us. But, He's left us POWER for now. The Holy Spirit. Jesus was on earth and yet LEFT so that the Spirit could come. Christian, grab that power. We are not left without hope. We are not left without a love that should be exploding around us.
Hold onto your truth. Teach when you should teach.
But wake up--without love you are a noisy gong.
Love. Show Mercy. Show Compassion. Take a Sabbath rest to remind yourself of what you were rescued from, then show the same forgiveness given you and give it to others.

Let's do this together. Compassion. Can you give it?

Thoughts on the Presidency & His Word

Today, we elected a new president, Donald Trump. I did not vote for him nor his main opponent Hillary Clinton. But honestly, that is beside the point. It really isn't about them or, frankly, me.

What it is about is what I say I believe. . .and how I live it out during the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

I believe that my Father above is good. . .therefore, I will, with His help, try to also be good to others.
I believe that my Father exhibits loving kindness. . .therefore, I will try to exhibit loving kindness to all I encounter.
I believe my Father fights for the widows & the orphan. . .therefore, I will commit to do the same.
I believe my Father desires ALL to come to Him and repent and follow Him. . . therefore, I will tell any who desires to know Him.
Because He loved all of us and gave His Son up for us, I will (only with His love) try to love those around me. . .not just the easy to love ones, but my enemies. Those who disagree with me. Those who look different than me. Those who think different from me. 
Because He is just, I will try to fight for justice. . .for all who need it. 
Because He was about His kingdom, I will be about His kingdom. . .not the kingdom of America. (Please know that I am grateful for all my rights and freedoms and am thankful for my country. However, my citizenship here does NOT override my true citizenship with Christ and His kingdom)

So, President Elect Trump and Vice President Pence. . .I will pray for you. Your job will not be easy. I will pray that you are humble before the Lord and before the people He has put under you. I will pray that my country, including myself, will give you a chance to start anew and that we will be humbled as well. We all should remember, the Lord Himself sets up kingdoms and tears them down.

But, rest assured, I will not support evil towards others. I will pray for you but I will only stand with you when your decisions are for good and not evil. I will watch how others are treated. I won't stand by and let humanity be torn down for the sake of democracy. But, I will pray. I will give you a chance. I am able to do so because HE lives, and HE holds my tomorrow. 

Isaiah 8:12-13 ESV "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, Him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread."

Psalm 146:3-5: "Do not trust in nobles, in man, who cannot save. When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die. Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God."

Daniel 2:20-22 ESV "Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him."

Psalm 147:1-6 ESV "Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground."