A Heart of Compassion

Last night at church we were asked, "Who do you serve." Of course there was the "God and Jesus" answer but we also talked about various others we serve...others in need, other ministries, self and family and friends, and of course our church body. None of these are negative, some aspects can be, but for the most part it is good to serve in these areas.

The question that spoke loudly to my heart was not "Who do you Serve," to me it was a question of "Why" do you serve. So many times we serve out of obligation and need. There is a class that needs to be taught, a nursery that needs a worker, a doctor's visit, the yard needs to be mowed...these are all areas of service. It all has to be accomplished and positions have to be filled. So, again the question is "Why" do you serve.

"And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things." Mark 6:34

We should be serving out of a heart for the Lord. Our love for him gives us compassion. Compassion is defines as "deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering." It's not simply feeling pity or sorrow for someone, or something. It is being MOVED to helping better the situation. When we focus on our Savior and His desires for us, the nursery is full of adults that have compassion for for infants and toddlers. Our prison ministries are filled with people who genuinely desire to meet the inmates where they are and to show compassion. The drug addicted mother of 5 doesn't feel shunned because she sees the Love of Christ in us. The man that stinks up the town from his odor, is offered a shower because we are moved to better his situation. Our friends and families will feel genuinely loved and cared for. We begin to see past the FLESH so we can meet the needs of those we encounter in our daily lives.

We care for people in a different manner when our care taking stems from the place of loving our Lord, from his heart of compassion toward the hurting.

I pray that I can extend genuine compassion toward others I encounter along this journey.

Favorite Son? You Bet!

Happy Birthday, Payton!

My son is Great! He is thoughtful and considerate. He compliments me on clothes, food, room arrangements and even on the curriculum I choose to teach. I don't know a lot of children like him. He loves to read, climb trees, read while climbing trees, sword fight, play soccer, build with Legos and throw a football.


He loves the Lord. He is intense sometimes, and silly others. He's a great brother, not without faults, but striving to have as few as possible. He tells great stories, gives great hugs and always says "I love you."


Because of him, I became a mom! He is a JOY! It's been a GREAT 11 years!

More, Please!

I desire to have an unquenched hunger for MORE. More time in prayer, more truth, more revelation, more opportunities to share...just MORE.

There is a song I've been singing over and over in my head..."More Love, More Power, More of you in my life...I will worship you with all of my heart. I will worship you with all of my strength. I will worship you will all of my heart. You are my Lord. You are my Lord!"

I want More, so I can give more. To be a cup overflowing and spilling out. That is my desire.

Martha and Mary

"And Jesus answered and said unto her, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" Luke 10:41-42

This morning as I was scurrying around preparing for the day, I sat down to read a new book "A Woman After God's Own Heart". Of course, I didn't get far before the Lord stopped me. I read "Chapter 1: A Heart Devoted to God"...then Luke 10:42.

So often I am Martha. In my scurrying I find that I am careful, or anxious, and troubled. If I wasn't, there would be no need of the hastiness. There is NOTHING innately wrong with what Martha is doing. She is preparing for her guests, cleaning and cooking. Where she is out of order is that she doesn't recognize her need to sit at Jesus feet, to be filled up and equipped.

I, too, need to come sit with Jesus first, then all the peripheral business I need to accomplish seems to fall into place, without much effort. My thoughts, my actions...sometimes even those around me are affected by the time I spend with Jesus. When I take the time to come into the presence of my Savior, I am equipped to handle what life throws at me...attitudes, messes, schedules, dishes, laundry, emotions...the list goes on! When I forsake that precious time with the Lord, well...I become anxious and troubled, trying to go it alone in the flesh. That then leads to weariness and resentment.

I am thankful this morning for the reminder. I pray that I will need the reminding less and less.

Have a great Monday!

My FAVORITE Daughter

She's SEVEN today!

Hallie is truely a blessing to our family. She is joyful and kind and very cute! I love how she loves Jesus and others. She has a tender heart for those she loves and even those she doesn't.

I love how she prays.

I love how her smile lights up a room and how her eyes sparkle.

I love the way she dances through a room.

I love hearing her sing to BOZ as she cleans her room.

I love that she wants to be a mom, that she loves to help and that she's good at helping.

I love to the way she calls our dog a "puuuppppyyy" and he's about 4 yrs old.

I love the way she looks at nature with wonder in her eyes.

I love the way she lights up when I ask her if she wants PB & J for lunch!

I love that she likes to dress in dresses and bows and yet she can still get dirty!

I love the way she loves...especially her brother.

I love that she thinks her dad hung the moon and rushes to hug him when he's been gone.

Happy Birthday my Sweet daughter!

May you continue to follow after Christ all the days of your life,

and may you grow in Wisdom and Truth.