A fatal capacity - Compassion

"Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too." -  Frederick Buechner

I wondered why Buechner spoke about compassion being a 'fatal capacity', but on reflection I think it has something to do with being drawn into the world of those who are in pain. We need to 'feel' the pain of people in trouble, but when our compassion causes fatigue in our own lives, then we can be stepping on dangerous territory.

The second part of his words strike me as being very UNSELFISH - it is the ability to realise that my 'peace and joy' can't be fully enjoyed if I know that you are having difficulty. 

2 Kings 13:23 - But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day he has been unwilling to destroy them or banish them from his presence.

What do you think?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Beauty for Brokeness

 

"Beauty for Brokeness
Hope for Despair
Lord, in your suffering world
This is our prayer:
Bread for the children,
Justice, joy, peace;
Sunrise to sunset,
Your Kingdom Increase.

God of the Poor
Friend of the weak,
Give us Compassion we pray:
Melt our cold hearts,
Let tears fall like rain;
Come, change our love
From a spark to a flame." 

Graham Kendrick wrote this song  in 1993 for the 25th anniversary of the charity Tearfund. It was influenced by a visit that he had made to India in 1992 and Graham's perception of the contrast between Indian poverty and Western affluence. If you want to listen to the whole song click here.

God bless you.
Living in Grace
D3LM3

A twist of fate?

When Guido (Guy) Fawkes and his co-conspirators failed in their plot to blow up the English House of Parliament in 1605, they inadvertently spared the life of King James 1. In doing so, they allowed James to continue his sponsorship of the translation of the Bible into English. This work began in 1604 and finished in 1611 - the end result was the King James Version of the Bible.

So in a strange way, Guy Fawkes' failure allowed the success of the KJV to prevail. Call it a twist of fate or just God's Providence - the end result was a version of the Bible that has spoken to many believers for centuries.

The other interesting outcome is that millions of people set off fireworks on the 5th November without knowing who Guy Fawkes was and why they are celebrating this occasion :)
Life is certainly interesting!!

John 3:16 (KJV) - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Complete Opposites

 

Surrounded by evil people, a band of violent men and narrow minded religious folk, King David felt totally alone. Yet, in the midst of his predicament he remembered that God was still faithful and that God's character was completely opposite to that of his enemies. In his prayer, David proclaims:

"But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.
¹⁷ Give me a sign of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me." - Psalm 86:15-17

Remember this today - God is Gracious and Compassionate.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

When darkness overtakes you

"When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in..." - Psalm 112:4

As we reflect on this verse today there are 3 important things I have noticed:

1. Darkness comes to all of us. The Psalmist used the word - "when..." to describe this event, not 'If.'
2. Even the 'Godly" can be impacted by storms and dark times in our lives.
3. The great PROMISE is that the Light of Jesus Christ will come bursting in. 

May you have a blessed day and please hold onto the promise of God.

Francis Bacon - "In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

All Saints Day

The first of November marks 'All Saints Day' in many Christian circles and in order to celebrate with others, I am offering 3 delightful quotes from three remarkable people.

“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” - Clare of Assisi

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent." - St. John of the Cross

"If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way." - St. Thomas Aquinas 

Each one of these speaks into different situations of our lives, but perhaps one of these is for YOU today. Enjoy.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Influence and Reform

 

In Christian circles (especially in Protestant churches) we note that the 31 October is remembered as Reformation Day. However it is important to note that for Christians REFORMATION is an ongoing event in our lives and not just an historical occurrence. We should be asking God to change us every day and allowing the Spirit to help us influence the world for Jesus.

In light of this, I think the words of J. Gresham Machen are very apt for our Church today:

"For Christians to influence the world with the truth of God's Word requires the recovery of the great Reformation doctrine of vocation. Christians are called to God's service not only in church professions but also in every secular calling. The task of restoring truth to the culture depends largely on our laypeople."

We must move away from the tendency to assume that the clergy are the only ones who can represent Christ in the world. This is false doctrine. Every one of us, who identifies with Jesus Christ, is called to be a 'transformer.'

2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Living in Grace
D3LM3