What If...

Topic(s): Faith

What merit has a kind heart if kept to oneself;
What use are good intentions if not acted upon;
What good does talent serve if left unfulfilled;
What worth have possessions if so many are poor;
What comfort is faith if constantly questioned? - Lynn Bendorovich

Prayer In America

Topic(s): Prayer

Princeton Research Associates reports these percentages of Americans:

• Ask for health or success for a child or family member 82%

• Ask for strength to overcome a personal weakness 75%

• Never ask for financial or career success 36%

• God answers prayers 87%

• God doesn't answer prayers 51%

• Believe God does not play favorites in answering prayers 82%

• Believe God answers prayers for healing someone with an
  incurable disease 79%

• Prayers for help in finding a job are answered 73%

• Believe that when God doesn't answer their prayers, it
  means it wasn't God's will to answer 54%

• Don't turn away from God when prayers go unanswered 82% - LEADERSHIP Winter 1998 issue

The Ability to Relate

Topic(s): Love

The ability to participate in how others feel or to relate to another's feelings is not a common attribute in our generation. Nonetheless, it is essential for Christians. The ability to empathize is one of Jesus' greatest characteristics—people knew He cared about them because of the way He involved Himself in their lives (needs, pains, joys) (John 6:1-14; 9:1f; 11:35).

Recently I received a call for help from a lady who needed milk for her children—that was all, just milk. As I thought about this and discussed it with my wife it hit me that I was not trying to put myself in her shoes but was trying to decide if we should help her since she had called us several times over the last few months. Empathy is not easy to develop. As I put the shoe on the other foot—my own—what would I do and what would I hope to hear if I made the request? Would I call and beg for milk for my children if I was unable to provide it? Yes! My attitude was changed simply because I tried to participate with this person in my mind putting myself in her place.

Please consider an article by Bruce Breegle of Chattanooga, Tennessee. :

A small boy knocked with all his might on the door of the white mansion. As the door opened before him, he looked up to see the owner's frown and heard the words, "What do you want?" He replied, "Doesn't that sign say PUPPIES FOR SALE?" "Yes, but you couldn't begin to pay for our puppies." The determined lad held out his hand with 16 cents in it and said, "Is this enough? And if it isn't, I'll pay you for the rest of my life!" Just then a proud spaniel mother came leading her puppies. The last puppy was slowly making his way with a noticeable limp. The boy cried out, "That's the one I want!" The owner tried to discourage the boy, telling him he wouldn't want a crippled dog but the boy would not listen. He picked up the dog and started down the walk. The owner noticed one trouser-cuff pushed up on his leg and beneath it a brace. The compassionate boy related to this little puppy better than any other buyer could have.

Jesus relates to us because He has lived among us and understands our spiritual limps. He helps us walk in the light of truth! Are you able to relate to others? - Earl Weldon

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted… - Eph 4:32