More Than Dreams

Just saw this on CBN website, and have viewed these stories before, they are beautifully done, and tell a few of the stories of how Jesus is touching some Muslims to bring them to understanding the truth about Himself. You can see the full videos online, and recommend them very highly:

http://www.morethandreams.org/index.html

It's a Pity

image link

The way I see the word "pity" used these days brings up an image of someone who disdains the unfortunate by having a haughtiness while looking down at other people's misfortune.  I've often seen it used in such a way, and also that it is wrong (politically incorrect) to pity other people's misfortunes, that to feel pity is somehow demeaning. More and more it seems that it is more acceptable to be cold and unfeeling rather than to feel pity.

Merriam Webster's definition of the word "pity":

1. sympathetic sorrow for one suffering, distressed, or unhappy b : capacity to feel pity

2. something to be regretted <it's a pity you can't go>

1. She has had a hard life and deserves your pity.
2. I felt deep pity for the lost dog.
3. He didn't live to see his daughter grow up, and that's a pity.

I think God pities us, I think Jesus pitied Jerusalem when He wept (see link for image above).  I think the word "pity" has become distorted just as the word "charity" (God's perfect love) has devolved to now mean giving your cast aways and left overs to the poor. 

I think it would be good if we all felt a good dose of pity for the weak, the perishing, and the lost. Did "pity" get a bad rap because of "Mr. T"?

Mr. T

Love Your Enemies

Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

I think  we've all heard preaching on this topic, from the Beatitudes, and the story of the good Samaritan. But can we be honest a moment? Who of us actually loves those who are nasty and cruel and hateful towards ourselves? I get a failing grade here. It's easy to be a "good Christian" to those who are nice, and who treat us with love and respect. Not so much with that other kind of person, the ones who would spit in your face given half a chance.

God has tested me over and over on this one, and I fail each time.

In another situation, Jesus disciples asked Him:

 Mat 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?



 and I take comfort in Jesus' answer (I know this isn't a salvation issue....):

Mat 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.