The Untouchable (Compassion)

Dusk settles in. A pull and click a round is loaded into the chamber ready to be fired at the target at the other end. A careful aim and a decision to fire or to use one or several rounds have to be made. Sometimes it is hard to see when light is minimized and finding that target. Similar to driving in the dark when there isn’t a full moon and rain is falling trying to differentiate between road and unpaved road.

     Thoughts and words are the same as that loaded chamber with ammo in it. One word or several words taking aim at someone can wound or kill a soul. Does it have to be just words? What about a look or glance at someone? Is it just the same? Ever been on that other end of the gun? You maybe wounded. Divorce, financial debt, parents won’t talk to you or maybe you are just plumb ready to give up because you been so sick. Is there any compassion to be had?

     We have a choice to make in our thoughts and actions. Several months there were two men and a misunderstanding occurred between them. Sure bullets of words flew and both wounded by the other’s actions through misunderstanding. However, something took place and compassion brought them closer together.

     What is compassion? Paul tells us in Colossians 3:12 to clothe ourselves in compassion. Is it like wrapping ourselves in the blanket we feel so secure in? Compassion like a warm blanket that shelters us and provides security in knowing we can be comforted in something so simple.

     Two things jump out in understanding compassion. Ever felt rejected and didn’t feel you were worthy? Like the two blind men (Matthew 20:29-24) sitting on the road crying out, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” Yet, the crowd was rebuking them to be quiet. Jesus heard them and asked what you want me to do for you? Stop. Wait. Jesus was asking them what they want Him to do and yet in His heart, he already knew.

     They answered we want our sight. Jesus was moved with compassion and physically touched their eyes. Why? Why not just say your faith has made you whole? Why did he touch them? Let us look into another story to see if we can find the answer.

     A man with leprosy (Mark 1:40-45) begged on his knees and said, “if you are willing, you can make me clean.” There is an understanding with the man of leprosy that is in need in knowing he can be clean, but it is up to the Jesus that provides the compassion to do it. Knowing Moses’ law, Jesus being clean touched the unclean and healed him because he was moved in compassion.

     Compassion compels to reach to the wounded and uplift and restore them to the original state. The crowds rejected the cries of a blind man, but compassion of touch restored the sight. I wonder who really was blind in this story the crowd that wanted to over look the cry out or the blind man. Compassion moves into the extreme by looking past the laws or boundaries which boxes us in our minds and empowers us to begin touching the untouchable.

     The blind needed the touch because that is what they were using to see. The leper needed a human touch because it has been many years since someone clean touched him. Compassion is providing immeasurable grace to someone who is hurting and moving outside the box of the norm while touching the untouchable.

sometimes you might think you are untouchable. Two things must occur in order for the passion in compassion comes alive. The wounded must believe they can be healed and those who are moved with compassion must be willing to step outside the norm and touch a life that is in need of healing.

     You are not alone. We all have been wounded. Compassion is a wonderful gift that provides clothing to those who are hurting. There is hope and Christ provides that compassion to us all; by His wounds, you have been healed (1 Pt 2:24). Do not despair, have the faith in knowing you can be restored. We all can be a little more compassionate on those who are willing to be made whole.

     Compassion moves into the extreme by looking past the laws or boundaries which boxes us in our minds and empowers us to begin touching the untouchable. It is going against the crowds of rejection and uplifting those in need to feel the touch when they felt all hope was lost.

The Splintered Life

Our stretched arms and legs peak from under the covers on a cool brisk morning air. Today is the day. Mixed emotions stir like thoughts in a blender and hard to gather one thought and focus. Our minds become splintered with different thoughts. We dwell on should have, could have, would have and what ifs. Sometimes we live a life full of regrets, shame and guilt. The very quills hurt as if we were stunned by a porcupine invading its territory.

     Either way your life is splintered and torn by life’s events. Words like nails in a board can cause a splinter. A tragic event can splinter a part of your heart that it still bleeds for closure. Like a lion with a thorn in its paw we tend to lash out at others and even the ones who are trying to help. Maybe someone did not understand what you were going through and hurt you even more with their words. Either way we have splinters. 

      If you are splintered there is hope. Some in the Christian realm have looked at a specific passage John 13 when it was known that Jesus washed the apostle’s feet. Some say this is about being a servant to each other. Let us look at it from a different point of view.

     I see this passage as how to get rid of splinters in our lives. It was custom for guests to remove dust from feet when traveling. Peter had a bath. However, he wanted more than what Jesus was offering. In this account, what did the washing of the feet symbolize?
     Forgiveness. Jesus was teaching them that they would be clean through Him. However, Jesus told them to do the same to others. In every aspect, relationships are the key component throughout the bible, and the lessons may be difficult for some and for others easy to do: forgive.
     The hardest of all of this is learning how to forgive ourselves. Splinters are reminders of the aftermath of the destruction that took place. We can be like an oyster and learn to make a pearl. We can remain like a roaring lion with the thorn stuck in its paw and never get anywhere because it hurts too much. How we view our splintered lives will determine the outcome.
     It is true some splinters we cause and not careful in how we handle “rough wood.’ It starts by learning to allow Him to help us forgive ourselves. When we learn to love ourselves then that love can be given to others. That is the pearl. Even though there is that pain, we share the beauty, of how we overcome. It is only temporary if we learn how to get rid of the splinters. Learn how to mend your splintered life. If you need help, I know someone who can. Christ said in john 13:17 “if you know these things, happy are you if you do them.” It is on the application and not on whether we know or understand.
     Splinters like grudges, anger, depression or a lack of forgiveness only cripple us like a strong lion roaring for help. Eventually, left untreated can destroy us. Forgiveness of us and others is the key to unlocking the shackles and destroying the splinters. Are you ready to get rid of your splintered life and enter into a healthy peaceful life by getting rid of those splinters?

The Forgotten Jesus

Sea birds like dive bombers dropping from the firmaments hit their objective of fish, while they flock around the Galilean Sea coast. Cool north light wind blows as the sun begins to tranquillize in for the night. Footsteps in the sand leading away towards the mountains and untroubled whispers of on lookers stand in amazement.
     The lame crawled like frail children into the presence of a man wearing leather sandals, hoping it was their turn to walk proudly in his shoes. The blind felt their way like the air was Braille, until their fingers touched the weathered compassionate face of a man who has not shaved today. The mute communicate with the eyes of a man who is a shepherd of souls having faith, they will be able to sing praises like morning birds.
     A Canaanite woman came to Jesus. Amazing a woman whose nation was destroyed by the Jewish Nation would come to a Jewish man. She cried out like if she was at a baseball stadium and cheered, “Have mercy on me.” Silence grew like a cold night that freezes a lake solid. One could shiver at the thought of a silent Jewish man who was talkative is now mute in his response. His followers were bothered by her outcries and wanted to send her away. He replied, “I was sent to the lost sheep of Israel.” That could have pricked the woman’s heart like an open wound and a medical doctor asks, “does that hurt?’ Yet, with strong conviction like a lion on the prowl knelt humbly and asked, “Lord, help me.”
     I know what you are thinking. Why even bother. Our tendency is to give up. Perhaps it was someone who professes, they are a Christian and all they can do is point out the sin in your life. Maybe it was a minister or an elder saying, “this is a civil matter, and we cannot help.” It hurts. You’re wounded already and no one wants to get to the source of your pain.
     He replied to her plea of help, but not in the way she expected. Have you ever felt this way when you pray, and you expect an answer and yet, He provides something different than the outcome you expected? Are you shocked?
     He replied, "Why should I provide you the very bread of life and to pitch it away?" She could have given up like the rest of us. Giving up because we cannot get what we expect at that moment. She persists with even the crumbs is enough for me. Her faith was proven and her request was fulfilled.
    It is effortless to blame God. It is trouble-free to become agnostic and say there isn’t a God. The pain is deep. Alcohol or drugs seem to numb the pain, but only to wake up again with more pain. I know you seek out a church, and some Christian makes you feel unworthy because maybe they have stated that you are wrong, and it made you feel worse.
     I want you to know not all churches and not all Christians are the same. Just like in a family everyone is different. There is that favorite aunt you like and your spouse’s parents could be your outlaws. Some are funny, some are not in the right minds and yet they are all in the family.
     We live in age that is restrictive in our communication to God. Sometimes we feel it is a one way communication when we pray and there is no answer. We leave churches because we are wounded. One thing to remember is not to forget that Canaanite woman and her response. When all hope seems to be lost. When we feel we want to give up. This is the time to remember the one who heals all wounds. It is our faith and our open eyes of perseverance in seeing what He wants us to see. For those Christians who have wounded you, I want to apologize because they have forgotten Jesus.
     When humans put limitations and expectations on words of others and you go back to being mute and you withdraw into a crippled state, don’t forget the power in Jesus. Take courage like the Canaanite woman and have faith. How do we get healed since Jesus no longer walks on the earth? Everything we do is done by faith now. There is a healthy way of living. What is the healthy way of living? What is the healthy way of Christians?
     For everyone there are steps of progression to a healthy life. Peter mentions it in 2 Peter 1 to make every effort to add to your faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

     One has to start out having faith and because of your faith you start walking in goodness (1 John 1:7). When you begin to walk you gain the knowledge by meditation (Ps 119:99). The knowledge of Him (2 Pt 1:3) helps us in our self-control because we are renewed in His knowledge and self-control is the renewing of our mind and spirit (Ps 51:10, Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 4:16, Col 3:10). Once we gain self-control, as hard as it maybe, we are to persevere in our renewing and steadfastness. Persevere under the trials or temptations (Heb 10:36, James 1:12) but the testing of our faith develops that perseverance (James 1:3) so that, we can become mature and not lack anything (James 1:4). When we become mature we make those decisions that help us to live in godliness (1 John 3:6, 9). We begin to act and do things that are according to his word and we do the command that Christ has given to us. Brotherly Kindness or showing love (John 15:17) and notice that Love is the last to mention because that is the hardest to obtain (1 Cor 13:4-8, 13).

     I get the hurt and pain. I have been there in the depths of blackness at one time in my life because of the wounds. There was only way to get out of my dispair. I had to get on my knees and be like the Canaanite woman and ask for the crumbs of healing. My faith has healed me, and that is why you are reading this message and to provide strength and hope to your world of pain and hurt.

     To Christians reading this blog when one begins to understand the concept of how Jesus healed without pointing out the sin then churches will grow. It isn’t about browbeating, bible beating, your wrong, your sinning; it is about the hurting soul. Sometimes, to draw those out of their hurt or what you call sinful lives, we have to be humble and ask what they can do to help us. Jesus did, when he asked the sinful adulterous woman at the well, “Give me a drink”.
     To those who are hurting that are wounded, whether you are a Christian or not, you cannot forget Christ, who is the Great Physician. There is a healthy way of living. It is just learning how. Listen to your heart and how it beats for someone to understand you. I hope this gives you a powerful IMPACT into your life. The first step is to know that Christ can help you to have an impact. My acronym for IMPACT: I Must Practice A Cheerful Triumph. When you practice healthy living, you will experience a cheerful triumph. Go in peace and may God provide you the comfort and blessings as you seek and start today towards healing. There are some Christians, like me, that understand where you are and haven’t forgotten the Jesus that heals.

What Is A Raccuman?

Raccoons becoming Human?

Raccoons are stimulating animals. Raccoons are infatuated with shiny objects. Once raccoons get them in their hands, they do not let loose. It is easy to capture them using a simple trap. Small enough for their hand to reach in, but too small for them to pull their hand back out with their tiny fist clenched with their shiny idol, they coveted.

     This leaves me to wonder, do we have their characteristics? Raccoons are focused creatures, but also it is their weakness. Sometimes we become so focused on a problem we forget to step outside the forest to see the single tree. Shiny objects can be unforgiving because someone has hurt us, or we stay in the victim mode and not become a survivor, and occasionally we are resistant to change that might improve us.     

     When raccoons are ensnared they become ferocious. This can be in terms of being captured by intoxicating beverages and the alcoholic state turns one mean and abusive. Entrapment can feel like being imprisoned in a marriage where love has lost its way due to violence. Your hands are caught in the trap of excessive debt. Maybe it is any past abuse that entangles you as the victim and not the survivor. Some animals will chew off their leg to be set free, but then they die because of the open wounds.     
     Feel depressed with the absence of motivation to do anything? Does your body feel washed-out and sick all the time? These are the symptoms of being trapped like a raccoon. The bitterness of life becomes the rabies that affects everyone who crosses the path of the one entrapped.
     David described it in Psalms as his bones wasted away and his strength was sapped as if he was in the heat of summer (Ps. 32:3, 4). I know you are probably wondering why even go to the bible, since some say it is a book of fairy tales, but I need your help. I was proven wrong and the bible is not fictional based stories to believe in a god that we have become angry at. I have been where you are. I have been entrapped and felt like David being wasted away.
     One thing I have learned is that when the thorns of this life asphyxiates me, I do not want to listen to God, and I stay embittered (Mark 4:18-20). I had to understand to trust and to believe that Christ is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). His Spirit gives life (John 6:63). How is this done? It is amazing to read in Exodus 34:28 Moses was with God for forty days and nights without eating bread or drinking water. God provides sustaining life. No man can survive without water more than 5 days. He is the living water (John 4).
     The key is that God provides life. Are there problems? Yes! What is the difference then? The difference is that through Him, we have freedom as long as we lose our shiny objects and not depend on the world because he provides eternal life (John 12:25). I did not trust myself or anyone when I was entrapped and the only way out was up. Trusting in Him was the biggest thing I could have ever done. Therefore, are you a Raccuman? I can help get rid of the black eyes that want to cling to what we thought was best. Let me know if I can help you.