Compassion

30 Years Ago

30 Years Ago

30 years ago this week, I had an encounter that irrevocably altered the trajectory of my life.

In an old hot, barn type building, I reluctantly sat listening to a preacher man tell of the need for a Savior.

I wanted so bad to run out of there that night! As the preacher man started his closing comments, I began looking for my escape!

To my left sat my 2 children, David and Shelly; next to them was Rev David Archer, hands folded and praying for me!

As I turned to my right, looking for my wife, Sherri, I noticed she was gone, and was now down at the front of that old building, kneeling in prayer! My little sister Jenniferwas down there too!

I felt like I would explode, anxiety was building and I decided to leave the building . . . I needed air or I thought I would die.

When I reached the aisle, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder; the next thing I knew, I was on my knees at the front of that old church building.

Some say weak men go to Jesus as an out; I wasn’t weak, I was broken, I did NOT want to be there, yet there I was!

Jesus came looking for me, and He gently cornered me that night, and looked into my heart. When my eyes met His, and with tears flowing, I said to Him: ” I got nothing to give you, nothing”

With compassion and grace He replied: “I’ll take it.”

30 years later I still love Him, the oddest thing . . . He still loves me!

Some of my dearest friends think Jesus is a joke, a fallacy propagated for over 2 millennia.

My earnest prayer today, is that the same Jesus that looked into my heart, would be pleased to look into yours!

Posted by onthesolidrock in Faith, Family, Holiness, Humility, Prayer, Thankfulness, Trust, 0 comments
Learn Compassion

Learn Compassion

In our endeavor to reach people for Jesus, we must become people of compassion. For some of us this does not come easy. God will grant compassion to those who earnestly seek it!

When we watch people constantly struggle and fall, sometimes we get into the “just get over it” mindset. That is NOT compassion! It is actually judgment. What we are really saying is; “I am frustrated, and not able to know how to help you, I got over it, so should you.”

These kinds of statements place shame on the individual you are speaking to. They will begin to avoid you at all costs!

Gently and compassionately lead them to Jesus; He is the ONLY one who can truly set them free!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   John 3:16

Posted by onthesolidrock in Compassion, Faith, Holiness, Humility, Trust, 0 comments