splagchnizomai!

hey all!

Here's a mini re-cap of this week's LG about compassion... which resulted from the previous Encounter meeting looking at justice and loving people

Thinking about Compassion triggers some thoughts like
- 3rd world countries
- sympathy/empathy
- pity
- mercy

In Greek it means splagchnizomai! ---- bowels yearning! ^^ ..sounds messy =P

Dictionary.com says it means:
a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

I read into some resources about compassion and here's what it said about how it was modeled by Jesus:
Luke 10:33-34, Matt 15:32 : compassion involves action… its practical…desires to meet people’s needs
Mark 1:41 : touching the untouchable, like Jesus did, and having a servant heart

Some interesting points were raised
- can compassion be insincere? ---- its really a state of the heart, and God will see true compassion.. although works done in the name of compassion may still be motivated by other things eg. selfish ambition...
- is the compassion that a Christian may feel differ to a non christian? ---- what do you guys think? Compassion arising from injustice would be common to both... but a Christian may also feel compassion on those that other people may not, out of an overflow of love for their God and God's people..and in seeing others the way Jesus would see them
remember the diagram by Nathan Robinson:
know God -> know his love, grace and mercy -> Love God -> Love People

I rkn Josh said something cool -- compassion is Selfless

So this week --- let's be mindful of opportunities where we can show compassion to others! Think of one particular person whom you know may be in need--- it might involve going out of your way to do something for them
Like how the bible says, forgive as you have been forgiven.... be compassionate people, because God has shown compassion on you =)
OHH and i forgot to bring it up last meeting... but this mid-sem break- how would you all feel about volunteering with an organisation where we can help those in need? Janice has some idea about where we could go--- our goodwill ambassador!

and announcements that i always forget:
Sept 19 - THE BALL---- $65!! we need to organise transport.. Michael and Robbie-can still change your minds ^^
Oct 1 - YA baptisms--- anyone thinking about getting baptised?
Oct 5 - Will Graham--- Billy Graham's grandson is speaking on sunday at church

anyways, splagchnizomai! =)