Put on Kindness

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
Stephen Grellet, Quaker Missionary

How important is kindness to your mission? As Christians, the kindness we show to others is rooted in our response to how much God loves us and the sacrifice He made on our behalf. He lavished the riches of His grace on us. From that abundance we love others, and one way we express that love is through showing kindness to one another. In fact, a definition of grace is “undeserved kindness.”

Kindness is not just saying kind words but doing them, living them. Jesus was a perfect example of kindness. He went around helping people. They lined up for hours to hear his words and receive healing. Jesus helped people regardless of whether they deserved it or not. For many, it was the last thing they expected. It was something they were rarely shown. Remember the woman at the well? Instead of judging, the Lord was kind to her.

There are a lot of examples of kindness in Scripture.
God says, Do you want to be in this Kingdom? Do you want to know how you’ll never ever fall away? Add these characteristics into your life.  2 Peter 1:7 says,  “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.”
Brotherly kindness: Do we have that in our lives?"

Remember when Paul and the other prisoners werewereshipwrecked on their way to Rome?  They swam ashore to the isle of Malta.  It says in Acts 28, “When they had been brought safely through, then we found that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and the cold they kindled a fire and received us all.”  So I think “brotherly kindness” is not only kindness to a brother, but kindness like we would show our brother. The natives of Malta were not brothers, but strangers; probably heathens.

Another Bible story showing kindness is in 2 Samuel 9 about King David showing unexpected—and life-changing—kindness to a disabled young man by the name of Mephibosheth. “The king asked, ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?’ Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’" This story is in the context of God Himself showing extraordinary kindness to David.  Psalm 18:50 says, “He gives great deliverance to His King, and shows loving kindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”  Kindness is an expression of the very character of God. David recognizes that he is the chief recipient of God’s loving kindness and, in turn, shows kindness to another.

Then there’s this wonderful reference in Acts 9: 36-42 about a woman in Joppa, a disciple named Tabitha. “This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did.” How kind and loving she must have been, to have been spoken of in the Bible for being full of love and doing kind deeds. I like thinking about that, because that’s something I can do.

We all know about the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31, right?  So many accomplishments.  But there’s one characteristic of the virtuous woman that we give little attention to. Proverbs 31:26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom; and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

God calls us to be kind and gentle people. By His grace, all of us can be kind in very practical ways that glorify Him. Our kindness, when we give God the glory, makes others feel treasured and loved by Him, as we know we are.  Colossians 3:12 says, “So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

How are you, as a parent, a teacher, a Church leader, a Christian perpetuating God’s kindness through your ministry? How would intentionally embracing kindness influence the mission of your life?


Father, I am grateful for the loving kindness you show me every day. I pray that you will fill my heart with kindness. Help me to see those around me in the same way you do - as loved and treasured people, and may any kindness I can show to others point to you. Thank you for Jesus, who intercedes for me in this and every prayer.

Lynn Anne Hughes

Stephenville, Texas

It Ain’t Bragging If You Can Do It

Dizzy Dean predicted in 1934 that he and his brother (Paul ‘Daffy’ Dean) would win 45 games for the St. Louis Cardinals.  They won 49 games and the Cardinals won the World Series.  This was the ‘Gas house gang’ Cardinals and Dizzy said before the season that ‘it ain’t bragging if you can back it up.’

The London Olympics have just concluded and Usain Bolt from Jamacia was one of the most spectacular athletes in the games.  He is also one of the most outspoken when referring to his ability.  As much as I enjoy great athletic performances, there is something refreshing about  a great performer like Emmett Smith who played for the Dallas Cowboys.  He was an outstanding running back for Dallas, but he was never a showboat.

There is something in the human psyche that causes us to want to be prideful/boastful.  As a young boy on the cotton farm in New Home, Texas, I hoed a lot of weeds.  One day, I made a bargain with my Dad.  I petitioned him for some wages.  He offered me two bits an hour.  That sounded like a lot of money for a 12 year old, and it certainly was better than nothing.  So, I worked as a hoe hand for $.25 an hour for the rest of the summer.  At the end of the week when Dad paid me, I put the quarters in a drawer in my room.  I was so proud of the drawer full of change in my room.  It represented my hard work.  It was a source of pride.  It was a reason for boasting about what I had earned with my hard work.  

There is a place for boasting within Christianity.  Paul refers to it in I Corinthians 1:30-31.  ‘Christ Jesus has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”’  Our reason for boasting as Christians is Jesus—our Redeemer.  It is sad to see many approach their relationship with God like I did with my Dad in the cotton field.  The idea of earning my righteousness before God by my goodness is completely foreign to Christianity.  Our standing with God is based completely upon the merit of Christ—what He has done for us.  By His righteousness, we are made righteous.  AND, we can boast in Him.

‘He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed Someone to wash my sins away.  And now, I sing a brand new song Amazing Grace, Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.’

PRAYER:  Father, thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice.  Thank you that He is my source of confidence and boasting.   

Terry Brown
Abilene, Texas

My Story

I was baptized at a young age, belonged to “the church”, from a family that belonged to “the church”, studied the Bible, obeyed and followed it to the letter.   I spoke where the Bible spoke and was silent where the Bible was silent.  I did everything I was supposed to do.  I was devoted to serving in the church, teaching class, leading worship, helping with VBS, and going on mission trips.  I was viewed as a great servant and leader always willing to accept more.  No one questioned my devotion and sincerity and I received praise and acknowledgement for all I was doing.  This proved what I was doing was right and I became very sure of myself and what God wanted.   So sure, that I viewed others who professed to follow God as being wrong.  Though I might not say it out loud, I was critical of them and their errant faith.  

All was well in my life, working perfectly.  I was the model Christian, husband, and father.  Life was good, I was respected in the church, respected by my family, and viewed as the perfect son.  Everything was in order doing exactly what God wanted.  Then it all changed.  Like a nightmare that was actually real, that which I cherished most and believed was my foundation disintegrated.  I found myself in the deepest despair losing what was most dear to me.  Everything I thought was right, everything I was taught, everything I believed to be true was revealed to be a lie.  I was blind.  Blind to the reality of my misplaced devotion.  Blind to the fact that everything I was doing in my life to serve the Lord was in the complete wrong direction.  I tried to deny it and could not believe a man who had given his life to serve God could be so wrong.  It was unfair and almost impossible to accept.  Yet the pain and desperation of my circumstances confronted me with the truth.  It was all about me.  About my rightness, my own ability to justify myself, and show everyone how good I was.  Oh God, it was so painful as I sat in the darkness of my despair.  

He came to me.  He showed me that despite my selfishness and my insistence on my will being done He wanted me.  He showed me I do not have to perform for Him, compete for His attention, or prove anything to Him.  As blind as I was my eyes were opened and I saw Him for the first time.  I knew He had just saved me and I didn’t care what anyone else thought any longer.  Some questioned the change in me not knowing the internal anguish and confrontation I had experienced.  All I know is the things that were important to me before, and that I thought made me a Christian are worth nothing now, frankly they are like a pile of cow manure.  I’m different than before.  I know I am His not because of what I do, or do not do, but because I finally took Him at His word to just believe.  Believe the incredible miracle that Jesus has saved me and rescued me.  What is crazy is it has become all I care about.  I want Him more than ever even if it means tough times because I am no longer afraid.  I have such a long way to go and still so much to learn.   Yet, He pulls me forward with the promise and taste of a whole new life.  I can’t describe it other than to say rejoice in it, be full of joy knowing it is true.  I now have a life, true life that is so rich and full.    

Philippians 3, 4:1-7; Acts 9

What You offer goes against everything rational in this world.  Lead me to not fall to the temptation to follow what is rational.  Amen

Scotty Elston

Shallowater, Texas

Let’s Ponder a Moment

Earlier this week I was reading Acts 10:19 and enjoyed a little revelation.

ESV   19 “And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.””

I have always considered the word Ponder to be a Southern colloquialism, similar to Y’all or Fixin’ to.  I rarely use the word because my mother was a High School English teacher in her youth and didn’t “cotton to” colloquialisms. It amused me to see the word used in context with Peter’s call to visit Cornelius.  I decided to explore a bit. Ponder, in Acts, was used in reference to Peter, a fisherman likely to use colloquialisms, not Paul, a learned scholar of the Word.  I did a word search for “ponder” and found many references to the word in the Psalms, some written by King David, a man after God’s own heart.  I was surprised, and am pleased to add the word to my verbal vocabulary. Of course, I realize the Bible was not written in English, but ancient languages. Ponder was not a word actually uttered by King David, translated from Aramaic or some language more ancient, but the word has been around a long time.

Ponder is a comfort word, like comfort food.  It means to consider carefully; to meditate; reflect on; to weigh in the mind.  To ponder means take some time, don’t rush and act rashly without thinking of the consequences.  The English word was first used in the 14th century and is derived from the Latin “ponderare”, to weigh. Another derivation of that Latin word is pound, a measure of weight, but also to hit or strike.  Pound and ponder, with the same derivation, may be antonyms, or synonyms, depending upon the context applied to pound.

Ponder rhymes with yonder, another of those Southern colloquialisms I don’t use.  Oh wait, yonder is another word used multiple times in the KJV of the Bible and means, over there; a remote location.  It is not used in the newer translations of the Bible. Yonder has now become archaic and is only used for poetic emphasis. Ponder, on the other hand has stood the test of time.

I want to stand the test of time!

Dear God, Please be with me each day. Help me to ponder, reflect on, consider quietly and deeply before taking action each day. It was well for Peter to ponder, and I will try to follow his example.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX

Traveling Light

I think it was Woodie Guthrie who strummed these words several years back:

I’ve been walking that Lincoln Highway
I thought you knowed,
I’ve been hitting that 66,
Way down the road,
Got a heavy load, I got a worried mind,
I’m looking for a woman that’s hard to find,
And I’ve been doing some hard traveling, Lord.

Some songs are more than “tunes”. The lyrics come from the forge of somebody’s life. I guess that's why some songs attach to our minds so strongly. They tell "our story" too.

Ever read Psalm 42? The writer (probably David) has a heavy heart. He throws open the curtains and lets us peer into his pain. He compares his life to that of a deer that has reached the point of exhaustion. He is faint and desperately in need of cool water. As you read the psalm it is clear that he describing more than the proverbially “bad day”. He is in a phase, a funk, a long stretch of road that has disrupted his life in some pretty major ways. His worship is off center. But he wants to stay true to want he knows about God. He isn’t ready to abandon ship. In fact he wills his mind to reach out for the knowledge of God’s power and majesty that has, over time and because of hardship, moved to the recesses of thought. And yet, it is these great thoughts that keep the thread of meaning sewn into the broken pieces of his spirit. He eventually steals away by himself and sits in nature and just listens. Deep calls to deep, he says. It’s more than soft breezes, the sound of water falls, squirrels chirping and clouds floating along. He hears the voice of God in the created order. The beauty and majesty of it all anchors his restless heart to the bedrock of faith. Although enemies hound him and people capitalize on his vulnerability, he continues to reach out for God. On the other end of what had to be a much longer experience than the length of the psalm indicates, he says:
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
And why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
My salvation and my God.
Some time ago I sat and reflected on things I have heard people say over the past year.
I just want to feel something good. I haven’t felt anything good in months.
I wish I had something to look forward to.
I am so bored right now.
Bitterness has become a way of life for me.
I hate my life.
All I do these days is worry.
I can’t remember the last time I smiled because I felt like it.
My involvement in church – if you can call it that – has been basically just showing up.
I crawl to church.
I feel like I’m invisible. I feel like I’m at the bottom of a old water well. I scream for help but
no one can hear me.
The best part of my life is when I go to sleep.
The smallest thing can trigger my anger. My anger takes me out to the darkest places of thought – to places that I used to never think about. I live with a quiet rage.
There’s a lot of heaviness in our world. Like Guthrie says, we do some hard traveling. That’s why I like Psalm 42. It’s so real. It’s us. It’s life in 3D. We know what it’s like to feel the tension between what we know about God and what is happening to us in real time. We, too, pant for flowing streams and want to know…God! You still there? And yet, this psalm annoys us because it doesn’t say “add water and stir”. Holding it together “in faith” is hard work. We pant, cry, wait, agonize, and quite frankly sometimes wonder if our lives are about to fall apart. Worship gets stale. And, the heaviness we feel is beyond “take two aspirin and call me in the morning.”

Is your heart embattled right now? Is your spirit heavy? I like verse 4: These things I remember as I pour out my soul... I am thankful for the psalmist’s transparency. I continue to be refreshed by his authenticity and his willingness to pour it all out before the Lord. The old tongue and cheek "rub some dirt on it...pull yourself up by your boot straps" doesn't work so great when we find ourselves on one of those rocky stretches of road. It is in those moments that it's great to know songs like Psalm 42. It can soothe and minister to our restless hearts because we know we’re reading words that were forged in somebody’s life who finished the journey.

Gracious Father, you are the only one who can refresh our hearts. Lift the heaviness from our lives and refresh our spirits with the assurance of your presence and care for us. When we feel the weight of life pressing the joy and strength of faith from our lives, help us to know the journey that is Psalm 42. Help us to know its winding road and the good place that it can take us. We ask this through the One who has walked the road ahead of us…Amen.

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

Love is Patient and Longsuffering

I really enjoy listening to an audio reading of 1 Corinthians 13. It is such a soothing passage about how people should act toward others.  We hear it read at many weddings, even royal weddings.  I hope Prince William and Kate, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will take the scripture reading from their fairy tale

wedding, and put it into action. The “Love” chapter should not be reserved only for weddings.  It is wonderful guide for all of us.

One of the characteristics of love is patience, also called longsuffering.  There are a few people we know who are patient (it is a virtue, you know), and there are all of the others of us.  It is difficult to be patient, to wait. Patience is a foundation for other moral qualities and it leads to genuine happiness. Love and patience are both fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5; they are linked.

Two friends come to my mind who have been especially patient during their lives, in both cases there were extreme tests of their love and their character. The trials these two individuals endured involved people they loved; one a very self-willed child, the other an alcoholic husband. From the outside looking in, one would think the patient persons have certainly endured more than their shares of difficulties and tribulation.  These were cases that tested Jesus’ directive to forgive your brother not just seven times, but seventy times seven. There are not happy endings for my two friends, but they have both influenced me, encouraged me, were examples to me! If my friends do not have happiness here on earth, they certainly will enjoy the rest provided for them in Heaven. Patience is really a virtue to be desired.

Dear Lord, Help me to be patient, and to encourage others to follow your ways.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX

His Love is Greater Than You Can Imagine

 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
With my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
I will declare that your love stands firm forever.  Psalm 89:1-2

I want to live out this scripture by sharing with you a time when I heard God speak in a gentle whisper, but with power unlike anything I have ever witnessed or experienced.  One day while I was ironing clothes every scripture that I have ever read from God’s word about His love washed over my mind.  The scriptures were whole and complete as if I had my Bible open and was reading them. They washed over me one after another with such power.  I stood there overcome with emotion for what I was feeling.

There is nothing special about me to be chosen for this experience.  I know that I love God and His Son and I chose to serve Him as I wait for His return. However, I had told God many times that I could not comprehend His love for me. Now I know!

The scriptures affirmed to me in a deep and personal way how deep God’s love is for all of us. As a nurse, I find it interesting to read stories of those whose heart had stopped beating and they passed over to the other side and then are brought back through resuscitation.  I have always found it comforting that some of these people may have not seen anything, but they felt a love that was overwhelming and deeper than anything they have previously experienced. I don’t know if they experienced God, but I know I have. God has placed a desire in my heart to share this with everyone. He wants every single person to know without a doubt that He loves them so very much! He wants us to look forward to being in His presence and experiencing His love.

The song Faithful Love (words and music by Ken Young, Hallal Music, 1993) takes me back to the day I experienced God’s love. The refrain goes like this, “Faithful love from above, came to earth to show the Father’s love.  And I’ll never be the same, for I’ve seen faithful love face to face, and Jesus is His name.”

Prayer: Oh Jesus, you demonstrated your faithful love, flowing down from the thorn covered crown. We praise you for your sacrifice that washes our soul and makes us white as snow. We love you and thank you so much for coming and showing us your love. Tears flow from our eyes when we consider your great love for us. Please hold our hand through this life until we can be with you. In Your Holy name Jesus, Amen.

Terry Smith
Stephenville, Texas