The Alliance eCommunity: The Alliance eCommunity -> Bob Fetherlin's Blog

We all have a story . . . a history . . . marked by some painful experiences, family dysfunctions, and major disappointments leaving us with potentially lasting hurts. When we think about certain difficult people and injustices we've suffered, we can relive the hurts inflicted. Even though time has passed, they're near the surface and we feel them. Sound familiar?

These parts of our story can embitter us. While our offenders walk about in seeming freedom, we can end up locked in a cage of unforgiveness. We can stew there, becoming more and more frustrated and angry, hoping they'll come begging for our pardon to unlock the door so we can get out.

Even if the offenders never come to us acknowledging their wrong and asking for our forgiveness, it's still possible to get out of the cage! The door of this self-made cage swings open when we decide to forgive, giving up our right to hold charges against them. In releasing them, we forgive. This is a choice we make, a very freeing choice.

Jesus has forgiven us over and over again. We've not deserved it, yet He has graciously granted it. Let's do the same with our past offenders! It's so much healthier than living with an embittered heart.

"O, Lord, thank You for demonstrating unmerited grace. You are so forgiving. Help me to follow Your example. Thank You, thank You, thank You! Amen."

Big-hearted people are generous. They give of who they are, of what they can do, and of what they have. They find joy in giving, they even love to give.

The C&MA is rich in big-hearted people. I've met a gifted surgeon who could be rakin' in the bucks. Instead he's in a jungle hospital in Africa living on a missionary allowance while caring for the sick and dying. For me he's a big-hearted hero.

I know an elderly woman on a fixed income who spends hours praying for people she's never met personally. She gives sacrificially to support the work of Alliance missions. She consistently pours out love on her neighbors and family. She goes to the nursing home to talk to neglected and forgotten people there, listening to them and bringing them hope. Her heart is big.

A friend of mine is a successful businessman who travels internationally. He often plans an extra day in his trip to visit with Alliance missionaries serving in tough places, taking them out to nice restaurants and encouraging them. His gains in business are used to advance the kingdom. Another big heart!

There are many, many more examples. The lesson is this: "Lord, help me to have a BIG HEART! May I crucify self with all its passion to gain more for me. As self is pruned away and withers, may there be increasing space for You to reign as Lord. May selfishness be replaced by Christ-like selflessness. Like you, Loving Father, may I have a BIG HEART!"

This morning I felt like crying as I talked by phone to a friend and ministry partner in Beirut. He was so weary, having worked to provide meals for over 500 refugees today. He told me about going to the Sri Lankan Embassy where he and co-workers found 3,500 Sri Lankan domestic workers from southern Lebanon who had fled there. They were sleeping under the carport and along the streets near the embassy. There was no water and they had no food. My friend and the team working with him made 1,000 sandwiches to help them. The people there are essentially hostages in the current conflict, stuck with no way to return to Sri Lanka, no safe, reasonable way to get out of Lebanon. They are at the mercy of whoever will help them. Thankfully some followers of Jesus are working overtime to help meet this and other pressing needs all around them.

Without taking sides as to who is right and who is wrong in this conflict, I would like to ask you a question. Would you like to help? Our partners on the ground are trustworthy believers who are committed to pouring themselves out in Jesus' name to help. You can support this effort by sending a "Middle East Relief" contribution to CAMA, PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO, 80935. I can make two assurances regarding any money given. First it will go to help with compassion and integrity people in desperate need. Second, there will be a sensitive effort to accompany these acts of compassion with good news about the Hope-Giver, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. So many there need Him more than anyone or anything else. Thanks for considering this important invitation.