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9 Responses to “Compassion: Liberal or Conservative?”

October 26th, 2009 at 10:53 am

Kelly Says:




This weekend my family and I stopped at a new diner in Harriman. There was a homeless man who walked in and asked the owner / mgr. Donna if he could use the restroom. When he came out of the restroom she told him to sit down and rest his feet for a few minutes. Then she brought him a drink, a few minutes later she brought him a meal. The gentlemen told her up front that he had no money, she responded that she didn’t care. After he finished eating he asked Donna if he could clean up her parking lot or wash some dishes for her to help pay for his meal. Ms. Donna informed this man that his only job today was to have a full belly and find himself a warm place to rest for the night. She also gave him a few dollars so that he could get himself a soda later.

It was one of the most beautiful acts of kindness I’ve seen in a long time. Yes, I think that we should help others. It’s what Jesus would do, and I know that I try every day to be more and more like him. I prayed for this man that he finds his way and I also prayed for Donna for having such a loving and kind heart.

October 26th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

Greg Says:




Kelly that was an excellent example of compassion, if only everyone treated each other that way….

Pastor, Why try to put a seemingly political title on an attribute that ALL Christians should be? The heads of those Churches you mention dictated which way they would go, liberal or conservative, it had nothing to do with God or His written Word. It is the very nature of God to be compassionate for all people. I do agree that the perception exists that Churches in America are not very compassionate. All to often getting a bad reputation from folks. Does it mean they are a bad Church? Are they misunderstood? Is there vision for outreach in the community or outreach in other parts of the world?

I like the idea of reaching our own right here where we are in Knoxville. We can make a difference in our community, that is something that we can control and should. Many times we hear about mission trips and they are always to other parts of the world or out of our area. While that is great for the body, it does nothing for the people in our community.

I like the way this vision is going, my prayer is that it continues to move forward. It is similar to learning how to walk, you crawl, walk then run. Reaching out to your own community then beyond.

October 26th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

Josh Says:




Great story, Kelly. And good point at the end, Greg, about how the overseas mission trips garner the publicity but the at-home work often gets no love. I have a bad habit of thinking overseas when I hear “missions.” But “missions” includes my nextdoor neighbor as well!

October 26th, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Cathey Summitt Says:




Compassion…did you ever think of the word literally? I think of ‘companion’ and ‘passion.’ Aren’t we to be giving to anyone that asks? The phrase “there but for the grace of God go I” or something to that nature, comes to mind. Having a good friend that is homeless I am constantly hearing first hand stories of both kindness and, for want of a better word, meanness. Compassion should ooze us from us Christ-followers like honey from the proverbial lion’s carcass, without a second thought we should give whatever is asked for that we have, whether it be time, money, or material goods. That’s one of many things that sets us apart from the world’s idea of cultural correctness. “Get what you can, can what you get, sit on the can” is how Pastor described America’s cultural credo, but that is not Our Lord’s teachings. God, help us all that are blessed beyond reason to see and feel our fellow man’s misery. I’ve got to say it also, great story, Kelly!

October 26th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

sabrina Says:




I remember at one point, on Sat. at Beaumont school. I was watching the people, in the morning, stand in line waiting for the distribution to begin. I wanted so much to go and talk to them, just be in their midst. My assignment that day, was volunteer check-in, which was also an emmense blessing. I did not leave my duty until it was complete. However, I did get an opportunity later to carry some boxes and talk to them. They blessed me more than I could have ever blessed them, to be sure. That yearning heart was answered.

I am convinced that that yearning was the Heart of Jesus.

That is what He has always done…champion those who can not rise above. Heip them to rise up into Him by offering His hand. I don’t think I am liberal and I am not sure how conservative I am either, but I do know I am His. Our road home is not to the left or right but staight ahead. We as believers, will bear out the fruit of compassion as much or as little, evidenced by how closely we stick to the straightness of His Highway.

We are not to get to comfy anywhere we live…suburbia or the projects because as Jesus did not have a place to lay His head the reality of Christ Followers is that in all honesty we do not either. That mindset frees a soul to move into the highways and byways freely without realizing the boundaries the world sets. We do not recognize the social trappings, only the great need and by compassion move unabated.

It has become evident to me, in all my life I have always been moved by the less fortunate man and animal alike. Now that I am older it has not changed but increased. I thank God for this because I realize this attribute is and always has been of Him.

Because we belong solely to Christ everywhere we go and everyone we meet can be blessed by His countenence in endless ways. From a simple warm smile and friendly disposition to a sewing of seed in an unfortunate life….WITHOUT JUDGEMENT or STRINGS. Freely we have recieved so freely give. This is our bravery. The encouragement that He gives to be His representatives for those that so need His provision in every way. He blinds us to our “movements” in order for us to see His and follow. So we must examine ourselves, in His “WAY”, to see what our status is. Do I walk straight or to the left or right…Yes?

October 26th, 2009 at 7:39 pm

Wendel Says:




Based on just my observations, one of the problems with contemporary Christian churches in America is that the followers are usually too concerned about being “right,” instead of being “compassionate.” They are more focused on being “perfect” than they are being “holy.” Pefection is a side effect of being holy. Jesus is holy and therefore, he is perfect. Being right is the bounty of being compassionate. Isn’t it right to compassionately help someone? Is not the very picture of being “holy” loving your fellow man and in a *perfect* world, aren’t we supposed to love each other?

The issue stems from people being too evangelistic. People usually don’t want “church” help, for fear of the classic “fire & brimstone” sermon they have received in the past from church followers. While it is obvious that we are to spread the word, all too often people have spread the word arrogantly or with a “I’m better than you and this is why…” attitude. Unfortunately, church schisms (breaks) have developed because of this mentality. Suffering people have a difficult enough time as is, without church people espousing and holding over their down trodden heads the error of their ways. Does a drug addict *want* to be a drug addict? Does a prostitute *want* to be a prostitute? The answer is an obvious and loud NO! But because of the schisms, churches have had to decide, “do we focus on the immediate task of compassion or do we focus on the eternal task of salvation?” Church followers have, for whatever reason, felt that one or the other is the correct path. Unfortunately, many have overlooked what the instruction book (the bible) tells us to do and that is focus on the here and now (compassion) and focus on the eternal (holiness). The fact is, both are a stepping stone that need to be utilized together. We are to spread his word through action and deed.

The good news is, even though church membership is shrinking, I see a metamorphosis (much like a catepiller turning into a butterfly). We are seeing a shift in churches and a return to combining fundamental values. If we keep pressing home compassion (by helping disadvantaged communities and being a blessing to others) and focusing on His holiness (actually living the word), we should see the church start to grow and dare I say a national Revival? A waterfall begins with a single raindrop. Jesus was a radical, but he was a radical who voiced a fundamental rules; love God and love your neighbor. He spread the word and fed a few people along the way. He led by example and this is where churches have split (i.e. save lives vs save souls), but fortunately they are returning to his example.

October 26th, 2009 at 8:44 pm

Joe Says:




My answer to Pastor Chris’ question,”What are you doing for others”, is little or nothing beyond my family.I went to Beaumont Saturday and met a man named Butch who inspired me to become a mentor.On my way home I felt like a heel because a sixty something year old man was mentoring boys fifty years his junior and I as a young man have been doing nothing.I sent an email with my info to SusanT@faithpromise.org and am looking forward to getting started.I think that most if not all of us can spare an hour a week.

October 27th, 2009 at 7:12 am

Pastor Chris Says:




Wow what great comments, i pray many read these and
god uses them to help others.

October 27th, 2009 at 9:22 am

Lennis Waggoner Says:




The story about the homeless man eating for free in the Diner in Harriman is typical of hill people. Out in what is left of the country, we still hang on to the true America. We believe in God, work, and country. It is touching that people who have never had much are always willing to share.

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