Tag: helping

Compassion Requires Action (Part 2)

Compassion Requires Action (Part 2)
 
There are a number of examples in the Bible where Jesus showed compassion to people in need. He saw their need and did something about it. Compassion is not just an emotion – it results in action.
 
Recently several members of our family personally responded with compassion to the crisis in Ukraine. We have seen images on TV and the Internet of buildings destroyed and thousands of refugees fleeing the war zone. Mother’s with babies and young children are struggling to board buses and trains. Older grandmothers appear confused and afraid in neighborhoods destroyed by bombs and missiles.
 
We may feel compassion for the people in Ukraine but what can we do to help? Our daughter and son-in-law serve with the non-profit organization Josiah Venture in Eastern Europe. They were able to use donated funds to purchase supplies at a large discount warehouse in their community and personally transport these items to Poland. Many other organizations and individuals are doing similar things throughout Europe to help those who are suffering in Ukraine.
 
In addition, our niece left her husband and children in central California to join a team with Samaritan’s Purse to help displaced people in western Ukraine. They flew from North Carolina to Poland on a plane filled with a Mobile Field Hospital. The mobile medical center was then transported into western Ukraine. Samaritan’s Purse brings help to hurting people all over the world. They even set up a Field Hospital in Central Park in New York City at the height of the Covid19 pandemic.
 
It is one thing to see the images of the war in Ukraine on TV and the Internet. It is easy to feel compassion for the millions of people who are affected by the Russian invasion of their country. But it is another thing to become personally involved by buying supplies and driving them to the people in need. It is one thing to pray for the refugees fleeing west away from the fighting. But it is another thing to fly a portable hospital to Poland and travel east into war torn Ukraine.
 
Let me encourage you to pray for peace in Ukraine. Pray for safety for innocent civilians fleeing bombed out cities. Pray for the volunteers rushing to bring help and comfort. Donate to reliable groups and organizations like Josiah Venture and Samaritan’s Purse that are bringing aid and comfort to Ukraine. You can find them on line. You will be glad you did and they will too.

You can read 365 more stories (one for every day of the year) by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is only $20 plus $5 Postage. Order your book at today at Markh@efreedb.org.

Compassion Requires Action

 
One day after I took out the trash I heard the familiar sound of a bee flying nearby. I think it must have hitched a ride on my hair or clothes and ended up in our house. I followed the sound and sure enough there was a bee flying in our kitchen. It quickly searched for an escape route and headed for a window not realizing the sheet of glass blocked its escape. It buzzed frantically against the glass unable to get back outside.
 
I felt bad for my frustrated friend. What could I do to rescue this tiny creature? My wife suggested I use a flower from a vase in the kitchen and try to coax the bee onto the flower. At first the bee refused my help but eventually it did cling on to a pedal. I gently guided the flower over to the open window and shook the bee onto the window screen. I closed the window trapping the bee between the glass and the screen.
 
Then I went outside and removed the window screen to allow the bee to escape. However, the bee clung on to the screen and wouldn’t let go. Now what should I do? I decided to carry the screen into our backyard where our orange tree was in full bloom. I gently put the screen next to a fragrant orange blossom. The bee slowly let go of the window screen and gently stepped onto the tasty blossom. Success! My little friend was safely out of our house and happily sitting on a colorful orange blossom. I’m sure he was exhausted but glad to be free!
 
Why did I feel compassion for my little friend? In the past I might have killed the bee with a fly swatter to prevent it from stinging one of our children. But we have heard reports of the declining bee population. I didn’t want to hurt it – I wanted to help it.
 
There are a number of passages in the Bible where Jesus felt compassion for helpless people in need. He felt compassion for a widow whose son had died (Luke 7:11-17). He felt compassion for several thousand people who lacked food (Mark 6:34-44). He felt compassion for those who were blind (Matthew 20:29-34). But Jesus didn’t just feel compassion – he also took action. He personally helped those in need. Let me encourage you to show compassion and take action to help someone in need today. You may not be able to help everyone but you can help someone. Give some food, lend a helping hand or give a gift to someone around you or someone around the world who needs your help right now. You will be glad you did and they will too.

You can read 365 more stories (one for every day of the year) by the author in his book – Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is only $20 plus $5 for postage. Order your book today at markh@efreedb.org.

You Can Only Play So Much Golf

Mark playing golf in Breckenridge, Colorado

In the 1990’s, I led a small team of adults from our church to Guatemala. We were going there to help with the construction of a school near Guatemala City. My wife and I had led a younger team of high school and college students to Guatemala in the 1970’s. This time we went with a seasoned group of older adults.

Guatemala is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Several dormant volcanoes tower over the countryside. The vegetation is lush and green. Guatemala is known for its popular coffee beans and wonderful Avocadoes.

While we were working on the construction site we met a man who was doing electrical work. He was a retired engineer who had come by himself at his own expense to pull wires and install electrical outlets in the classrooms. He was planning to be there for a month.

I don’t remember his name but I do remember something he said. When I asked him why he had come to Guatemala to work on this project he replied, “You can only play so much golf”.  He went on to explain that when he retired from his career as an electrical engineer he spent a lot of time playing golf with his buddies. But after a year of retirement he felt he needed to do something more with his time. When he heard about the project in Guatemala, he decided to put his golf clubs in the closet and spend some time helping other people.

Please don’t misunderstand. I like golf. In fact, my wife says I don’t play enough golf. But I think we all know that there are other things that are more important. We may get a sense of enjoyment from a good round of golf. But we can get an even greater sense of fulfillment when we use our time and talents to serve others.   

There is a passage in the Bible that says, “Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with your own interests. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand” (Philippians 2:4 – The Message Bible). You won’t find lasting fulfillment just doing things that you like. Real fulfillment is found when we volunteer our time and use our abilities to help others. You don’t find happiness looking for it. You stumble across it when you serve others.

Let me encourage you to volunteer some of your time to serve in your church or community. Don’t sit home and watch TV and play video games. Get off the couch and get into the community and help people. And allow yourself a little time for a round of golf with your buddies too! You will be glad you did!

You can read 365 more stories and articles (one for every day of the year) in Mark’s book “Let Me Encourage You” by Mark Hopper. You can purchase two books for only $30 plus postage ($5) during our pre-holiday sale. Buy one for yourself and give one to a friend! Order your books today at markh@efreedb.org.