28 Day Love Challenge · Christian. · February · Love · Valentines

Day 8: Weaving Together Kindness

Next trait of Love.  Love is Kind
So what does it mean to be kind.  Let’s look at the dictionary.

ADJECTIVE:
kind·erkind·est

  1. Of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature.
  2. Showing sympathy or understanding; charitable: a kind word.
  3. Humane; considerate: kind to animals.
  4. Forbearing; tolerant: Our neighbor was very kind about the window we broke.
  5. Generous; liberal: kind words of praise.
  6. Agreeable; beneficial: a dry climate kind to asthmatics.

 

I’ve thought long and hard about the word kind.  Be kind.  We sort of know it when we see it. But when you try to define it, you use words that are only part of what you mean.

But when you look at the life of Christ you see how the parts weave together into a life of kindness. 

 
Showing sympathy or understanding

Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Considerate

Matthew 1413 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

18 He said, Bring them hither to me.

19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

Caring

Matthew 20:29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

 

Giving

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

 

Christmas Traditions · Seasons

Ho Ho Ho

Today was Saint Nicholas Day so it makes sense to discuss the tradition of Santa Claus.

Let’s think about the Santa we know.  A jolly fella who sits in the mall, makes appearances in the parades and tells all the good little kids that of course they will receive all the toys they desire.  Then on Christmas eve he travels the world in a sleigh with rain deer sliding down chimneys depositing lots of toys.

The real Saint Nicholas lived from 273 to 343 and died on December 6.  Born to wealthy parents who died when he was young, Nicholas moved to live with his uncle.  Early in his life, Nicholas learned to love Christ.  He became a monk and then the Bishop of Myra.

Nicholas determined to use his inheritance to help others.  He is known for being a giver to those in need.  He spent part of his life in prison for his faith, but was released when Constantine released the Christians.

Saint Nicholas became a popular saint in many countries across Europe.  Different traditions grew around gift giving on his Saint day.

These traditions morphed into the crazy materialistic Santa gift giving we know today.

Journalling questions.

1)  Do you think of Christmas as a time to give to others in need?  Is this season more about what is in it for you or what you can do for others?

Acts 20

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2)  You possess many resources that include money, time, talents, love.  Are you willing to give all you have if God asks it of you.  When people in real need appear in your life, do you find reasons to not help them or do you give what you have to help them.  Saint Nicholas gave all he had both financially and of his time.

The following was what Jesus said to the Rich Young Ruler.  The young ruler walked away because he loved his money more than he loved Jesus.  Saint Nicholas chose to give all to help the poor and to spend his life following Jesus.  What is your answer to Jesus?  Think through all the areas: money, time, talents, love.

Mark 10

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.