Parakalein

The compassion that is a legacy blessing form my dad helps me to see things differently even scripture.
Last Sunday as I was preaching on the passage in Mark 8 where Jesus, rebukes Peter with the phrase "Get behind me Satan" I presented a new thought.  Jesus, who is the epitome of and extravagant expression of kindness and compassion, was not being angry and demeaning Peter as a person but rather saying to satan, who had with evil intent influenced Peter to see things form a "human point of view" and not form "God's point of view", "get behind me Satan.  Stop influencing and directing Peter as Peter learns to let God be his influencer.  Jesus was speaking with kindness and compassion to Peter.  Jesus told him, "you do not have the mind of Christ in this matter but the mind of a man".  This is Jesus practicing so that we will get it the art and discipline of "speaking the truth in love".

Be Kind is one of four qualities that my wife who is a teacher sees on the wall of her school every day.  It is on the wall in hopes that people, students and teachers alike, will make it part of their lives and living.  This is in the Gospel in hopes that we who believe will practice the quality of "being kind".

Ephesians 4: 32
"Be Kind, tenderhearted, compassionate toward all. always having forgiveness in your heart toward all humanity....even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you, has forgiveness in his heart toward you!"

Speak and live kindness from your heart.