Simple Compassion

Would you like to start 2010 with a new outlook, a fresh plan? Pick up a copy of Keri Wyatt Kent's latest devotional, Simple Compassion. Released just in time for the New Year, Simple Compassion will help you take inventory of those areas in your life, where small changes will produce big dividends.

I am very excited to be a part of the Simple Compassion Social Media Tour. For sometime I have been aware of the fact it is time for me to make some positive choices. Receiving this devotional to review has had a tremendous impact on my life.

With fifty-two devotions, Kent walks you through the year, one small step at a time, showing you how you can make a difference in your neighborhood, your community, and your world. This is a "thoughtful, unhurried approach" designed to allow you time to reflect, embrace and move forward toward a renewed relationship with God and those around you.

"It is a guide toward toward becoming a more compassionate person, a person who doesn't just talk about social injustice, but is trying to live it out. Compassion flows from those who are so full of God's love that it simply sloshes onto all those around them." Something we can all benefit from and use a little more of.

A scripture that once found its way into my soul and still resides there is, "But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be a witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the utter most parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8) I have always felt like this is our road map. We don't start our "compassion journey" in the utter most part of the earth, but rather at home. As the old saying goes, "Home is where your story begins." Kent follows this same road map.

You cannot show true compassion to others, until you learn to embrace the compassion God is continually offering you. Once you embrace His compassion and mercy, you can then move forward and outward - you can then "grow" compassion in your own community (or in your own Jerusalem). You can start to slosh a little of that Godly love on your family, your friends, your community, and yes, even your enemies. Remember, "With God, all things are possible" (Mark 10:27). As we reach out to those within our small circle, we are encouraging and enabling those we touch to do the same. Therefore, our circles grow - more sloshing! You are now moving into your own "Judaea."

So once we have these (what we once called) "random acts of kindness" going on within our community, what's next? You have learned to except God's love in your own life and you have extended His love to those around you, now Kent is going to walk you through the land of Samaria. Uncharted, unfamiliar, but you are walking with God's grace to where He has called you.

As we extend compassion to those beyond our comfort zone, we realize we are strong enough and confident enough to reach out to those we do not know. Everybody's walk is different. God may be calling you to pray for your boss or donate your time at a woman's shelter. Possibly, He is calling you and your family to help in a food kitchen one day a month. Seek what God has especially designed for you. Remember, to ask, seek, knock. His answer will match your desire!

Samaria isn't so difficult! One step at a time, Kent will walk you through, taking you to a new level of compassion. Now where? Oh yeah, "the utter most part of the earth!"

Come on, don't be nervous! Look how far you have come. Just take baby steps, steps of faith.

In the last section of the book, Kent writes, "Compassion Offers God's Love to the World." God may not be calling you to Africa, but He may be calling you to help support a missionary who He has called to Africa. He may be asking you to use some of your talents to bless those beyond you normal sphere of ministry. Ministry? Yes, sometime over the last few weeks, He has gifted you with a ministry, a vision for others!

Over the weeks, Kent will gently teach, walk, and push you out into the world one small step of faith at a time. A new you, sharing God's love with all His creation! You are allowing His love and compassion to overflow to all those you come in contact with, sloshing each person His his compassion!

You can begin your year of Simple Compassion anytime. The time to start your year, is when you are ready to become a more positive, compassionate person, walking in God's mercy and grace.

You can find Simple Compassion on Amazon or at your local bookstore. Begin your journey today.

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To follow my journey into the world of Simple Compassion or to take the Simple Compassion Challenge click here.

Blessings,
Cheryl