Tag: compassion

Loving our next door neighbors

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

We’ve all had “those” neighbors, I’m sure. The ones who move in and seem to disrupt our routine, our quiet, our peace, etc. We had those neighbors, too. But then they did a surprising act of kindness, and this one positive interaction with them completely changed our perspective. They were the Good Samaritans helping us with car trouble, and we were given the opportunity to learn more humility, grace, and understanding from the experience. Now we have a relationship based on appreciation for one another. Have you had an experience like this, too?

You can read about this experience in my recent article for The Christian Science Monitor. 

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A practical guide for living

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

How often do you read the Sermon on the Mount? The founder of my church recommends reading it once a week and putting it in to practice each day. I have to admit that I rarely read it every week, but I do have to say that I notice a profound difference in my outlook on life when I do read it. The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, has a profound way of spiritualizing thought, the way we live, and our interactions with others. Starting out with the beatitudes highlights attributes such as humbleness, meekness, gentleness, sincerity, peacemaking, and more. Later on it illustrates the importance of not judging others, not criticizing others, and even not worrying because God gives you what you need. It reminds us of God’s great love, and it encourages us to let God’s light shine! And it assures us that following this teaching gives us a house, consciousness, and faith that is built on a rock.

I am amazed by the simplicity and profound nature of this Sermon. It has the power to transform hearts and lives. So, if it’s been a little while, find your favorite translation of the Bible and give it a read today. It will surely re-orient your thinking and life in a positive way.

To my sense the Sermon on the Mount, read each Sunday without comment and obeyed throughout the week, would be enough for Christian practice. The Word of God is a powerful preacher, and it is not too spiritual to be practical, nor too transcendental to be heard and understood.–Mary Baker Eddy

PS — Check out a friend’s article on how living the principles of the Sermon on the Mount can even lead us to a less violent world. Universal Love: Roadmap to a less violent world

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Comfort and prayer after the storm

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

As I was praying about images of destruction and devastation from Hurricane Dorian, I was praying to know that no one can be separated from the love of God. This divine Love is a present and tangible force healing, working, and repairing people’s lives.

We can turn our gaze away from being engrossed by the material picture to look for and see all the evidence of God’s love supporting and sustaining recovery workers and families. I love this news article which points to the overwhelming relief support that has come in certain areas.

I turned this beloved passage in Romans 8 into a prayer for these folks:

For I am persuaded that neither destruction nor life, nor things present nor things that have happened, nor height nor depth, nor any storm, will be able to separate us from the love of God. 

The divine love of God is a palpable presence that can be felt in the hearts and minds of the survivors. The Christ is present to bring the light, love, warmth, and comfort that is needed to the human heart and thought. We can all feel and express that touch of the Christ.

We can live the sentiment expressed in this poem, and that healing love will reach out to those receptive hearts.

Ask God to give thee skill
In comfort’s art:
That thou may’st consecrated be
And set apart
Unto a life of sympathy.
For heavy is the weight of ill
In every heart;
And comforters are needed much
Of Christlike touch.
–A.E. Hamilton

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