Warm hellos once again friends, brethren, fellow laborers, spiritual family, and scattered children of God this week from here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. My wife and I pray and hope this finds you doing well, and that again your week has been blessed.

After having a very dry couple of years here on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, regular afternoon rains have lately been the norm. It almost reminded me of being in Monteria, Cucuta, or Cartagena Colombia. The difference, is usually while I’ve been in these areas it rains a little. But rain nevertheless is welcome!

With these afternoon rains comes, yes, you guessed it, lightning and thunder!

I awoke this past Monday early morning, right after midnight, hours before my normal time to rise, to a very familiar sound for this time of year… Kaboom! Thunder! With that comes lightning. It brought to mind something I want to share with you all this evening.

Society is learning that humans need and desire a great amount of compassion.  The problem is, they often ignore such. I remember in my post graduate studies having to carefully study and research the concept of compassion when it came to counseling.

Most humans, by our very nature, simply do not have a lot of compassion.

I am reminded of the occasion when Christ and His disciples journeyed to Jerusalem. On the way, they planned to rest at a Samaritan village. The group sent messengers ahead to arrange accommodations, but the village refused to be cooperative. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, but the Samaritans wanted nothing to do with the trip, because of their hatred for the Jews.

The disciples with Christ were very angry!  These villagers refused Jesus! (Luke 9:54) “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven and destroy them!?”

James and John, (nicknamed the -”sons of thunder”) were enthusiastic for what they believed. No one doubted their enthusiasm, however, they lacked a very important ingredient: the compassion that comes from God’s Holy Spirit.

Sometimes it seems we all can be more inclined to be like the sons of thunder, than compassionate Christians.

Compassion in the world faces extinction. (Romans 1:29-31) We see a picture of the days we now live in. II Timothy 3:2-3 says in those last days people will refuse to love others or forgive them.

The clapping of the thunder, that Kaboom! – reminded me of the importance of having compassion for our fellow human beings around us…

Do we want God’s Kingdom to be here so badly, that we forget to pray for mercy and compassion on those who refuse to obey Him?

Do we pray, “God if there by any other way, please help these folks who don’t know you to turn to you.”

The sound of thunder again brought this need for compassion to the forefront of my mind.

As we enter this Sabbath…reflect on and consider this with me, will you?

Arms up friends! Our sincere prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Thanks in advance for your heartfelt prayers for us.