Whatever happened to the church taking care of its members. Simply put - where are the "brotheren" when you need them the most?  Seems like the church is so busy "going out to preach the gospel" , seeking to save souls" going out to foriegn lands to bring the words of Jesus to lost souls that something has been left out in the process: what about the needs of those who support and believe in the church - the church members themselves.  I had a brief talk with the man in charge of the "support ministry" at the church we attend. I had contacted him and one of the Associate Pastor's of the church to ask them to contact my husband who was going to be in the hospital and  a rehab center while I went back to be wirh family after the untimely death of a sister. I emailed the Associate Pastor - who said he would visit my husband at 1;00  on a particular day - the support ministry director stated he would visit as well. Although they called my husband, neither one visted him in the hospital( and no one from the church has called or visited him since he's been home). The hospital was around 40 miles away from where the church is - 40 miles - a bit of a ways - huh. Yet the  Senior and Associate minister have traveled all the way to Honduras - to work with a sister church. They traveled  to another country - but -not travel 40 miles to visit my husband - who has been supportive and has attended this church for close to 10 years. Nor have I heard anything from the church offering any condolences for the loss of my sister ( I received a return email from the Associated Pastor after informing him ) On Sundays, I attend church and I've looked around to see people in the congregation crying - I've hugged and comforted  several members of the congregation. A truth is that the members of a church congregation have many, many needs.  And while this may not sound politically correct - I believe the church needs to address the needs of the people who love and support it  - its members - and that this is its number one responsibility and priority.  

Another thing: In my conversation with the Director of the Support Ministry I remarked that I had taken down my facebook page because I was so sick and tired of people ( I posted about the sudden death of my sister ) telling me that they would "pray for me". I admit, I was gulity of doing the very same thing many, many times. It just seemed like the right thing to say. And, I admit, when I said it - it was just a string of words - and sadly - there was not a lot of meaning behind the words - I said them and not much prayer went behind the words. They were just words that I said. With what I just went through with the death of my sister and husband recent surgery -  I learned a powerful lesson - prayer is an action word - Jesus was a man of actions. Oh, he would pray - he gave us the Lord's prayer - yet he didn't just pray for others- he took action and he prayed with those with whom he came in contact with as he took action.I've learned that I need to call, go face to face, visit the home bring a card - bring something and spend time with one in need. I've learned that I need to create an emotional bank account - it goes along the line of sowing and reaping. I want to sow great seeds of love, compassion and understanding so that I may reap the same - and as closed minded as it may sounds - I beleive that "charity begins at home". Finally," I'm going to pray for you " or " I'll keep you in my prayers" will not be something I will say a nuseau . I've learned that a hug and time spend uplifting the spirit does more for the healing process then anything.  I believe this shows the heart of Jesus - a Jesus of action..


When I was young - when a family suffered  a loss or someone was sick or just needed help - the church would serve as a place of refuge. Oh, there was drama in the church - congregations are, of course, made up of people. But, someone from the church would come to check on you - face to face.  There would be hospital visits, food taken to a home of one recovering, a little sunshine club would give you a card to cheer you up - it may sound and look a little corny - and while I may not have appreciated it then - I certainly look back and see the importance of this.  Its as important today as it was back then.

What ever happened to Compassion

I still cannot believe it - our sister Joyce - died..... after over 5 years on dialysis - she gets the call  - a new kidney! Man, she talked about all the times she would do with a new kidney - travel - no more dialysis!  May 25 -  she got it - June 2nd - we had her home coming celebration... how could this have happened.... my heart just calls out.... God - what happened. This was Joyce... how could you bring her to such happiness - only to bring us to such a heart breaking ending.   And - I've learned a painful lesson - I will never make the empty statement " I'll pray for you or  I'll keep you in my prayers"  I know these statements have nothing to do with compassion ... it just what people say - me included. I've put this on Facebook  time and time again - without much thought.   But, the sad truth of the matter is - there's no compassion behind these statements... When I think of Jesus.. I think of the compassion he showed everyone... everyone - AND he didn't just pray - he prays were prays of action - he lived and breathed a WORKING FAITH - Jesus was an action oriented christian - when peple were hurting he comforted - when people was lost - he provided ways for them to find their way - not just thru words - but through actions. My neighbor: I went to her home to just release my sorrow - she understands - and just hugged and loved me - this was the first time I was in a safe place - a place of compassion.  While back east for my sister's home going celebration I went out with some prayer "warriors". We went out to a nursing home to minister to the husband of a member of  the women's church. Well, they sang a song the husband asked for - prayed with one woman praying the "spirit" loudly - 5 minutes later - we left - we were there all of 7 or 8 minutes.  There was no love or compassion. And the saddest thing was this man was so lonely - and wanted company. But these "saints" were so bent on being "Christian" they forgot to bring Jesus  - the compassion of Jesus.  I now understand the importance of ... compassion. Thank you, Marilyn - for showing me compassion - I know to pass it forward.  Faith without works, is dead.