Robert Murray M'Cheyne: Part 2

Now dear Christians, you pray night and day to be branches of the true vine, made over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like Him in giving. Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor.

Objection: But my money is my own. Answer: Could Christ not have said, “My blood, body, and life are My own” and then where would you have been.

Objection: The poor are undeserving. Answer: Christ might have said “I will only give to the deserving.”

Objection: If I give charity to the poor, they might abuse it!” Answer: Christ might have said the same but with far greater truth. He knew many would trample His blood and make His grace an excuse for sinning more, but still He gave His own blood.

My dear Christian, if you would be like Christ, give much, give often and freely to the vile and the poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy, and so will you be. It is not your money He wants, but your happiness

-Robert Murray M'Cheyne

I'll share my thoughts on this and other things in the coming days.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne: Part 1

Some thoughts from a Scottish theologian... More to come.

"I fear there are some Christians among us to whom Christ cannot say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Your haughty dwellings arise among thousands who have scarcely fire to warm themselves at and have but little clothing to keep out the biting frost. You heave a sigh perhaps at a distance, but you do not visit them.

My dear friend, I am concerned for the poor, but much more for you. I don’t know what Christ will say to you on the great day. You seem to be Christians, yet you don’t care for His poor. What a change will pass upon you as you enter the gates of heaven. You will be saved but that will be all. There will be no abundant entrance for you. He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.

And I fear that there may be many hearing me who know that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally requires a new heart. An old heart would rather part with its lifeblood than its money. So friends, enjoy your money, make the most of it, for you will be paupers throughout eternity."

-Robert Murray M'Cheyne

The Virus

Well, it is finally nearing an end, at least in the Roberts' home. For over a week our family and friends have been passing around and stuggling through a horendous stomach virus. In the Roberts' home, it started with Zach "spitting" on Friday night, all night. Then he decided he would share it with his mother. Angie fortunately has the stomach of steel, so she neither "spit" nor had diarrhea, she just had a significant upset stomach and loss of appetite.

On Sunday night we thought everyone was starting to feel a little better. We were getting ready to settle everyone into bed and get some rest when Angie yelled out "He's throwing up." I thought she meant Zach, but no, it was Sam. The virus lived on and another sleepless night was on the way. I stayed home on Monday to tend to Angie and the kids.

Tuesday came and I continued to feel well. I felt confident that I had avoided the plaque. Angie wasn't so convinced. She was concerned I was going to catch this monster and end up in the ER as I had a couple times before. (I tend to get violently sick when stomach bugs hit). I drove to Paris to begin my day in the OR. Angie asked her mom to come and help with the kids so she could catch up on rest (found out this morning she is sick).

Around 2:30, while I was scrubed into a case, I began to feel faint and nauseated. After taking some jabs about being the student who's going to pass out in surgery, I stepped out and found the nearest bathroom. I'll spare you the details.Anyway I drove myself home and remained in bed until 11:00 the next morning. I took Phenergan, Immodium, and Tylenol every chance I could.

By Wednesday, I felt much better but still didn't have much of an appetite. Angie and the kids were doing fairly well. Then came Friday night. We thought it was over, then it reared it's ugly head once more. While driving home from the Bustrum's, Sam yacks all over himself while in his carseat. Fortunatly that was the one and only time for the evening.

Now it's Saturday. All is well...so far.

ONE.org

Today I want to share with you ONE way you can get involved. It only takes ONE minute of your time. And it won't cost you ONE dollar.

The ONE Campaign is an effort by Americans to rally Americans – one by one – to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE is students and ministers, punk rockers, stay at home moms and Salt group members, Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life, united to help make poverty history.

The ONE Campaign derives its name from the belief that allocating an additional one percent of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries. They also call for debt cancellation, trade reform and anti–corruption measures in a comprehensive package to help Africa and the poorest nations beat AIDS and extreme poverty.

The goal of ending poverty may seem lofty, but it is within our reach if we take action together as one. You can start now by joining the ONE Campaign and pledging your voice to the fight against extreme poverty and global AIDS.

Join the ONE Campaign. Then spread the word. If you do sign up, leave a comment encouraging others to do the same.

compassion

A couple of short months ago I became aware, God made me aware, of a lack of compassion for others in my life. Not to say that I didn't or don't care about those close to me (although I could do better). But those outside of my circle who were suffering didn't even enter my thoughts.

I can make excuses about the guy sitting on the corner with the cardboard sign like, "He just wants money for a drink" or "Why doesn't he get a job". And for those suffering around the world, "I can't make a difference" or to be quite honest, it just doesn't seem real. They're too far away and the problems and suffering in the 3rd world just don't register with my westernized brain.

I happened to stumble upon a couple of videos on iTunes done by NBC news' Brian Williams . One was about the crisis in Darfur, the other with Bono in Africa. I had seen videos like these before, but they had never quite stirred things within me like this.

God was making it clear that I was ignoring a huge part of my call to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. I am commanded to consider others better than myself and not look out for my own interests but also the interests of others. In other words Dave, quit being so selfish.

Over the next several days, weeks, or how ever long I do this blog thing, I will share my thoughts as I go on this journey to learn what it means to be compassionate. Hopefully it will start a dialogue and you can help me figure some things out.