http://fulcrumexpress.com/2009/08/04/the-gift-of-mercy/ Insight on the Kingdom of God, all of life, and the state of the church, society and culture from a minister, attorney, entrepreneur and writer who's occasionally taught apologetics and theology at a liberal arts Christian college. My roots are evangelical and essentially reformed, while also drawing on the rich history of thought from other Biblical traditions. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:23:38 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://fulcrumexpress.com/2009/08/04/the-gift-of-mercy/#comment-200 Suzanne Smith Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:23:01 +0000 http://fulcrumprime.wordpress.com/?p=952#comment-200 Think of it this way...what if there were no hospitals, no doctors, no nurses and no social workers. What if there was no one who would help his neighbor? What if there was no one to reach out to those in jail and prison? This world would become like a cruel, uncaring place. Isaiah 61 explains what mercy is and shows us ways to be merciful. Thank you Jim for focusing on mercy on your blog. I personally think mercy is needful for every Christian to develop in their Christian walk if they are going to truly walk in God's love and in His steps. Think of it this way…what if there were no hospitals, no doctors, no nurses and no social workers. What if there was no one who would help his neighbor? What if there was no one to reach out to those in jail and prison? This world would become like a cruel, uncaring place. Isaiah 61 explains what mercy is and shows us ways to be merciful. Thank you Jim for focusing on mercy on your blog. I personally think mercy is needful for every Christian to develop in their Christian walk if they are going to truly walk in God’s love and in His steps.

]]> http://fulcrumexpress.com/2009/08/04/the-gift-of-mercy/#comment-203 Suzanne Smith Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:08:41 +0000 http://fulcrumprime.wordpress.com/?p=952#comment-203 According to several gifting tests, mercy is one of my top gifts. God worked that gift into my soul. I had many tests and trials in my childhood. Because of my woundedness God was able to turn something terrible into something beautiful. Romans 8:28 He allowed me to see life from a different perspective. When your family is stripped from you and you become an orphan, you begin to understand that God is truly your Abba Father, and that He is full of mercy and compassion. Out of knowing him as the defender of the orphans, I now sense when others have faced rejection and devastation in their lives. I am able to encourage them and pray for them in a way that I don't think I could if I had a "normal" life. I am able to thank God for my weakness so that God's power is able to work through me (paraphrase of II Cor. 12:9b). Mercy is such a huge part of God's love and who He is. If we are able to show God's love and mercy to others as we would like to receive it, then I believe we can truly usher in the kingdom of God. Hallelujah! According to several gifting tests, mercy is one of my top gifts. God worked that gift into my soul. I had many tests and trials in my childhood. Because of my woundedness God was able to turn something terrible into something beautiful. Romans 8:28 He allowed me to see life from a different perspective. When your family is stripped from you and you become an orphan, you begin to understand that God is truly your Abba Father, and that He is full of mercy and compassion. Out of knowing him as the defender of the orphans, I now sense when others have faced rejection and devastation in their lives. I am able to encourage them and pray for them in a way that I don’t think I could if I had a “normal” life. I am able to thank God for my weakness so that God’s power is able to work through me (paraphrase of II Cor. 12:9b). Mercy is such a huge part of God’s love and who He is. If we are able to show God’s love and mercy to others as we would like to receive it, then I believe we can truly usher in the kingdom of God. Hallelujah!

]]> http://fulcrumexpress.com/2009/08/04/the-gift-of-mercy/#comment-202 Jim Wright Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:26:51 +0000 http://fulcrumprime.wordpress.com/?p=952#comment-202 Kathy -- You've got mail! Kathy — You’ve got mail!

]]> http://fulcrumexpress.com/2009/08/04/the-gift-of-mercy/#comment-201 Kathy Scholl Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:51:08 +0000 http://fulcrumprime.wordpress.com/?p=952#comment-201 Jim, I'm intrigued by your definition: "motivations of mercy — which are a deep, personal craving for the presence of God and for genuine intimacy with others". That resonates within me; I want to understand that better. Give me a couple of suggestions to dig into the topic of mercy gifting more. Thanks. Jim, I’m intrigued by your definition: “motivations of mercy — which are a deep, personal craving for the presence of God and for genuine intimacy with others”. That resonates within me; I want to understand that better. Give me a couple of suggestions to dig into the topic of mercy gifting more. Thanks.

]]> http://fulcrumexpress.com/2009/08/04/the-gift-of-mercy/#comment-205 Kristyn Raze Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:44:25 +0000 http://fulcrumprime.wordpress.com/?p=952#comment-205 Jim, The timing of your blog is perfect. Brian and I had a conversation about this subject last night (on a more personal level). As a young adult with the gift of Mercy, I am continuing to learn more and more what the gift of Mercy really entails. Brian and I had a conversation about how I had been "sensing" something about our relationship for months but I could not get my brain and my senses to communicate what that was until last night. It was crazy. If the more mature generation is willing to help our generation grow into maturity, there can be some powerful change and movement in the body. I would suggest to others to encourage the mercy traits out of others, most of them (myself included) don't realize all of the potential they contain. Thanks for insight and wisdom! Jim,
The timing of your blog is perfect. Brian and I had a conversation about this subject last night (on a more personal level). As a young adult with the gift of Mercy, I am continuing to learn more and more what the gift of Mercy really entails. Brian and I had a conversation about how I had been “sensing” something about our relationship for months but I could not get my brain and my senses to communicate what that was until last night. It was crazy. If the more mature generation is willing to help our generation grow into maturity, there can be some powerful change and movement in the body. I would suggest to others to encourage the mercy traits out of others, most of them (myself included) don’t realize all of the potential they contain. Thanks for insight and wisdom!

]]> http://fulcrumexpress.com/2009/08/04/the-gift-of-mercy/#comment-204 Brian Keenan Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:12:23 +0000 http://fulcrumprime.wordpress.com/?p=952#comment-204 Extremely well said Jim. That is insightful, thought provoking, and exactly where I feel like my generation is moving. Extremely well said Jim. That is insightful, thought provoking, and exactly where I feel like my generation is moving.

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