I always sit up and listen, when young people report on their camp experiences. Fantastic things must have happened at Mo Ranch this year. These young people have barely touched on some of the lessons that they learned. Caring for one another marks many campers forever. Somehow some of them get a glimpse of just who this God is that their parents have told about. The process is slow, but they almost never forget. And they change. Many make commitments to keep worshiping - and they have made Him their own. They give of themselves with the love of Christ. They want to do it for the rest of their lives. Christian careers launch out from camps like Mo Ranch. Isn’t God amazing?

But something happens to us, as we grow older. We can lose touch with our Lord. We learn that some former campers who started well, somehow get off track. Now, they can’t get beyond their own lives and needs. Meet them and we hear their complaints. "Life is not fair. I don’t get a break. God is not fair." They reflect a pattern in our American culture permeating the Christian Church. In a recent survey a majority of Christians ranked themselves and their needs most important; being an American citizen second; and, being a Christian a distant third in importance. (Barna Research)

Campers who caught a glimpse of Christ, must be encouraged by the rest of us who know our Lord. He is the God of Compassion! He draws us to Himself. We do not deserve it. He forgives us and wipes away our tears of shame and regret. Then, He begins to build Himself into our lives. Why? To become His Compassion to others!

Danger comes unless we keep close to our Lord. We soon begin to worship a different kind of God...one that looks a lot like... One day, a pastor observed an old woman bowing in reverence to a statue of the Virgin Mary. He was impressed to mention her devotion to a priest standing nearby. "Don’t be fooled by what you see," he responded. "Many years ago the artist of the statue looked for the perfect model of the mother of Jesus. That woman you see kneeling, was that model. When the statue was finished, she began worshiping there. She’s hardly missed a day." (Campolo)

We sort of laugh at or pity such a person. But so many of us do this all the time. "In the beginning God made man in His own image. Now we have returned the favor." (Anon.)

Who is the God you worship? How does He behave? William Barclay wrote many books during his life. He was interviewed one time on the BBC. Barclay related how God sustained him during and after the loss of his 21 year-old daughter. She drowned in a boating accident. An anonymous letter came to him after the interview. The writer did not like Barclay one bit. "I know why God killed your daughter. It was to save her from being corrupted by your heresies." In his biography, Barclay responded: "If I had known the address of the person who wrote me this letter, I would have written back in pity, not anger: your God is my devil." (Autobiography)

We Christians like to think we know the God we worship is Jesus. We follow Him. But not too closely. If we did, we might find out that the God we worship expects much more from us than we might be ready to give. Revisit this familiar story with me about the feeding of the 5000. I’ll be compassionate - I will be brief.

The disciples were tired. Hungry! Hungry for "R and R" - their own. The twelve had ventured out on their own missionary adventure, (Mark 6.7-13). They had great success! But enough is enough! "Break time," said Jesus. And so they went to the "lonely place" hotel and resort, (32). But, in front of them - people! They lost sight of Jesus.

Overwhelmed with tasks to do at work or at home, we usually cry out, "Give me a break!" Why can’t any person help me?" I told you why. We all look out for number one. One day my mother, sisters and I were sitting in the living room after dinner in all the available chairs, which included me sitting in my dad’s favorite chair. "No meetings tonight. I don’t have to go out," announced my father who was a minister. "Great, Dad," I responded, "but where are you going to sit?" I soon found out! The little things pile up on us! We need help!

Jesus saw them and "felt compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things." (34) They went from Rand R, back to work. Or, at least listening.. Their eyes were on their stomachs and bed - not on Jesus.

"Lord, excuse the interruption, but "Send them away that they may ... go and buy." Those "lost sheep" got to that desolate place. That same road that brought them to Jesus could take them back. See THE GOD OF COMPASSION. He is on a one-way street.

"You give them...YOURSELVES...to eat," (37) They had no clue what he was talking about. They thought they were to take up an offering, then go and buy the food. Not enough money and not enough time! He wanted them TO GIVE THEMSELVES! How often do we really listen? I’ve been accused of not listening - hard to imagine! "Let’s go to the store," invites my wife Kathi. Off we go! I pull up in front of the church, only then to realize about my "ADD." "What are we doing here in front of the church?" She asks sweetly. "Just testing you," I respond. Some of us have a hard time listening.

The disciples were not listening. So, "How many loaves do you have. Go and see." Jesus was not teaching them about getting enough food. He was giving them a chance to join Him on the one-way street of COMPASSION! Fear can grip us, if we begin to live this way. People will use us, abuse us, then leave us.

"I have to survive. Someone might take my belongings, my life." We say, "Go and buy," and He says, "Go and see." You will be amazed if you look at your resources! You will find things that you’ve kept for those "rainy days." They could be just right, when you are called on to walk down that one-way street.

So, the disciples found five loaves of bread and two fish. In another gospel we know a boy gave up his own lunch for the Lord. The supply always seems so pathetic. But review the lessons. If you are watching our Lord, if you are listening to Him, one truth always comes home: who you are and what you have will be just right to give to Him! We know the scene. Jesus knew they did not get it, yet. So, He made them act very Presbyterian. "Have everyone sit down. Group them together." "We can do that!" They did. "Now come here." They stood in front of Jesus with their backs to the people. Here was the moment of truth. All of them and their resources were exposed to Him.

"...and looking up toward heaven, He blessed...and broke and He kept giving to the disciples.." That becomes our problem. "If I give my money,.. my time, if I give ..... anything, He’ll break it, and it won’t be good any more." That is why we guard ourselves so closely! For instance, I am excited about the future of Central Presbyterian Church. Ministry opportunities are just waiting for us. But we have to decide one thing: do we want to be on a two-way street, or on the one-way street? The two-way street says that I must get my fair share, no matter what. In the area of forgiveness: "If he comes begging for forgiveness, I’ll give it." In our finances: "I will hold on to my money, but look like I’m giving a lot. I don’t care if the church budget suffers."

The one-way street of compassion sweeps you and me into the arms of Jesus. "Here! Take what I have...take me! Break me of my pride, my foolishness. I don’t know what there is in me that you see, but here I am."

"And they ate and were all satisfied." Leftovers? One basketful for each disciple! Real Food! That is the review! Keep your eyes on Jesus. You will be amazed at what He is doing around you. Keep listening to Jesus. He wants to include you in His plans. Give what you have to Jesus. It will be just right! Watch Him break it...then use you to give yourselves to others. And when He gives you and me away...we find out that we have a basketful of His supply to go on the way!