Simple Compassion: Devotions to Make a Difference in Your Neighborhood and Your World

by Keri Wyatt Kent

“True devotionals should stir us to devote our lives to something bigger than ourselves. [Simple Compassion] will not just warm your heart but will actually break your heart with the things that break God’s.” ―Shane Claiborne, author, activist, and recovering sinner "Keri's journey of compassion is truly a reflective of a woman who wants to impact her community and her world ... I think these stories will stir others to do the same." ―Heather Larson, Director of Compassion and Justice Ministries, Willow Creek Community Church An invitation to change the world, one life at a time. Starting with your own. This fifty-two-week devotional invites you to discover a life overflowing with creative compassion. Through poignant stories and fresh insights from the Bible, you’ll learn how small acts by ordinary women just like you can lead to meaningful change. Along with a clear vision of God’s heart for the poor and marginalized, Simple Compassion provides manageable action steps to help you move beyond asking, “What difference can I make?” to actually doing something. In each week’s reading, you’ll find inspiring meditations from the Bible blended with suggestions for living out principles of justice and compassion right where you are. Step into the adventure of following God’s heart, and discover the power of Simple Compassion.

Genres: Christian

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Keri Wyatt Kent is the coauthor with Michael Hingson of Live Like a Guide Dog. She is the author of GodSpace: Embracing the Inconvenient Adventure of Intimacy with God, and eleven other books, and the co-author of a dozen other books. She's the founder of A Powerful Story, a writing, editing and publishing company. She and her husband Scot have two grown children. Learn more about Keri at www.keriwyattkent.com.

Reviews

[Keri Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the author, so just wanted to offer some thoughts on why you're going to love this book. It's a 365-day devotional, which invites you on a journey toward loving God, your neighbor, your world. I wrote it several years ago but it is particularly timely in our fractured world. We need to think and act on God's command to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God" especially in these contentious times.

[Britni · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is split into four sections: Compassion Begins with You, Compassion Grows in Community, Compassion Extends Beyond Our Comfort Zones, and Compassion Offers God's Love to the World. While reading through the first two sections many of the things that Keri says hit home with me about trying to live our lives like Christ. After each chapter she gives, "Compassion steps," basically baby steps to try and act on the principle she talks about in that chapter. For instance, in the devotion called "Why," Keri talks about getting to know and loving our true neighbors and the compassion steps are to learn two of your neighbors names that you don't know. That is a step that I can take. There were a lot of these little steps in the first two sections that I really could relate to.

Feeling inspired by the book, I started a conversation with my neighbor in the elevator on my way home from a workout. And it made my night that much better.

However, the second half of this book seemed more directed towards an actual ministry or church group (which it's possible this book is) and included a lot of really big things that just kind of went in one ear and out the other. Things like learning about the refuges and helping the refuges in my area and helping out with an organization that benefits children in Africa. It was full of great ideas, but most of them just went right over my head because those just are realistic for me right now.

So my review and recommendation for this book are two-fold. I kind of wish for my own sake that the entire book had been full of the small devotions that made up the first half about changing yourself and loving those people around you (community, family, friends), but I do see how the second half could be great for someone looking for ways to make a big difference. But it is a good book and has something for everyone. 3 stars.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

1CSimple Compassion 1D by Keri Wyatt Kent is a fine devotional filled with suggestions for becoming more compassionate as an individual and with a group. This book is designed to be read over the course of a one-year period at the rate of one devotion per week. Each reading is 3-4 pages, and contains a variety of recommended activities to make you and your group more compassionate.

Each reading builds upon the next if read in order, but this book can also be read out of order by choosing specific topics from the table of contents. The book also contains a valuable Leader Guide in the back that helps the individual or group to put these suggestions into practice. From the beautiful cover to the beautiful word and concepts contained within its pages, this book is a treasure.

[Renee Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book for you if you like your daily reading to be a story that inspires/convicts/challenges. If, like me, you like your daily reading to have its source in Scripture, this will disappoint. I do agree with the reviewer who said it may be a starting point for some. That sounds elitist, but there it is. This is for the person who prefers a "small group" to a Bible class. Not my cup of tea.