Stories - Page 3 of 75 - The Christian Heart

How Everyday People Live Out Their Christian Faith

Illustrating how men and women display their love for Jesus in their day-to-day lives.
Little things that may have an eternal impact. Might these stories motivate you to use your talents?

Children Food Loss Of Loved One
GRANDMA PEGGY’S BREAKFAST CLUB

My grandson, Sam, died last year when his moped was struck by an oncoming vehicle. I was completely devastated. But I have found a very unique, and healing, way to honor his memory. Sam was a high school sophomore, and he and his buddies would sometimes go out for breakfast to a local diner before school. When we were talking one day, Sam told me, “The diner’s food has nothing on you, Grandma. You make the best breakfast.” So I casually said, “Why don’t you come to my house with your friends sometime and I’ll make them breakfast.” He loved the idea and invited eight of his classmates over the next Wednesday. I served them bacon, eggs, pancakes and fruit. They had a great time at my house, and it was wonderful for me to be surrounded by these kids. These are the most polite and loving kids you’ll ever find. As they were leaving, they asked, “What are we having for breakfast next week?” So a tradition started. Each Wednesday, they would show up at 7:00 and I’d serve them a hearty breakfast. But one awful day, so much of my world changed. Sam was killed in an accident. When Sam passed away, people did their best to comfort me. My neighbors got me some flowers and shrubs, and planted a garden in my front yard; they even displayed a picture of Sam. His friends checked on me every single day to see what I needed and what they could do for me. You think the grief will get easier but it doesn’t. I know… Read More

January 17, 2024
Children Hospital Overcoming Obstacles
GOD TAKES CARE OF US

When I was pregnant with my fifth child, my pregnancy for the most part seemed to go normally. I didn’t gain more weight than usual and although I was extra tired, it still wasn’t so much that it felt out of the ordinary. When it came time to give birth, we anticipated a standard delivery. The pregnancy was largely uneventful. Until later. After our daughter was born, I wanted to go home right away so our new baby could meet all her sisters and I could sleep in my own bed. Due to complications with excessive bleeding, that was not an option. The doctor prescribed a clotting factor to help curb the blood loss, so I had to stay in the hospital extra time to ensure there were no other complications. Our new baby also needed some additional TLC due to dropping a slight bit more weight than what’s expected after birth. Eventually, everything seemed to be going well for both of us, and we were finally able to go home. About a week after her birth, I was pulling the trashcan out to the road, which is moderately uphill, and I noticed that by the time I got back to the house, I felt out of breath. Even my chest felt tight and I was exhausted from that small bit of effort. I went upstairs to lay down and found my husband reading something in our bed. When I sat down next to him, I mentioned that this delivery was definitely harder than the ones I’d had before. He asked what I… Read More

January 10, 2024
Loss Of Loved One Recovery
AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED

I’m a widower. A father to two girls who lost their mom over a year and a half ago. A husband who lost his bride and helpmate. I’ve been allowed to walk through some really heavy, but undeniably rich moments over the past six years. That might sound strange, but it sets the stage to start to talk about things like suffering, hope and living life. I’ve seen God be an ever-present help in time of need by providing for physical needs, emotional outlets and spiritual resiliency. I’ve seen Him be incredibly tender toward my family, especially as we walked through some really dark and tough times in life. He slowed down moments in, what was becoming, the typical fast-paced American life. So, here’s a little bit of our backstory: In the summer of 2017, my wife, Ashley, and I were expecting our second child. There was so much excitement around God providing ways for us to grow our family. As quickly as that excitement came, so quickly it was stifled on one summer day when Ash experienced some neurological symptoms that landed her in the hospital. After some initial tests showing something going on in her brain, it was determined we needed to deliver our daughter a month early so she could undergo some more rigorous tests and scans. When all was said and done, we sat there as a newly-minted family of four hearing the words from the doctor that Ash had brain cancer. Initially suspected to be a low-grade tumor, a difficult and nearly life-ending surgery in October of that year revealed some… Read More

January 3, 2024
Homeless Labor Loving Your Neighbor
PEOPLE LOVING NASHVILLE

When I first traveled to Kenya with my wife, God really opened my eyes to how people of different statuses are created in His image. This means they deserve the same love and dignity as anyone else. I felt moved by this, and wanted a practical way to apply it when I returned home to the States. God answered my prayers when I was job searching. I looked for business management positions, but He called me to work for a homeless ministry. Created in His image, people who live outside deserve the same love and dignity as anyone else. Since Covid, most major cities have seen a huge increase in homelessness, and the needs are great. I work for an organization called People Loving Nashville. It started on Thanksgiving fifteen years ago when God put it on one man’s heart to serve. He packaged up five extra Thanksgiving dinners and went downtown with some friends to hand them out. It grew into a full-scale network of help for those without housing. Now, the initial five meals have become 350-400 each week. We regularly go to homeless encampments and talk with people. We often end up talking about Jesus. We partner with local churches who invite people into their community groups and Bible studies. When unhoused people join our program, they get help with things such as physical health, hygiene, haircuts, mental health therapy, trauma healing, addiction recovery, resume writing, job training skills, and financial management. Our evidence-based practices offer urgent assistance and long-term solutions. With my background in business,… Read More

December 27, 2023
Mission Work Unique Ministries
CHRISTMAS HELPS UNITE BULGARIAN VILLAGE

In 2001, I felt led to join a mission group and after raising funds, I was on my way to Bulgaria. After joining New Mission Systems International, I was looking forward to teaching English to the community. We hoped it would be a good way to support the local churches and to evangelize. In the town of Botevgrad, we held English classes in The United Churches of God. We started with just four adults because it was the first thing to have been opened to the public there. I was the second person to come in, after our team member, Sandra, had paved the way. At first, the locals were hesitant to join because they were cautious of strangers or new visitors. Having public events seemed odd to them. Since I was still learning the language myself, I relied on my translator, Valeriya, to help smooth the way. She and I began to incorporate American culture into some of the lessons to gain more interest. We also added Bible lessons as a way to bring the community together. It really does take a village, so we had several other young people help us translate everything until we got better at speaking it ourselves. It was a great help and without it, we would not have been able to answer their questions as efficiently. One lesson we held was about the American tradition of Thanksgiving. They wanted to learn about that holiday. It was such fun dressing up and having a Thanksgiving meal with them. As Christmas approached, we decided it might be a… Read More

December 20, 2023
Loss Of Loved One Overcoming Obstacles Unique Ministries
REFUGE WIDOWERS

I was 30 years old when my wife, Lyndsie, went home to Heaven after a 10-year battle with cancer, leaving me with two young kids. I walked out of that Emergency Room on August 28, 2015 without her, wondering how I would explain to our kids that their momma would not be coming home. I couldn’t believe this was my reality. In the weeks that followed, I was surrounded by people who loved me and my kids well. They sat with me, listened, brought meals, wrote encouraging notes, sent gift cards and helped with the kids. It was clear that our community was doing their best to hold me and the kids up, and we were so grateful for the ways they showed up for us. But as time went on, the outpouring of love slowed down to a trickle. Understandably, life went back to normal for most of them. But not for me. As guys, we have a well-earned reputation of not asking for help. We mistakenly believe we can eventually figure it out on our own. I just couldn’t call the people that had offered to help. My pride wouldn’t let me. But then again, it wasn’t just your normal help I was looking for. During that time, I remember wishing that another young widower would reach out to me. Someone that really knew what I was going through and could help me navigate the complexities of grief, from the unique perspective of a widower with children still in the home. There was so much I didn’t understand in that season, but… Read More

December 12, 2023

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 34

Church Activities 57

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 32

Loving Your Neighbor 63

Mission Work 48

Overcoming Obstacles 91

Prison Ministry 10

Senior Citizens 21

Special Needs 44

Unique Ministries 158

Verbalizing the Gospel 67

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