Stories - Page 40 of 83 - 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?

Labor Mission Work
A MISSION FIELD IN THE SKY

My friend calls me a mission worker in the sky. After graduating college with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, the last thing I expected was to become a flight attendant. Yet here I am. My typical day involves welcoming people on flights, ensuring they are safe, and serving them drinks and food. However, the Holy Spirit thrives on interrupting my routine to make Jesus’ name known. So I try to obediently act on these heart tugs, even when I’m miles off the ground and confined inside an airplane. There is an unspoken bond between flight attendants that allows us to share our life stories with one another while we’re working. I have shared my faith journey, given advice, and have listened to others' stories during these instances. I also like to share my love and appreciation for other flight attendants. If I’m personally taking a long flight somewhere, it’s my mission to make the crew feel recognized and loved. Bags of chips, chocolate bars, minty gum, and herbal teas are given to the flight attendants as I board the plane, along with a hand-written thank you note. Such a simple gesture goes a long way and for many of these crew members, it’s a huge blessing! I have given encouraging notes to help brighten up the day of upset passengers. Even drivers to the airport do not go unseen and give me the biggest smile when I hand them a genuine thank you note. I like to take trips for the purpose of serving others. I have flown to Spain… Read More

September 14, 2020
Homeless Labor Unique Ministries
THE CONTRIBUTOR

For most of my life, I never would have imagined I would be the director of a nonprofit helping our homeless neighbors get back on their feet. Twelve years ago, my seemingly ideal life and marriage ended in divorce. I was depressed, angry and resentful. Three weeks later, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Consumed by all I had lost, I made a choice that has guided my life ever since. I chose to give my life to God. I let go of all my attempts at control. I prayed (and still do) every morning for God to help me see that this is His show, and to just let me do my part. That is when I began seeing a homeless man selling a paper on the street corner near my house. I must have driven past him 50 times before I finally stopped and started buying papers, then throwing them in my back seat. Finally, while cleaning out my car one day, I actually read the paper, The Contributor. I learned The Contributor allows homeless individuals to buy the paper for 50 cents and sell it for $2 plus tips, and that 70% of them work their way into housing. I learned about the lives of our unhoused neighbors: Mary, addicted to crack when she got out of prison but now clean for ten years because she found purpose in selling the paper. Mario, who lost his job as a cameraman for a local TV station after a heart attack, says The Contributor helped him get on his feet and start… Read More

September 8, 2020
Children Hospital Labor Unique Ministries
A REAL-LIFE SUPERHERO TO SICK KIDS

I never thought my calling in life would be to dress up as Spider-Man and visit sick children in hospitals all around the country. But that is where God has led me. In real life, I've been a corrections officer in Los Angeles for 20 years. But my true joy comes from bringing smiles and comfort to people that need it most. My mom was a true inspiration to me, and when she died of cancer in 2009, I went through a very dark period. I kept asking God to give me some signs to get through this tough time and to help me find a way to honor my mom's legacy. When He kept showing me some things that would lead me to dressing up in a costume, I honestly kept ignoring such an off-the-wall message. But finally I relented, bought a Spider-Man costume, and took part in a parade. Then I went to a pediatric hospital. I was astounded at the reaction. It instantly brought smiles onto the faces of these kids that were going through horrific trials. So I've continued to do it. For 10 years, every chance I get. I have now visited children in hospitals in all 50 states, and I can't wait to go back. Kids need something to take their mind off whatever illness they're experiencing. Their reaction, their smiles, their momentary distraction make it all worth it. I encourage them to fight hard and never give up. And I love it that no one really knows who I am in that costume. I think that is the way… Read More

August 31, 2020
Food Homeless Labor Recovery
AMAZED AT GOD’S PLAN

I’m always amazed at God’s plan. When I was young, I saw my mom go through abusive relationships, homelessness and other hardships. She walked through and overcame tragic challenges. Two seeds were planted in me: a drive to succeed and a heart for mothers. I had my own vision of success, and I used it to become a fairly affluent businessman. But my idea of “making it” was not fulfilling. God had a different plan. He softened my heart for people and showed me what fruitfulness really looked like. His plan involved a change of location and a ministry I never expected. I started teaching about God’s love on the streets and loving people that didn’t have anybody. I spoke at the Western Carolina Rescue Ministry in Asheville and I was offered a job. I was a businessman and I hadn’t worked for anybody in years, so I turned it down. God was trying to teach me something though, and when the opportunity kept presenting itself, I took it. At WCRM, we walk alongside people and invest in them to help them find purpose in God. Although we served hundreds of people a day and provided food, clothing, shelter and the Word, God wasn’t done. My thoughts kept going back to mothers and their children. Women’s recovery is one of the toughest ministries and the rate of success is low because they suffer continuous trauma. Most women that have a substance issue lose their parental rights. Funding goes to the children and the mother has no support to get help. It’s a vicious cycle.… Read More

August 24, 2020
Children Labor Unique Ministries
MOMS IN THE MAKING

Infertility affects so many couples but is rarely discussed. My husband and I married in 2011 and a year later, we tried to start a family. But we couldn't get pregnant. We got tested, and were told we’d never be able to conceive. We were devastated. Several months later, I invited six other women who were struggling with infertility into my living room. It was so refreshing to have honest and transparent conversation about what we were experiencing. Afterwards, we prayed and all felt a close connection to each other and to the Lord. While infertility was very difficult, I felt renewed since I was now focusing on Jesus and not finding my life's worth in becoming a mom. I started writing down my thoughts in a blog called In Due Time. I was amazed how many people started reading it and how quickly the group in my living room transitioned to an online presence called Moms in the Making. So I ended up leaving my job in corporate finance and making this a full-time ministry. I wanted to encourage women on their journey to becoming a mom by sharing the hope and truth of God's Word. One of our first endeavors was to put on a faith-based infertility conference. We announced it through our social media pages. When it came time for the conference, we had 160 women from 33 states as well as someone from Africa and the Bahamas. We were so grateful for this response. This has now turned into an annual conference. So many infertility groups might… Read More

August 17, 2020
Children Church Activities Verbalizing the Gospel
THE GOOD NEWS CLUB

I first learned about the after-school Good News Club in a letter. At first glance, I thought it was junk mail and threw it away, but the Lord prompted me to pull it out of the trash and read it. At the time, my church was meeting in a public school on Sunday mornings, and we would pray that the Lord would give us direction on how to impact the children in that school. As I read the letter, I knew this was it. I literally jumped out of my chair and said “Oh God, this is the answer!” Good News Clubs are an outreach of the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). With this program, a local church adopts a school and holds a Good News Club after school to share the gospel to children in their own classrooms. How exciting is that! I presented the idea to the church and they were totally on board with the project. When we made contact with CEF, the director was brought to tears, saying they had been praying for more clubs to start specifically in our little area of Southern Illinois. I’ve been working with CEF and the after-school Good News Clubs since 2015, and have since been asked to be the Coordinator over the Southern Illinois chapter. We now hold 16 clubs in our area. Seeing these children come to Christ and working with the local churches so excites me. These clubs are the key that unlocks the doors for the local church to go into the public schools and reach the… Read More

August 10, 2020

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 39

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 118

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 169

Verbalizing the Gospel 77

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