Stories - Page 41 of 82 - 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?

Loving Your Neighbor Other Unique Ministries
LOVE EVERYBODY

The world is so divided right now. You can't say anything without offending someone and causing strife. This is so contrary to what God commands us to do: love one another. It's one of His two great commandments. Yet we stand divided on just about every issue. God woke me up one night and laid it on my heart that I needed to do something about this. I didn't know what someone with my skills could do about something that significant, so I tried to ignore it. But it kept eating at me throughout the day, which I can see now was the Holy Spirit at work. A few days later, I was driving and the guy on the radio said we just need a big sign that says to love everybody. And I felt God's presence all over me. That was what He wanted me to do. So my wife made a sign that simply said "Love Everybody" and I stood on the street corner and waved it at passing cars. The next day, Kerry stopped and gave me a bottle of water. We started talking about race relations and how sad it was that we all just can't get along. I told him I had another sign and asked if he'd like to join me. So here we were, a white man and a black man, waving "Love Everybody" signs at our community. The reaction was amazing. People honked, stopped to talk, and yelled encouragement. One lady took what we thought was a picture, but it turned out… Read More

July 7, 2020
Children Prayer Special Needs
A MOTHER WITH A SPECIAL CALLING

I have had to learn that God has a unique way for each of us to serve Him. I have two adult children with various disabilities. My second son Caleb was born prematurely and spent the first three and a half weeks of his life in intensive care. He was eventually diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Two years later, my daughter Alice was born and within eight months, we knew that she also had developmental delays. Early on, I had to learn to advocate for my children. While navigating many of Caleb’s medical issues, I learned to question doctors and even argue with them when necessary. I also began to learn the rights of parents in the education system. I insisted that Alice (who hears but is not able to speak) get sign language instruction. I refused to sign the IEP until that was incorporated into her learning. As my children were growing up, I learned to be honest in prayer. Sometimes, I’d say, “Lord, I don’t think I can handle this.” And He taught me. He taught me that we can handle more than we think if we let Him hold us up. Also, when we say we want to do great things for God, “great” doesn’t always look the way we expect. For me, service to the Lord consisted of loving and serving my family. It was enjoying them for who they are, and it was praying that they would reach new heights. It was letting them fight their battles independently too, even though I always let them know how… Read More

June 30, 2020
Overcoming Obstacles Recovery Special Needs
FOCUSING ON WHAT I CAN DO

My accident was October 20, 2018. I was helping my family cut some firewood like I do every year. As we were working, a tree started to fall. I could see it coming and ran, but I wasn’t able to get out of the way and was caught under the tree. I had a fracture in two vertebrae, causing damage in the nerves, leaving me paralyzed from the neck down. My next stop was a rehab hospital and it was like entering into the unknown. I didn’t know how long I would be there, and the doctors weren’t sure whether I would ever be able to walk again. Over time, I realized the weight of that thought; not walking was going to change everything about my life. My family would put scriptures on the walls of my room, and I would have visitors almost every day. I really feel like the Lord used that to keep my spirits alive. Rehab was hard, but moving home was harder. Realizing all the changes that would have to be made to live in a home environment was difficult to take in. I have to give the credit to the Lord. It was God who sustained me, and continues to do so through all of this. Early on, there were moments where it was difficult to get past all the things I couldn’t do. But now when I wake up each day, I try to focus on what I can do and what I have to be thankful for. Then, I set my eyes… Read More

June 24, 2020
Adoption/Foster Care Children Unique Ministries
HELPING HANDS

I have always liked the thought of kids giving a helping hand to other kids. When we decided to homeschool, I began to look for opportunities where we could serve as a family. People need help in many different ways, so we never lack a place to give a hand. What we started with our older son has now trickled down to our younger son. One of our favorite places to serve is The Ronald McDonald House. We go to bake cookies or some other treat that will then be shared with the guests. It is their home away from home anywhere from a few weeks to a few months in a time when they need some normal. Their spark of joy draws us back over and over again. Watching my kids get a chance to help others really inspired me to coordinate similar opportunities for other kids to lend a hand. Within our homeschool community, I set up different events where kids can help other kids in need. Close to Christmas, we stuff stockings for teenagers in the foster care system and at the beginning of the school year, we help with backpack buddies for the students. We live near a military base and there are always opportunities to help those serving our country. Children from those families may be without a Mom or a Dad for long periods of time, and it brings perspective for our kids when helping those families. Even now, with our country and our world going through this difficult time, our students are helping Operation Gratitude. There… Read More

June 15, 2020
Labor Unique Ministries
MASKS FOR OUR MEDICAL WORKERS

The parable of the Good Samaritan really hit me during this pandemic. Jesus expects us to help each other, not look the other way. When the Coronavirus started to spread, I was worried about the people on the frontlines who lacked the proper equipment. My father is a hospital administrator and he told me stories of how a number of medical workers didn't even have masks to wear. I wondered why he didn’t just retire to keep safe, but he said this is the time when healthcare workers step up, when they rush to the forefront because they can help people in need. But I kept thinking that without this protection, doctors and nurses would be at great risk. My friends certainly couldn’t find any masks; online stores were out of stock. People were panicked. I knew I had to act. So I did. My friend, Amy, and I set up a website where we tried to help with supplying masks to people. Our goal was to make, find and send personal protective equipment to those on the frontlines. We tackled this problem in a couple different ways. First, we set up tutorials on how people could make their own masks. We acted as a conduit where sewing groups would make masks and we’d find medical facilities where they could be used. Next, I had a friend in Hong Kong who worked at a diaper factory, but his company shifted over to making a million masks each day. We felt that could be our ticket to a good supply of… Read More

June 9, 2020
Church Activities Food Loving Your Neighbor Unique Ministries
THE SHARING GRACE PANTRY

I have always been passionate about helping people and I knew that we had people in our own community that needed help. Especially during the pandemic when so many people were losing their jobs. The state and local benefits offered to those in need did not cover everyday items such as toilet paper and shampoo. I knew that we could be doing better. I came up with the idea for a pantry. The pantry at our church, Bethany Lutheran in Parma Ohio, is called Sharing G.R.A.C.E. with G.R.A.C.E. standing for Groceries Reaching Across Community Everyday. The pantry offers items you cannot purchase with state and or local benefits---toilet paper, shampoo, diapers, household cleaning products, hygiene products, and feminine products. We were able to close that gap and support those in need. We didn't want people to have to choose between rent and diapers. We spent a month doing a “fill-the-pantry” drive and our congregation responded with an outpouring of support to fill the pantry and meet the need. The pantry is for anyone and everyone: for people who might need one-time help or those that might need more consistent help to keep them going. I have definitely seen the pantry help people when they might be at their lowest. During the pandemic, we knew of people that couldn't leave their homes and didn't have enough income to get the things they needed for their family. We were able to step in, help them get back on their feet and support them. The experience has been incredible. At the end of the day, all I want… Read More

June 1, 2020

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 38

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 116

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 166

Verbalizing the Gospel 76

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