Stories - Page 56 of 84 - 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 Labor Mentoring
DISCIPLING HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS

High school was pretty rough for me. I spent those years struggling with identity and friendships, so when I graduated, I declared I would never go back. Of course, God, with His sense of humor, had other plans. During college, He revealed how my pain from high school could be used to pour into the next generation. I began to see how my testimonies could help other girls know they aren't alone in their trials, and God could use me to disciple them. I became a Young Life leader and worked as a high school teacher after I graduated college. I fell in love with this age group, and wanted to give my life to serving them. More than anything, I wanted high school girls to know they already have the approval they seek. So often, teenagers strive to fit in, be the sports star, and make the highest grade in their class, all in the pursuit of affirmation. What they don't realize is they already have God's approval. Jesus didn't go into the wilderness, do ministry, heal the sick, or rise from the dead to earn the approval of the Father. He knew who He was and did everything from that. That's exactly how it is for us. My biggest hope is to awaken high school girls to the truth that because the Spirit of God lives inside them, they get to have a relationship with God and do great things. I want high school girls to know what I wish I would have known at their age: You… Read More

October 24, 2018
Church Activities Senior Citizens Unique Ministries
SERVING AS THE CHURCH NURSE

I am a nurse. I am also a Christian, and have found the best thing I can do for my patients is to pray with them and for them, which I do for every patient. Now I am retired. I wasn't sure how I would like retirement since my entire adult life has been as a nurse. My pastor, knowing my health is good and that I like to be helpful where I can, asked if I would become our church's nurse. For the last three years, I have loved my new position. I don't get paid, yet I feel more fulfillment than I ever did as an RN in a doctor's office. Each week, I visit church members in the hospital to pray and just be there for the patients and their families as they walk through a difficult time. I also visit shut-ins and anyone from the church who have a long-term illness. Each week, I visit a few families with children who are very sick. Usually, I just sit with the child, while the parents take some much-needed time away to get some coffee or have a date night. Each Sunday, I spend time before and after church in my "nurse's office" near the sanctuary, where I give free blood pressure readings and other simple medical tasks so people don't have to pay to visit their doctor or a lab. My work is pretty simple. But I feel I'm using my skills to help others, many of whom are in need. I don't see it as being anything major for… Read More

October 17, 2018
Children Labor Mentoring
POURING MYSELF INTO MY PLAYERS

To most, I am known as simply "Coach." As the local high school's football coach, I spend a great deal of time with high school boys. Many of them come from broken homes and could very easily end up on a very bad path. However, I realize the Lord has placed me in this particular job at this specific school to pour myself into these boys and help them become all they can be. For many of them, I am the closest thing to a father they will ever know. That is why my office door is always open. My players know they can come to me about anything, not just football. And almost all of them do at some point during their time on the team. We talk about girl problems, home issues, peer pressure, time management skills, you name it. Often, I ask them if they would like us to pray about their situation. I know I work in a public school and that's really frowned upon, but the only way I can meet the needs of these boys is through the power and wisdom of God. I've never had a student say no to prayer. And every night, my wife and I pray together about the needs of the boys on my team. I don't know if anyone in their lives is praying for them, but we are. And I know it's making a difference. Boys that would have ended up in jail, or worse, have gone to college and become wonderful adults. I don't take my role as coach lightly. It is… Read More

October 11, 2018
Church Activities Mission Work Prayer
THE MISSIONS COORDINATOR

When I read Scripture, I see Jesus sharing His love with the nations. From Genesis to Revelation, it is all about missions to me. I've been on several short-term mission trips to various parts of the world. Each trip has enriched my life in more ways than I can recount. I was definitely blessed far more than I blessed others. However, the Lord has not called me to full-time missions. But I can still be part of this effort. There is so much that can be done from right here at home to bless the nations. So I became the missions coordinator for my church. I get all the newsletters from missionaries and post them on our bulletin board for people to read. Each week, we have a missionary of the week and I get their information, a photo, and prayer requests that go in our weekly bulletin and on our app so our congregation can pray. I also coordinate our yearly missions week where we bring in missionaries from all over the world to speak in our services and spend time in our life groups, sharing about what the Lord is doing around the world. Most importantly, though, I coordinate our missions prayer effort. I have a team of people who work with me in this. Every time a missionary sends a prayer request, it immediately goes out to this team and we pray because we know that prayer changes things.

October 9, 2018
Adoption/Foster Care Children Labor Mission Work
ONE TRIP CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

It’s been said that life can change in an instant. For me, a trip to Africa in 2012 altered the course of my life forever. On that trip, I was introduced firsthand to orphans. I had read about them and seen videos, but actually holding a child who did not know the love of a family stirred my heart. Already a mother to two beautiful girls, my heart was pulled in the direction of international adoption. In 2013, my husband and I started the long and difficult journey of growing our family through adoption. We knew we were being called to adopt from the DRC- the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We were matched with a beautiful little girl we named Emily, and we started the adoption process. However after 18 long months, she no longer was available to adopt. We were crushed, confused, and torn. But the Lord was good. He placed a second little girl from the Congo in our lives, and in May of 2016, we were able to bring home our little girl, Evie. My family’s journey through international adoption molded our family into what it is today, and helped prepare me for my future work at Fund the Nations. This organization helps mission groups, families seeking adoption, and non-profit groups better fulfill the Great Commission through t-shirt sales and fundraising. I became the official storyteller of the organization. It is my job to express the desires and dreams of the groups traveling across the globe to spread the good news or the heartfelt cries of a couple desperately… Read More

October 4, 2018
Loving Your Neighbor Unique Ministries Verbalizing the Gospel
SHOOTING POOL AT THE BEER JOINT

Throughout life, God has called me to places far outside my comfort zone, to use me in the lives of those who are downtrodden. I turned 70 this year, and God has always used me to connect to hurting people. Some would describe me as an evangelist but really, I simply love Jesus and I want to talk about Him any chance I get. I spend a lot of time in places most Christians try to avoid. Most evenings, you can find me shooting pool at the beer joint on the corner, or at the prison telling funny stories. I don't drink beer or break the law, but I go to these places intentionally because the people there need a friend. They need someone to hear their heartache and to introduce them to Jesus through a real friendship. I know the best friend anyone can have is Jesus. He saved me many years ago and He has been my steadfast friend through every season of my life. No matter where you are, there are people hurting from the pain of this world. But you cannot expect them to come to you. It is my job as Christian to look for those who need Jesus' touch. I've always told my children, to have a friend, be friendly. We have to be intentional and look for those who are hurting. We have to share our own hurts and how Jesus changes our heart. I'll continue to do just that for the rest of my life.

October 1, 2018

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 40

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 120

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 171

Verbalizing the Gospel 77

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