Stories - Page 72 of 85 - 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?

Loss Of Loved One Senior Citizens Unique Ministries
COMFORTING & SUPPORTING WIDOWS

When I lost my husband, I found that I didn't really know any other widows. I had written a book about my husband's battle with cancer but now that it was over, I had a battle of my own to fight. While I had some support, nobody could truly understand my particular type of pain. Once my grief lessened a little, I started to meet other women who were widowed, and remembering how it had felt for me, I started calling them. I spoke with them, prayed for them and invited them out for coffee. Part of what makes losing your spouse so difficult is that you frequently lose the fellowship you used to have as part of your husband's social circle. And then you have to deal with loneliness as well as grief. Eventually, I started attending a monthly widow's group. We were all struggling a bit, trying to lean on God and build friendships while trying to find closure. Finally, I started a widow's group of my own called The Victorious Women. We support each other, build strong relationships and try to plan special fun activities. Some women open up about their story but even those that don't, are comforted by the circle of friends they gain. The group is open to everyone, believers and non-believers alike, but we also meet separately with some of the women to study the Scriptures. I also have a blog for women about keeping faith in tough times. One Bible verse that instructs me when I speak with other widows is: "Praise be… Read More

November 20, 2017
Food Labor Prayer Verbalizing the Gospel
LIVING TO LOVE AND SERVE OTHERS

I spent my first 23 years on earth living for myself and my personal achievements. I wanted to work hard in college so I could go to medical school and then become a doctor. It wasn’t until meeting a girl in college (who would later become my wife) that I discovered achievements alone wouldn’t satisfy me. As I sat reading Tim Keller’s “The Reason for God” after getting into medical school, I realized that no matter what I accomplished on this earth for myself, it would be lackluster. I would still have a feeling of emptiness. God compelled me to put my faith in Him and I realized that He was the only thing to fill that hole. I’m thankful for becoming a Christian just before the beginning of medical school because it helped teach me how to love and serve others. I’ve been fortunate enough to serve and pray for patients, and talk to my science and medical colleagues about my faith. One of the most rewarding parts of moving to a new city for my medical school journey has been using my home to bless those around me. In our three years here, our guest room has been constantly filled with friends or acquaintances who needed a place to stay for a night, week or month. Family of friends who come to town are able to stay in the comfort of our home instead of an impersonal hotel. College students from our church spend evenings sprawled out in our living room, studying for exams as my wife passes… Read More

November 17, 2017
Adoption/Foster Care Children Unique Ministries
HELPING FOSTER CARE FAMILIES

When we became foster parents 16 years ago, we had little to no support. But, we knew God had called us to foster. We live in Spartanburg County, which currently has more kids in foster care than any other county in South Carolina. When we began, we were disheartened by the lack of attention given to foster care and the lack of support for foster care parents. Recognizing a need, we began P.S. I Love You Ministries. It started as a church ministry where we provided childcare for monthly foster care meetings. In addition, we wanted to be a resource for other families serving as foster parents drawing upon our knowledge and experience to answer their questions. We didn’t want foster families to feel alone. We also began making care bags for children entering the foster care system. As foster parents, we saw firsthand how many children enter foster care with few (if any) belongings of their own. We decided to give the children a pillow with their name embroidered on it, so they would have something that was theirs to keep. We also provided them with basic hygiene items, a Bible, and a toy or a blanket. In 2012, we gained nonprofit status, allowing us to partner with even more people in our community. Since then, we have had numerous groups donate items for the care bags. People began to see the needs that extend beyond the care bags and started donating clothing. In October 2016, we officially opened our resource center that houses the P.S. I Love You… Read More

November 14, 2017
Hospital Mentoring Overcoming Obstacles Special Needs
TRAGEDY TURNS INTO A BLESSING

When I was 25 years old, I took a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico where my life was altered forever. I went pier diving and broke my neck when hitting the bottom of the ocean head first. At that moment, I became completely paralyzed from the neck down. By God's grace, I remained conscious and floated up to the surface face down, completely unable to move. Just when I couldn’t hold my breath another second, my friends pulled me out of the water. Soon after, my parents got the phone call back in New York City. They were completely devastated, but cried out to God, even though we weren’t Christians then. This is when God stepped in. My aunt worked at her jewelry store and her friend stopped by just to say hi. Her friend heard what had happened, and through a series of phone calls, was able to arrange for a private jet and a doctor to fly me to a hospital back home, only 18 hours after the accident. This came with a price tag of $34,000. But my sister's friend lent us $16,000 dollars and an anonymous person on the cruise ship paid another $18,000. We never found out who it was. During my four months in the hospital, I got to know Jesus. Another family friend attended a church in Brooklyn, and the people there started visiting and praying for me. They told me all about Jesus and His love for us. Eventually, I re-learned how to breathe without a breathing machine and recovered from pneumonia and a high fever. Today, I can sit up without passing out, something… Read More

November 10, 2017
Loss Of Loved One Other Overcoming Obstacles
FORGIVENESS

I hate drugs and the horrible toll they take on people. They are truly a demonic force and cause nothing but heartache. We lost our 20-year-old daughter, Ashlynn, when she was given a lethal dose of fentanyl. She was a beautiful girl who loved the Lord. She was a great student and a high school cheerleader, but then she started experimenting with drugs. She began hanging around a different group of friends, her grades plummeted and she would show some concerning mood swings. It was a nightmare for everyone. We got her into a rehab program and after some time, we thought she had turned a corner. But her struggles continued. She was in and out of rehab. Then, we discovered she was hooked on heroin. One night in January 2016, she thought she bought some heroin, but her drug dealer gave her fentanyl instead. We grieve our loss and miss her beyond words can express. But we know she went to be with the Lord and was instantly healed and freed from her pain. The drug dealer who sold her the lethal dose had been previously convicted nine times. On this occasion, he was sentenced to 20 years without parole. We talked as a family before his trial, and determined we did not want him to hold us in bondage. We knew that Christ died for him, just like He did for you and for me. He is no less of a person in God's eyes than the rest of us. So at his trial, we gave him a letter saying we had forgiven… Read More

November 7, 2017
Church Activities Mission Work Unique Ministries
GOING WHEREVER GOD OPENS DOORS

Rome, Georgia is like most mid-sized towns in the Bible Belt with a church on nearly every corner. But many people may never enter the doors of a church. Since they are staying away, they are not hearing the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Broken lives are everywhere. Drug abuse and alcoholism are rampant. If people aren’t coming, why not go to them? So we started the Community Church Ministry where we take the church into neighborhoods. Several years ago, I dreamed I was in a large house, and many people were there. The house had several different rooms. In the dream, I went from room to room to minister to the people. I had the dream at least two times, so I believe it was of God. So in 2011, I purchased a 1969 trailer, not knowing if we could make it work. But with a lot of prayer and many volunteers, we got it working, and started having meetings at a local mobile home park that included a message, dinner and music. That year also included an Easter egg hunt, a fall festival and a Christmas play. Soon, the ministry grew to include 10 neighborhoods. The concept is simple. We go to where people live, feed them, love them, and share God's love. Many of the people reached by this ministry may never enter the doors of a church. I have seen God work in this. A few years ago at one trailer park, we met in a small room next to the laundromat. I walked… Read More

October 31, 2017

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 41

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 124

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 48

Unique Ministries 174

Verbalizing the Gospel 78

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