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 Hospital Unique Ministries

    KEEPING THINGS ROLLING

    Our local Children's Hospital uses these shiny Radio Flyer wagons throughout their facility. They are a wonderful distraction for the kids---parents wheel their child around the building to give them a much-needed break from lying in a hospital bed. They're also used in place of luggage racks so people utilize the wagons to move their suitcases in and out of the hospital. Whenever I'd visit Children's Hospital, I would wonder who did the upkeep on these wagons. It turns out one of the men in my church was doing it, and he recruited several church members to join him. I was floored to find out there are over 500 Radio Flyer wagons in our hospital, so there are always a number of them breaking down. We gather every Wednesday afternoon and tackle the repairs. We'll fix the flat tires, replace the loose parts, and even straighten the ones that have been hit in the parking lot, left there when someone took a child to the car to go home. It will take us anywhere from two to four hours every week, depending on the number of wagons. We are "behind the scenes" guys. Only a handful of people know we do this. In fact, all our work is done in a basement room that we call "The Shop." But we enjoy each other and even find time to eat dinner together after we're done. It's a great way to give back. The Bible tells us to help each other, especially people that aren't as fortunate as us or that are going… Read More

  • Special Needs Unique Ministries

    I LOVE THE WAY GOD MADE ME

    I’ve had a physical disability my whole life. I was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), which means a lack of muscle mass. My arms and legs are affected. But I don’t “see” disability. I don’t dwell on what I can’t do. From early on, I learned to accept my limits, to know challenges will always exist, but they don’t have to be obstacles. I can chase dreams, love life, and embrace the story I am living. Does it look different? Do I need help to achieve those goals? Yes. That’s part of my normal and I don’t mind welcoming others into my world. We all need community and life is better together. Nowadays, I blog about living with a disability. I share my story because this is something I can do---to spread awareness, build understanding, encourage others, and show I am normal. Yes, I have limits, but I love the way God made me. I wouldn’t erase my disability. This is the life God has given me and the story I have to tell. And every day, I have so many reasons to be thankful.

  • Labor Mentoring Unique Ministries

    MENTORING YOUNG MEN

    I never thought I'd quit my job as a fire fighter and go into full time ministry, teaching unemployed young men the art of wordworking. But I felt the Lord's calling and you don't say no when you hear that voice. I planned on being a fire fighter my entire career but my life changed once I got saved by a friend at the station. I started reading my Bible every day. I got to Matthew 4:19, and I felt like the Lord was speaking to me directly. He was calling me to share the Gospel with people. But what could I possibly do to fulfill this? I prayed and what became abundantly clear was that I was passionate about several things: Jesus, working, people and building things. I had built a few pieces of furniture and sold them to fund a mission trip, so I wondered if woodworking may be the vehicle to help me reach out to people. On my off days, I started working with a couple guys who were having a very rough time in life, teaching them the art of wordworking. We built a couple pieces of furniture together and they sold right away at a consignment store. Maybe we were on to something! A few friends saw the positive effect this was having on these young men, and wanted to help me reach other guys who may be unemployed or struggling. So we started Manufacture Good And it grew over time, so much that I had to recently leave my… Read More

  • Children Labor Special Needs

    LOVING ON KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

    When I was in college, I worked for a non-profit that served infants who had special needs due to prenatal contact with drugs and/or alcohol. I was immersed in this inner city population for eight years, and I fell in love with these small children. They were such a light to my life. Once I had my own children, I took a hiatus from work, but knew I would go back eventually when the time was right. When I did return, my intention was to pick up where I'd left off, but the commute was too long for me as a mom. Instead, I started working for an autism diagnostic center that provided speech therapy. During this time, my church was in the process of expanding their special needs ministry. My name came up for consideration and they approached me shortly after. I had no intention of leaving my job, and I even prayed against this new opportunity. But God kept calling me. Once I finally accepted the position, it was clear Jesus wanted me here. Doors really started to open. I've been here for three years, and can honestly say it's been the most important work in my entire life! God has been amazing through this process. Kids who are non-verbal are learning Scripture! Our church congregation is seeing that each child has a purpose and that they are amazing individuals who are not to… Read More

  • Labor Unique Ministries

    HEALING AND RESTORING MARRIAGES

    The Lord has given me a passion for helping women and marriages that are on a journey of healing and restoration. Eighteen years ago, as a broken single mother with four children, I clung to Jesus. I could never praise Him enough for sending family and friends to walk with me through this very dark chapter of my life. They never condemned me. Words of wisdom, healing, love, encouragement and truth were like manna from heaven. As I experienced healing day by day, I began to cry out, "God, if I ever get my sanity back and think straight again, please use me like You have used others in my life." Just as Psalm 107:20 says, "He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit of destruction," God brought healing to my soul and turned my life around. I had to first acknowledge my sin, then find out where I had allowed substitutes for Him. I realized that all along, Jesus created us to know Him as our first love, whether we are married or not. So, after a seven year journey, I began to find my identity in Christ. God was redeeming my life! As a divorced woman, I wondered if there was a man who could know everything about me, and still love me. But God knew me, and He brought an incredible man into my life. We have no secrets and he still loves me. I used to say if God can heal me, He can heal anyone. Not only did He save me from my "pit,"… Read More

  • Labor Overcoming Obstacles Special Needs

    TURNING “DISABLED” TO “IS ABLE”

    I was shot when I was 17 years old, and paralyzed from the neck down. In a matter of seconds, I went from a healthy young man with his life in front of him to someone whose dreams were shattered.

    At first, I was angry---at my circumstances, at the man that shot me and even at God. Why would a loving God want me to live this way? How could He let this happen? Slowly, that anger gave way to a deep and dark depression. I didn't want to live if I couldn't walk again. I planned my suicide. But that morning, in my darkest time, God spoke to me and changed my whole perspective. He told me that I needed to learn to live again before ever thinking about learning to walk again. I was crying out to Him about my hopelessness and discouragement, that there wasn't any help or resources for someone like me. And then He planted the idea that altered my life. Why couldn't I provide that hope and encouragement to others who were paralyzed. After a lot of research, my buddy David and I began an information referral service for individuals who were paralyzed. We connected people to resources that existed to help… Read More

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