Stories - Page 75 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?

Prayer
TAKING TIME TO KNOW JESUS

My faith has undergone a major transformation lately. I've "known" Jesus since I was a little girl, and growing up, I usually had all the right things to say. For most of my life, I've gone to church and heard church leaders describe and interpret Jesus for me. But that is not how one develops a personal relationship with the Lord. My revelation is that I need to sit down and get to really know Him. Now my prayer every single second is, "God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Father, and King, I want to know you for myself, not through someone else's eyes." I've come to realize that I need to know God in a more profound way. Mother Teresa was once asked, "When you pray, what do you say to God?" Her response, "I don't talk, I simply listen." The interviewer then asked, "Ah, then what is it that God says to you when you pray?" She said, "He also doesn't talk. He also simply listens." This is so simple, yet profound. Listening. When do I just sit down in solitude and listen, and allow His presence to fill the space? The controlling part of me wants to earn God's grace and love, instead of silently feeling it. For the first time in my life, going to church is not the only priority. I want to know Jesus, like I do my husband. I want to know Jesus' emotions and how He walked on this earth when He came. I want to try and enjoy His love without thinking I… Read More

June 14, 2017
Loss Of Loved One Mentoring Verbalizing the Gospel
PUTTING ALL OUR TRUST IN THE LORD

We lost our son in 2005. He was just 20 years old. He was shot by his roommate as he was coming over to our house to celebrate Father's Day. He had recently graduated from a drug rehab program. But like so many young people afflicted with this disease, he couldn't break away from his old "friends." We have no idea why he was killed, and we still struggle, every day. You're never the same once you lose a child. It changes the way you live, it changes everything. But seeing how God has worked in our lives and in the life of our family has been miraculous. We were all brought to our knees, and decided the only thing we could do was to put all our trust in the Lord. Something like this either draws your family together or it tears it apart. And our family has been strengthened. We are always there for each other. We wanted to reach out to others in some way, and make something good out of this. So for the past several years, we have been going to two of our local shelters, and sharing our story. We help minister to the men and women who may be suffering from the same addiction as our son. We tell about the Lord's saving grace, about the hope we have because of His promises, how He changes you and what the Lord has done in our lives. And we have forgiveness for his roommate who is still in prison. We don't understand how we forgave him, we just know… Read More

June 7, 2017
Adoption/Foster Care Children
LISTENING TO JESUS, NOT OUR FEARS

I have two adopted children and they are my world. My husband and I used to be a part of this foster-to-adopt-program, and the process, although absolutely worth it, was excruciating. After experiencing some very difficult circumstances, we decided to tell our social worker not to contact us for a few months about adopting. However, Jesus had other plans. Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." One day, as I was walking back to my car from my kids' school, I waved to another mom walking up, and "pop". My arm slid out of its socket. Then crazy pain. I bellowed out, and then all at once a team of people flooded in my direction, including our assistant principal. They called the fire department, but thankfully, about thirty seconds before they arrived, my arm slid back into place. I was so embarrassed, not only about my very loud shriek, but also because I had dislocated my shoulder just waving to another mom! The physical therapists had a good laugh at that one. Three weeks into slogging through my physical therapy sessions, I get a call from our social worker. I'm initially pretty shocked, but as she tells me about a very low-risk private adoption. I get a tiny bit hopeful and then panicky. The baby is due in six weeks, and we feel so conflicted. My husband and I have some very long deliberations about this speedy decision. There are so many concerns: our exhaustion, fear, rejection and… Read More

May 30, 2017
Church Activities Prayer Senior Citizens
BUT I CAN STILL PRAY

For years, my husband and I taught Sunday school. We were both very outgoing and loved to pour ourselves into other people. We found a great way to do this was to lead a class of married couples. At first, it was rather intimidating, having to speak in front of others, knowing that our marriage had its share of struggles. But we loved the Lord and honored Him in our marriage, and that is what we wanted to pass on to these younger couples. For over thirty years, we led various small groups of people that were usually much younger than us. It was so much more than the time we had in class. We got to know everyone on a very deep and personal level. We invested in them. We'd check in with them all the time. We'd get together and pray when they faced a challenge. We'd share meals together and really get to know their families. These couples became our "Christian children." The bonds we formed have lasted a lifetime, and have been such a blessing. My husband passed away six years ago after almost 57 years of marriage, and my health has deteriorated. I now live in a retirement community in an independent living apartment, and can't make it to church because of my physical pain. But even though I'm not able to see these dear friends as often as I'd like, I can still pray for them. And I do, every day.

May 23, 2017
Food Homeless
REACHING OUT TO THE HOMELESS

I have always had an internal struggle when it comes to reaching out to the homeless. I grew up in a suburban town in New Jersey and I didn't encounter many homeless people there. When I moved to Southern California to attend college, that quickly changed. Southern California has one of the largest homeless populations in the country. It broke my heart that there are people who are hungry and don't have a warm safe place to sleep at night. I wanted to help but I was warned by others not to give homeless people money--only food--because money might enable their addictions. But the few times I offered to buy them food, I was "told-off" by the would-be recipients. This created a fear in me of helping, so I did nothing. But in the last few years, I can tell God has been working on my heart and to mold me into someone different. A few months ago while my mom was visiting, we had a conversation about my past struggles to help the homeless. The next day while I was at work, she went to Costco and loaded up on socks, granola bars, water bottles and applesauce. The plan was to put together "blessing bags". I was floored by her act of generosity and thoughtfulness. This gave me the courage I needed to start handing out, and eventually making, these bags on my own. I now keep these "blessing bags" handy in my car to offer up to anyone who may want them. Now, every recipient is so grateful. I'm no longer scared to approach the homeless. I now say hello, flash a smile, tell them that God… Read More

May 16, 2017
Mentoring Overcoming Obstacles Recovery
HELPING OTHERS THRU THEIR TRIALS

I am a recovering alcoholic. I've been sober now for 27 years and that's truly by the power and grace of God. Alcohol almost killed me. It destroyed my first marriage and I got in a horrible car accident when I was under the influence, breaking my hip. But fortunately I got into a 12-step program, and it was there that I established a true relationship with the Lord. My life has never been the same. Being part of a fellowship of other alcoholics is like taking your medicine if you're a diabetic---it's vital for your health. And I feel led to help others that are going through the same struggle. As part of my church’s mission program, I visit a local homeless shelter and rehab center. We serve the meal and conduct a chapel service. I reach out to the guys that have this addiction. I'm totally open with them. I share my testimony so I can instill hope in them that they, too, can turn their lives around with the Lord's help. Everybody goes through some type of struggle, and we can help one another through these dark times if we make ourselves vulnerable and "there" for others. The Lord brought me through the wilderness. If these guys put their trust in Him, they can come through it too, and lead a productive life.

May 11, 2017

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 119

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 171

Verbalizing the Gospel 77

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