Stories - Page 82 of 88 - 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?

Labor Verbalizing the Gospel
FINDING A NEW FREEDOM WITH JESUS

Indonesia 2014. I was on a tiny island on a mind-blowing surfing trip, and there I felt God awaken my heart to something new. No cell service or wi-fi was accessible for miles. All safety nets were gone, but I felt free, completely free. This trip was like nothing I had ever experienced. A few months later, I injured my back, and couldn't do anything physical. I was in chronic nerve pain for three months, which felt like a prison. This was one of the most difficult seasons of my life, yet I experienced a new sense of freedom in this unlikely place. I drew into Jesus. His presence was palpable, and it was there that he birthed a new dream in my heart. I discovered a connection between Adventure and Freedom. I realized that adventure can unlock something in a man. It seemed to me that if a man feels fear, but steps through it knowing the risk, he will find freedom! With this new idea, I set out to provide opportunities for risk and adventure, inviting men to question their fears. My first Adventure Freedom journey began January 2017, the stormiest day of the year. Ten guys crammed into a 41' sailboat, and set sail in the rain, sailing 13 hours through the night. Our destination was a deserted island off the coast of California. At the beginning of our trip, I quoted Yvon Chouinard, the Founder of Patagonia, who said, "The adventure doesn't begin until something goes wrong." Well, it turned out I unknowingly led these guys… Read More

April 10, 2017
Children Financial Help
ORGANIZING A TOY DRIVE

When you are a young social worker who calls on families in a poor neighborhood, you see a number of things that break your heart. Some of these families have so little in life. One of my families has five children and just one toy between them to share. Kids learn how to deal with other people through play and toys, since it engages so many of our senses and builds confidence. But this family had just a single toy. My heart was heavy for these kids who had so little. I prayed about what to do, and felt like Jesus was leading me to a creative solution. I decided to get all my friends together and do a toy drive. Everyone was thrilled to take part, especially when they heard about the families that would receive the gifts. Once the drive ended, we gave each social worker in my office a couple toys for every child they dealt with and had them personally present them on their next house call. It brought so much joy and happiness to these kids and their parents, as well as every social worker. It turned out to be such a simple act, but heartwarming for everyone involved.

April 6, 2017
Loving Your Neighbor Unique Ministries
HOME OF THE HUSKIES

I have always had a passion for animals, and knew I had to get involved when I came across two huskies belonging to a young Marine on a Facebook group I follow. The group is for men and women that get deployed and need to find a temporary home for their animals while they're serving. The foster family he lined up had fallen through, and he was going to have to give up his beloved dogs while he was serving overseas for a year. I could only imagine the devastation he was feeling. My husband and I talked it over and decided to take on the challenge. Since we already have two huskies of our own, and are both retired military officers, we felt a special prompting from the Lord that this was a way to show His love to others. Even though we were a little daunted by the idea of having four huskies, our desire to serve outweighed that concern. It's been a joy lavishing love and building an incredible bond with these dogs, but also getting to invest in some cool friendships with people at our dog park. They want to hear how we ended up with four huskies, and it has given us a chance to just listen and share. Our Thanksgiving table was full this year---it wasn't just our four canines, but several of our friends (and their dogs) joined us too. I love knowing Jesus has called me to serve in this way. Now if only He could help me with all the shedding.

April 3, 2017
Labor
JEWELRY WITH A MESSAGE

I've always loved music. One of my earliest memories is standing on a pew between my mother and father on a Sunday morning, hymnal in hand, singing to Jesus. And I've also always loved crafting. It brings me so much joy to make something special and unique for someone else. I wanted to find a way to combine what I love doing with what inspires me. I began making beautiful, unique necklaces and bracelets that contain simple phrases from hymns and scripture, and offer them through an online Etsy store. Phrases like "Then sings my soul" and "Tis so sweet" and "ask, seek, knock". When worn, they serve as a sweet little reminder to pause and reflect on how great God is. It is my hope that my jewelry serves multiple purposes for those who wear them. They complement any look, they keep you singing praises throughout the day and most importantly, they are perfect conversation starters to help believers share their faith and love of Jesus with others.

March 27, 2017
Loss Of Loved One Verbalizing the Gospel
A DEVASTATING LOSS, A BOLDER FAITH

I am a New Yorker, a painter, a wife, a soon-to-be mother and a sister who recently lost a sibling. Growing up, I was the youngest of five in my strong Italian-American family. We lost our brother, Matt, in the summer of 2015 to addiction. He was forty-eight. When I think of Matt, I tell everyone he was the smartest of us all, but more importantly he was loving, kind, caring and really funny. During his funeral, friends from everywhere flocked to comfort our family. They told of how his humor and love impacted their lives in such positive ways. It's sad to think of someone with twenty years of addiction, because you start to think he didn't get to finish his purpose, but he did. He impacted me and others in ways that weren't always obvious. Because of Matt, I started searching for a different way of life. I found some answers when I met my loving, gracious, healing and accepting Savior, who offered hope and redemption. When I found this incredible hope, I shared it with Matty. Over the years, I would talk to him about God's love and pray for him unceasingly. Miraculously in 2001, Matty accepted Jesus into his heart while we were praying together. He wasn't able to overcome his addictions, but I know now without a doubt he is with Jesus. After he died, I had a series of experiences and signs that he was finally accepting and enjoying God's love. I know it sounds strange but it came in the shape of a heart. Everywhere I turned, I… Read More

March 23, 2017
Homeless Loving Your Neighbor
LOVE-ON-THE-GO BAGS

I started putting together love-on-the go bags about five years ago. I got inspired while driving and consistently being stopped at a certain street corner where homeless people ask for money or help. I would scrounge in my car to try to find anything to give--a water bottle, a power bar, or some spare change. But one day, I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to do more. After praying about this, I decided to put together ready-to-go bags with loving messages, hygiene products, first aid kits, socks, food and water. Now, I'm never empty-handed when passing or driving by someone hungry or in need. Jesus said it best in Matthew 5:42: "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." In a small way, I'm trying to live up to His Word.

March 21, 2017

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Adoption/Foster Care 39

Church Activities 61

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 48

Loving Your Neighbor 69

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 135

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 23

Special Needs 49

Unique Ministries 176

Verbalizing the Gospel 80

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