Stories - Page 83 of 86 - 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?

Overcoming Obstacles
THE VULNERABLE DEN MOTHER

My passion for people experiencing utter darkness isn't something I ever thought I'd be in the middle of. In fact, I avoided vulnerability and sharing anything about the past with others like "the plague". It wasn't until I became a believer in my 20's, and ventured out to China with Youth With A Mission that Jesus began to soften my heart. He put me in the most uncomfortable situation. I was the oldest girl in that cohort of travelers, and I became this sort of "den mother". Initially I hated being in this mentor roll---but then as I took this crazy leap of faith in vulnerability, the girls just kept coming to me for advice. I'd listen to their hurts and fears and try to calm their anxiety, all while wondering why God put me in this overwhelming spot. Now I know without a doubt it was God's guiding hand that allowed me to see ways I could love others deeply. Most recently, I had a very dear friend visit who is currently wrestling with severe depression. It was heavy and I could feel the despair. At first, I didn't know how to handle it, but I just kept praying for wisdom from the Holy Spirit, the great psychiatrist. I felt a nudge to meet her where she was at, cry with her, listen to her deep pain, pray with her, and answer some tough questions about God like, "why would he allow this to happen to me". I didn't try to fix her. I just trusted that the Lord… Read More

January 24, 2017
Unique Ministries
THE TRASH DUMP

It all started in a trash dump called La Chureca in Managua, Nicaragua. It was the largest landfill in Central America. There, about 1500 people lived and worked everyday picking up recyclables, in horrific conditions. Large families were living in small tarp houses with dirt floors in the middle of mountains of trash. Children were huffing glue to fight hunger, and the smoke from the burning trash lowered their life expectancy every day. It was right there in La Chureca I felt Jesus' love and desire to give. The idea was simple---take portraits of families, print them, and give them to the families as gifts. I had experience taking wedding photos in the U.S. and saw the impact photos could have on lives. But for people who didn't have very many possessions, much less photos of themselves, the call of Jesus seemed simple---to bring a little light and a little joy to a dark place.

January 16, 2017
Labor Senior Citizens Verbalizing the Gospel
HEARING GOD’S QUIET VOICE

I was an electrician for the first part of my career but in 2000, I injured my back and had to undergo major surgery. The surgeon told me I would need to find a new line of work. You have a lot of time to think when you're laying in a hospital bed and I started praying about what God wanted me to do now that I had to make a career change. It's amazing how you can "hear" God when you are quiet. He spoke to me, saying I needed to minister to people in hospitals. There was a guy in the bed next to me, a painter, that didn't know the Lord, so I thought I should get started. I began sharing what He had done in my life. And wouldn't you know it, he accepted Jesus into his heart! As soon as I got out of the hospital, I met with the pastor of our small church. He encouraged me to move to a larger church where there was a need for such a ministry. My wife and I searched for a new church and there again, the Lord showed His hand. The minister said they needed help with pastoral care, so I started making hospital visits. I loved it. But little did I know that the hospital visits were just preparing me for something bigger. I felt The Lord was nudging me to minister to people in nursing homes. That next Sunday, while I was helping in the church parking lot, a member started talking to… Read More

January 10, 2017
Labor Verbalizing the Gospel
LIVING OUT MY FAITH AT WORK

I own a nail salon. In my line of business, customer service is key. I decided to open my own business so I could offer a smile and a listening ear to my clients. Often when people come to the salon, they've had a long day, are in a hurry, and are trying to treat themselves. They use this place as an escape. I am a Christian, and I want others to see that through my work. I have an opportunity to share my faith each day. I work six days a week and have chosen to be closed on Sundays for a day of rest, so my employees, my family and I can attend church. Few things are more important than the friendships we make. I'm thankful for this opportunity to grow with others and share my beliefs as I get to do what I love.

January 4, 2017
Children Unique Ministries
READING IN THE PARK

I am a retired florist, but I still love working and being as active as I can. It helps me feel purpose to "give back" to others. I began asking the Lord what my retirement years should look like--how I could continue to honor Him with my gifts and talents. My church has "adopted" a local school in our community that we serve in many ways: furnishing backpacks, handing out food, supplying coats for the winter. One thing that interested me was reading with children who are behind at school and don't have parents heavily involved in their lives. We call it "Reading in the Park" and I love it. To see children, as they begin to understand and develop a love of reading, is so rewarding. Investing in them so I can ultimately tell them about the good news of Jesus. Loving on them so they can see the love of Christ, all for His glory. All it takes is a couple of hours every Friday to show these children that they are loved, not only by me, but by their Creator. This is what my retirement years look like. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

December 27, 2016
Adoption/Foster Care Children
ADOPTING ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN

The Lord has placed orphans on my heart since I was a little girl. I remember worrying about children my age who didn't have families to love them or food to fill their stomachs. It bothered me, and the compassion towards orphans and people from low income families has continued to grow in my heart in astounding ways. My husband, Matt, has been passionate about orphan care since our first year of marriage. God worked powerfully in the church we attended that year by leading ordinary sinners like us to take care of orphans, widows, and underprivileged people of all ages. The hurt on their faces and the hopelessness they faced was like something we had never seen or experienced before. That stuck. We won't forget it, nor do we want to forget it. Jesus calls us to take care of orphans, widows, and the poor. It is hard to know what that looks like sometimes when most people are busy working full time, raising kids, balancing activities, and trying to keep heads above water. But we only live on this Earth once, and there are so many people out there who need God's love. All of these facts and feelings led us to our decision to adopt a baby. We felt like the Lord was shouting from the rooftops when He answered our prayers of what to do about beginning a family. It was more than obvious to us that He was directing us down this path, and there was no turning back, and we are so very thankful for… Read More

December 19, 2016

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 44

Loving Your Neighbor 68

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 130

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 49

Unique Ministries 176

Verbalizing the Gospel 79

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