A family member had a house fire a while back. It was pretty catastrophic -- the family had gone through a divorce maybe a year or so prior, and now just lost huge swaths of what they owned. Though not a member, not even a believer, the local church supported him by bringing him and his children food, clothes, and if I recall correctly money as well.

A few years ago my mom was diagnosed with cancer. She was a teacher at the time, and I remember one of the mothers of a student in her class decided to raise money for her through her church. Again, from what my mom told me, thousands of dollars.

I was thoroughly impressed in both cases. The amount of care and concern shown by these people for people who they did not know, and were not even tangentially part of their in-group, is admirable. Don't know why these thoughts popped into my head today, but I just wanted to share.

I think if more people really took to heart that we are the body of Christ, which means we do the work of God, we're His hands and feet in the world, we do His works... that when people encounter the love of God, they encounter it through us... everything would be better. I say that about myself. What you're describing IS the gospel, and it should be completely normal an expected for Christians because it should be completely normal and expected for humans.

But its hard.

Thanks for that post as it reminds me how we are supposed to act as Christians. IMHO, kind acts done in the name of a Christ are a much better witness than words or my "testimony". People notice actions and turn off to words.

Zobel said:

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I think if more people really took to heart that we are the body of Christ, which means we do the work of God, we're His hands and feet in the world, we do His works... that when people encounter the love of God, they encounter it through us... everything would be better. I say that about myself. What you're describing IS the gospel, and it should be completely normal an expected for Christians because it should be completely normal and expected for humans.

But its hard.

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It is hard but sure brings a ton of joy to me when I do it.

For all the theological discussion we have on here, the Gospel is really simple. Through faith accept God's free gift of grace and eternal life then love God, love your neighbor.

dermdoc said:

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Thanks for that post as it reminds me how we are supposed to act as Christians. IMHO, kind acts done in the name of a Christ are a much better witness than words or my "testimony". People notice actions and turn off to words.

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You mean to tell me my arguing on Texags isn't working

Frok said:

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dermdoc said:

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Thanks for that post as it reminds me how we are supposed to act as Christians. IMHO, kind acts done in the name of a Christ are a much better witness than words or my "testimony". People notice actions and turn off to words.

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You mean to tell me my arguing on Texags isn't working

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Shocking isn't it?

dargscisyhp said:

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A family member had a house fire a while back. It was pretty catastrophic -- the family had gone through a divorce maybe a year or so prior, and now just lost huge swaths of what they owned. Though not a member, not even a believer, the local church supported him by bringing him and his children food, clothes, and if I recall correctly money as well.

A few years ago my mom was diagnosed with cancer. She was a teacher at the time, and I remember one of the mothers of a student in her class decided to raise money for her through her church. Again, from what my mom told me, thousands of dollars.

I was thoroughly impressed in both cases. The amount of care and concern shown by these people for people who they did not know, and were not even tangentially part of their in-group, is admirable. Don't know why these thoughts popped into my head today, but I just wanted to share.

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Thanks. We all get bogged down in life and tend to drift away from what we are called to do. This gives me pause to look in the mirror and remind myself how I can help others and for Christians to live God's word in a way that others can see and not just hear words…

The Lord loves a generous heart, and that is with time, talent and treasure.

Actions speak louder than words, no?

Why is it that Christians are so generous?

Maybe there is sincere belief in the message, even if it is easy to point to shortcomings as hypocritical?

Thanks for the OP. Bless your family and their trials, I am glad they had some support.

One thing that I will mention is that Jesus always seemed to focus on helping the people that were in front of him. I think we should act in the same way. Sending cash to the Red Cross is not bad, per say, but helping the people that you come in contact with, or the people that are loved by the people you come in contact with, may be a much better way to have a positive impact on the world.

BusterAg said:

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Actions speak louder than words, no?

Why is it that Christians are so generous?

Maybe there is sincere belief in the message, even if it is easy to point to shortcomings as hypocritical?

Thanks for the OP. Bless your family and their trials, I am glad they had some support.

One thing that I will mention is that Jesus always seemed to focus on helping the people that were in front of him. I think we should act in the same way. Sending cash to the Red Cross is not bad, per say, but helping the people that you come in contact with, or the people that are loved by the people you come in contact with, may be a much better way to have a positive impact on the world.

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Great post. I used to think that ministry and missions meant going to impoverished countries or homeless shelters or whatever. Granted, all those are great nut I believe God puts us in a place where we are supposed to do our ministry there. At my office, at the grocery store, at home, everywhere.

dermdoc said:

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BusterAg said:

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Actions speak louder than words, no?

Why is it that Christians are so generous?

Maybe there is sincere belief in the message, even if it is easy to point to shortcomings as hypocritical?

Thanks for the OP. Bless your family and their trials, I am glad they had some support.

One thing that I will mention is that Jesus always seemed to focus on helping the people that were in front of him. I think we should act in the same way. Sending cash to the Red Cross is not bad, per say, but helping the people that you come in contact with, or the people that are loved by the people you come in contact with, may be a much better way to have a positive impact on the world.

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Great post. I used to think that ministry and missions meant going to impoverished countries or homeless shelters or whatever. Granted, all those are great nut I believe God puts us in a place where we are supposed to do our ministry there. At my office, at the grocery store, at home, everywhere.

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This is a great point. I know several young folks who travel across the pond to different third work countries to build homes, dig wells, etc. Meanwhile in their home city of Dallas/Houston/Austin/etc. there are thousands of homeless and poverty level family's. Always seemed to me that they were thrilled to tell people about the lengths they were going to to help others, moreso than doing that not so glamorous work right here.

And to me, it is not just working with the poor, etc. even in your hometown. It is ministering and encouraging those around you all day.

I am amazed at how many people are hurting and yet not showing it. I bet at least ten times a day, I will ask a patient how they are doing(and not just cursory but looking them in the eyes)and find out about sick loved ones, upcoming surgeries, etc. We always have prayer and I try to encourage them. And it is amazing the stories I hear later. And when they come back, they always want more prayer.

And I get more out of it than them. We all benefit.

I will say when I felt called to start doing this about five years ago, it sometimes felt forced. But as time went by, it became a natural flow between believers. And the Holy Spirit is definitely there.

Other things that are easy and very fulfilling are going by and seeing hospitalized church members. Short visits are fine as are short prayers. It is just the fact you took the time to come. And going to the visitation of funerals of church members is the same.

Writing short notes or visits to home bound members is fun also. And delivering communion to home bound members is a treat,

That's great. I want to be more like that, so often I don't do these things because it feels awkward, I've got to get past that.

My wife has taught me a lot about this, and I am better because of it.

Every interaction with a stranger is an opportunity. You can make a difference to the people you see every day.

Case in point, my wife knows the names of about a dozen people at the closest grocery store. She greets them by name, often asks how their family is, etc. Talks to the checkout girl about her latest shade of blue or purple hair.

One day, when we were there, she talked to the greeter, a nice older lady of Asian decent. She was not doing well. Her downstairs apartment had 3 feet of water in it (thanks to Harvey), and her husband was sleeping in their mini van in the parking lot. The only family they had in town were in the Katy area, and also underwater.

We were able to get them a place to stay for a couple of weeks. Our church plugged them into a few forms of aid, and helped them do some clean-up of their apartment. The husband didn't speak English, but we got them in touch with a local church that spoke their language (I don't recall which language).

Not sure if they still attend that church, but my wife sure got a huge hug every time we went to the grocery store for a number of years. She is no longer there, don't know why.

Point is, let your light shine, all the time, whenever you can.

BusterAg said:

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My wife has taught me a lot about this, and I am better because of it.

Every interaction with a stranger is an opportunity. You can make a difference to the people you see every day.

Case in point, my wife knows the names of about a dozen people at the closest grocery store. She greets them by name, often asks how their family is, etc. Talks to the checkout girl about her latest shade of blue or purple hair.

One day, when we were there, she talked to the greeter, a nice older lady of Asian decent. She was not doing well. Her downstairs apartment had 3 feet of water in it (thanks to Harvey), and her husband was sleeping in their mini van in the parking lot. The only family they had in town were in the Katy area, and also underwater.

We were able to get them a place to stay for a couple of weeks. Our church plugged them into a few forms of aid, and helped them do some clean-up of their apartment. The husband didn't speak English, but we got them in touch with a local church that spoke their language (I don't recall which language).

Not sure if they still attend that church, but my wife sure got a huge hug every time we went to the grocery store for a number of years. She is no longer there, don't know why.

Point is, let your light shine, all the time, whenever you can.

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Amen. And it is a lot of fun and you get treated great generally by folks you treat great.

And people remember you. We go back to a restaurant, hotel(even every two years for away Aggie fb games)and the staff remembers us and treats us like royalty. And it is so easy.