making a difference

Yesterday our local newspaper printed a story about our ministry working to open a homeless shelter in our community. You can read the article at http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=40919.

The story behind the story is this … over seven years ago a group of people came together to start a new church that meets the needs of people who were either not being served or who were under served here in our community.

The reason why we have chosen to meet needs is because we believe God loves people. It really is that simple. By our acts of kindness and by meeting needs we win the right to share God’s love with the people we encounter. Life is much sweeter when we begin to live outside of ourselves practicing the art of selflessness.

Proverbs 31:8 NLT

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

Titus 3:14 NLT

Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.

If you are like me, you want to use your life to make a difference in this world. We dream of doing big things when we are kids. Things like becoming president, being a super hero, leading military victories and so much more when our minds were open to and excited about life. Why cannot we keep dreaming and keep pushing as adults?

We can keep on dreaming and we must. There are people around us with needs that you and I can meet on a regular basis. It may be a simple as shoveling snow off a neighbors drive way or preparing a meal for someone who is recovering from surgery. We make a difference when we give some of what we have to serve and meet needs that others have.

Whoever shows up most in someone’s life wins the battle for influence…Find a need and fill it; find a hurt and heal it. --- Matthew Barnett

Get some perspective on life by serving others. Far too many people are so consumed with themselves and their situations that they are not able to see the pain of the people around them. You’ve heard something like this before: I used to complain about my feet hurting until I met a man with no legs. Perspective changes everything.

Matthew 5:16 NASB

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

I cannot believe that I get to do what I do. The church I am blessed to lead is incredible, and we believe that our future is brighter than ever. God is positioning us to be able to meet more needs than ever before. Our back2school outreach in August will be the strongest it has ever been to serve thousands of students. There are plans for a men’s homeless shelter in our community that we have been pushing for the last four years. In the days ahead the church and our outreaches will move to a new campus that will allow us to have far greater impact than ever before.

What really is incredible is that every day I get the honor of inviting people to be part of this work. By sharing our vision, the vision that God has given us, there are people, churches and organizations that share this vision with us. I cannot wait to see what God does next. Maybe God is calling you to be part of The Community Fellowship or to partner with us as we make a difference in the lives of the people who come our way.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you

why is it Good Friday?

Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation. We come to Friday. The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good? Jesus was treated as a criminal. He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him. His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure. That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the Passion of the Christ . Yet it is a good day. It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart. What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me: He is Redemption and Redeemer He too our Pain and Punishment He is our Righteousness and Reality He is the Savior and Life All of those happened from the cross. It was meant for the worst lawbreakers. It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law. It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus. Look

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba. Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve. Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba. There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met. No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more. These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana. On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours. We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours. We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good. We visited two partner churches. In the morning we were with one church that

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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