"The Mission of Love in the Name of Christ is to mobilize local churches to transform lives and communities in the Name of Christ."
Who makes up the churches? People...all of us who are a part of a congregation. How can each one of us become 'mobilized?"
One way is to become more aware of God's heart for the poor. There are plenty of scriptures about this if you want to do a topical study.
Let's begin with this; "If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion~~how can God's love be in that person? Dear Children, let us not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God." 1 John 3:17-19)
Here are some ACTION OPPORTUNITIES in our Community;
A lady in her fifties is asking for someone to visit her and do a brief Bible study each week or so. She resides in a Care Place for people who deal with mental illness. Who can do this?
Our Loads of Love Laundry Gap is in need of drivers this month. Can anyone take a gentleman to Southside Suds and then back again to where he stays in his car? (About an 1 1/2 hour time).
Other rides are also needed for LOL...on the 16th of this month. Females need rides from Philomath. Can anyone help with this? (Also about 90 minutes of time).
A single parent reintegrating into our community after serving time is in need of school supplies for two children. (This need is now spoken for and being taken care of!)
Another single parent has an opportunity to work and wants too! She needs some childcare for little ones. She has no funds to pay 'up front.'
Bike locks are also a need. When we give a bike a lock must also happen. Bikes are used to find work, keep appointments, etc. This month 58 volunteer hours were given in our Bike Ministry! THANKS to all who chose to be active in doing repairs and deliveries!!!
Hygiene items are also needed. As school begins and the weather changes, we always notice an increase in the use of our hygiene closet. Thanks for giving as you are able!
Another verse; "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Action opportunities for this;
Become a mentor for young people who are homeless on our streets.
Befriend and help a client who became pregnant at a very young age and help her learn to navigate around things like getting a GED and/or how to write a resume or even simpler things...drive her to appointments...teach her how to shop for groceries well and cook healthy meals.
Decide to get involved in helping a prisoner whose time is served, reintegrate back into our community. Plan to attend our Prison Fellowship evening on Sept. 17th at Grace City Church for more information. We are planning to begin at 6:30 and end just before 8p.m.
Be a friend and advocate for a senior who is being harassed. Visit another senior who is lonely.
Hand out clean, dry socks to people who are dealing with being homeless and you encounter on the streets of our community.
And finally... sometimes as believers we can be 'too nice.' We DO want to wrap words in grace and we also need to be aware of this scripture;
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are members of one another." (Eph 4:25).
This can be as simple and direct as; "You are doing THIS. And that behavior impacts me like THIS." and let other person respond. If let people 'get away' with rudeness or entitlement then we are not truly loving them. We are essentially saying..."I don't care enough to confront you." Make opportunities to speak truth in order to INVITE change.
We all have reason or excuses for behaviors. If truth is spoken into our lives, with love, then we can each decide to choose differently...or not. But let us put off falsehoods and speak truth inviting a move towards becoming more wholly like the Jesus we worship. As always, each person chooses for themselves. We can only offer the invitation.
Dear children, lets not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our ACTIONS...which include speaking up for others and also speaking TRUTH into our relationships.
Be Blessed~~
LaCheri
Who makes up the churches? People...all of us who are a part of a congregation. How can each one of us become 'mobilized?"
One way is to become more aware of God's heart for the poor. There are plenty of scriptures about this if you want to do a topical study.
Let's begin with this; "If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion~~how can God's love be in that person? Dear Children, let us not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God." 1 John 3:17-19)
Here are some ACTION OPPORTUNITIES in our Community;
A lady in her fifties is asking for someone to visit her and do a brief Bible study each week or so. She resides in a Care Place for people who deal with mental illness. Who can do this?
Our Loads of Love Laundry Gap is in need of drivers this month. Can anyone take a gentleman to Southside Suds and then back again to where he stays in his car? (About an 1 1/2 hour time).
Other rides are also needed for LOL...on the 16th of this month. Females need rides from Philomath. Can anyone help with this? (Also about 90 minutes of time).
A single parent reintegrating into our community after serving time is in need of school supplies for two children. (This need is now spoken for and being taken care of!)
Another single parent has an opportunity to work and wants too! She needs some childcare for little ones. She has no funds to pay 'up front.'
Bike locks are also a need. When we give a bike a lock must also happen. Bikes are used to find work, keep appointments, etc. This month 58 volunteer hours were given in our Bike Ministry! THANKS to all who chose to be active in doing repairs and deliveries!!!
Hygiene items are also needed. As school begins and the weather changes, we always notice an increase in the use of our hygiene closet. Thanks for giving as you are able!
Another verse; "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Action opportunities for this;
Become a mentor for young people who are homeless on our streets.
Befriend and help a client who became pregnant at a very young age and help her learn to navigate around things like getting a GED and/or how to write a resume or even simpler things...drive her to appointments...teach her how to shop for groceries well and cook healthy meals.
Decide to get involved in helping a prisoner whose time is served, reintegrate back into our community. Plan to attend our Prison Fellowship evening on Sept. 17th at Grace City Church for more information. We are planning to begin at 6:30 and end just before 8p.m.
Be a friend and advocate for a senior who is being harassed. Visit another senior who is lonely.
Hand out clean, dry socks to people who are dealing with being homeless and you encounter on the streets of our community.
And finally... sometimes as believers we can be 'too nice.' We DO want to wrap words in grace and we also need to be aware of this scripture;
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are members of one another." (Eph 4:25).
This can be as simple and direct as; "You are doing THIS. And that behavior impacts me like THIS." and let other person respond. If let people 'get away' with rudeness or entitlement then we are not truly loving them. We are essentially saying..."I don't care enough to confront you." Make opportunities to speak truth in order to INVITE change.
We all have reason or excuses for behaviors. If truth is spoken into our lives, with love, then we can each decide to choose differently...or not. But let us put off falsehoods and speak truth inviting a move towards becoming more wholly like the Jesus we worship. As always, each person chooses for themselves. We can only offer the invitation.
Dear children, lets not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our ACTIONS...which include speaking up for others and also speaking TRUTH into our relationships.
Be Blessed~~
LaCheri