The Money Give Away: Story Number 4

“I had been praying about who I should give the money to.  I had heard a few names but they weren’t the right people.  So on Saturday I spent the whole day with a really good friend.  It was one of those days where we had a plan for part of the day but the other part we did not.  Somehow with Gods perfect timing we ended up at Panda Express.  It is not a place I eat at very often but I hadn’t been in a long time so why not.  We go inside and order our food and sit down to eat it.  With in a few minutes a young girl walks up to us and tells us to have a blessed day/evening.  I could tell she was very nervous but she continues to talk.  She asks us if one of us had lost a loved one recently.  We both said no.  She asked a few more questions and we talked a little bit.  Then it hit me, I needed to give her the money.  So I pulled the envelope out of my handbag and handed it to her.  She asked me what it was and I told her it was $20.00.  I think she got a little flustered and began to walk away.  We both asked her to wait and she turned around instead of walking away.  I explained to her that God prompted me to give the money to her and told her that I had been praying about it.  I also told her that I was going to write the story down so it could be shared with others.  She then told us that she had been praying for money and it was truly a wonderful blessing.  She turned and walked away to go back to the table with her friends.  About 5 minutes later she came back and said the Lord wasn’t done yet.  We talked for several minutes about her and what God was prompting her to tell us. After the young girl walked away from the table my friend and I couldn’t believe what had just happened.  I just hope I was able to show Gods love to her as much as she showed us.”

To see the sermon where we talked about the Money Give Away, click here: https://vimeo.com/65538037

The Money Give Away: Story Number 3

“There was nothing really dramatic but I was really thankful for this opportunity. Also, it was very encouraging to read the other two stories. There is a place I used to go pretty often to get a drink and got to know some of the workers pretty well. There was one nice lady that seemed like she was pretty leary about Christians (for whatever reason). In fact, one of the other workers (that I knew extremely well) mentioned that she had asked if I was “the real deal” when it came to my faith. I can only imagine what has made her think that others are not. From what I understand she has gone through some difficult times. I decided to go back to this place and give the money to her and I did. I told her about what we are doing as a church and I told her that she kept popping in my mind. She was very appreciative and very surprised that she would be the one that was coming to my mind. The truth is that while we knew each other and did have nice “small talk,” we never really got to know each other very well. While there I had the opportunity to speak to another one of the workers who I had heard had some health problems. It turns out she’s been diagnosed with some pretty bad stuff. We are able to talk about it, talk about the Lord (how He has been so awesome for her in all this) and I let her know that I’d pray for her. I pray the first lady is as encouraged as I was by the second one.”

To see the sermon talking about the Money Give Away, click here: https://vimeo.com/65538037

The Money Give Away: Story Number 2

Excerpts copied from story number two from our money give away as the Story Church

“Wow! How unexpected. But, also, what a great show of faith for the church. Had a family in mind from the get go…I was unsure of this until I got home and prayed. Usually, when when my prayers make me cry, they are close to an “okay.” At first, I was going to give to the Grand Mom and Grand Dad raising a a 5 yr old boy and 3 yr old girl because their parents are druggies. The Father of the of the 3 yr old girl is homeless and a druggie and refuses to work. Why would I give it to him?!? About 3 years ago he accepted Christ on my back porch. He prayed and asked for forgiveness. Today I found hm on sleeping on a bench. I decided to give it to him and said, “this is from my church…we just want to remind you that the Lord loves you and wants the best for you and your little girl.” With my hand on his shoulder he just looked at me and said thank you. I’m leaving the rest to Christ.”

The Money Give Away: Story Number 1

The first post following Sunday where we decided to give money away as a church (you can watch video here: https://vimeo.com/65538037:

“So….I really enjoyed the sermon on Sunday.  It hit home with me.  As you were explaining the money and what we were to do with it- I knew exactly who I would be giving it to I had actually been praying for her that day.  I have a friend that was laid off about three months ago.  She is a single mom and was having a hard time with her bills when she was working full time- so you can imagine how she is struggling now just being on unemployment.  Her vice is Starbucks.  She was a three cup a day girl.  They knew her name and had her order ready for her most days when she walked in.  I know it is probably silly- but while you were explaining what the purpose of the money was and who we should seek out- I immediately thought of her.  I thought- she can buy 4 cups of coffee!! I knew she had stopped buying coffee due to her unemployment- and I knew how happy it would make her.  We actually had plans to meet that night.  When I saw her she was down.  I gave her the envelope and explained how I had come about getting it.  She teared up and was genuinely affected.  She appreciated that I had been thinking of her- and praying for her.  She said she used to go to church in Rockwall- but hadn’t been going in a while. She said that she was  going back to church- that she needed to feel spiritual again and this was a sign.   I invited her to Story Church- but I think she will return to where she has been going.  Thank you so much for this opportunity of giving- it made her day- and mine as well.”

New Series: Breathing Room (Starting April 7)

Picture yourself running late for something that matters to you. The stress, the frustration and the “on the edge” feeling that makes it easy to be set off by even the smallest thing. For most people this is not something that happens occasionally, it’s how we now live our everyday lives.  This impacts our health, our perspective, our relationships and even our faith. Most of us don’t know that this is not how we have to live. What we need is Breathing Room in our schedules, in our finances, in our relationships and our faith. Let’s take a close look at ourselves so we don’t miss out on life as we are living it. 

Telling Your Story

When it comes to sharing your faith, few things are as powerful as you sharing your story. You may have not had a lot of practice telling your story and might feel ill-equipped to do so. It is important to know that you will get better at it the more you do it. I have seen it be helpful for people to sort their thoughts by putting their story on paper. Below, there are five questions to help you do just that. To be sure, each conversation with people is different but these elements will often weave through no matter how you tell your story.

1. What was your life like before you became a Jesus follower?
2. How did the Lord start getting your attention?
3. When did you give your life to the Lord?
4. Who played an important role in you becoming a Jesus follower?
5. How is your life different now?

If you do this, I (Ray) would love to see it!

Jesus was not the only one who was sent…

The fact that the Father sent the Son gets the most attention and we can certainly understand why.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

But how incredible is it that both the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit?
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26

Last, how unthinkable is it that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit has now sent you and me?
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20