My passion

[micahsmommy08]

So my passion in life is to make a difference, and to remember those that tend to be forgotten.  I want to bring hope to people. The hope that there is a life that is worth living and that there is Someone who loves you more than anything and can change your life - and give you the hope you always wondered if it were possible.  

I see homeless shelters/orphanages/juvenile homes/battered women's shelters/etc and wonder how I can make a difference. Donations are great as is prayer, but I want to do more.  It is difficult to find an outlet where you can give to those who are really in need.  I could eventually come up with something if I looked long enough, but there is very little to choose from in what I was thinking of.  I want to find something with a little more to it than just outward needs.  I want them to have their physical needs met, but also their spiritual needs. We are all made with that hole inside of us, knowing there is something more. THERE IS NO GREATER WAY TO SHOW SOMETHING YOU CARE THAN TO MEET THEIR NEEDS IN A PRACTICAL WAY. THAT IS REAL LOVE - GOD IN A REAL WAY.  REAL "RELIGION". 

The church gives to needs like that out of a budget every month, and takes care of many needs that walk in the office door throughout the week.  But where is the opportunity for the whole church body to be actively involved? The New Testament church (the very first church) was ALL about that! They gave to the poor , they took care of the widow, they gave clothes and food to the homeless, etc. I think a lot of people have the desire to give in ways like that are practical - it translates across any barrier (i.e. gender, cultural, generational or language).  

 Culturally we are a self-consumed generation. That carries into the church. We work harder and longer (most of the time) to get what we want, now always just what we need. And if you have ever given to someone in need when you really didn't have the extra, you know the joy of it. We were meant to help each other.

 1 JOHN 3:16-18
"THIS IS HOW WE KNOW WHAT LOVE IS: JESUS CHRIST LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US. AND WE OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OUR BROTHERS. IF ANYONE HAS MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AND SEES HIS BROTHER IN NEED BUT HAS NO PITY ON HIM, HOW CAN THE LOVE OF GOD BE IN HIM? DEAR CHILDREN, LET US NOT LOVE WITH WORDS OR TONGUE BUT WITH ACTIONS AND IN TRUTH."

 JAMES 1:27
"RELIGION THAT GOD OUR FATHER ACCEPTS AS PURE AND FAULTLESS IS THIS: TO LOOK AFTER ORPHANS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR DISTRESS..."

MATTHEW 25:35-36,40
"FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO EAT, I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO DRINK, I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU INVITED ME IN, I NEEDED CLOTHES AND YOU CLOTHED ME, I WAS SICK AND YOU LOOKED AFTER ME, I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU CAME TO VISIT ME... WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME."

ACTS 2:45 (the New Testament church)
"SELLING THEIR POSSESSIONS AND GOODS, THEY GAVE TO ANYONE AS HE HAD NEED."