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My Mama always told me not to talk to strangers..but today I did.

Soooo here is my really cool testimony. I'll try to make it short. 
I was hanging out with my mom and sister Weslea, we were talking about how important it is for Christians get out of their comfort zone and just tell people how much God loves them. We talked about how we should start telling people..anywhere and everywhere.
I had to leave to go grocery shopping... so we decided that I would try it, just stop some random person at the store and let them know the truth about Jesus and His great love for them. As I was leaving, Weslea said she got a picture, she described a woman and said she had a red hat and said that if I see her, I should tell her how much God loves her.

So I went, very nervous but excited. I prayed for courage the whole way to the store. God kept bringing to mind that I should pray for her son?? Weird, but its what kept coming to mind. I walked in the store. No one with a red hat on..I shopped. Still no one that fit the description. I went through check out..still couldn't see anyone. 
The whole time in my spirit I kept praying that the Lord will give me someone, a lady in a red hat or not. 
I headed to my car..no one. 

As I put my groceries in my car I was staring at all the strangers that passed by. I was wondering who it would be. Finally, after not seeing anyone with a red hat I decided that I would talk to the lady putting her groceries away in the car next to me. With a Godly courage, I went up to her and told her how much God loved her. How He wants relationship with her. How even in her darkest moments, He was with her. She nodded politely and smiled.  I asked if she had a son. Nope. 3 daughters. I continued to let her know how much Christ adored her. ( I mean, even if I was wrong about the person, who doesn't love hearing that God loves them.) 

 Finally, I went to put my cart back in the corral and out of the store walked a woman that fit Weslea's description...exactly! So crazy!!

Here it goes again!
Went up to her, she was a bit surprised. I said  "you know something funny, my sister and I were praying this morning and she got a picture of you. She said if I saw you at the store, I needed to tell you something." She  just stared at me. I said "do you know God loves you so much! He has me here today to tell you how special you to Him. He watches you every second and is absolutely in love with you!" 

Tears rolled down her face. She explained her son (!!!!) just had open heart surgery and had become a Christian. We prayed healing right there for him. I told her to go home and tell him how much God is pleased with him. As she grabbed my hand She cried some more and talked about how this made her day. We talked for a couple minutes more as I just tried to convey how deep her Heavenly Father's love was for her and how He wanted a personal relationship with her. It was amazing. God is so good.
How could I ask my kids and youth group kids to spread Gods love if I wasn't even doing it!!! Here is to 2015 and making a commitment to being available to God to be used. Not just talking but praying and maybe financially giving to whomever we are led to! 
If you want change in your community or nation.... start it yourself. ?

E. Arvidson

Then come back and share your testimony with us. 
Let the life changing stories continue!
 

"When it comes to giving until it hurts, most people have a very low threshold of pain."

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:21

Giving.
We all have heard "it is better to give than receive," and we all probably have even experienced the thrill of giving to someone who least expected it, but would you consider yourself a GIVER? 

Or better yet, would the people that surround you, the ones that know you the best, would they consider you a generous giver? 

Don't worry ... you can ask them. We will wait right here.... 

Ok, so you are back. 
If you are still not sure you can take this 
Giving Quiz :

1. When is the last time you gave something to someone in need? 
2. When is the last time you gave something to someone without expecting anything in return?
3. When is the last time you felt God prompt you to give to someone and you obeyed?
4. Have you ever given to someone above what your financial comfort level would have dictated? 

So, are you feeling uncomfortable yet? Did you have to answer no, or I don't know to some of those questions?  Then this challenge is for you! (actually it is for all of us)

This week our challenge is a GIVING challenge. Spend some time praying with your family (include your children, even young ones so they can start to experience the joy of giving) Ask God to show you a need He would like you to fill. Then be obedient, even if it is uncomfortable.  Allow yourself to be stretched into the discomfort zone.  God has placed you where you are and He wants to use you to show who He is to those around you. 

Remember God has given way more abundantly to us than we can imagine, you will not be able to out-give God.  

Let the life changing stories continue!

TRAGIC ACCIDENTS ARE HAPPENING ALL AROUND YOU.

How should the church respond?
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:15-18

At GiveSendGo we want to challenge local churches to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities. GiveSendGo.com makes it easy to put faith into action. Here are some of the ways:

• GiveSendGo is Free! We do not charge a fee to use our platform.
• It takes only minutes to set up and start sharing your story.
• We don’t hold your money - Money that is raised is automatically transferred into the campaign owners attached bank account. 
• People can share the campaign to their own personal social networks.
• GiveSendGo sends out automatic thank you’s and receipts to Givers.
• Givers can send their prayers and support through comments on the campaign page.
• Updates can be given and images can be uploaded 
• Record an audio message to be listened to when someone visits your campaign
• People can set up recurring donations
• Givers get encouraged to donate as they can see a goal being met.

As you see needs arise in your community, in your social circles, in the world, don’t wait for someone else to “do something”. Be the church, showing your faith in action, one campaign at a time.