Do a Family Service Project

Have you noticed just how self-centered and shallow our society is becoming?

Indeed, we live in a culture that seems to constantly crave entertainment while eschewing service. Sometimes, Christian families can carelessly fall into this trap, one that promises personal fulfillment and satisfaction in life, but comes up empty in the end. The Christian life, at its very core, is all about serving others. Jesus, of course, is our ultimate model of self-sacrifice and service. Matthew 20:28 says, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.”

One of the key ways that we can demonstrate His Heart with our hands is through compassionate, meaningful service of others. This can be done as congregations, individuals, and as families. Galatians 5:13-14 states, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.”

Families can become so inwardly focused that we forget our purpose and mission to glorify God through our good works. So how about it? Why not come up with a family service project that everyone can be a part of not matter their age. Perhaps the project could be to serve together in a soup kitchen, help out with some good cause, like “Relay for Life” or a fund-raiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Or maybe you could plan to clean an elderly person’s home, work in their yard, or wash their car. Another possibility is to provide respite to a young family who needs a date night and watch their children free-of-charge.

There are tons of ways that our families can mobilize and work together to serve others in a special way. And believe me . . . when we serve side-by-side we will naturally draw closer to each other and enjoy some great conversation and make meaningful memories.

Pray in Secret for Someone You Know

A powerful way in which we can demonstrate Christ's love in our lives is to pray for someone we know in secret. There are friends, family members, and acquaintances we know who are going through tough times in their lives. Perhaps they are enduring a prolonged illness (or have a spouse, child, or parent who is). Maybe they have recently come on hard times, having lost their job and now struggling with unemployment. Or, what if they have gone through a recent divorce or another loss in their life? Possibly, they are struggling with depression or loneliness.

We can pray for such individuals consistently and faithfully, asking God to bless them and be with them. Then, we can sit back and see how God moves in their life. This could be a tremendous way to strengthen our own faith as we watch God's power at work. Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” We are called to be prayerful in our lives!

The apostle Paul also says in Eph. 1:16-18, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Let's be praying for God to open the minds and hearts of those we know are suffering to his love and spiritual healing. Prayer works! Prayer changes things because God hears and responds.

Let's have Christ's heart and be his hands in our secret prayer life!

Celebrate a Co-worker's Birthday

The last few weeks, we have been discussing the idea, “Ten Ways to Demonstrate His Heart, My Hands.” The first week, we presented the concept of performing random acts of kindness. Last week, the idea presented was to write a handwritten note of appreciation. What a difference that can make other's lives as well!

Here comes idea Number Three. The concept for this week is to celebrate a coworker’s birthday. Now, you may not even be working outside the home, but even through your connections through civic organizations you can reach out to and maybe surprise people by finding out what their favorite flavor birthday cake is and their birthdate. Those who don’t like cake may appreciate doughnuts or other types of dessert.

At the University where I work, my department has a long tradition of every year selecting a colleague in our department. When their birthday comes along, around lunchtime we spend a few moments together to honor them. They sure do appreciate it. You might know somebody who might be little introverted and normally not the life party. So this is a great chance to reach out to them to show Christ's love. You can decorate their office door or the reception desk and find out what their favorite birthday cake is. Then invite the folks on your hallway or in your department or, if you work at a small businesses, all those that work there. They are gather together maybe at about 11:15am just to celebrate. Who doesn't like birthday cake! Get real!

It can be a lot of fun and it can mean a lot to somebody who is perhaps a bit depressed. Not everybody likes to have birthdays and so this might be one way to brighten their day. This ties into Roman 12:9-10 and 15. “Let love be genuine . . . Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor . . . Rejoice with those who rejoice.”

A great way this week to show honor or over the next month is to show honor to somebody that is so coming up on another birthday. We tend to get so wrapped up in our little world that we fail to see the needs of those around us and make a difference in someone else's life. One way to do this is to celebrate important days with them. Find out when their birthdays are. Choose somebody to celebrate his or her birthday. Perhaps you can even throw a surprise party. Have some fun with it see what a difference you can make!

Note: There will be no episode next week as I will be on a trip with my wife. We're celebrating 25 years of marriage!

www.ryanfraser.org
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Write a Hand-Written Note of Appreciation (Idea #2)

If you’re new to my Christian podcast, welcome! Last week I began a brand new series entitled, “Ten ways to demonstrate His Heart, My Hands.” The first idea I shared was to “Do a Random Act of Kindness” and, wow, what a tremendous response I have been receiving via Facebook and Twitter. It’s truly been inspiring!

Today, I would like to present my 2^nd idea, and it is this: “Write a hand-written note of appreciation” to someone you need to thank.

We live in a day and age of quick and easy communication, via text messaging and multiple forms of social media. Sometimes, it can feel so impersonal. But I’ve got to tell you: Nothing can replace the joy it brings someone to receive a hand-written note, card, or letter, especially when it comes in the mail. Letter writing has seemingly become a lost art. But it is so personal and meaningful.

In Galatians 6:11, the apostle Paul writes, “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.” This took tremendous effort for him in light of his failing eyesight, but it meant so much to the letter recipients.

I have a sweet older lady in my congregation, named Ramelle, who is in the routine habit of writing letters to persons in the church and community. In fact, I’ve been the recipient of a few of those. And believe me when I say that they have really made an impact on me. It’s such a pleasure these days to go to the mailbox and find something other than junk mail—an envelope that is personally addressed to you and hand-written. Yeah – emails, Facebook messages, tweets, and texts are great and convenient, but maybe sometimes they’re too convenient. The time, thought, and effort required by a hand-written note or letter really means a lot to people.

Is there someone you need to thank in a special way for the impact and influence they’ve hand in your life? I’m sure there is. Sit down some time this week at the kitchen table, or somewhere comfortable, get some paper (and it can even be the old loose-leaf lined school paper), and write someone you love and appreciate a letter expressing just that. I promise you -- it will make a big difference!

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