Comments on: SHINE STORIES http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/ pointing people to life! Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:06:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jennifer http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-160 Jennifer Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:14:32 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-160 I know that this is over a month late...almost two months late actually. But I figured I should still tell you how the money was used that I got in the envelope. Well, during the service, Jeff was talking about the angel tree and how you all really needed to take care of the people on the tree. There was just a week left in the program and still a tree full of names. I really wanted to help out, but being a college student, I had NO money. Well, later on during the sermon, Jeff had us open up the envelopes that we got and I had Twenty Dollars in mine! I actually thought it was fake, so I held it up to the light to see...but, nope. It was real! When I saw that it was real, I immediately didn't want it (I have no clue why). Well, then I read the insert in the envelope that said: "Use this money to be a blessing and SHINE the light of Jesus to someone in need." I was really excited! That meant that I now had money to spend on someone off of the Angel Tree! I had been given twenty dollars for free! It was like a gift to give away, so I was itching to get rid of the money in my hands. I got to thinking, sitting there, that that twenty dollars is just like the gift of Christ...when we had/have nothing to offer, Christ gave freely to us, so that we can share his love and the story of his gift with others. We should be itching to tell everyone else about Christ! So, in the end, my roommate, who was visiting the church that day, got twenty dollars as well, so we both went that day to get presents and turned them in after school that week. I think it was a good experience for the both of us. Anyways, I'm glad that I got the twenty dollars now, because two children in need got Christmas presents, and I learned something hopefully that I can teach others with, and that I'll carry with me forever hopefully and apply to my life...how we should treat the gift of Christ. I know that this is over a month late…almost two months late actually. But I figured I should still tell you how the money was used that I got in the envelope. Well, during the service, Jeff was talking about the angel tree and how you all really needed to take care of the people on the tree. There was just a week left in the program and still a tree full of names. I really wanted to help out, but being a college student, I had NO money. Well, later on during the sermon, Jeff had us open up the envelopes that we got and I had Twenty Dollars in mine! I actually thought it was fake, so I held it up to the light to see…but, nope. It was real! When I saw that it was real, I immediately didn’t want it (I have no clue why). Well, then I read the insert in the envelope that said: “Use this money to be a blessing and SHINE the light of Jesus to someone in need.” I was really excited! That meant that I now had money to spend on someone off of the Angel Tree! I had been given twenty dollars for free! It was like a gift to give away, so I was itching to get rid of the money in my hands. I got to thinking, sitting there, that that twenty dollars is just like the gift of Christ…when we had/have nothing to offer, Christ gave freely to us, so that we can share his love and the story of his gift with others. We should be itching to tell everyone else about Christ! So, in the end, my roommate, who was visiting the church that day, got twenty dollars as well, so we both went that day to get presents and turned them in after school that week. I think it was a good experience for the both of us. Anyways, I’m glad that I got the twenty dollars now, because two children in need got Christmas presents, and I learned something hopefully that I can teach others with, and that I’ll carry with me forever hopefully and apply to my life…how we should treat the gift of Christ.

]]> By: jeffkapusta http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-159 jeffkapusta Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:11:37 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-159 I know this is late, but I always figure it's better than never! The envelope I received had $20 in it. Going on a trip for Christmas, I carried the money envelope with me, but never felt the moment was right. I kept on praying for God to show me and finally, a couple days ago, I left the $20 in with a quick message of, "Have a great day and God loves you" underneath a gas pump so the next person to use it would find it. For me, it was the first time I did anything like that and it felt great. Thank you so much for thinking outside of the box and letting me be a part of blessing someone else. --nicole I know this is late, but I always figure it’s better than never! The envelope I received had $20 in it. Going on a trip for Christmas, I carried the money envelope with me, but never felt the moment was right. I kept on praying for God to show me and finally, a couple days ago, I left the $20 in with a quick message of, “Have a great day and God loves you” underneath a gas pump so the next person to use it would find it. For me, it was the first time I did anything like that and it felt great. Thank you so much for thinking outside of the box and letting me be a part of blessing someone else.
–nicole

]]> By: Anonymous http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-158 Anonymous Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:06:39 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-158 (I guess I'll finish here since some how editing turned into a submission for me) Anyway I started telling my story to everybody. People started coming to my house with gifts and money for the family of the little girl I was giving the bike too, and they were going to work like I did and collecting tips for the family in Leland. Every year I said that I wannted to do something for someone else and this year Lifepoint has inspired me to do so. You lit the spark an I am running with the torch. I know that I was able to give away about $400 worth of money and gifts this year because of $40 start. I am thankful to Lifepoint for the new life that you have given me. Last night was New Years Eve and out at the bar I found myself asking every new person I met to come to church. I was telling my story at the bars on New Years Eve and people were listening. Six months ago I was a differant person and thanks to the inspiring messages that come from Lifepoint I am now becoming the person I've prayed I could someday become.So Jeff, you and your staff when you say Thanks to us for shining in the community we would like to say thank you all for inspiring us to do so.. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...and believe me I will not be hiding this light under anything ever again. (I guess I’ll finish here since some how editing turned into a submission for me)
Anyway I started telling my story to everybody. People started coming to my house with gifts and money for the family of the little girl I was giving the bike too, and they were going to work like I did and collecting tips for the family in Leland.
Every year I said that I wannted to do something for someone else and this year Lifepoint has inspired me to do so. You lit the spark an I am running with the torch. I know that I was able to give away about $400 worth of money and gifts this year because of $40 start.
I am thankful to Lifepoint for the new life that you have given me. Last night was New Years Eve and out at the bar I found myself asking every new person I met to come to church. I was telling my story at the bars on New Years Eve and people were listening. Six months ago I was a differant person and thanks to the inspiring messages that come from Lifepoint I am now becoming the person I’ve prayed I could someday become.So Jeff, you and your staff when you say Thanks to us for shining in the community we would like to say thank you all for inspiring us to do so..
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…and believe me I will not be hiding this light under anything ever again.

]]> By: Anonymous http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-157 Anonymous Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:49:35 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-157 The morning we were to start the shine series I was thinking about what the message would be about that day and how I had told my father I would buy a bike fro a child he knew that was very poor, and how here it was almost Christmas and I yet again was doing nothing. Then I went to church where I got $20 and I asked someone else for theirs and now I was able to buy the bike. Well that day I felt like a miracle had happened, so I told everybody how powerful God is and that he does hear.I felt totally uplifted until 2 days later i read about the family in Leland. I was sitting there with this $40 dollars and I had done nothing to get it. I decided that day that I would give up my tips from that night to the family. The very next day the house I had to clean for my business left exactly the same amount for a tip as what I had given up the night before. I started telling peopl all these won The morning we were to start the shine series I was thinking about what the message would be about that day and how I had told my father I would buy a bike fro a child he knew that was very poor, and how here it was almost Christmas and I yet again was doing nothing. Then I went to church where I got $20 and I asked someone else for theirs and now I was able to buy the bike. Well that day I felt like a miracle had happened, so I told everybody how powerful God is and that he does hear.I felt totally uplifted until 2 days later i read about the family in Leland. I was sitting there with this $40 dollars and I had done nothing to get it. I decided that day that I would give up my tips from that night to the family. The very next day the house I had to clean for my business left exactly the same amount for a tip as what I had given up the night before. I started telling peopl all these won

]]> By: Diana http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-156 Diana Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:43:48 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-156 I received the shine card that says to shine the light of Jesus by offering to babysit for a friend. It had been some time that I received the card and I have patient in asking God the appropiate time. My sister asked me to babysit for her and I cheerfully accepted. Then my brother asked me if I could babysit his children that same day. They both needed to work that day. I was not feeling that well, so I just prayed to God and asked Him for strength and healing. I had 4 children here and I could not have been happier! We played games, talked about God, ate brownies, pizza, had pancakes, rode on our bikes, just had a blast! Thank you lifepoint! It was a blessing and I thank God for showing His love to these children! I received the shine card that says to shine the light of Jesus by offering to babysit for a friend. It had been some time that I received the card and I have patient in asking God the appropiate time. My sister asked me to babysit for her and I cheerfully accepted. Then my brother asked me if I could babysit his children that same day. They both needed to work that day. I was not feeling that well, so I just prayed to God and asked Him for strength and healing. I had 4 children here and I could not have been happier! We played games, talked about God, ate brownies, pizza, had pancakes, rode on our bikes, just had a blast! Thank you lifepoint! It was a blessing and I thank God for showing His love to these children!

]]> By: Michelle Kapusta http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-155 Michelle Kapusta Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:09:49 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-155 My Shine card said put a candy bar and note of appreciation in the mailbox for your mailman. Truthfully, I was disappointed. I guess I wanted to do something that was bigger...ya know?? So that Saturday, I rushed to the grocery store and picked out a few candy bars and came home and wrote a Christmas card, thanking our mail-person and letting them know we appreciated them, and I put it in the mailbox. Then, that Sunday morning I was quickly humbled when I was reminded that anything/everything I do unto the least of these, I am doing for Jesus. I cried and confessed my pride at doing such a "small" task. I did get a Christmas card back from our "Mail-mamm" saying she appreciated the sweets. My Shine card said put a candy bar and note of appreciation in the mailbox for your mailman. Truthfully, I was disappointed. I guess I wanted to do something that was bigger…ya know?? So that Saturday, I rushed to the grocery store and picked out a few candy bars and came home and wrote a Christmas card, thanking our mail-person and letting them know we appreciated them, and I put it in the mailbox. Then, that Sunday morning I was quickly humbled when I was reminded that anything/everything I do unto the least of these, I am doing for Jesus. I cried and confessed my pride at doing such a “small” task. I did get a Christmas card back from our “Mail-mamm” saying she appreciated the sweets.

]]> By: Paula http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-154 Paula Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:37:52 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-154 Our youth life group which is called " out the door " collected items for the Hospital Hospitality House. I delivered them today. They were very excited and will be sending the church a thank you card. Just letting you know so when you get the card you will know who or what group did it. Thanks Paula and Tim Our youth life group which is called ” out the door ” collected items for the Hospital Hospitality House. I delivered them today. They were very excited and will be sending the church a thank you card. Just letting you know so when you get the card you will know who or what group did it. Thanks Paula and Tim

]]> By: Brandi http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-153 Brandi Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:37:13 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-153 First I want to say thank you to Lifepoint for giving me this gift to give to someone else. This is a gift that will remain in my heart forever. I was anxious to find someone to give my $20 gift to. I still had the envelope after the first week. Yesterday my husband, daughter and I were driving downtown for a walk. We talked about the envelope still hanging out in my purse and I decided to say a prayer. I asked God to let me know, I mean really let me know because I can be dim, if there was someone I saw in need of this $20 gift. A few minutes later we drove by a man standing on a corner eating nabs. My heart jumped. It was what your heart does when something scares you or really surprises you. My husband must have felt it to because he said "I think he is homeless" We decided to circle the block. When we came back around he was not standing there anymore. As we were driving past we saw him on the other side of the street sitting and chatting on a bench with a UPS guy. We turned around again and pulled to the side. I folded the $20 bill and held it in my palm. I walked up to the men and the man I had my eyes on said "Well hi girl!" As if he had been waiting for me. I held out my hand and said "this is for you. Merry Christmas and God Bless you." The UPS guy gave me a strange look and said "Merry Christmas" I walked away and got back into our car. My husband turned around again to head back down town. The man came up to our window and said "God Bless you guys. Please don't make me cry because I can feel it." He told us that last night he woke up because he felt the rain on him and had to rush to get under a bridge. He then said that he knew today was going to be a good day because he had received two more blankets and now had five. He talked about the good people that he has met. Something in his crystal blue eyes were shining and it made my eyes shine with tears. We chatted for a few more minutes and told him to take care of himself. His name is Billy Joe and he will forever be in our hearts and prayers. Jesus rocks my world!!! The glory is all his! First I want to say thank you to Lifepoint for giving me this gift to give to someone else. This is a gift that will remain in my heart forever.

I was anxious to find someone to give my $20 gift to. I still had the envelope after the first week. Yesterday my husband, daughter and I were driving downtown for a walk. We talked about the envelope still hanging out in my purse and I decided to say a prayer. I asked God to let me know, I mean really let me know because I can be dim, if there was someone I saw in need of this $20 gift. A few minutes later we drove by a man standing on a corner eating nabs. My heart jumped. It was what your heart does when something scares you or really surprises you. My husband must have felt it to because he said “I think he is homeless” We decided to circle the block. When we came back around he was not standing there anymore. As we were driving past we saw him on the other side of the street sitting and chatting on a bench with a UPS guy. We turned around again and pulled to the side. I folded the $20 bill and held it in my palm. I walked up to the men and the man I had my eyes on said “Well hi girl!” As if he had been waiting for me. I held out my hand and said “this is for you. Merry Christmas and God Bless you.” The UPS guy gave me a strange look and said “Merry Christmas” I walked away and got back into our car. My husband turned around again to head back down town. The man came up to our window and said “God Bless you guys. Please don’t make me cry because I can feel it.” He told us that last night he woke up because he felt the rain on him and had to rush to get under a bridge. He then said that he knew today was going to be a good day because he had received two more blankets and now had five. He talked about the good people that he has met. Something in his crystal blue eyes were shining and it made my eyes shine with tears. We chatted for a few more minutes and told him to take care of himself. His name is Billy Joe and he will forever be in our hearts and prayers. Jesus rocks my world!!! The glory is all his!

]]> By: anonymous, too http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-152 anonymous, too Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:35:04 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-152 Thank you so much for the gift of giving. I was undone when I opened my envelope to find twenty dollars and was ask to bless someone. I had been struggling with my attitude toward Christmas...being so commercial and honestly a chore....something wonderful happened when I was reminded by being givent the money to give..that Christmas really is about giving...Thank you for giving me the wonderful priviliege of giving. The Father gave his Son..the son gave his life...and the HOly Spirit...God is all about giving...and when we give...something extraordinary happens in us...we are doing what the Father does...giving...Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above..and it can be the simplest thing that we give...a smile, a hug, an encouragin word, a gentle reminder that it is better to give than receive...though it is nice to receive but there is something profound that happens to us when we give freely...so all that to say...wow...I am excited and really in the giving mode now...Thanks again for helping me refocus on what is truly important ...not just at Christmas but every day of the year...so I am shining along with the rest of the body at Lifepoint. Thanks for blessing me so I could pass it on... Thank you so much for the gift of giving. I was undone when I opened my envelope to find twenty dollars and was ask to bless someone. I had been struggling with my attitude toward Christmas…being so commercial and honestly a chore….something wonderful happened when I was reminded by being givent the money to give..that Christmas really is about giving…Thank you for giving me the wonderful priviliege of giving. The Father gave his Son..the son gave his life…and the HOly Spirit…God is all about giving…and when we give…something extraordinary happens in us…we are doing what the Father does…giving…Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above..and it can be the simplest thing that we give…a smile, a hug, an encouragin word, a gentle reminder that it is better to give than receive…though it is nice to receive but there is something profound that happens to us when we give freely…so all that to say…wow…I am excited and really in the giving mode now…Thanks again for helping me refocus on what is truly important …not just at Christmas but every day of the year…so I am shining along with the rest of the body at Lifepoint. Thanks for blessing me so I could pass it on…

]]> By: Merry Christmas! « Poston Up! http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-151 Merry Christmas! « Poston Up! Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:25:07 +0000 http://lifepointnow.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/shine-stories/#comment-151 [...] shining the light of Jesus in little ways, however they make a huge difference. I am amazed at the stories that I am hearing about. People are doing some awesome things, and I am happy to be a part of it. [...] [...] shining the light of Jesus in little ways, however they make a huge difference. I am amazed at the stories that I am hearing about. People are doing some awesome things, and I am happy to be a part of it. [...]

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