Prison on Thursday nights.

The Alpha course provided me with the opportunity to volunteer in a prison on Thursday nights.  Jesus Christ said, visiting with those who are in prison is the same as visiting with Him.  When I listen to experts, I am impressed by what human nature has to offer.  However, in prison, I see Christ transcend the brokenness of the inmate's lives.   Let us look for the divine potential, within each other.

Setting your ministry goals for 2015.

Priorities

Jesus said you are "the light of the world and the salt of the earth".  He also said, if you don't visit those in prison, the poor, the orphans, it's the same as ignoring Him.

We are all busy and feel that nothing more will fit in our schedules.  With that in mind, lets make sure we lighten our load, so our schedules are filled with activities that matter.

While some are called to be theologians, all of us are called to help the poor.  God makes serving the poor and forgiving one another His top priority.  Theological differences do not prevent us from working with other Christians across denominational lines.  All who desire to follow the teachings of Christ, must unite to meet the needs of those in our community.  

Why does this matter?  If the 60 million active Christian families each find one or two people,  to help, that are outside of their social circle, it will transform our whole society to become more in line with the character of Christ.

How

I know that many are already very active in ministry and volunteering, how can we include orphans and inmates in our portfolio of charitable works?

If you have a heart for orphans but cannot adopt a child, can you find a family to help, that has adopted a child or a foster child?  Can you run errands, babysit, shop or help financially?  Can you find an organization that helps orphans that you can volunteer or support with a regular donation?  The point is, if you can't directly adopt an orphan or help an inmate, you can support those who do.

Take an inventory of your activities for this year and ask yourself how are you the "light of the world, salt of the earth"?

May we start 2015 by finding a way to impact our world by helping orphans, foster kids and those in prison in our busy year ahead.
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