Thoughts that Ponder on Sundays

There are many thoughts that always ponder after Sunday sermons. Go figure. You know those thoughts that you think that you were being spoken to specifically. Those thoughts that you feel the preacher is looking directly to you and talking to only you. Well, this was one of those days as typical.

Jeff, our preacher, has given us this book to read. I love to read books that allow be to ponder of inventive ways to do something new. I guess I am a nerd because I was about the only one that has starting reading on this book. Anyways, if you have not read this book, you should. This book gives suggestion on ways to reach out to your community that you have never thought of.

This book has brought thought to me for several weeks now on ways a church can reach all kinds of people. So often churches want to spread the word but it is usually in fundraiser ways. You see these group all the times. In fact, we have avoided them while going into grocery stores or Wal-mart. The so called bake sales. So people have even gone as far as not pricing the items and saying we accept donations. How many people are going to take it for free without giving a donation. The signs basically say you are obligated to. Yes, this people are getting the word out but how many low-income people are you reaching if they can't afford to buy anything. If you sit down and think about it--not very many.

This book mentions several ways to share God's word for free. This particular church did not do the bake sales or handing out of tracks that drive people away from the church. This church got out and mowed yards, washed cars, gift wrapped during Christmas, and clean up people's homes and yard. Check this out, they did it for free. They would do everything for free and would not accept donations. Most people think this is crazy. In reality it is not. What a way to reach people! Everyone in the world wants something for free. It is amazing the kinds of people that this book talks about that were bought to Christ. This group even cleaned restrooms at local resturants and shopping centers. Put it this way, they got a lot of attention. People wanted to know what kind of people would go around and clean restrooms. This later lead to publicity on local radio stations. Basically this church spread the word of Christ and reached so many people in extra ordinary ways.

Today, Jeff mention a Bible verse that stuck to me and related to this topic. Well, at least I used it to relate to the book.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Phillipians 2:5

Did Jesus spread the word of God by taking money from people when he helped them out? He did everything from his heart. Don't get me wrong there is a time to do fundraising. We shouldn't use this as a way to reach people for Christ. Doing the unexpected for someone or a group of people without out expecting a reward or compensation is a very important way to reach people. Stop and help someone for change. Stop sticking to your routine and reach some people. This has been my thought process for the first couple of chapters of this book.

Here are a few ways that individuals can help.

• Help someone cross the street.
• Help someone put heavy items into their vehicle at Wal-Mart.
• Take someone somewhere who is walking in the rain.
• Babysit someones kids for free so the parents can have a moment of free time.
• Pass out lemonade to workers has they get off work at a factory. (A little girl a my old church actually did this)

Anyways you can see there are many ways to spread God's word. As you do any of the above, a simple "God Bless You" as you finished may spark a conversation. Remember we don't have to be the one alone that brings a person to God. We may just be a seed planter and someone else will come along and be the waterer. It may take several people and years, to bring someone to Christ. This is not an immediate process. Just getting people to think about the kindness people have shown them is the first step to bringing someone to God.