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Being the Church is Loving the Person in Front of You

By Jeremy Myers
10 Comments

Being the Church is Loving the Person in Front of You

In this post, Sam Riviera continues his series of posts on how to be the church in your community. He asks what it looks like to proclaim the Gospel to your neighbors.


Many talk about being the church, but few know how. We understand church as those who follow Jesus, not just in โ€œdoctrineโ€ or โ€œbeliefโ€ but out into the streets, among the people, mingling with them and loving them where they are. Being the church is as simple as loving the person in front of you right now.

Here are some examples of how this looks in our own life as we ย โ€œpreach sermons of loveโ€ where we live.

The Cheeseburger Lady

costco food sampleYesterday I needed to pick up a couple of things at Costco. Since I had a little extra time, I visited all of the free food sample tables. I even tried a few of the samples, but mostly I talked to the people working the sample tables.

My first stop was the cheeseburger lady. Ravenous people who obviously hadnโ€™t eaten in weeks grabbed wedges of cheeseburgers midair before the cheeeburger lady could even set the tray on the table. The tray was empty by the time she sat it down. Other people loudly complained to the cheeseburger lady that they didnโ€™t get any. As she cut up more cheeseburgers behind a Plexiglas shield, one man reached his hand behind the shield, grabbing a chunk of cheeseburger, even when the cheeseburger lady asked him to please not do that.

The rude, unappreciative mob departed when the cheeseburgers ran out. The cheeseburger lady looked frazzled. I figured we had two or three minutes to talk while the next batch of cheeseburgers was warming in her little oven. I asked if she was having a bad day, and told her I understand because I used to be a caterer and experienced similar things โ€“ rude people grabbing food. She said it is true, that people are not nice to her, and that no one ever says thank you.

As the cheeseburgers finished cooking, we laughed together like old friends. Before the next mob arrived, she told me I could have as many samples as I liked. I took one, and made a special point of thanking her and telling her how much I appreciate her being there. The entire scenario probably took less time than it took you to read about it. I made a dear friend in less than three minutes. She was laughing and smiling and waved goodbye as I left.

I visited four more sample people. All were smiling or laughing when we parted. They made my day. I hope I helped brighten theirs. No Bible tracts, no Bible verses, no invitations to a โ€œchurch serviceโ€. Just noticing and loving people. Maybe Jesus doesnโ€™t visit Costco. If Jesus did, Heโ€™d probably stop by and chat with the cheeseburger lady (before going to the park).

Jesus Came to the Dance

After Costco I went home and my wife and I got ready to go to our weekly dance in Balboa Park, the largest park in San Diego. The building where we dance is often frequented by homeless people. After the dance had begun, a filthy homeless man walked into the room where we were dancing.

homeless manStanding near the door where he entered, I greeted him. He said โ€œGod bless you.โ€ Homeless people frequently tell me that, so I didnโ€™t think much about it. I headed to the kitchen where I was preparing ice cream for the break, and the homeless man appeared to be heading for the door.

However, after I left the room, he mingled with the dancers and told them he is Jesus. My wife recognized that he is probably suffering from mental illness. She asked him if he would like to step out on the patio with her and tell her about himself. They went out on the patio. The man told my wife about his doctor and treatments and then walked toward the zoo.

Was he a filthy mentally ill homeless person who thought he was Jesus, or was he in some sense Jesus? We may never know, but I know the church was there to treat him honorably and kindly and to listen to his story.

As we continue this series, we will continue to look for the church in the streets of San Diego โ€œpreaching sermons of love.โ€ Have you seen the church in your community? Have you been the church in your community? Have you seen Jesus in your community? Please feel free to share your stories below.

Be the Church in Your Community

Be the ChurchWant to be the church in your community but don't know? Here are some posts which not only explain what it means to be the church in your community, but also gives concrete, practical examples of what it looks like and how to be the church whatever you do and wherever you go. Remember, you ARE the church, and wherever you go, Jesus goes with you!
  • How to Be the Church in Your Community
  • The Tribe and the Church
  • Church Tribes vs. the Jesus Tribe
  • How to Preach the Gospel to your Neighbors
  • Being the Church is Loving the Person in Front of You
  • 4 Practical Suggestions for Being the Church in your Community
  • Love Like Jesus by Listening to People
  • Welcome New People to the Community
  • Finding Jesus in Denver
  • Loving Others at Walmart
If you have questions about how to be the church in your community, please let us know in the comment sections below, and we will try to write a post which answers your question.

God is Uncategorized Bible & Theology Topics: be the church, Discipleship, evangelism, gospel, love, Sam Riviera, Theology of the Church

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Give Gifts to Children in Shoe Boxes

By Jeremy Myers
3 Comments

Give Gifts to Children in Shoe Boxes

If you are looking for a way to share the love of Jesus with people around the world who are less fortunate than ourselves, I highly recommend participating in Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child is run by Samaritan’s Purse, and provides a way for you to give gifts to children all over the world. Following the directions on their site, you pack a shoe box with gifts, take it to a drop-off center, and then let Samaritan’s Purse do the rest.

Here is a short video about a boy whose life was changed by a shoe box:

We participate in Operation Christmas Child every year, and it is one of the highlights of our Christmas season. Below are some of the things my wife and daughters wrote about packing shoe boxes for children around the world:

The Importance of Giving Gifts to Others

These simple gifts that come is shoe boxes have the potential to open a child’s heart to the love of Jesus Christ. We see so many times in the gospel how Jesus offers a tangible gift of healing before he offers His gift of love, life, forgiveness. I believe these shoe boxes do the same thing.

Operation Christmas ChildChildren all over the world are hurting and broken through no fault of their own. Many have lost all they had in a hurricane, earthquake, or tsunami.ย Others have gone through a war that ransacked their village and took the lives of their family, often leaving them orphans. Still other children have endured torture at the hands of slave owners, or have witnessed torture at the hands of enemies.

Children around the world are asking, “Is there anyone that loves me?” , “Am I worthwhile to anyone?”, “Where is a God that loves me?”, “What did I do wrong?”, ” Why is this happening to me?”, and “Does anyone care?” These are the cries of so many children’s hearts, and by sending a shoe box to them, we can help provide some answers to these questions.

How can a simple shoe box answer any of these hard questions from children?

First, these shoe boxes bring HOPE! When we first started making these shoe boxes several years ago, my girls would ask why we couldn’t send them more, like a trunk load of stuff to each kid. “This toothbrush won’t last forever, mommy,” they would say. “And what happens if they loose this necklace, or if this bear gets too dirty?ย Mommy, this is not enough. If this is all they get for Christmas, we need to send them more. Much more!”

With tears in my eyes I answered that although I so badly wanted to adopt all the children of the world and give them all warm homes, food for their tummy, and loving arms to wrap around them, I cannot. As much as I would love to be able to send billions of dollars to heal their war torn lands and fix their water problems, I can’t.

But there is one thing I could do, I told my girls, I could send them HOPE, and hope is a powerful gift. Hope in ones heart allows you to persevere when you otherwise would not, it allows you to find joy in the most troubling of times, and HOPE in a loving God allows you to believe that someone loves you, cares for you, wants the best for you, and will be there for you forever. This is hope that moves mountains.

operation Christmas Child shoe boxes

No, a shoe box won’t feed the hungry child who receives it. The shoe box won’t educate them, it won’t get them parents. Although there are actually many stories where children do find parents through these shoe boxes. Check out the video below.

But one thing a shoe box does bring is hope, and as my girls now know, hope–especially in a living and loving God–is the most powerful thing we can offer someone.

So this year as you start the process of getting gifts for your family, please also begin a tradition of giving shoe boxes to children around the world that are longing to feel that powerful, tangible touch from the God that loves them. Please give the gift of a shoe box that will lead to the gift of everlasting life.

How Our Family Packs Shoe Boxes

Our family has packed shoe boxes for 15 years, and every yearย our girls say it is their favorite part of Christmas.ย Really! They plan and prepare for packing shoe boxes all year long. They save their money to buy small gifts. They look for the biggest shoe boxes in the stores. They look for toys and gifts on sale or on clearance that would fit well into their shoe boxes.

There are many ways to pack a shoe box, but the best way is straight from your heart. At the time of this post, there is only ONE MONTH until the collection time for shoe boxes. The National Collection Week is November 18-25, so you might want to get started today by clicking on the links below that will take you to the Operation Christmas Child site for all the information you will need to get started. If you have any questions about shoe boxes, what to put in them, or how the process works, I would be happy to answer them in the comments section below.

shoe boxes operation christmas child

I will leave you with the words of my daughters. When asked to write why they believe shoe boxes are important this is what they wrote.

Kahlea (age 7)

I think it is good to give kids shoe boxes because it is very important to them. It means a lot to them. It makes them happy and gives them the hope that Jesus and others love them.

Selah (age 9)

I think it is important to pack shoe boxes because little things make kids happy and gives them hope. It is also fun to pack shoe boxes!

Taylor (age 11)

I think it is important to send shoe boxes because it gives the kids joy when they have so much sadness. the shoe boxes also teach them that Jesus loves them and that they are important. And it gives them hope, which is a powerful thing when everything is going wrong around you.

From the mouth of babes comes the simple truth that a small gesture of love reaps the large harvest of hope in a loving God.

Please take some time to visit the links below on how to pack a shoe box, and to learn about how you can help children around the world find hope in a God that loves them. The first link has a video about how to pack a shoe box.

Shoe Box Links

  • How to Pack a Shoe Box
  • Drop Off Locations
  • Frequently Asked Questions

God is Uncategorized Bible & Theology Topics: Christmas, Discipleship, gifts, hope, love, ministry, mission, operation Christmas child, shoe boxes

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How to Proclaim the Gospel to Your Neighbors

By Jeremy Myers
4 Comments

How to Proclaim the Gospel to Your Neighbors

In this post, Sam Riviera continues his series of posts on how to be the church in your community. He asks what it looks like to proclaim the Gospel to your neighbors.


proclaim the gospelShould the church proclaim the Gospel to the community? Does the church need to teach the Bible and even correct theology to the community? Are sermons and Bible studies the best way to do these things? Are they the only ways to proclaim the gospel?

We have discovered that there are other ways to proclaim the gospel to your neighbors.

How we Proclaim the Gospel

For example, today I spent the afternoon at my neighborโ€™s house, trimming, mowing grass, sweeping, watering and other similar chores. This neighbor has been out of town for several months, spending time with his family after the death of his wife.

Almost everyone on his block knows that my wife and I have been taking care of his house and yard while he is gone, and that we spent time with both of them on a regular basis after her cancer returned. Many of them wave as they pass us while weโ€™re working, and some stop to talk.

Today at least a dozen neighbors drove or walked past as I worked. Several stopped to talk. I greeted them, and they asked me questions. They asked when our mutual friend is returning and how he is doing. They thanked me for helping him and keeping the house looking nice.

They asked about the Resurrection Mass for his wife after her death. They asked about the difference between Catholicism and Protestantism. We discussed communion and why Catholics are so careful with the bread and wine. (I explained that some of them believe it is the body and blood of Jesus.) They asked what I think the significance of communion is. (I answered that it reminds me that God became human, walked among us and loved us so much that He died for us on the cross.)

They asked about prayer, and prayers ascending to God. They asked about why God lets bad things happen to good people like our friend. They told me that when our friends needed someone, they believe God sent us to be there for them and wondered if God will do that for others. I discussed and commented on all of these issues, issues that the neighbors wanted to discuss. Some of these people are not followers of Jesus. One told me she is a Buddhist. Then she asked more questions about Jesus and Christianity.

The pastor of the last institutional church we attended told me he doubted that more than two or three people remember much of anything from his sermons one week later. On the other hand, these neighbors are watching and listening to our โ€œsermonsโ€ of love, are remembering and are asking questions.

proclaim the gospel

There are Many Ways to Proclaim the Gospel

There are many ways to proclaim the Gospel.ย The good news can be taught in many forms. Sermons can be shown as well as preached.

Somewhat accidentally we have discovered that people watch, listen to, remember and want to discuss โ€œsermonsโ€ of love, โ€œsermonsโ€ that indeed proclaim the Gospel.

Weโ€™ve also discovered that when theyโ€™re asking us questions, theyโ€™re interested in listening to the answers. Even people of other religions donโ€™t flinch in the slightest when I say โ€œcommunion reminds me that God became human as Jesus, walked among us, and died for us on a crossโ€ and that โ€œwe are followers of Jesus.โ€

Do you have examples to share of sermons of love you have โ€œpreachedโ€ or have seen or heard โ€œpreachedโ€? Can you think of ways to proclaim the Gospel using something other than just words?

Be the Church in Your Community

Be the ChurchWant to be the church in your community but don't know? Here are some posts which not only explain what it means to be the church in your community, but also gives concrete, practical examples of what it looks like and how to be the church whatever you do and wherever you go. Remember, you ARE the church, and wherever you go, Jesus goes with you!
  • How to Be the Church in Your Community
  • The Tribe and the Church
  • Church Tribes vs. the Jesus Tribe
  • How to Preach the Gospel to your Neighbors
  • Being the Church is Loving the Person in Front of You
  • 4 Practical Suggestions for Being the Church in your Community
  • Love Like Jesus by Listening to People
  • Welcome New People to the Community
  • Finding Jesus in Denver
  • Loving Others at Walmart
If you have questions about how to be the church in your community, please let us know in the comment sections below, and we will try to write a post which answers your question.

God is Uncategorized Bible & Theology Topics: be the church, evangelism, gospel, love, preach the gospel, Sam Riviera, service, Theology of the Church

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Best Movie I’ve Seen in a While – And only 3 Minutes Long!

By Jeremy Myers
6 Comments

Best Movie I’ve Seen in a While – And only 3 Minutes Long!

This short Thai commercial is better than most movies I’ve watched recently, and it’s only three minutes long!

If you watch it, you won’t have time for popcorn, but you will probably need a Kleenex…

God is Uncategorized Bible & Theology Topics: Discipleship, love, movies, poor, service

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If I REALLY followed Jesus

By Jeremy Myers
6 Comments

If I REALLY followed Jesus

Glenn HagerThis is a guest post from Glenn Hager.

Glenn encourages free-spirited people of faith through his writing, speaking, consulting, and one-on-one relationships. He lives in the Chicago area with his amazingly patient wife, Patty, a spoiled beagle, and a crazed cat. He enjoys spending time with his kids and grandkids, bicycling, traveling, reading, writing, playing guitar, trying new restaurants, and chatting with friends.

Glenn writes at GlennHager.comย and you may connect with Glenn on Facebookย or Twitter.

If you would like to write a Guest Post for the Till He Comes Blog, begin by reading the Guest Blogger Guidelines.

What if I really followed Jesus? If I think about it in daily life, nitty-gritty terms, it would look something like this for me.

If I really followed Jesus…

if I really followed JesusI would stop worrying about the church and would not confuse it with Jesus or his kingdom. I would realize that following Jesus is a personal matter and it is my responsibility to live in his ways as I go about my regular daily life. Community is important, but how I follow Jesus is up to me.

I wouldnโ€™t be afraid to โ€œspeak truth to power,โ€ whether the โ€œpowerโ€ is the church the government, the corporate world, or politically correct ideologies. I, also, wouldnโ€™t be surprised if it makes some people really mad.

I would make it a point to seek out those who need a little help, a little love, and be their friend. It would be an intentional daily focus, as I become more aware of the people that I meet in the normal course of life.

I would become an all-out people-person who is highly interested in individuals and their stories. I would become a better conversationalist, a great listener, a good asker of questions, and I would be honest about my own failures.

I would become a big time partyer and attend and host lots of parties and gatherings. I would know how to have a good time and how to help people have a good time.

I would figuratively and literally embrace people.

I would help make their day a little brighter and I would be with them in their darkest moments.

I would become a better storyteller because of the sheer power of a good story.

I would heavily invest in the most important people in my life.

I would look for chances to surprise people with grace.

I would look for new opportunities to connect with people who take me outside of my comfort zone.

I would believe that Jesus is who he said he was and not try to earn his favor, but would bask in his love and grace.

I would devote my life to learning to love people like he did.

(Note: The previous post is an excerpt from Glenn’s soon-to-be-published book, An Irreligious Faith: How to Starve Religion and Feed Life)

What areas in your life might look different if you really focused on following Jesus? Let us know in the comments below!

God is Uncategorized Bible & Theology Topics: Discipleship, following Jesus, Glenn Hager, guest post, love

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