what people see...

Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

my church is in what some people would call a bad neighborhood... I have found in life experiences that what most people consider a bad area is really one of the safest places to be... the streets protect their own.. now if you are not of the street... well... that may be another story...

last night I was crossing the street in front of the church and one of the neighborhood women asked me if the church would be feeding people soon... I was confused because my church does not feed people... she said don't they have a dinner for thanksgiving? I said yes they do. (now in reality the dinner is a gift from the pastor to the members.. but he is a Good man and would not mind an extra mouth I am believing) so it is lightly raining out and she has only a tank top on and no umbrella and I tell her it is cold out and she needs to get in from the rain... she said yes, that she only lived around the block... I ask her does she come to our church? she said no, that is only for the rich people... that broke my heart... I told her no, that is not true... the church is open to everyone... she said maybe I will try again... I say you are welcome to find me and sit with me... she said thank you and went on down the street...

what is the image you are portraying to people? God expects us to be warm and welcoming... loving... we are the only image of God's love that some people will ever see... what is your image? I pray that mine is shining of Christ's love...