Building porches
WOW! This past week was amazing. I went to Atlanta, GA with a group from AU to work with Church on the Street. God revealed so much of himself to me. I left part of my heart in Atlanta. I am still on such a high from that week and it is such a blessing. It would be impossible for me to share all that is on my heart right now so I'll just share a part of what God has been teaching me this past week and continues to do so here at AU.
Kurt Salierno is the founder of Church on the Street. His is an amazing story. He is the only person I have ever had the priveledge of knowing that has a genuine disregard for self; he truly lives to serve. When I first met him I was so astounded at the stories he would tell that I at times figured he had expanded the truth a little. However, I was amazed to learn that they were true and as I heard more and more through out the week I was left dumbfounded. I cannot put to words all that I have seen, heard and experienced.
One thing Pastor Kurt said really struck me. He told us about how in his neighborhood, he is the only one with a front porch. He intentionally built a front porch in stead of a back deck. His purpose in doing this was to create a way to invite people into his life. After the porch was built, he put a few rocking chairs on it and would sit out there during the day. For a while people would just walk by his house, the only house in the entire neighborhood with a front porch, and wave. Until one afternoon when a man walked up and started talking to Kurt and asked why he'd built the porch. "It's for you," Kurt said. He explained to the man that he wanted his life to be open to everyone and he his life to be easily accessable to people. It didn't take long, and now the rocking chairs are well worn and there are few days when the porch is empty. There have even been times when Kurt or Lori, his wife, have come home and people are literally waiting ont he porch for them.
What a testament that is! It is so common in our society to only let people in when it is convenient for us. However, as Christians, we are called to live an open life. Jesus did not send people away just becuase he was tired or wanted some time to himself. He always invited people to fellowship with him.
The beauty in it is that when open our lives to people, they open theirs to us. It is sometimes a hard truth to realize that we need people in our lives. That means living in such a way that people can easily walk in to our lives. We MUST build porches.
Sharing in the fellowship of Christ,
HaleyKate
Kurt Salierno is the founder of Church on the Street. His is an amazing story. He is the only person I have ever had the priveledge of knowing that has a genuine disregard for self; he truly lives to serve. When I first met him I was so astounded at the stories he would tell that I at times figured he had expanded the truth a little. However, I was amazed to learn that they were true and as I heard more and more through out the week I was left dumbfounded. I cannot put to words all that I have seen, heard and experienced.
One thing Pastor Kurt said really struck me. He told us about how in his neighborhood, he is the only one with a front porch. He intentionally built a front porch in stead of a back deck. His purpose in doing this was to create a way to invite people into his life. After the porch was built, he put a few rocking chairs on it and would sit out there during the day. For a while people would just walk by his house, the only house in the entire neighborhood with a front porch, and wave. Until one afternoon when a man walked up and started talking to Kurt and asked why he'd built the porch. "It's for you," Kurt said. He explained to the man that he wanted his life to be open to everyone and he his life to be easily accessable to people. It didn't take long, and now the rocking chairs are well worn and there are few days when the porch is empty. There have even been times when Kurt or Lori, his wife, have come home and people are literally waiting ont he porch for them.
What a testament that is! It is so common in our society to only let people in when it is convenient for us. However, as Christians, we are called to live an open life. Jesus did not send people away just becuase he was tired or wanted some time to himself. He always invited people to fellowship with him.
The beauty in it is that when open our lives to people, they open theirs to us. It is sometimes a hard truth to realize that we need people in our lives. That means living in such a way that people can easily walk in to our lives. We MUST build porches.
Sharing in the fellowship of Christ,
HaleyKate
posted by Haley Kate @ 12:22 PM
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