Sowing seeds of faith and love, ShareFest 2008

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. – Mark 4:31-32

 What would happen if you had a hand full of mustard seeds and one day decided to throw one seed in every field you passed by? There would be hundreds of seeds in your hand and a hundred more plants growing in every field you passed. Think for a second instead of using the word seed and replaced it with Faith and changed the word fields to people. You would begin to understand the magnitude one persons faith has on others. When you share your faith with others you are planting a mustard seed in their field. You may ask how do I plant that seed in others? It is easier than you think. The simple recipe is love, showing Gods love to others through prayer or community activities is one of the many ways to start planting.

This very thing happened in Porter County Indiana during what is called ShareFest. It was held Oct 11th 2008 and area churches gathered together to help their communities. While not all the churches belonged to the same denomination they were all Gods children.

Well over two hundred volunteers went out planting the seeds of faith and love through helping others. Taking people in the community much needed supplies and cleaning parks and homes. The simple task of going out in the community to help others that day let those in need know God still loves them and his children are here for them as well. You do not need to try and sway someone to come to God, just plant the seed and God will take over. If you know someone in need let them know you will be praying for them. More times than not the simple phrase "I will be praying for you" is all that is needed. Being able to participate in ShareFest with my wife showed me while others worship in different ways and places, God still works through us all. We are all Brothers and Sisters in his name. And when God calls on his children we will all meet again.

ShareFest helped open my eyes and I hope the work I did that day opened the hearts of those I helped. While your faith is like the mustard seed you can share them with others and it doesn't hurt to share them with your brothers and sisters in Christ. As you never know the preacher, teacher, or church member you are talking to may be running out. While sowing the seeds of faith is without cost, the rewards that come are plentiful.

Be active in the communities in which you serve. Be seen doing great things and great things will come to you and your church. A simple act of faith can mean all the difference in someone else's life. I know, because the act of faith I witnessed that day gave me a renewed faith in God and helped strengthen my journey with him.

Thank you ShareFest,

If you would like more information on ShareFest please visit their site at www.sharefestpc.org

(Sorry the pictures are not ready yet)