Blog of Debby Franks
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November 22, 2008 Meeting Social Needs: When have you put love into action? I used to live a block away from a home for mentality or socially challenged people. I started going by once a week and visiting with them. Over time I developed a good relationship with the staff, administrators and manager. They eventually let me take some of the more socially mature ones over to a nearby diary queen for ice cream (my treat). I started doing it because I would drive or walk by their place and see many of the people sitting out on the front porch all the time. It made me sad how they were people outcast from our society left to live out their existence tucked away where they wouldn’t be a bother. It turned into a meaningful part of my life. When I would show up to take them out you would think Santa had just walked through the door. I was life in this otherwise dark place. I’ve since moved away from that city but I think of them often and hope they are doing well. It takes so little to play an important part in people’s lives.

By: Debby Franks - November 22, 2008 - Public Category: My Blog Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

November 22, 2008 Meeting Mental Needs: When have you put love into action My girlfriends and I all meet once a week as part of a reading club. Whenever a new family moves into the neighborhood we invite the wife to join us. After almost 4 fours we’ve grown and multiplied into 3 separate groups spread out over the Kansas City metroplex. It’s a friendly way to meet new people and all.

By: Debby Franks - November 22, 2008 - Public Category: My Blog Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

November 22, 2008 Meeting Emotional Needs: When have you put love into action? I provide some childcare services at our church on Sundays. We have a wide variety of families in our church and so the children in my class include the impoverished to middle class. I can tell by watching some of the children that there basic emotional needs are well met and balanced. So, I try to be a light in their world. I may only see them for a couple of hours a week but I try to get down at their level and look them in the eye and tell them how precious and special they are. I give them hugs at times, hold their hands and play toys with them. There are so many children out there that are never loved the way children need it.

By: Debby Franks - November 22, 2008 - Public Category: My Blog Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

November 20, 2008 Meeting Spiritual Needs: When have you put love into action? I love all the stories you guys are sharing. Thanks. I have to say that recently I’ve been getting a deeper appreciation of what Jesus did for me on the cross. I don’t have to live under condemnation any longer because God has no condemnation for me. When I received Jesus’ gift of salvation, he wiped my slate clean. That doesn’t just mean all the stupid things I did up to that point in my life but every wrong thing I will ever do. When I ask forgiveness for my mistakes, he isn’t reluctant to say yes. He died on the cross to freely forgive me. He withholds no good thing from me. God poured out every last drop of judgment and condemnation upon Jesus on the cross. He didn’t save any of it for me. Jesus took it all. Now, because I’ve put my faith in Jesus, I am completely free of condemnation, shame and accusation. None of my past is hanging over my head. When I come to terms with that reality, I get a glimpse into the real meaning of what Jesus did for me on the cross. That’s really amazing. Wow. So, when I saw the question how I put love into action, I think the way I’ve done it is to reflect on what Jesus did for me and allow that realization to change how I think about myself. I don’t want to hold onto feelings of shame about myself because of my past. Because Jesus died for me on the cross I owe it to him to not keep holding onto the things he forgive me of and freed me from. He said he came to give me abundant life. Well I can’t experience abundant life if I’m holding onto guilt and shame when Jesus said he paid the price for my sins and put it infinitely from me. So I want to believe what he said and live like it. I’m empowered to live my future free of my past. That’s how I put love into action. Thank you Jesus. You are awesome.

By: Debby Franks - November 20, 2008 - Public Category: My Blog Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

November 04, 2008 Health-Injury: How has Jesus helped you Hey group, I’m enjoying reading everyone’s stuff. My husband went through a time not too long ago when he had surgery and out of work for a couple of months. Our insurance wasn’t enough to cover it and we weren’t sure that he wasn’t going to need more surgeries later. I had fears that maybe he was going to be permanently disabled to the point that he couldn’t work. You know how it is when your fears kick in and take over. Before long the mole hill becomes a mountain. When there was nothing else that I could do other than pray, I prayed. I felt a nearness to God that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I had to deal with the issue of whether God wanted my husband to be healed. When I read through the Bible during that time, I always saw that Jesus wanted to heal every person he encountered. The Bible goes on to tell us that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father. So, if Jesus was always willing to heal every person he encountered, I believe that that was what God wanted for my husband. There certainly are people who don’t get healed and I don’t understand why but I do believe God’s heart is that everyone is healed. So, I prayed believing this to be true and the doctor’s reports were nothing short of miraculous. His surgery went better than expected and he recovered and was back to work quicker than anyone expected. It was a trying time but it really served to strengthen my faith in God and the power of prayer.

By: Debby Franks - November 04, 2008 - Public Category: My Blog Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

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