Why?
We started Friends and Family and we continue to do Friends and Family for one simple reason --- to help people grow spiritually to face the problems of life. This is possible once we come to realize God loves us and values us. Through the working of His grace in our lives, He calles us to the higher purpose for which he created us. To love Him in return and to love other people as well which requires that we live to help them grow spritually as well.
All of us realize we are in a battle in life, a battle to do the right thing,
when, so often, it is our inclination to the wrong thing. These tensions
and problems of life are common to every person. Living means we are faced with problems of one form or another every day. How we respond to those problems will determine our spiritual and mental well being. When we do the work and take the courage to act in loving ways, we find the joy we otherwise can never experience. This joy is the fruit of allowing God to live in us and through us.
We realize we are no better than anyone else when it comes to these things. God is patient with us when we disappoint Him, ourselves, and others. He forgives us when we confess our failure and calls us to grow in His grace and love. He begins a transformation in us. From day to day, month to month, year to year, we learn and we grow. He leads us along, often kicking and
screaming, yet constantly he pulls us along. We learn to be more like Jesus and to love others as He did. Old things pass away and everything becomes new.
This is the gospel, and in it, in God, we find a worthy purpose in living. Without apology, hesitation, or being ashamed, we hold out this wonderful message to every person. No matter what your religious background or the lack thereof, you are part of God's plan for this world. This is why he put you here, to do His will and make this a better place. You are planted here to grow and to be healthy.
Coming to faith is a personal decision, but it leads to getting involved with others. It is not God's will that you just love Him, He wants you to love other people too. You become an agent of God's love and grace to others. You become the body of Christ, the presence of God in this world as His Spirit fills your life. You are His witnesses. You are His holy temple in the midst of a crazy world, you call people to sanity and love. You are building the Kingdom of God on earth. You are fulfilling the prayer, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
This is why.