Surprising People with Grace

Each week, members of Living Water Lutheran Church do Kindness Outreaches. Through them, the love of Christ is shared in practical ways with our neighbors.  

We give quarters for carts to shoppers at Aldi...

Hot chocolate to people picking out their Christmas trees...

Doggie treats to people out walking their dogs...

Cold water and other cold drinks to families at parks for soccer games.

When asked why we do this, we tell people things like, "God loves you, no strings attached."

Or, "We're sharing God's love in a practical way."

Today, on a chilly Autumn morning, we gave away hot chocolate.

It's clear we're beginning to get a reputation in the community.

"Are you the Lutherans?" one man asked. When we said, "Yes," another said, "You gave me a cold Coke a few weeks ago. I love the Lutherans!"

Someone else asked, "Can I give you a donation?" "No," answered one of our Living Water disciples, "we're just sharing God's love." When pressed about doing something in response to the gift, our member said, "Just pray for us." "I can do that!" the person said.

The Bible tells us that while you and I were still dead in our sin, Jesus Christ died for us, giving His innocent life to take the death sentence for sin that you and I deserve, then rising from the dead to give eternity to sinners like me and you. 

The Bible tells us: "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

And Jesus Himself says: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)

Life with God is a gift He freely gives through Jesus Christ. There's nothing you need to do or possibly could do to earn it or merit it. It's a gift He gives that calls us to repent--that is, turn from sin and death--and trust in what He has already done for us through His death and resurrection.

It's a privilege to share God and His grace with others, alongside the people of Living Water Lutheran Church.

How Does Trader Joe's Get Us to Spend More Money in Their Stores?

I love shopping at Trader Joe's and Aldi, both of which seem to employ principles of simplicity in their business models. (During a trip to Germany to see Reformation sites last year, we shopped briefly at two outlets of Aldi Süd--the German Aldi chain voluntarily split in two some years ago--and I enjoyed those Aldi even more than the ones in this country. Here's a link to the website for Aldi Nord in Germany.)

Trader Joe's stores are always fun for me to visit, an experience as much as a shopping foray.

The homemade quality of the labeling, mentioned in this video from Business Insider, also is seen in the local stores' signage. On a visit to my local TJ's last week, the checker told me that she was also the "store artist," a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design. She spends one day a week creating, designing, and executing the beautiful hand-drawn signs that also give all Trader Joe's outlets their distinctive look.

But, in addition to offering quality products at better prices than other grocers specializing in more organic and fresher foods, Trader Joe's makes it easier to choose your purchases for several important reasons discussed in the video. Genius!

I don't fault Trader Joe's for the "sneaky ways" this video refers to at all. On reflection, the chain's "sneaky ways" are part of the reason I like its stores so much.