What you talk about says a lot about what you believe

   What do you talk about? To what topics do your conversations most return? What do you brag about? The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5 that, “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light.” He goes on to say that being children of light should even affect what we talk about. To be light-bearers, literally those who carry the good news of what God has done and is doing in the world, means that every facet of our lives is impacted. To live as children of light affects where we go, on what we spend our money and what we talk about. 
   Can someone be sure of what you believe in based on the content of your talk? The answer is a resounding, yes. The real question is, are you content that what they hear is who you really are?
   I am talking up one of the great stories of change, goodness and success that is happening in Columbus. I said, “Yes,” last month to be a public, online champion for Open Door Community House for the upcoming Georgia Gives Day on November 13. Along with the donations that can be generated, Open Door can win additional matching funds to continue the great work they are doing. What great work you ask? Let me talk about it:

• On average, our neighbors participating in the ‘Circles in Columbus’ program have seen an 85% increase in income after just one year. In addition, their debt is down and their dependence on public assistance is down. That is success!
• The average income earned by Open Door Institute graduates, learning culinary skills, increased by $6/hr from when they entered the program.
• In 2012-2013, 100% of the children in our Mathews Promise Academy were promoted to the next grade and 100% passed the state CRCT exam.

These facts speak volumes, don’t they? Open Door is the single most important ministry in Columbus, addressing the root causes of poverty and suffering among our neighbors. They are teaching people with great content and delivering it through deep and sustained relationships; this is the best way to change lives and it is the secret to long-term success. I am honored to talk about that kind of ministry, and especially proud to know it was began through the efforts of those we know from the Hamp Stevens Memorial UMC.
   I hope you will join me in going online next Wednesday, November 13, and make a donation of any amount to support a great ministry. Then go a step further and tell someone about Open Door. Let’s show that our talk and our hearts are the same.  
Grace and Peace, Scott