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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This^?[/quote]

Combination of both.

Chose to stay within overall major world religion of ancestors for cultural reasons but converted to much more liberal, non-dogmatic, denomination that welcomes women and GBTLQ+ people as leaders and members. My chosen denomination encourages individual reflection of sacred texts in non literal ways that relate to modern life while respecting historical contexts. It also values interfaith work, science, and showing Gods love in practical ways.

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Can you provide examples of how God shows love in practical ways?[/quote]

Thanks for asking

- Feeding homeless and providing safe place to shower each week 
- Supporting homeless families in transition out of homelessness towards gaining employment, housing, tutoring for children and mentoring 
- Support for prisoners 
- Supporting art programs for prisoners to express the leaves through visual art and poetry 
- Sponsoring refugee families and helping them to adjust to life in US/ find employments, support the children and provide free legal advice for eventually gaining green cards 
- providing safe welcoming community for GTLBQ+ people 
- social and moral support for elderly parishioners 
- lay ministers who train in providing pastoral care for other church members going through difficult transitions such as job loss/ divorce/ death in family
- Service work by youth helping to rebuild homes in disadvantaged communities

Many more practical examples in other churches also. So many valid human needs. [/quote]

I agree that these are good examples of kindness and charity to others. What I don't understand is how these are examples of Gods love in practical ways. I don't see any role that God plays in any of those items listed. I see humans acting nobly towards their fellow humans. [/quote]

We believe that just as Christ was God embodied - that Christians embody the Holy Spirit. When we show love and kindness to others - especially the most vulnerable among us, we are expressing the love of God in practical ways that speak much louder than words.

'Come, blessed ones of my Father, inherit the Kingdom that was prepared for you from the foundation of the universe.'  For  I was hungry and you gave me food, and I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'

Then the righteous will say to him, 'Our Lord, When did we see you that you were hungry and we fed you, or that you were thirsty and we gave you drink?

And when did we see you, that you were a stranger and we took you in, or that you were naked and we clothed you?' And when did we see you sick or in a prison, and we came to you?'

And Jesus answers and says to them, 'Amen, I say to you, as much as you have done to one of these my little brothers, you have done that to me.'

I also believe that any kindness and compassion showed towards vulnerable people (the poor, homeless, the sick, migrants, prisoners etc) is of God (whatever the religion of the actor may be).

Jesus advised his followers that "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?" (Matthew 7:16) This is a core teaching about discerning true character and authenticity by observing actions and the quality of one's life, rather than appearances.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

You may prefer to refer to such acts of kindness as showing humanitarian concern.

Wishing you peace, whatever you call acts of kindness and love.

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