| is plenty to be upset about in our world. You can't turn | | | | ministry is world famous, has welcomed more than |
| on the TV without seeing a murder, an abducted child, | | | | 50,000 people, has been covered by Newsday, the |
| a war, or a family crying over a devastating loss. | | | | Washington Times, and the Chicago Tribune, and has |
| I don't blame you if you get a little angry. I hope you | | | | gone a long way toward spreading the idea that there |
| don't get so discouraged you turn away. But what I | | | | is good in those around us. |
| really hope for is you DO something to change the | | | | It's amazing what human beings can do when they |
| world. | | | | know they're loved. Each weekend "Heaven" is |
| "Little ol' me?...change the world? ...all by myself," you | | | | packed with visitors who come for the warm |
| say? It's not only possible, but YOU can do it! Making | | | | inspiration that fills the place. We have more than 40 |
| the world a better place in BIG ways is easier than | | | | volunteers a month who greet people at the door, |
| you think. Let me show you how. | | | | serve coffee, and run the soundboard. It's an amazing |
| I discovered this simple principle almost by accident 14 | | | | thing to see! |
| years ago when I became very upset over the | | | | My one surefire way to change the world is at work |
| kidnapping of a little girl in my area. The grief her family | | | | right here. By simply LOVING the people YOU come in |
| was going through touched me in a very personal | | | | contact with, you CHANGE them. The people around |
| way. | | | | you -- when loved -- come up with wonderful ideas, |
| I began to wonder if there could ever be a place for | | | | produce great things, and spread kindness far and |
| good people to go. The answer seemed to be | | | | wide. |
| Heaven. But couldn't there be a way to create a little | | | | There's simply no telling what will happen when you let |
| "heaven on earth"? | | | | the people around you know you love them. And this |
| Soon after that I started the "Lil' Bit of Heaven" | | | | need not be complicated. All you need to do is pat |
| coffeehouse ministry in Long Island, NY. The project | | | | somebody on the back when they do a good job, |
| featured musicians with a message, squeaky clean | | | | smile and listen while they talk, work hard to |
| comedy, inspirational workshops, and meeting place for | | | | understand how they feel, forgive their mistakes, |
| support groups. | | | | encourage them when they're down, have patience, |
| I didn't know a thing about running a "Li'l Bit Of Heaven" | | | | and do nice things for no reason. |
| on earth or where I would get the money, but gradually | | | | You'll create big changes in the world around you. I |
| I found people to help me. Today this coffeehouse | | | | know. I see it happen every day. |