Blog | The Church

You Don’t Have to Be Mother Teresa

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

Our focus this week in the 1 more friend-Share series is to be “in the picture” in our neighbors’ lives, remaining aware of what their greatest needs are. When we’re out and about in our neighborhoods, busy at our workplaces, and involved with our friends, it can feel like a lot to manage, especially when we also feel called to spend quality time at home, to help out at church, and to volunteer in our community. If you’re like me, you’ve experienced ups and downs during the journey of intentionally reaching out to others, sometimes telling yourself you just don’t have time to do it all, or that adding one more thing just won’t work: “I can’t just drop everyday life and be serving all the time! I’m not Mother Teresa!” Today I want to challenge you to let go of that excuse and self-accusation, because here’s the thing: it’s only adding one more thing if you view mission as something separate from life. What if we viewed every element of our lives as mission? Of course living life as mission will always have its challenges, but serving others in our neighborhoods and communities as well as serving at church are important callings for us to recognize, since we never know where God will show up! When we serve only during church functions, we risk letting ourselves off the hook when it comes to sharing the Gospel in our other circles of influence. On the other hand, if we hang out exclusively in our own professional and social groups, we can keep ourselves (over)scheduled to the extent that we feel we don't have time to serve in God’s house and in our community.

One way you can share, and support the mission, is by filling open service spots at church whenever you can. Think about the last time you attended worship: I bet you saw someone handing out bulletins, video recording the sermon, or helping with communion. And last time you ate a meal at church, you probably noticed some people serving food and drinks and keeping things clean. What about in your community: have you ever gone to a library or senior center, or enjoyed a playground or other park activities with your kids? All of these are areas where you could make an impact by serving! So I want to hear from you: when and where are you planning to share your time next?

Our focus this week in the 1 more friend-Share series is to be “in the picture” in our neighbors’ lives, remaining aware of what their greatest needs are. When we’re out and about in our neighborhoods, busy at our workplaces, and involved with our friends, it can feel like a lot to manage, especially when we also feel called to spend quality time...

Bust Out Those Neighborhood Maps!

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

I know we’re now in the Share portion of the 1more Friend series, but prayer is the foundation of our caring and sharing, and is a primary way we can be alert to opportunities to relate to our neighbors. Recently the Church in East Madison has started doing two things I want to share with you. First, in our lifeGroup times, we ask each other this...

10 Signs to Look For When Deciding When to Hang Up the Keys

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

One way we can demonstrate an accepting spirit to our neighbors (those with whom we live, work, and play) is by providing a safe, non-judgmental environment for discussing difficult topics. Today I want to discuss one such topic. As we age, it’s normal for our driving abilities to change. Deciding when someone is no longer fit to drive is a challenging issue. Often, emotions overpower facts. Having a tough conversation like this is never easy, but we can be a visible reflection of Jesus when we approach each other with grace and respect and when we listen to others’ concerns with humility and gratitude. To begin, let’s focus on the facts: Virtually all of us will have to stop driving eventually. Even if we have to reduce our driving or give up the keys entirely, it doesn’t mean the end of independence. Seeking alternative methods of transportation can offer health and social benefits, as well as a welcome change of pace. These positive outcomes of giving up driving may be a great way to frame the conversation. Just as passing a road test does not ensure a safe driver, reaching a certain age does not automatically mean an unsafe driver. A study published in the journal Neurology reported that as many as 76% of people with mild dementia are still able to pass a road test and drive appropriately. Statistics show that 77% of older adults wear seat belts compared to only 63% of younger drivers. Older drivers tend to limit their driving during bad weather and at night, and drive fewer miles than younger drivers. And only 5% of older adults involved in fatal crashes had an illegal blood alcohol concentration, compared to 25% of 21-64 year olds. However, older adults are more likely to receive traffic citations and have accidents than younger drivers. What accounts for the increase? As we age, decreased vision, impaired hearing, or slowed reflexes may become a problem. A chronic condition like arthritis, or a sudden change in health like a stroke may impact strength, coordination, and flexibility, which affect one’s ability to safely control a car. To continue driving safely, we need to recognize that changes will happen, get help when they do, and be willing to listen if others voice concerns. [caption id="attachment_2549" align="alignright" width="300"]

senior woman driving car[/caption] Here are 10 signs that it’s time to have a serious conversation with a driver, regardless of age, and his/her doctor. (I realize half of these are true for my teenaged children!) 1. Stops in traffic for no reason or ignores traffic signs. 2. Fails to signal or signals inappropriately. 3. Drifts into other lanes or drives on the wrong side of the street. 4. Becomes lost on a familiar route. 5. Parks inappropriately. 6. Has difficulty seeing pedestrians or other vehicles. 7. Has difficulty making turns or changing lanes. 8. Gets drowsy or falls asleep while driving. 9. Lacks good judgment. 10. Has repeated minor accidents or “near misses.” [Some of the preceding content has been adapted from Wheatridge’s Health Notes by Marla Lichtsinn, Parish Nurse, May 2014.] Remember our motivation, which bears repeating: we can be a visible reflection of Jesus and exhibit an accepting spirit toward our neighbors when we approach each other with grace and respect, and when we listen to others’ concerns with humility and gratitude. Let me know if you’d like more information about the decision to stop driving, or information on products to help keep older drivers safe and extend their driving years. And before you get behind the wheel and head off to your next destination today, would you share your answer to this question: when you’ve had a conversation with a loved one about their driving habits or another challenging topic, how did it go for you?

One way we can demonstrate an accepting spirit to our neighbors (those with whom we live, work, and play) is by providing a safe, non-judgmental environment for discussing difficult topics. Today I want to discuss one such topic. As we age, it’s normal for our driving abilities to change. Deciding when someone is no longer fit to drive is a...

46 missionaries to South Carolina

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

The t-shirts have been tie-dyed, the 15 passengers vans are on hold, and the suitcases are beginning to fill up! Higher Ground is sending 46 missionaries to South Carolina very early on Sunday morning. Our caravan, consisting of four 15-passenger vans, a mini-van, and an SUV, will make the 17 hour trek to our destination, where we will spend the...

South Carolina Mission Trip Day 1

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

Wow! God has certainly been providing for us over the past 48 hours. It was midnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning that we gathered at church to load the vans and begin our trek to Lexington, South Carolina. We expected to arrive at our destination between 5 and 6pm. At 10pm last night, we finally pulled into the parking lot of our host church in South Carolina. We drove through quite a bit of rain and storms, took a long detour to get around some backed up interstate traffic, and learned that it takes quite some time for 46 people to use the bathroom when there are only 2 stalls available. We were tired and frustrated, but were met by an energetic and accommodating Next Step staff. We also met the people from a church in Ohio who are also participating on the mission trip with us this week. We quickly found new friends in these people! How did God provide? First, the church was able to purchase a new van just before we departed! YAY! One less rental. On the way down to SC, we had planned to have a picnic lunch (packed by our awesome moms!). However it was raining and we couldn't eat outside. We pulled into a travel center and, after hearing our needs, the staff ushered us into a private dining room and made us feel right at home! Later that night, God multiplied our "loaves and fishes" when we needed dinner. We had planned to be in South Carolina at dinner time, however we needed to eat on the road. God worked that out and we had enough lunch left over that each person had a feast for dinner as well. Yay God! Today was hot! We started on our worksites this morning, and are so excited about our tasks for the week. Most of us are working in the same neighborhood, but on different homes. The community we are working in is incredibly kind. We making a lot of friends, playing with kids, and really enjoying working alongside of each other. Some of us are roofing, others are doing flooring, some are building ramps while others are fixing bathrooms and working on siding. One group even got to demolish a large shed today and will be rebuilding it during the week. Worship tonight was a highlight of the day! We sang, watched an amazing video, and celebrated how we had seen God during the day. Tonight we talked about how easy it is to believe lies instead of trusting in God's truth. We talked about the danger in making decisions based on our emotions, and the importance of focusing on the unseen - God and His truth. We'll be back tomorrow with more updates! Thanks for praying for us.

Wow! God has certainly been providing for us over the past 48 hours. It was midnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning that we gathered at church to load the vans and begin our trek to Lexington, South Carolina. We expected to arrive at our destination between 5 and 6pm. At 10pm last night, we finally pulled into the parking lot of our host church...

South Carolina Mission Trip-Day 2

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

Day 2 in South Carolina has been so much fun! We were feeling a lot more confident on our work sites and each of us was excited to accomplish the tasks we had been given. Already we are building relationships with community members and home owners, especially the children who live in the neighborhood where we are working. Many of the children ride, with Next Step Staff, back to the church at the end of the work day. They stay through dinner and worship before getting a ride back home (30 minutes away!) While the physical work we accomplish is important, we understand that the relationships we form and the time we invest in the lives of others is even more important. Therefore, we encourage the students to just sit and chat with homeowners. We celebrate when they take a break from working to play basketball. Today, I tried to be a silent observer and here are some of the sweet moments that I observed: *Caleb was given a basketball lesson by a local teen who is helping with the work at the Nehemiah house. Caleb let the young man teach him all sorts of things about basketball and showed up simply as a friend. What a lesson for us! Sharing Jesus with others doesn't always mean doing things for them - sometimes we need to let them do things for us. *Josh sat with a little boy at dinner - and he didn't just sit with him. He was relaxed, smiling, and unhurried. He was obviously enjoying this little boy's company. My lesson? God's love is a lot more evident when we genuinely like the people God is placing in our lives. When people stop being projects and start being friends, God's love can shine a lot brighter - and it's a lot more enjoyable for us. *Multiple times today I saw students treat the homes and homeowners with incredible respect. They honored the homes they were in and treated them with great care. Do I serve others like that? Do I honor others in how I serve them or do I serve with an air of judgement and paternalism? These students didn't see people in need but saw children of God and an opportunity to love. Wow! Who can you honor today? Who is God wanting you to love in His name? What relationship is God calling you to strengthen? You don't need to fix a roof in South Carolina to make an impact for Jesus. God has you, right now, right where he wants you to make the biggest impact for Him.

Day 2 in South Carolina has been so much fun! We were feeling a lot more confident on our work sites and each of us was excited to accomplish the tasks we had been given. Already we are building relationships with community members and home owners, especially the children who live in the neighborhood where we are working. Many of the children...

Answer This Question and Be Satisfied

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

Have you ever wondered why we ask the question, “Where have you seen God at work this week?” Or, “Where did God show up today?” We ask that question in lifeGroup, we ask it on Sunday mornings in worship, and we ask it of our kids, but why? Here are a few reasons for asking that question: 1. It trains our eyes and ears and mind to be on the lookout for where God is working so that we can join Him. 2. We get to see that God meets us exactly where we are, and meets our every need in ways that are often surprising. 3. When we recognize that God is working, we can then give Him the thanks and praise. 4. We get to practice storytelling, and sharing our faith. When we talk about “witnessing” or “sharing our faith,” many of us get sweaty palms, our hearts race, and we start coming up with all sorts of excuses as to why we can’t do it (kind of like Moses in Exodus 4:10-12). But this does not have to be a scary thing! It can be as simple as sharing where you saw God at work today, as simple as sharing what you are thankful for, as simple as sharing why you have hope or peace during difficult times. Psalm 66:5 says, “Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” And Psalm 66:16 says, “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.” When we gather with others in lifeGroup and practice telling each other what God has done for us, it isn’t quite as difficult to share those same things with other people. When I was in Ethiopia this past February, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet a man named Tekle. We went to his home where he prepared

dinner for us and we sat around and listened to him tell stories of his life. His father died when he was very young. He had his first pair of shoes when he was 10 years old. When he was 16 he came to Addis Ababa, the capital city, and went to a Billy Graham crusade where he gave his life to Jesus. He fled Ethiopia during the communist take over and his life was spared. He made his way to the United States and attended college. Some people at college asked him, “Why do you speak of Jesus so much?” He said, “If I don’t talk about Jesus, then I would not have anything to talk about.” That phrase stuck with me. I hope I never forget that night of listening to Tekle’s stories and the absolute love he has for Jesus and those who are poor or orphaned. I confess that I often engage in so many other topics of conversation instead of talking about Jesus! The summer time is a wonderful time to be out and about with neighbors and friends. Consider who you could invite to join you on a bike ride or to sit by the fire pit, and be willing to share what God has done for you, how He has met your needs. Think about how you can be sensitive to the specific needs of your neighbors and relate to them based on your own experiences. There is no need to try and convince other people; the results are up to God. We have such good news to share about Jesus, why would we want to keep it to ourselves?! Where have you seen God at work lately? Who have you told about it?

Have you ever wondered why we ask the question, “Where have you seen God at work this week?” Or, “Where did God show up today?” We ask that question in lifeGroup, we ask it on Sunday mornings in worship, and we ask it of our kids, but why? Here are a few reasons for asking that question: 1. It trains our eyes and ears and mind to be on the...

South Carolina Mission Trip-Day 3

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

We did it! We made it half way through the mission trip! Even after just a few days,we feel like we are in a routine with our days and work. We feel like we have known our new friends for ages. We feel at home in our neighborhoods and at our work sites. And, as much as possible, our air mattresses actually begin to feel somewhat comfortable. Our group has been divided into around 11 different "crews". Each crew is working on a different project - and some are working on multiple projects during the week. Here are some of the things our students are working on this week. At Miss Al's house they are replacing fascia and soffits (which includes lots of climbing on the roof and working on ladders!). They are also painting a room. At Ms. Rochelle Dorn's home, students are siding, caulking, and painting. A group at the Lexington Interfaith Community Services is building large shelving units for the thrift store and painting shelves and walls. Students at the Carmichael's house are replacing subfloor and then tiling in the kitchen. At Chandler's home they are putting in a new roof - replacing old shingles and damaged roof panels. Miss Sheila is getting a new deck behind her house! Another team is fixing and shingling Richard's roof, including reinforcing joists. Another team was able to mud and paint a bathroom. At Sam's home students replaced the floor in his bathroom. Finally, another group is working at the Nehemiah house. The Nehemiah Project is one of the reasons Next Step is working in this neighborhood. It is an organization that Next Step is partnering with as part of their community development plan for this area. There are 3 projects being completed at this spot. We are rebuilding a large shed, building a wheelchair ramp and deck, and grouting the whole house. If you want more information on the Nehemiah Project, please go to: http://thenehemiahprojectsc.org/home.html. We are part of the Bellemeade project. Day 3 is always an important day on our mission trips. It's important for 3 reasons. 1 - Enough physical work has been done that students are able to see that they are actually making progress and making a difference. All of those hours in the sun begin to seem worth it. 2 - Students are tired enough, and have spent enough time together, that walls begin to fall down and a level of vulverability surfaces. It is when this happens that God is able to really begin to do his work in our hearts. 3 - We pray for each other. During Wednesday night worship we wash each other's feet, lay hands on each other, and pray. It is an incredibly humbling experience, to hear teens pray for their friends. I was inspired tonight by one of our students, Mae. She began each prayer, "Awesome God, I thank you for the blessing that we call ________(insert a friend's name)". Who are you praying for today? Do you see the person you are praying for as a true blessing from God? How could that perspective shape your prayers today? We'll be back tomorrow to let you know if we were able to finish all of our projects before having to leave for home!

We did it! We made it half way through the mission trip! Even after just a few days,we feel like we are in a routine with our days and work. We feel like we have known our new friends for ages. We feel at home in our neighborhoods and at our work sites. And, as much as possible, our air mattresses actually begin to feel somewhat comfortable. Our...

South Carolina Mission Trip-Day 4

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

We finished our work week! A lot of us finished our projects, and a few have just a few last touch ups for next week's group to do. Either way, we feel accomplished and proud of what God allowed us to do and provide for our new South Carolina friends. I wanted to share our students' perspectives on the trip so far, so I asked them to share their thoughts with you. Here are some of our students favorite highlights or God Moments from the week so far: "Today I was able to join another work crew for the entire day. It was really amazing to see how they had developed into a "well-oiled" machine. Even though they hadn't known each other at all at the beginning of the week, they were laughing and enjoying each others' company. Not only that, but they were very welcoming to me even though I had not been a part of their group the whole week. It was really fantastic to see how serving others can bring so many people together, even if they come from different states." -Charlie Strange, 18 "One big thing for me was realizing how good hard work and a good work ethic can feel! That might sound cheesy... but putting the last nail into the floor of the bathroom my crew was fixing up was super satisfying, especially since the the project was way more work then we thought it would be. (What was just a re-tiling job turned into a full replacement of the floor and the support beams underneath.) Another thing that hit me, and seems to always hit me on trips like this, is how encouraging and fun spending time with other brothers and sisters in Christ is! Everyone seem's to have a better attitude and a more Christ centered outlook. They seem to realize that they are all here for the same purpose- to worship and glorify God through everything we do! And it makes me wonder why this mindset and outlook only happen's at times like this and not in our everyday Christian walk." -Joshua Kueber, 16 "This mission trip has been very challenging for me physically, spiritually and emotionally, because I came in with a lot of expectations. This week I was stressing out about how much sleep I was getting, if I had enough food in my lunch, who my friends were hanging out with, how sweaty I was getting, a whole bunch of stuff that isn't really what mission trips are about. I was getting caught up in everything but serving the community, which is what mission trips are all about, right? So after three whole days of a lot of frustration, we arrived on the final work day. Our homeowner, Rachelle, came outside to see all the work we had done on the house. She told us all to stand in front of her, and she put her hand to her mouth and she cried. She told us that we had done such a beautiful job, that she was so proud of what we have done, that she was really going to miss us, and that she was going to pray for us every day. It really made me think that only four days of my life could make such a big impact on someones life. That was my favorite moment this week because it was when God reminded me why I came on this trip. To serve in the name of Jesus Christ." -Renata Jaeger, 15 What is the youth director's favorite highlight? Your kids. They have been hard working, honest, vulnerable, compassionate, motivated, respectful, and full participants in the journey God had prepared for each of them this week. We have a meeting each night with the leaders from the other church that is participating with us this week. The adults from that church have, every night, highlighted how impressed they are with your children. They talk about their work ethic, good attitudes, confidence, faith, and the love they show. Way to go moms and dads! We'll be back Sunday night with highlights on our free day and community cookout!

We finished our work week! A lot of us finished our projects, and a few have just a few last touch ups for next week's group to do. Either way, we feel accomplished and proud of what God allowed us to do and provide for our new South Carolina friends. I wanted to share our students' perspectives on the trip so far, so I asked them to share their...

South Carolina Mission Trip-Day 5

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

God is good. He is faithful and compassionate, delighting in His children and ever providing for each need. Today was a day to grow in our relationships with each other, reflect on the week, and celebrate God's goodness. We began this morning with a 6:45am prayer breakfast hosted by the church where we are staying for the week. The gentleman I sat with has been coming consistently to this Friday breakfast for 14 years. We definitely enjoyed the southern breakfast, complete with grits, biscuits and gravy, and sweet tea! We had a few hours of free time in the morning and early afternoon, and we were eager to take advantage of it! The staff took us to a river where we had the option to jump off of a rope swing into the water. It was a great adventure!! After that we headed to Lake Murray for lunch and some playtime. After worship and showers, we headed off to a community cookout in the neighborhood where we have been working all week. It was definitely the perfect way to end our week! It was such fun! We played with the kids, talked with new friends, and enjoyed some watermelon and hot dogs. The gathering had a really great feel to it - like being with family. It was evident that this community has really embraced and appreciated all of the students that have been working there all summer. It will be exciting to see how God transforms this community over the next few years. Finally, our trip to South Carolina is ending in the perfect way (well, at least for Higher Ground) - as I write this I am listening to an "Open Mic Night". These students love to praise God together and celebrate each other's gifts! They are excited to share those talents and passions with you at our Brunch on August 24th from noon-2. Come join us as we share stories and pictures from both the middle school and high school mission trips. As you read this we will be in the vans driving back to Madison - ready to hug our loved ones (and sleep on real mattresses!) We sincerely thank you for all of your love and support of our youth!

God is good. He is faithful and compassionate, delighting in His children and ever providing for each need. Today was a day to grow in our relationships with each other, reflect on the week, and celebrate God's goodness. We began this morning with a 6:45am prayer breakfast hosted by the church where we are staying for the week. The gentleman I...

Interruptions and Opportunities

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

At the Church, one of the ways God has uniquely placed us to Share in our community is through our Preschool, where so many children and their families get to know Jesus and His love. Preschool teachers, parents, and anyone who’s spent time with little ones knows that kids = interruptions. Just when you think you’re out the door and will make it to school right on time, someone spills her lunchbox contents all over the car, or tells you that he needs to go to the bathroom, NOW! How we handle interruptions with kids is a great opportunity to think about how we handle interruptions in general. Be Jesus In Your Neighborhood reminds us that “God loves to interrupt our lives” and that there is often excitement that comes along with interrupted plans. The preschool staff is getting excited about the start of another school year and looking forward to reconnecting with one another and with our returning preschool families, as well as meeting our new families. So I’d like to reach out to discuss a few practical ways to head off some avoidable interruptions and make the most of the opportunities that a new school year presents. We all want the transition into the new school year to go smoothly, so here are a few tips for making that happen: Talk with your child about what to expect; talk about the classroom and the other children.

Self-help skills are important in school. Give your child opportunities at home to do things for themselves such as putting on jackets, putting toys away, and cleaning up after snack time. If you and your child have fallen out of your bedtime routine this summer, get back into a solid routine! A week before the first day of school is a good time frame in which to begin. Practice the morning routine that you will be following after preschool starts; doing this during the week or so before school starts will give your child the opportunity to know how the mornings will be going. What routines have helped your family as you go about day-to-day life? Or, can you share a time when you were able to embrace an interruption?

At the Church, one of the ways God has uniquely placed us to Share in our community is through our Preschool, where so many children and their families get to know Jesus and His love. Preschool teachers, parents, and anyone who’s spent time with little ones knows that kids = interruptions. Just when you think you’re out the door and will make it...

Practice Compassion

by ChurchMarketing.is Team

I’m learning that kindness and compassion take practice. This seems to be especially true in my most difficult moments. When I choose kindness, instead of my habitual reaction, it’s powerful, disarming, and transformative. In any given moment, the kindness you offer to others affects what happens in the very next moment. Studies show that thinking about, observing or practicing a kind act stimulates our vagus nerve, a bundle of nerves that originates at the top of the spinal cord and surrounds the heart. The vegus nerve activates different organs throughout the body (such as the heart, lungs, liver and digestive organs). It literally warms up the heart and may be closely connected to the brain’s receptor networks for oxytocin, the soothing hormone involved in maternal bonding. Kindness also triggers the reward system in our brain’s emotion regulation center releasing dopamine, the hormone that’s associated with positive emotions. God is amazing! We are intentionally created and designed to love one another. Showing kindness and compassion to others is actually good for our physical and our emotional well-being. Do good, feel good. Our sinfulness would have us lean the other way, to avert our eyes from the need around us and protect our time and possessions. I find that I need make an intentional choice to show compassion and the practice itself has cumulative effect. The more I choose compassion the easier it becomes. I am instantly rewarded with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and humbleness at the realization that God has allowed me to partner with him in showing love to a hurting and sinful world.

What we practice and how is our choice. When we practice being busy, frustrated, and reactive we become better at it. When we practice peace, kindness and compassion we reset our brains to recognize the reward of living generously. It’s not easy, and it doesn’t come naturally. But it’s how we were created to live. Here are a few ideas on how to start practicing kindness and compassion:

Take care and be kind to yourself.
Allow yourself to be interrupted.
Initiate a conversations with neighbors and friends, ask questions and listen.
Give away money to a cause that you are passionate about.
Get creative if you’re on a limited budget.
Volunteer! With whatever time you have to give.
Study Jesus’ example. He was really good at living a compassionate life.

As Christ followers we are walking, talking reflections of Jesus. We must live it with intentionality and audacity. Be curious, open your eyes and heart to opportunities to love compassionately. The world will know us by our love. Resources: The Paradox of Generosity: Giving We Receive, Grasping We Lose Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson The Compassionate Instinct: The Science of Human Goodness Dacher Keltner, Jason Marsh, and Jeremy Adam Smith Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life Dacher Keltner 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess Jen Hatmaker

I’m learning that kindness and compassion take practice. This seems to be especially true in my most difficult moments. When I choose kindness, instead of my habitual reaction, it’s powerful, disarming, and transformative. In any given moment, the kindness you offer to others affects what happens in the very next moment. Studies show that...