Last night I spent the evening with a lot of people I don’t know (but my wife does). I went to the PTA fundraiser – a Chili Cook-off. I even took a pot of chili. There are at least 8 reasons why eating chili was pretty cool.

1. Linking - I was able to link with Beth in her efforts to build relationships with people, many of whom need a walk with Christ.
2. Linking - I was able to be in close proximity with a large number of people in Beth’s circle of influence. People will seldom come to us so we need to go to the places they frequent.
3. Loving - Linking with my wife in this mission strengthened our relationship with one another. It showed that I value her and her work and was a way to publicly express my love for her.
4. Loving - I was able to be loving toward the members of Beth’s teaching team by making and bringing their chili entry.
5. Listening - I was able to visit with several people, centering the conversation on them and listening to them.
6. Looking - Being aware that God is always working, I was able to see his activity in the lives of some of the people I met.
7. Linking - We’re going out to dinner with a couple next week.

Let me encourage you to find some time to join some fellow believers (maybe your own family members) and connect with some people you may not know very well. Spend some time listening to them and look to see where God is working. Who knows what doors of ministry might open.

Oh, I almost forgot #8 – I Like Chili!

Grace and Peace,
Terry

Join the Conversation: Have you recently intentionally gone any place to be in close proximity with people with whom you can build relationships? What were the results?

One of the outcomes of the church gathering should be the joy of being linked together. Last night, as we met at the Thorne’s, there was no doubt that our lives were joined with God and with one another.

Let me share a few things that I believe helped this to happen:

• The hosts as well as other members of the group had practiced the life habit of linking with God prior to our arrival
• We came with the expectation that Christ would manifest himself among us and we were not disappointed
• We were greeted at the door with hugs and welcomes
• Kerre had prepared a great meal and we relaxed after a long day and shared a few stories as we ate together
• Aaron was prepared and did a great job facilitating a discussion and leading us to focus on ways to bless people in our circles of influence
• We shared some stories about how God was working in our lives and the lives of people we love and care about
• We talked about ways that God might link us together with others and how he could use us to bless them
• We encouraged and “spurred” one another on to good works
• We shared some deep concerns and prayed for one another and for people we love

We left with the challenge of staying linked together during the coming week by face-to-face contact, phone, text, email, Facebook etc. so we could continue encouraging one another.

Just because a group of people meet together doesn’t mean that they will experience such a union but we should always desire it and trust God to provide it. If you are you part of a group like this put some of the above ideas into practice the next time you meet.

Grace and Peace,
Terry

Join the conversation: Have you ever experienced a time when you felt especially linked to other members of group? If so, share a story with us.

Recently when the church gathered at my house I was so busy getting ready for “the meeting” that I totally ignored the presence of my grandchildren. That is not a good thing. Those guys are the light of my life. How could I be so focused on doing “some thing” that I neglected being with “some one”. When the house was empty and put back in order I realized what I had done. They were gone and I had barely spoken to them. The feeling of loss hit me like a punch in the stomach.

As bad as it is not acknowledging my boys when they are in my house, it’s not as bad as ignoring God who is continuously with me. I mean, isn’t He supposed to be the light of my life?

That’s what my life habit of “Linking” is all about – being aware of the presence of God and others in my life. My goal is to start every day conscious of the fact that God is with me and then to reside in His presence all through the day. It’s amazing that when I get linking with God right how easy it is to link with others.

Let me encourage you to practice the presence of God in your life today.

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11 NIV)

Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I don’t, but I keep practicing.

Grace and Peace,
Terry

Join the conversation: How about you? What are some things that you do that helps you focus on the presence of God in your life?