Hello from snowy Churchville!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One Sunday when travelling home from church Gary and I stopped for a stoplight and were approached by a man who was begging for money as happens periodically. We had previously discussed what our response would be to such a person. We didn\u2019t want to give out money which we sadly presumed would be spent on alcohol. I am continuing to knit scarves with some friends that are donated to a local shelter. We had decided to put one in the glove compartment of our car. When we saw this man coming our way, I quickly pulled out the scarf and Gary gave it to him for which he was really grateful since it was a very chilly day. Our premeditated plan worked; we were thinking about the practical good of another and we felt very good as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last month I mentioned that Gary and I had just finished co-authoring\nour latest book, Bubble UP Church! Yeah, it is now available to purchase. The back of the book states that it is \u201ca\ndeep dive into the 62 times in the New Testament that the one word for \u2018one\nanother\u2019 is used to describe how we must learn to relate to people,\u201d\nparticularly in church life. This action-oriented book will help us to \u201ccreate\na powerful church by inspiring each member to build others up\u201d through love, care,\nacceptance, encouragement, prayer, harmony, peace, forgiveness and much more. It is written \u201cto be used in board rooms,\nsmall groups, in homes around the kitchen table or in a favorite chair.\u201d Have I sold you yet on ordering a copy so\nthat you can become a \u201cbubbling up\u201d example within your church as is expected\nby the New Testament for all believers regardless of an official role or not? Go\nto resources@kainos.org<\/a>. There are a couple of freebies there as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On February 2 we also felt really good because family and friends along with Gary and me cared for Pastor Aaron and his family. In no time at all it seems we had them moved into their new rental home. Upon getting settled the other day they mentioned how much they loved their new living space. We are still amazed how fast that whole scenario played out. The mandate for our church is \u201cHillside cares!\u201d A struggling young single mom was given a pair of warm winter boots this month and our pastor\u2019s wife continues to spend some time hanging out with her. Another scarf was given to a gentleman who works two weeks of the month north of Thunder Bay in the cold mines. Gary built a ladder for a father who has just gotten bunk beds for his two sons. We are trying to take notice of people\u2019s needs which we learn about from our Sunday morning lunches together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May God help us all do a better job of \u201cone anothering!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wendy<\/p>\n\n\n\n