Thinking outside the box

Yesterday was such a stimulating day! Joe Almanza, our community minister with Highland, dropped by the office. He, Steve (our intern) and I had some wonderful discussions and then prayer time.

Then Homer Hillis came by for lunch. He is Mr. "Out of the Box." Homer is always dreaming, always thinking of new ways to do things. Such a visionary and mind-stretcher. He recently went out to Mac World in California and learned about some of the wonderful things happening in blogs -- such as blog-casting.

Homer also got us to think about how we can connect our neighbors (those that come here each day for food, clothing, etc.) with the gospel and the body of Christ. In pointing them to the Way, do we just hand them a Bible? Say a quick prayer for them? Give them food and clothing... and in essence be saying, "Be warm and filled?"

We all agreed that we need to do much more than "get them in a church." I want them to personally experience the power of Jesus Christ in delivering them from sin, giving them power to live a God-honoring life and to discover the purpose they can find in this new life in Jesus. And once we witness them confessing Jesus as Lord , how can we encourage them to get deeply connected with other believers? I'm so convinced that you cannot grow much into Christ without being deeply involved with other believers.

I'm all for what we're doing now to minister to our neighbors. But as we were discussing with Joe in the morning and Homer at lunch, isn't there a way we could be more involved in helping the poor and unemployed and disabled? I love how some ministries here in town are already doing this -- Just People and Faith Works. They come alongside the unemployed and underemployed to assist them in becoming self-sufficient. I often refer our neighbors to these ministries.

And then I think of people from my church like Maria White who has been steadfastly ministering to children and their families at the Colonial Apartments in Abilene -- a place noted for drugs and other snares of the enemy. She has helped these families over the long haul -- much more than I ever have.

I'd love for you to read Steve Holt's reflections on yesterday's meeting. See www.harvestboston.net The Post is titled "Friendship Houses." Let's keep praying and encouraging one another in how we can allow the Spirit of Jesus Christ to flow through us as we bless each person that crosses our path...especially "the least of these."

Jim