Good day, pilgrims on your way to the celestial city,

 

This week I spent some time building relationships 

by reconnecting.

Spending time with folks I haven't seen or talked to in quite a long while.

 

What were the 'touch points'?

What was important?

How would we spend a few hours together in a way that made a difference?

I found that the conversation sometimes went from the 'peripheral' to the 'core' ...

- hobbies and fun stuff

- children, grandchildren, family news

- work

- marriage, significant people in my life

- faith, suffering, crisis, and my understanding of God

 

Listening:

Lots of times I found it hard to make space for their story.

It helped me to think and ask questions like, 

"How did that feel?" or 

"What was the best part of that experience?"

.....Instead of coming up with a story that matched theirs.


 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, 

always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 

yet do it with gentleness and respect,

 

No Adult Sunday School this Sunday.

 

Pray for those in your circle of family, friends, and faith.

Reach out and ask someone how you can pray for them.  It's amazing what shows up in that conversation!

Ask Holy Spirit how to pray for someone He has brought to your remembrance.

 

Reconnecting

Building relationships

It is one of the things we are made for.

 

This week I have tried to be intentional and exercise by

Listening more

Asking more

Praying more....  Loving more.


 Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, 

compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 

13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, 

forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 

14 And above all these put on love, 

which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

 

 Look around, listen, be aware, ask God....

I suspect that what happens might surprise you...

In a good way.

 

Blessings,

Peter Jackson

Part of Your Team

Black Creek Community Church

peterj@blackcreekchurch.ca