SHOWING GOD'S LOVE IN A PRACTICAL WAY!

[The following is an excerpt from Steve Sjogren's book, Changing the World Through Kindness, pp.35-36]

The group Ken leads decided to adjourn to Bob's Big Boy restaurant for dessert one evening.  As they ate and talked and laughed, they couldn't help but notice the harried look on their waitress's face.

"Are you ok?" someone asked as she whizzed by.

"I'm ok, it's just that our dishwasher quit tonight in the middle of his shift and all the servers are now serving and washing.  It's a little overwhelming, but it'll be alright."

That was all the information Ken's group needed.  As soon as they finished their pie and paid the bill they sprang into action.  Two guys took on the dishwasher, several young women toted plastic dish containers from table to table, and before long the dirty dish situation was under control.

The waitress walked past the head volunteer dishwasher in the kitchen and with a startled look on her face asked, "Aren't you the guy at table 10?  Why are you back here, doing dishes?"

"Because you needed some help!  We believe God's love is better shown than just talked about.  Besides, didn't you say the dishwasher quit tonight?"

"Well, yes, but I don't think we can let you just do the dishes like this.  I'd better go check with the boss."

Within a few minutes that waitress had begun gossiping the gospel to all the other servers.  "They're doing it to show us God's love in a practical way!"

A few minutes later the boss and a growing number of servers came to watch the small group in action.  "Tell me one more time, why are you doing this?"  the manager asked.  He pulled out a three-ring restaurant policy notebook.  As he thumbed through it he said, "I don't know if you can do this for free like this."

"Well, by the time you find out, we'll be done."

As the group left the restaurant, it was obvious that everyone, including the customers, had heard about the exploits of the dishwashing team from table 10.  Heads turned, strangers smiled and many waved good-bye.

When Ken told his pastor about the evening, he glowed.  "The atmosphere in that place was electric.  You could feel the presence of God right there in Bob's Big Boy!"

BROTHERS

I drove to Canton yesterday to meet with my pastor's group.  We meet once-a-month.  One leads a church of 3000 (multi-site), one a church of 700, and the rest of us churches of 150-300.  We range in age from 40 to 60.  Our pastoral experience ranges from 12 years to 35 years. 

We spend the morning sharing about our personal lives and our churches.  We pray for one another.  We worship together.

Then, we share lunch together.

In the afternoon, we study leadership topics and enjoy animated discussion.  It's a rich pool of experience and wisdom.  We often have different points of view. 

I always come away refreshed and challenged!  I am held accountable.  I am cared for.  I have a new list of books to read.  My hope is renewed!

In the weeks between, I pray for my brothers.  I believe they pray for me.  I celebrate their victories and support them in their struggles.  I know their kids and spouse's names and pray for them too.

Do you have an accountability group?  If not, why not start one?  It would help you be more faithful to God.  It would provide a source of help for the others you invite also!