I served at a church in Albuquerque along with a guy named Mike.  I learned a lot from him in those few years. One of the things I admired most about him was his servant heart.  I could ask him do do anything and he was all over it!  What a heart and passion he had and still has for people.  He was a natural fit to be our Connections Pastor…. leading all of the volunteer teams.

Mike also used to tell me to read the Bible until God speaks.  It may be a verse or it could be a chapter or more.  Sometimes when I sit down to read the Bible I will have a specific book in mind to read.  At times I will read the same book for several weeks over and over.  Right now I am reading mainly Philippians.  Today while reading these verses stood out.  Kind of keeping in line with a theme that goes with some other verses I posted the other day on love.  These verses from The Message also go along with conversations I have had lately.

“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care – them do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.  Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” Philippians 2:1-4.