Last month, my family and I traveled to Lexington, KY to visit a family member. I never knew "Lex" was the world capital of horses! There are blue horses everywhere on signs and statues. I first noticed it at our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express. 

Anyway, I wanted to make a note about the remarkable hospitality by the staff, that earned my business as a new member. They had a great looking facility and pool house. The beds were the most comfortable I've ever been on. The housekeeping crew were well groomed and polite. There were toiletry items at the front desk, if needed. The dining room and breakfast were fully stocked and hot. The lady even asked me as I sat on the couch if I had any breakfast yet before she started cleaning up (I had not). They opened the pool house early upon request. I could go on. At check out, the manager personally asked me about my stay and, finally, as I was stepping away, if I would like to look at the membership benefits. By that point, I was so impressed I couldn't say no. They were adding value to my stay at every turn. So, for the first time ever, I became a hotel chain member. 

What are you and your organization doing to add tremendous value to your internal and external customers?? 

Dave Ferguson shares five ways to bless your neighbors. He says, “From the very beginning, God’s way of reaching and restoring the world has always been through what I would call a blessing strategy…how do we in a very practical way that’s theologically grounded explain to people how they could bless people in places they are incarnating?

They came up with this…

• B- Begin with prayer. We want you to ask, ‘God how do you want me to bless the people in the places you’ve sent me to?’
• L- Listen. Don’t talk, but listen to people, their struggles, their pains, in the places God sent you.
• E- Eat. You can’t just check this off. It’s not quick. You have to have a meal with people or a cup of coffee. It builds relationships.
• S- Serve. If you listen with people and you eat with people they will tell you how to love them and you’ll know how to serve them.
• S- Story. When the time is right, now we talk and we share the story of how Jesus changed our life.

Genesis 12:2-3 says, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

So instead of asking how can you be productive, ask how can you be proactive in your sphere of living to give away yourself? Love your neighbor as yourself. 

A true legend passed away one week ago. Perhaps, there has been no greater modern-day evangelist. Dr. Billy Graham was "America's Pastor" for decades. He leaves a huge legacy of touching millions of lives. 

Think about your own life. Who have you influenced for good during your lifetime? Who is now a better person because of your impact? A friend, child, or mentee, perhaps. Reach out and help someone. Give hugs. You have a gift, so share it with others, and it will keep on giving back to you! 

People are the most important. Each person is made special. Everyone of us is important to our Creator, with untapped and limitless potential.

A few Sundays ago, I visited a local church in my hometown of Elkhart, IN. Actually it was an extension campus of Granger Community Church from Mishawaka, IN. I was impressed by their staff, volunteers, worship service experience, guest services, coffee, facilities...everything was great! I had been to the main campus maybe 12 years ago. I stumbled onto the Elkhart campus while visiting my family for Christmas and running an errand down a street that I had not traveled in over a decade. That's when I was surprised to see this new church building. (Actually, I visited the 11:30am service after my home church's 10:00am service). 

I had already been reading a few books from their pastor of connections, Mark Waltz, who has also spent a few years as the campus pastor in Elkhart. I spoke with the woman at the table that day and she encouraged me to personally reach out to Mark. So I did. I found his website thru the main GCC website. It's called BecausePeopleMatter.Com. I found articles and resources for anyone, especially other pastors of connections, which I currently am. As of lately, he is also doing a lot of traveling and consulting, so I am planning a visit to go see and learn more from Mark, hopefully this winter, and will post again later...

I hope you have a Happy New Year! You matter!