Okay...my final post before vacation. I was touched so much by this book and it has really taught me a lot about what I have experienced. I do believe the author has hit the nail on the head so to speak about the correct way to "one anothering". He sums it all up very well in this last excerpt.


You never know what treasure of God's glory might sit across from you on the bus, down the hall at work, or even in the house next door. The only way to find out is to engage every person you meet with love, gentleness, and respect; and throughout your journey you will find that God has scattered a vast array of people around your path who hold a wealth of insight and encouragement to help you.

I hope by now that you have already thought about how you will treat the next person who crosses your path. Whether it is a believer in need of fellowship or an unbeliever in need of exposure to the love of our wonderful Savior, just ask Jesus to make you sensitive to the people who literally pass you every day. Of course you will not touch them all, but there may be a handful every day whom you can touch with a simple expression of the Father's love.

If you have read this far alone, perhaps now is the time to consider a journey of greater depth -- exploring what it means to walk together with other believers and learning how to share God's life together. Jesus didn't come to found a religion; he came to rebuild his Father's family. He wants to link you with other believers in authentic relationships that allow you to recover the lost art of one anothering, and the joy of those friendships can be just around the corner.

I know that can be scary, especially if you have been deeply hurt by other believers. But it is worth tearing down your defense mechanisms and once again learning what it means to love people freely and to share the journey with those who also desire to be transformed by God.

Yes, you will still meet some people who allow their bondages to bleed all over you, but you will find the freedom to walk away guiltlessly from any attempts to manipulate you. As you learn to love as you are loved, you will find yourself free to tell people no whenever they push you to do what isn't in your heart to do. Loving them does not mean you have to submit to their control. Just let them know that you care about them, but that the relationship isn't working for you. They may try to pin you down to an explanation, but you don't owe them one. Life is too short and good relationships are too awesome to waste time trying to fix destructive ones.

pgs 146-147 authentic relationships - discover the lost art of "one anothering"

Happy one anothering folks. I am now formally on break from my blog until August 18th. I am certainly going to enjoy my vacation which officially begins at 230 pm Friday Aug 1st. Will be in Carlsbad California the first week and Ruidoso New Mexico the second week.

Peace out!