Tuesday afternoon a friend of mine sent out a text @ 3:34: “cold outside today!! Thinking about making a big pot of chili and taking it to the rivermarket area to serve to the homeless … who’s with me??

@ 5:45 six of us met in the I-630 Commuter parking lot and headed downtown. We poured the chili out of the Crockpot into Styrofoam cups and began to walk along the river in the direction of the Broadway Bridge.

Before the night was over, we not only gave out all the chili but we also met Miss Elizabeth.  For the last 5 years she has run the “Broadway Bridge Project.” Miss Elizabeth, as the homeless call her, oversees the feeding of about 100 homeless under the bridge 5 nights a week.

As we visited with Miss Elizabeth, we began to make plans for STATUS to feed the homeless the second Tuesday of each month.  Miss Elizabeth was all smiles and tears as she thanked God for us. A simple text and a new ministry is launched!  God stuff is infectious!!!

 But that is not the end of the story by any stretch. Last night I put Zane (10) and Gavin (6) to bed. I was working on some STATUS stuff on my computer.  I became aware of what I thought was a twitch on my right shoulder. When I looked at my shoulder Gavin was standing there gently tapping on my shoulder. His eyes were big and seemed just a bit misty. I asked him what was going on.  He smiled at me, walked over to my side and began to whisper (he does this a lot when he has something important to say): “Dad, I was in bed and I began to think about the homeless. I have a bag of money and a piggybank. Is it OK if I give my bag of money to help the homeless?”

 Now, I’m trying not to tear up. I smiled and hugged him and suggested that he buy them something with the money. Then, on Dec. 12^th, when Status will be feeding the homeless lunch, he could go with me and give out the stuff he bought with his bag of money. He smiled, nodded and gave me the thumbs up. Back to bed he went leaving me in a daze thanking my friend for her text and thanking God that I said "count me in" instead of "I can't."

 At Status we’ve been talking about how God wants you to ignite a reaction in those around you; about you taking people to places they would never go on their own; about your choices mattering to those around you.

 When we move with God, we draw (not drag) others into that movement. Do you know where God is moving? If not, at least hang around those that do.  Before too long it will be you who is drawing others into God-orchestrated movements!