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Monday, September 30, 2013

31 Days of Missional Meals


" Someone with whom we share food is likely to be our friend, or well on the way to becoming one." -Tim Chester
If you've been reading here any length of time you know that one of the focuses of my writing is on missional living. For the sake of this series we'll define missional as "living as a missionary." What this looks like will vary widely based on your context. But in the U.S. I believe a simple formula is applicable in most contexts. Are you ready for it? Live your life with intention. That's all.

I believe that the American church for the most part consists of two types of people. Either you are someone who pulls into your garage each night and stays mostly at home, hangs out almost exclusively with other Christians, and has limited community involvement. Or you go out on weeknights and weekends, hang out with mixed groups of people, and are at least beginning to be connected to your community. If you are in the former group than missional living is going to be a bigger challenge for you as it's going to cause you to have to reorient your life and priorities. If you are of the latter group than for the most part missional living will be easy because you'll simply need to do what your already doing but with intention.

The good news is that meals are an easy place for anyone to start on their missional journey. In my experience I have found that meals are among the great equalizers in life. If you take a moment to reflect on some of your greatest memories you'll realize that many of them took place around the table. Meals are a great catalyst for building community, deepening relationships, and finding unity.

If you'd like to find inspiration for more meaningful life around the table, I invite you to join me for the next 31 days. I believe you'll find the simplicity of missional meals inspiring for intention in other areas of your life. Besides, you find yourself at the table roughly three times a day don't you?





Day 2: Plan a Dinner
Day 3: Eat with Those Who Are Lost 
Day 4: Eat with Those who Are Found
Day 5: A Resource for Your Journey
Day 6: As You Approach the Table
Day 7: Eating with the Lost and Found
Day 8: Eating Around Your Table
Day 9: Eating at the Public Table
Day 10: Authenticity is Key
Day 11: On Listening Well  
Day 12: For Your Weekend Reading
Day 13: Finding Jesus in Your Meals
Day 14: Stories Matter 
Day 15: There is Grace 
Day 16: A Theology of Food 
Day 17: For Your Gospel Centered Conversations
Day 18: Where We Are
Day 19: Life as Mission: A Visual 
Day 20: A Prayer for You 
Day 21: A Welcoming Home 
Day 22: Memorable Meals 
Day 23: It Doesn't Have to be Perfect
Day 24: Pantry Essentials and a Recipe
Day 25: Why Meals Matter
Day 26: Resources for Your Meals
Day 27: For When You're Hungry
Day 28: So Far
Day 29: More Resources for Your Journey
Day 30: Put Mission on Automatic
Day 31: Today is the Day


Over the next 31 days I'm joining with The Nester and 1000s of other bloggers who are writing on nearly every subject under the sun for the month of October. Want to read more? Join us here.

8 comments:

  1. What a joy to stop by and meet you through 31 days. Looking forward to the journey ahead.

    http://positivelyalene.com

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    1. Thank you, Alene. And thanks for following.

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  2. I love this idea! Can't wait to see more on missional meals :).

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    1. Thanks, Kari. I'd love to hear your feedback along the way.

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  3. The concept of missionary work is one I've struggled with since we read "Things Fall Apart" in 10th grade English. But I really like your definition Joy. It seems less about telling others to live your way and more about walking your path as a beacon of light. Meals are a wonderful way to do that. I'm really looking forward to this series! Happy Fall!

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    1. Renia, I always appreciate your perspective and the way you describe me/what I write. I do believe there's a right and a wrong way to do missionary work. I'm also interested in reading "Things Fall Apart," now.

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  4. This is intriguing! The idea of missional meals feels overwhelming to me. I'm interested in reading more about your ideas! I actually just reached out to a bunch of Mom's from my daughter's school to spend some time together. Baby steps!

    Christy @ A Heartening Life
    www.ahearteninglife.com

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    1. Christy, I think in all aspects of our intentional living we have to consider our season of life. As a mom of young children it sounds like you're doing what works in this current season. But all of my ideas will be simple and practical. I'd love to hear your thoughts as we go through this month.

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