tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81543473096225660612024-03-19T16:38:06.182-04:00Joy B. Rudolph: At The Intersection of Faith and LifeHelping women live on mission by being intentional with their livesJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-27524062745204344732016-11-22T05:00:00.000-05:002016-11-22T05:00:00.170-05:004 Practical Ways to Change a Broken World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm notoriously good at having a plan and even better at not sharing said plan with my husband.<br />
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On the night of the election I planned to not learn the results until the next morning. Nothing would be final until later than I cared to pay attention to the news. And I could wake up with a clear mind and a new day, prepared for whatever laid ahead. But just as we were laying down to sleep Jason told me the current state of the results. And I lost it.<br />
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I lost it because my (secret) plan had been dismantled. I lost it because I feared the current state and the future of our country. And I lost it because <b>in times of great emotions it can be hard to remember Who is in control</b>.<br />
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The next morning and day were filled with anxiety for me as I know was true for some of you. But as the days and weeks went on I became certain of two things. I continue to want more quiet, less news feeds, and less yelling voices and opinions in my life. And I am more convinced that <b>what we do in our everyday ordinary lives matters more than ever</b>.<br />
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Like you, I do not know the future of our country or what the new term will bring. But I do know for too long the church has rejected much of what it's commanded to be in society. We should be a lighthouse. A place of healing and hospitality for a all. A refuge where souls (and bodies) can be fed. Below are some <b>commands from scripture </b>that when obeyed, I truly believe would revive our nation.<br />
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<a href="http://v/" target="_blank"><i>"Sometimes hospitality is just giving people a place to be when otherwise they would be alone." -Shanua Niequist</i></a></blockquote>
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4 Practical Ways to Change a Broken World: </h3>
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<li><b>Love your literal neighbors </b>(Mark 12:31). Who lives closest to you? What do they need? Food? Companionship? An invite to dinner? Make it a point to be in relationship with those geographically nearest to you. It's no accident you're there.</li>
<li><b>Show hospitality to <i>strangers</i></b><i> </i>(Hebrews 13:2). Thanksgiving week is the perfect time to begin this. People are exceptionally lonely during the holidays and you wont have to look far to find people eager to to dine with other and receive an invite into someone's home. Plus Jesus did this regularly and if we aim to be more like Him...</li>
<li><b>Care for orphans and widows</b> (James 1:27). Scripture is referring to meeting physical needs here. It is preposterous for you to expect the elderly widow down the street to want to hear a Gospel presentation if she is starving or can't pay her electric bill. Same with the single mother. And when it comes to orphan care my friend from an adoptions agency says, "not everyone is called to adopt but everyone is called to do <i>something</i>." There is no need for a single child in America to be in foster care with the number of Christian churches in our country. </li>
<li><b>Defend the weak and uphold the poor and oppressed</b> (Psalm 82:3). This is a reoccurring theme throughout scripture and an area I continually seek to grow in. <a href="http://loriharris.me/" target="_blank">Lori </a>and <a href="http://v/" target="_blank">Shannan </a>are doing this really well and the <a href="http://www.upsidedownpodcast.com/" target="_blank">Upside Down Podcast</a> is another good resource. </li>
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As Christians our faith should inform our politics. Not the other way around. How are you being a part of the solution in your world?<br />
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0Orlando, FL, USA28.5383355 -81.3792364999999928.0917165 -82.0246835 28.984954499999997 -80.733789499999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-50099923194222817622016-04-19T05:00:00.000-04:002016-11-21T12:29:19.365-05:00How Knowing What You Believe About This Place Changes Everything<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-92c36e35-2601-53c0-3fc0-152ac26d11f9" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/vintage-house-bicycle-home-1149558/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282625; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I haven't shared my <a href="http://oneword365.com/" target="_blank">word of the year </a>because it scared me. Not the way <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/03/god-has-sense-of-humor-my-word-of-year.html" target="_blank">my word last year</a> scared me. But because I didn't know what it meant . I didn't know when I started longing for it, and I don't entirely know now.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282625; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Home. Home is the thing we all long for. <b>It was birthed in our hearts right alongside the God-shaped-hole.</b> It is elusive for many of us. Some of us come close but never quite reach it this side of Heaven . </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282625; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It took God moving me as far away from home as I've ever been <b>to realize what I wanted all along.</b> To have a bit of an understanding of the home that lies ahead of me on the other side of this world. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282625; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">God had to move me halfway across the country to teach me about what home really means. <b>To create in me a longing for my forever home by taking away my Earthly home</b> . This moving taught me what the definition of home. Home is both a place and a person. It is both a feeling, and a roof and four walls . It is both a geographical location and a location that cannot be found on a map. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282625; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I want to hold on tightly to this understanding . To cling to this feeling, this longing for things I would have never imagined wanting . I want to hold on to both assurance and the emptiness. I want to remember what it means, what it feels like to be displaced and alone. <b>I want it to help me identify with those who have no earthly home</b>. I want it to unite me with my suffering Savior who had no place to lay His head . </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282625; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But most of all<b> I want my desire for my forever home to grow as I continually realize it will never completely be fulfilled on this Earth.</b> I want to cling tightly with gratitude to these things I never knew I wanted, or needed, or would miss. And as I get a clearer picture of what I long for in a home on this Earth may I become increasingly dissatisfied with this temporary home .</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #282625; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What does home mean to you? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.</span></i></div>
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-54683368158644859852015-11-11T11:55:00.000-05:002015-11-11T11:55:21.757-05:00Crowned Giveaway Winner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht51aojjKfSJCKLt2EJc6psDn15G8feBvup08hcQ2au5lOY7TWDjpsCbJWaTVAnsiEke35LsBS3gCdUTRuJURfjTQe7sxAdN83bjU2FYxzoohUkrkHEOIEhWPNQ-NdaX3zKSbwk0mS9tM/s1600/crownedwmockup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht51aojjKfSJCKLt2EJc6psDn15G8feBvup08hcQ2au5lOY7TWDjpsCbJWaTVAnsiEke35LsBS3gCdUTRuJURfjTQe7sxAdN83bjU2FYxzoohUkrkHEOIEhWPNQ-NdaX3zKSbwk0mS9tM/s640/crownedwmockup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sarah Jane Walker is the winner of <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle"><a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/discipling-your-neighbors-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><i>Crowned: Created For Glory, Called By His Name</i></a>. Sarah please check you email so I can get your prize to you.</span></span></div>
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-75173114678984239442015-10-31T13:19:00.000-04:002015-10-31T13:19:52.237-04:00Change Your World; Be a Good Neighbor (Day 31)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYqqPHiuc9KtDy2oWu5ZS7bVqjFNWJj_63aZIKYp6CPvM95EeANPsjdz3tbb-51ue1omAaIpm8DsIrQHtOecZ3qXuI_wBcAA8_SXbn6JEi0peZHR0HkagAITcpLLGYJAfSr9tomH3yE4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYqqPHiuc9KtDy2oWu5ZS7bVqjFNWJj_63aZIKYp6CPvM95EeANPsjdz3tbb-51ue1omAaIpm8DsIrQHtOecZ3qXuI_wBcAA8_SXbn6JEi0peZHR0HkagAITcpLLGYJAfSr9tomH3yE4/s640/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/9Tes_oPqdt/?taken-by=loribrownharris1" target="_blank">"If we spend our lives neighboring well, we will get to see our world changed." -Lori Harris </a></div>
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This month we've focused on Jesus' commandment to love our neighbors. We've discussed <b>how important it is to love our actual neighbors</b>, the ones in closest proximity to us. <br />
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I hope this month has <b>made you long for community </b>and recognize how simple and beneficial it is to be in community with your neighbors. <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/margin-day-6.html" target="_blank">Going slow</a> and <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/smile-and-meet-your-neighbobors-day-5.html" target="_blank">meeting your neighbors </a>is the beginning. You can <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/small-things-with-great-love-day-7.html" target="_blank">love and serve</a> them, <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/share-meals-and-simple-menu-ideas-day-14.html" target="_blank">share meals with them</a>, and before you know it you're doing life together.<br />
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We were reminded that <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/being-neighborly-is-inside-job-day-20.html" target="_blank">neighboring starts with us </a>first. <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/be-hospitable-with-yourself-and-sugar.html" target="_blank">Hospitality has to be given to ourselves</a> for <b>neighboring to be done with joy and not obligation</b>. There are <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-note-on-seasons-of-life-day-15.html" target="_blank">seasons of life </a>where we can be more gracious with ourselves in this area. But neighboring is not just good for others; <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/neighboring-is-good-for-your-soul-day-21.html" target="_blank">it it good for us too</a>.<br />
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<b>Jesus wasn't kidding or joking when He said to love our neighbors as ourselves</b>. I hope as we've shared others' stories of community you've been inspired by the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/jesus-way-of-neighboring-day-19.html" target="_blank">Jesus' way of neighboring</a>. <br />
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<i>Has this series helped you in your neighboring journey? I'd love to hear your stories or questions in the comment below.</i><br />
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<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-27049726188232893582015-10-30T12:06:00.002-04:002015-10-30T12:06:18.497-04:00Bacon (Day 30)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaD71dHtDT7UKwfNgfGUZp6-YbJoISaXkTkQkODG2XwqHUOZdZ1Sfon8sOGoD9V9u5_NXuXU0pGWHX8G-kHDZiz8uG6y_WjTLFVsFfIw_PNKc_mSj7bIiLjtmtGoXEBhh11lWem1Thx-M/s1600/Day_30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaD71dHtDT7UKwfNgfGUZp6-YbJoISaXkTkQkODG2XwqHUOZdZ1Sfon8sOGoD9V9u5_NXuXU0pGWHX8G-kHDZiz8uG6y_WjTLFVsFfIw_PNKc_mSj7bIiLjtmtGoXEBhh11lWem1Thx-M/s640/Day_30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/bacon-pan-cooking-kitchen-food-933054/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<i>(On Friday's in October I'll share a real-life story of community through <a href="http://katemotaung.com/2015/10/29/five-minute-friday-bacon-day-30/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a>.)</i></div>
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I pull the jar out of the fridge. It's a canning jar in which we save the strained bacon grease. I spoon some into the pan to melt it down. And soon we'll have <b>a perfect beginning to almost any meal</b>.<br />
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People love bacon. It can elevate roasted vegetables to something otherworldly. It makes beans and greens close to nirvana. And that fragrance.<br />
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The unmistakable scent of bacon wafts through your home and out your windows. <b>It welcomes people through your front door</b>. Everybody can recognize it's salty smell. And most everybody comes running when they do.<br />
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And <b>this is how I hope my faith will be</b>. That a life lived in light of the Gospel will be a pleasing aroma to God and to others. That once people get to know the real Jesus they'll find a God not based on religion but on grace. They'll find the true Lover of their souls. They'll smell the fragrance of Jesus and fall in love.<br />
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Because <b>if you know who Jesus really is</b>, a God-man who gave up everything for the undeserving to rescue them from death, you can't help but love Him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
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This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series. </div>
<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-12715110626479256072015-10-29T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-29T12:09:45.802-04:00Discipling Your Neighbors and a Giveaway!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMYGkv2a5KOTEVDyIB0GH6S_y_oSfgSnXUMsm6FMRiONTmyCNJmfGSSqV0iG-vtisMBT3ujjrzg2dAV_ICHDga2XXCC1SCWu6fGkQdAi3aXbbydka523G0HH4y0jm-nDtPFWAnjs2bdk/s1600/crownedwmockup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMYGkv2a5KOTEVDyIB0GH6S_y_oSfgSnXUMsm6FMRiONTmyCNJmfGSSqV0iG-vtisMBT3ujjrzg2dAV_ICHDga2XXCC1SCWu6fGkQdAi3aXbbydka523G0HH4y0jm-nDtPFWAnjs2bdk/s640/crownedwmockup.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bensonbensonco.com/blog/2015/7/6/crowned-book-cover" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Several years ago <b>I was discipling a girl who did not know Jesus</b>. We met regularly, shared struggles, and prayed. I supported and encouraged her. I knew she was open to learning more about Jesus and I wanted to study the Bible with her.<br />
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There was just one problem. <b>I couldn't find any resources for going through the Bible with someone who wasn't already a Christian</b>.<br />
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I worked full time in a church planting organization at the time so I asked my co-workers. Many had been in lifelong ministry and led churches. They didn't know of any resources either. The one recommendation I received was outdated and meant for a larger group. <br />
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This started a dream in my heart for a resource that could be shared and used to teach the Bible to unbelievers. <br />
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Earlier this year my friend, <a href="http://hiveresources.com/about/" target="_blank">Melissa Deming,</a> began sharing on her blog, <a href="http://hiveresources.com/" target="_blank">Hive Resources</a>, a tool she was developing for increasing Biblical literacy among the unchurched and new believers. <b>Melissa wrote the book I had prayed for these past few years</b>.<br />
<br />
Melissa helped start a church in the Pittsburgh area and led a<b> ministry to women who had little or no Bible training</b>. Despite having grown up in a religious home, some never owned a Bible or
read one outside of church. Additionally, many women were coming to
faith in Christ out of a legalistic upbringing. This experience led to Melissa writing and publishing<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crowned-Created-Glory-Called-Name/dp/1515121658/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=wwwhiveresour-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=P5MF5E3NLN3OORS5&creativeASIN=1515121658" target="_blank"><i> Crowned: Created for His Glory, Called by His Name</i></a>. Here's why Melissa wrote Crowned in here own words:<br />
<a href="http://hiveresources.com/books/crowned/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://hiveresources.com/books/crowned/" target="_blank"><i>"Crowned</i> is born out of a need for women’s discipleship material that centered on <i>who God created women to be</i> rather than <i>what they were expected to do </i>after they came to faith in Christ.<i> </i></a><br />
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<a href="http://hiveresources.com/books/crowned/" target="_blank">I needed a study that introduced young believers to the central truths of their salvation rather than giving them a religious checklist (pray, read your Bible, tithe, go to church).</a><br />
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<a href="http://hiveresources.com/books/crowned/" target="_blank">And above all, I needed a study that relayed big truths in simple terms! <i>Crowned</i> is all of those things."</a><br />
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<i>Crowned</i> is a concise discipleship guide for every believer that roots a woman’s
identity in King Jesus. Each chapter uncovers the significance of one of
five foundational truths of salvation (creation, redemption,
justification, adoption, and sanctification) by answering two key
questions: Who is God? Who am I in Christ? From each of these truths
concerning the character and activity of God, <b>a disciple uncovers her
kingdom destiny: who she is and how she’s meant to live in a modern
world</b>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgA3LSNyNvlDaoGchvMIh7wLzP2MFpDu766no_lZSymHmN5LHysv-dylvvZ_XF-FZevUeu9PhBZmT2fKA9icd3rkepb4gCSl0lhvrVzKhWAFR1I86bvc-6AdJ1tEnqhB798uyYIlJbxw/s1600/New-Bible-Study-Hive-Resources.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgA3LSNyNvlDaoGchvMIh7wLzP2MFpDu766no_lZSymHmN5LHysv-dylvvZ_XF-FZevUeu9PhBZmT2fKA9icd3rkepb4gCSl0lhvrVzKhWAFR1I86bvc-6AdJ1tEnqhB798uyYIlJbxw/s320/New-Bible-Study-Hive-Resources.png" width="242" /></a> </div>
<b>Melissa has generously offered to give a copy of <i>Crowned </i>away to one of you lovely readers</b>. Simply enter to win below (only residents of the Continental US are eligible):<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="cfe4746b1" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cfe4746b1/" id="rcwidget_kyer2v2c" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh5bgahOh8bu7jhlj3uTBSnNWk3GlQ-TFqwMDSPx8gpJoMmI5XE0MWP6JC_JG_ZoxGix7Hg3IyCQXZ1vrJ2e91liJZJivFB36qt7HWeIa5E6erUxFt5G_HC30k9vAWnE8il2bOa3dVZ8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh5bgahOh8bu7jhlj3uTBSnNWk3GlQ-TFqwMDSPx8gpJoMmI5XE0MWP6JC_JG_ZoxGix7Hg3IyCQXZ1vrJ2e91liJZJivFB36qt7HWeIa5E6erUxFt5G_HC30k9vAWnE8il2bOa3dVZ8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series. <script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-58447242890701602672015-10-28T16:57:00.002-04:002015-10-28T16:57:39.060-04:00What My Best Friend Reminded Me About Hospitality (Day 28)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxRUeB5oYcZ07SSbdxn75aVpEREoJoyCthrA4wl4eSgyknGkf5ZdkmvhqzhWyZHQSGExTXvzq39A5T9pUP3I3KcErWO6c0FvBW-sT2e-TEoa9QNt9Xr0la2jVUdnyDw7PjkbBnIGvw-M/s1600/Day_28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxRUeB5oYcZ07SSbdxn75aVpEREoJoyCthrA4wl4eSgyknGkf5ZdkmvhqzhWyZHQSGExTXvzq39A5T9pUP3I3KcErWO6c0FvBW-sT2e-TEoa9QNt9Xr0la2jVUdnyDw7PjkbBnIGvw-M/s640/Day_28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/bonjour-welcome-merchant-store-869208/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Several weeks ago I woke up not feeling well. At 9:00 in the morning I was in my pajamas, unshowered and on a business call that had been rescheduled so I could go back to bed. During the call I started receiving a series of odd text messages from my best friend. I thought perhaps they were supposed to go to someone else and that her timing was poor.<br />
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After my meeting I noticed she had sent me a picture of an ad here in Houston. I was confused and excited and finally I figured it all out. My friend Christine and my husband had surprised me with her flying in for a surprise visit. When I talked to her on the phone <b>she told not to do anything to get ready for her arrival</b>.<br />
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I want to remind you that I was in my pajamas and hadn’t even had my coffee yet, much rather breakfast. I'd been stuck on the couch for days and my house was a bit of a mess. And the airport is roughly 20 minutes from my home. So not only did I have very little time to prepare for her visit, I was not feeling well enough to do any of the things I would have liked to do. So<b> I wrote a welcome message to her on the chalkboard</b> in our dining area and started to prepare my breakfast. <br />
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By the time Christine arrived I was still in my pajamas, still unshowered, and finally eating my breakfast. <b>The guest room was not prepared and there was dog hair everywhere</b>. And she and I had one of the best weekends I've had in a long time.<br />
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We ate delicious food and cooked together. I tried to show her a bit of the city and we went on bike rides. Jason did a bit of cleaning and Christine and I talked endlessly for the first time in months. And<b> it was all so good for my soul</b>.<br />
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And I remembered that some of<b> the best moments of connection have little to do with the state of your home but the openness of your heart</b>. As we develop new relationships in Houston, it is tempting to want to present our best selves and only have someone over when the details of our home are just perfect. <br />
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And that is why I'm so thankful to be in relationship with my neighbors. They have seen my home at its best and its worst. And as I expose who I am more and more, they are seeing me in my best and worst states. <b>And this truth, of lived in homes and imperfect lives, makes people feel welcome</b>. It encourages them to be vulnerable and reminds them that they're not "the only one." <br />
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<i>Are you practicing authenticity and vulnerability with your neighbors? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_08shxrvi7eM6s59abMTyN6bcEtZoIJDqZNEFyxs45YQPIJBZWFIVMTvhyphenhyphen_xUfES5IdDdvX-1h0OYqkyLk55U2kEyAn7U9NQvYl4dW4YcdbSxISTY8YPCqpPkc-uBekLuBlRR6gB5cS8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_08shxrvi7eM6s59abMTyN6bcEtZoIJDqZNEFyxs45YQPIJBZWFIVMTvhyphenhyphen_xUfES5IdDdvX-1h0OYqkyLk55U2kEyAn7U9NQvYl4dW4YcdbSxISTY8YPCqpPkc-uBekLuBlRR6gB5cS8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post if part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring </a>series. </div>
<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-23440343943880669272015-10-27T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-27T05:00:02.273-04:00How to Host a Community Event and Editable Invitations (Day 27)<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganzBfNnR_Nd-ZC_FNTULN1fIFuw8f4aoiW281X53yYQBSH_igQXUoKCsHmrjIaTmho7K1NchlDLgZClfbSGqVnWEykcu8_a5ClHGw9BHBetDKoqM2TNxgs66FqXpEQN6LX-BuvYhnD24/s1600/Day_27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganzBfNnR_Nd-ZC_FNTULN1fIFuw8f4aoiW281X53yYQBSH_igQXUoKCsHmrjIaTmho7K1NchlDLgZClfbSGqVnWEykcu8_a5ClHGw9BHBetDKoqM2TNxgs66FqXpEQN6LX-BuvYhnD24/s640/Day_27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/bbq-food-grill-meat-summer-851835/" target="_blank">Image Source</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935245139/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=passionhomema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1935245139" target="_blank">"To dine with someone is to connect with that person. The table experience with your spouse, family, friends, and colleagues – and even your enemies – has the potential to begin bonding human hearts in a new way, a deep way that brings spiritual connection, a bonding that life’s circumstances should not break. During meals hurting hearts heal, sad hearts are made glad, depressed hearts get new vision, and divided hearts come to peace.” – Devi Titus</a></div>
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Most of the things I do with my neighbors involve a table and a meal. From my experience I think you need both large community-wide events and smaller more intimate gatherings. If the thought of planning a large-scale event intimidates you here some simplified event planning tips.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Steps for Planning an Event for Your Neighbors: </b></h3>
<ol>
<li><b>Choose a type of event</b>. For large gatherings potlucks and cookouts work well (see <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/share-meals-and-simple-menu-ideas-day-14.html" target="_blank">this post</a> for menu options and recipes). Craving something simpler? A s'mores night, coffee and donuts on a Saturday morning, or an ice cream sundae bar are simple and affordable ideas. </li>
<li><b>Choose date, time, and location</b>. <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/create-outdoor-living-room-day-22.html" target="_blank">Your front yard</a>, community center or courtyard, or a local park are great neutral choices. </li>
<li><b>Invite your neighbors.</b> You can use an <a href="http://www.evite.com/" target="_blank">Evite</a> or social media platform if you're connected with your neighbors online. But paper invitations hand delivered (or left at the front door are) are a great personal touch. (See below for free editable options.) Our neighbors do well with two weeks notice but yours may require more or less time. We also like to text "save the date" messages for certain events.</li>
<li><b>Shop for your event</b>. Begin making a list of things you need as soon as you begin planning your event and add to it over time. Will you needs tables and chairs, or picnic blankets? What kinds of paper goods do you need? What about food and drinks? Let your neighbors pitch in and don't be afraid to ask to borrow things like folding tables and chairs. </li>
<li><b>Make a schedule.</b> What can you do ahead of time? What has to be done the day of the event? If you don't host events or cook often, a schedule can be really helpful.</li>
<li><b>Setup early.</b> On the day of the event, setup and cook as early as you can. If you have neighbors (or friends) who are willing to help delegate jobs so you can connect with your neighbors and not worry about the details the whole time.</li>
<li><b>Relax and enjoy the time with your neighbors. </b></li>
</ol>
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And as a gift to you, below are some simple invitations I've made for events with my neighbors. I usually print my invitations four to a page on cardstock and tie them to a homemade treat of some sort. (Click to edit them in Canva.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DABZCGjsuGA/share?role=EDITOR&token=n0dKxW0EqToFv9-ztcFvfg&utm_content=DABZCGjsuGA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton&cc_from_uid=UAA3TCgnWpo" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV088ZMVc-qFIy9ssM-AP0otNaBhRX7aquMj0fUNYhN7CY-6J_RB51i7_hwxKfc7BnAPc1QJDMuUJVqBoj3xm2ViPd5BRk1JtP3WiZGNF6jYTqOek-mDbeJdAbZngPl7tVRftIKak_15M/s400/Dinner+Party.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DABZCGjsuGA/share?role=EDITOR&token=n0dKxW0EqToFv9-ztcFvfg&utm_content=DABZCGjsuGA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton&cc_from_uid=UAA3TCgnWpo" target="_blank">Edit and Print Here</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DABfCTzLlaw/share?role=EDITOR&token=wYpbgwhLzU683YMlBCk6XA&utm_content=DABfCTzLlaw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton&cc_from_uid=UAA3TCgnWpo" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvCtYixOUGH0EEVzzlx4lW-VOKV-PNyxwZMNuD0s0g53EHq54u2ue1VPqUy1sqIbvCcIEmOJyYQHd2Z2RV7ShU6_pJlNbS0IBTv77CnEhlQQGRJE1-fRO424jFe3AVAmpy_nAgjthfmk/s400/OctoberFest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DABfCTzLlaw/share?role=EDITOR&token=wYpbgwhLzU683YMlBCk6XA&utm_content=DABfCTzLlaw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton&cc_from_uid=UAA3TCgnWpo" target="_blank">Edit and Print Here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>Do you have any questions on planning community events? I'd love to answer them for you in the comments below.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_08shxrvi7eM6s59abMTyN6bcEtZoIJDqZNEFyxs45YQPIJBZWFIVMTvhyphenhyphen_xUfES5IdDdvX-1h0OYqkyLk55U2kEyAn7U9NQvYl4dW4YcdbSxISTY8YPCqpPkc-uBekLuBlRR6gB5cS8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_08shxrvi7eM6s59abMTyN6bcEtZoIJDqZNEFyxs45YQPIJBZWFIVMTvhyphenhyphen_xUfES5IdDdvX-1h0OYqkyLk55U2kEyAn7U9NQvYl4dW4YcdbSxISTY8YPCqpPkc-uBekLuBlRR6gB5cS8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series. <i><br /></i></div>
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<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-54151418735161438842015-10-26T12:50:00.000-04:002015-10-26T12:50:50.021-04:00Social Media and Neighboring (Day 26)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPkTSU3krLW3yb_z2sE7Ef_PEs9AzCUvBhOwdYlOQPPnZepDZ5dXjGYF3YkKcdxaIJIajCXoEJCuvZnPmbV8VT7q5lnkaEwCMi0uYp1LWbe3_trZL5f91MIm9QwQ-4GV9TDbJvGyDxy0/s1600/Day_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPkTSU3krLW3yb_z2sE7Ef_PEs9AzCUvBhOwdYlOQPPnZepDZ5dXjGYF3YkKcdxaIJIajCXoEJCuvZnPmbV8VT7q5lnkaEwCMi0uYp1LWbe3_trZL5f91MIm9QwQ-4GV9TDbJvGyDxy0/s640/Day_26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/mobile-phone-smartphone-acer-791394/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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This week we'll discuss some <b>practical tips and tools for engaging your neighbors</b>. Let's start with social media.<br />
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First of all, to know what tools to use in your neighborhood you have to know your neighbors. If you're in a low income neighborhood perhaps your neighbors don't have computers at home or smartphones and social media is not practical. Are your neighbors on-the-go parents? Are they retired? Are they already using social media or not? <b>Answering these types of questions can help you decide whether social media could be used to enhance community where you live</b>.<br />
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<b>Here are some social media options and ideas:</b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1008227515"><br /></a></b>
<b><a href="http://nextdoor.com/">Nextdoor.com</a></b>: This is a free social media network that is specific to neighborhoods. People can only join the group for your neighborhood if they actually live there. This platform has <b>great tools such as a Trick-or-Treat map for Halloween</b>. However I encourage you to join and assess the culture before trying to engage your neighbors here. (In the neighborhoods I've lived in it participants have been more focused on crime than relationship building.)<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a>: <b>A private Facebook group </b>specifically for those who live closest to you is a great tool for building community. I highly recommend creating and posting group guidelines at the onset of the group. Decide what the goal of the group will be. Is it for sharing needs? Promoting community activities? What is not allowed in the group? Deciding on a purpose early on will help the group to flourish. <br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/" target="_blank"><b>Instagram</b></a>: If you live in a younger or trendy neighborhood Instagram is a great tool for<b> posting about upcoming events</b> and sharing community photos and inspiration/encouragement. You could keep the neighborhood profile private if security is a concern.<br />
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<i>Are you using social media among your neighbors? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh5bgahOh8bu7jhlj3uTBSnNWk3GlQ-TFqwMDSPx8gpJoMmI5XE0MWP6JC_JG_ZoxGix7Hg3IyCQXZ1vrJ2e91liJZJivFB36qt7HWeIa5E6erUxFt5G_HC30k9vAWnE8il2bOa3dVZ8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh5bgahOh8bu7jhlj3uTBSnNWk3GlQ-TFqwMDSPx8gpJoMmI5XE0MWP6JC_JG_ZoxGix7Hg3IyCQXZ1vrJ2e91liJZJivFB36qt7HWeIa5E6erUxFt5G_HC30k9vAWnE8il2bOa3dVZ8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring </a>series. </div>
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<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-64552620070236711952015-10-25T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-25T05:00:01.318-04:00A Thought to Consider (Day 25)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYqqPHiuc9KtDy2oWu5ZS7bVqjFNWJj_63aZIKYp6CPvM95EeANPsjdz3tbb-51ue1omAaIpm8DsIrQHtOecZ3qXuI_wBcAA8_SXbn6JEi0peZHR0HkagAITcpLLGYJAfSr9tomH3yE4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYqqPHiuc9KtDy2oWu5ZS7bVqjFNWJj_63aZIKYp6CPvM95EeANPsjdz3tbb-51ue1omAaIpm8DsIrQHtOecZ3qXuI_wBcAA8_SXbn6JEi0peZHR0HkagAITcpLLGYJAfSr9tomH3yE4/s640/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On Sundays during the month of October I'll share a prayer or quote for you to reflect on as you consider your role in fulfilling the Great Commandment. I love this perspective from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SPIRITUAL-LIFE-Timeless-Wisdom-Collection-ebook/dp/B00J46JR0K/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445741738&sr=1-3&keywords=evelyn+underhill" target="_blank"><i>The Spiritual Life</i></a> and I hope it causes you to consider the way you see the world as well: <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/SPIRITUAL-LIFE-Timeless-Wisdom-Collection-ebook/dp/B00J46JR0K/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445741738&sr=1-3&keywords=evelyn+underhill" target="_blank">"Most of our conflicts and difficulties come from trying to deal with the spiritual and practical aspects of our life separately instead of realising them as parts of a whole. If our practical life is centred on our own interests, cluttered up by our own possessions, distracted by ambitions, passions, wants and worries, beset by a sense of our own rights and importance, or anxieties for our own future, or longings for our own success, we need not expect that our spiritual life will be a contrast to all this. The soul's house is not built on such a convenient plan: there are few soundproof partitions in it." -Evelyn Underhill</a></div>
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This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series. </div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-88850308346031372062015-10-24T11:59:00.000-04:002015-10-24T11:59:08.184-04:00Neighboring Inspiration (Day 24)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYqqPHiuc9KtDy2oWu5ZS7bVqjFNWJj_63aZIKYp6CPvM95EeANPsjdz3tbb-51ue1omAaIpm8DsIrQHtOecZ3qXuI_wBcAA8_SXbn6JEi0peZHR0HkagAITcpLLGYJAfSr9tomH3yE4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYqqPHiuc9KtDy2oWu5ZS7bVqjFNWJj_63aZIKYp6CPvM95EeANPsjdz3tbb-51ue1omAaIpm8DsIrQHtOecZ3qXuI_wBcAA8_SXbn6JEi0peZHR0HkagAITcpLLGYJAfSr9tomH3yE4/s640/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On Saturdays during the month of October I'll share resources to inspire and encourage you on your journey to loving your neighbors.<br />
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<b>Links I Love: </b><br />
<a href="http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-magazine/life-lessons/unloved-neighbor" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-magazine/life-lessons/unloved-neighbor" target="_blank">The Unloved Neighbor</a>: how an apartment fir changed everything.<br />
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<a href="http://www.incourage.me/2015/09/better-together-week-1-what-happens-after-you-move-into-the-neighborhood.html" target="_blank">What to do after You Move into the Neighborhood</a>: an interview with Shannan Martin and Lori Harris for inCourage.<br />
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<b>Books to Read:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Neighboring-Building-Genuine-Relationships-ebook/dp/B0073UN9CQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445702075&sr=1-1&keywords=the+art+of+neighboring" target="_blank">The Art of Neighboring</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meal-Jesus-Discovering-Community-Mission-ebook/dp/B004V9IFP8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445702114&sr=1-1&keywords=a+meal+with+jesus" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meal-Jesus-Discovering-Community-Mission-ebook/dp/B004V9IFP8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445702114&sr=1-1&keywords=a+meal+with+jesus" target="_blank">A Meal with Jesus</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tangible-Kingdom-Primer-Missio-Publishing/dp/B002PJARWU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445702143&sr=1-1&keywords=the+tangible+kingdom+primer" target="_blank">The Tangible Kingdom Primer</a><br />
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Do you have any neighboring resources you'd like to share? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_08shxrvi7eM6s59abMTyN6bcEtZoIJDqZNEFyxs45YQPIJBZWFIVMTvhyphenhyphen_xUfES5IdDdvX-1h0OYqkyLk55U2kEyAn7U9NQvYl4dW4YcdbSxISTY8YPCqpPkc-uBekLuBlRR6gB5cS8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_08shxrvi7eM6s59abMTyN6bcEtZoIJDqZNEFyxs45YQPIJBZWFIVMTvhyphenhyphen_xUfES5IdDdvX-1h0OYqkyLk55U2kEyAn7U9NQvYl4dW4YcdbSxISTY8YPCqpPkc-uBekLuBlRR6gB5cS8/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDUD2dPWx8rehyCmzDFTRzeYLN-N8juJ3rjCH8mzYVKMPCYRuIlEchwBCT1yJ1I8iHWP7SvFS5jYxcENB6EaJI1g3IEgEB7EenKfR4LYNFoVozUJJdBs1xfsLflFmNGQNxzGwfsPysd8/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-21691607329858208922015-10-23T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-23T05:00:04.385-04:00Joy (Day 23)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRLJMKuO9hctZElQSzxxau1Hp5CrrF-uW0bjPDN9gGO3c3T9pF6ITREMFo0j6klmwahNRd8HVexJfQCMNfMoN7VgUYZnCoPtpB3qlcqUfPb5a6tPtX_nlEts1iOvdOV_3QA_bGMTFaH0/s1600/Day_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRLJMKuO9hctZElQSzxxau1Hp5CrrF-uW0bjPDN9gGO3c3T9pF6ITREMFo0j6klmwahNRd8HVexJfQCMNfMoN7VgUYZnCoPtpB3qlcqUfPb5a6tPtX_nlEts1iOvdOV_3QA_bGMTFaH0/s640/Day_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/doorway-entrance-living-room-room-690338/" target="_blank"><i>Source</i></a></td></tr>
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<i>(On Fridays during this series I'll tell a real life story of community.
<br />Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://katemotaung.com/2015/10/22/five-minute-friday-joy-day-23/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a> to do so.)</i></div>
<i> </i> <br />
So maybe one of your neighbors left a note on your door that made you angry. Maybe <b>their words don't mean as much as you thought they did</b>. Maybe when you make offers of community you really mean them but maybe they just say "nice things" not meaning to back them up.<br />
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Maybe your neighbors <b>urinated on your porch</b> like <a href="http://loriharris.me/about/" target="_blank">a friend of mine</a>'s did on hers. Maybe on the other side of your bedroom wall is your neighbor's recording studio and perhaps also the headquarter's of his underhanded business.<br />
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Maybe some days <b>you have to fight harder for joy</b> in neighboring than others. It is on those days that it is best to remember that while <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/neighboring-is-good-for-your-soul-day-21.html" target="_blank">neighboring is good for you</a>, it is not all about you.<br />
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You will have disagreements. You will have <b>boundaries crossed that have to be rebuilt</b>. You will not always see eye to eye.<br />
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Neighboring is a lot of things. Good things. But one thing<b> it certainly is not is easy</b>. And <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/p/about-author.html" target="_blank">I know a lot about things that aren't easy</a> and things that are worth doing. And <b>oftentimes they're the same things</b>.<br />
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So as I write these words I remind myself that while neighboring is a lot of hard things it is also certainly<b> worth it</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series. </div>
<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-36846888517875879802015-10-22T14:31:00.001-04:002015-10-22T14:31:54.012-04:00Create an Outdoor Living Room (Day 22)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8kCSxLMd74IzAVGntlBp7Gq9XJxKDDNgQ1ELoF0ldXQmiANeLL8BvsKv36UfgWyuxZVaCvNXnLcxFiAadH4Bhy_SIWg7L2u_eL92nrBvN3071PXmLjHGQ-Remfww_93CGb1Y01_YxeY/s1600/Day_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8kCSxLMd74IzAVGntlBp7Gq9XJxKDDNgQ1ELoF0ldXQmiANeLL8BvsKv36UfgWyuxZVaCvNXnLcxFiAadH4Bhy_SIWg7L2u_eL92nrBvN3071PXmLjHGQ-Remfww_93CGb1Y01_YxeY/s640/Day_22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My husband and I stumbled upon this strategy purely on
accident. We moved to a home without a front porch. In our previous home we had
enjoyed many evenings on the front porch either talking, watching a favorite
show on our laptop, or enjoying drinks with friends. So <b>instead of relegating
ourselves to the back yard</b> at this new home we simply set up our swing and fire
pit in the front yard.<br />
<br />
Little did we know that our little “front yard living room”
would be <b>a great way to meet with people and engage with neighbors</b> on a less
than friendly street. People are more willing to say hello when you’re
lingering in the front yard and are harder to ignore. Also neighbors are more
likely to engage in conversation with you in this approachable casual setting.<br />
<br />
Are you ready to get to know your neighbors and engage your
neighborhood on a regular basis? For my four simple steps for setting up
your own “front yard living room<i> </i><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/evangelism-win/how-to-engage-your-neighbors-making-connections-in-your-front-yard" target="_blank">continue reading over at Missional Women>>>>>>></a><i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<i>(This post originally ran <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-to-engage-your-neighbors-guest-post.html" target="_blank">here</a> on February 19, 2014.) </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post if part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series. </div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-82294790697056898542015-10-21T12:41:00.001-04:002015-10-22T14:37:03.849-04:00Neighboring is Good for Your Soul (Day 21)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjdIadM4G1U5rKKIQF5fNZdsmBvFSTFRZZ8kz5R4ncxGLHYR582Q_5tBLNYdKlHcGoMH7DsC4e-aMAsy2_DuPldmqLtNknyq_ldYTYPC-525-0MrzLz01vMBlye5A6R42Zb9_kxKzMLk/s1600/Day_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjdIadM4G1U5rKKIQF5fNZdsmBvFSTFRZZ8kz5R4ncxGLHYR582Q_5tBLNYdKlHcGoMH7DsC4e-aMAsy2_DuPldmqLtNknyq_ldYTYPC-525-0MrzLz01vMBlye5A6R42Zb9_kxKzMLk/s640/Day_21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/girl-looking-lake-ocean-sea-water-923848/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-magazine/life-lessons/unloved-neighbor" target="_blank">"Had I seen our lives as connected beyond a ceiling and a floor, our story and this one might have started out not with a bang on the door but with an invitation for a cup of tea." -Lisa Gornick</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When you think about neighboring perhaps you think about some kind of obligation. Maybe you simply want to be obedient to the Great Commandment. Perhaps you think it's simply the right thing to do for those who live closest to you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But have you considered where you fall into this equation? You see I don't think God commanded us to love our neighbors only for their benefit. He knew something many of us don't know or have been told not to admit; <b>neighboring is good for us too</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When I think of what I really want in my little community, my dream for my neighborhood, if you will, I think of deep, close relationships. I don't want to just know people's names or bring them cookies, <b>I want to share life with them</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Healthy relationships are mutual</b>. They require both parties to be able to give and take. Sometimes I pursue my neighbors and sometimes they pursue me. (The exception to this is when one person is in a particularly <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-note-on-seasons-of-life-day-15.html" target="_blank">difficult season of life </a>and needs to be loved and served. However most difficult seasons are thankfully temporary.) Should mutual pursuit ever cease to occur, or stop completely on one side our relationship would suffer. If left unchecked it would eventually die.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have mentioned before how difficult it has been for me to leave my home state for life in Texas this year. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that <b>being in relationship with my neighbors has been a huge part of what has gotten me through this difficult season</b>. And when I have nothing but questions for God regarding our life here, I see a glimpse of what may be His purpose in this community. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Since living in our small apartment complex <b>we have given</b>:</div>
<ul>
<li>Cups of flour </li>
<li>Rides to the store</li>
<li>Rides to the mechanic</li>
<li>Antacids</li>
<li>Baked goods</li>
<li>Counsel in difficult times</li>
<li>Resources for community events</li>
</ul>
<h3>
<b>But since living here we have received:</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Human interaction on my quiet days of working from home</li>
<li>Surprises at my doorstep</li>
<li>Love and treats for our Bassett Hound</li>
<li>Unexpected visits that brighten our day</li>
<li>The use of other's cars (we're a one car family)</li>
<li>Care when we're sick our hurting</li>
<li>Invitations to happy hour or birthday celebrations in our neighbors' homes</li>
</ul>
Yesterday both Jason and I were sick. One of our neighbors brought us lunch and also spent time outside with our dog. Last night we realised our dog needed to go to the vet today. <b>What a blessing is was to have so many people to call on for help</b>. And before I fell asleep last night we had a plan for getting Sam to the vet. <br />
<br />
It is good to love and serve others, particularly your neighbors. But <b>it is also good to allow yourself to be loved and served</b>. You are not God's plan for redeeming His creation. Jesus already did that. But God does choose to use you. He plants you in specific places amongst specific people for specific purposes. And sometimes that purpose is you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series. </div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-28547387773015873552015-10-20T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-20T13:05:17.570-04:00Being Neighborly is an Inside Job (Day 20)<style type="text/css">H3 { margin-top: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0.06in; direction: ltr; color: rgb(67, 67, 67); page-break-inside: avoid; widows: 2; orphans: 2; }H3.western { font-family: "Arial",serif; font-weight: normal; }H3.cjk { font-family: "Arial"; font-weight: normal; }H3.ctl { font-family: "Arial"; font-weight: normal; }H2 { margin-top: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; page-break-inside: avoid; widows: 2; orphans: 2; }H2.western { font-family: "Arial",serif; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; }H2.cjk { font-family: "Arial"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; }H2.ctl { font-family: "Arial"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; }H1 { margin-top: 0.28in; margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; page-break-inside: avoid; widows: 2; orphans: 2; }H1.western { font-family: "Arial",serif; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal; }H1.cjk { font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal; }H1.ctl { font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal; }P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }A:link { }</style>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVIN5NsmLfgf2rUkR9ZsayysUe_qUnuDJnoz_q4-Z0uVvSwMVoWp_MCyuCV8u2IET3116SyzNYCZBwOKofaPZkrzv7Mru5vTGxVOAyCq_FXR0x2RSu7IupLYjGE8pR42lgDImhTbUO08/s1600/Day_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVIN5NsmLfgf2rUkR9ZsayysUe_qUnuDJnoz_q4-Z0uVvSwMVoWp_MCyuCV8u2IET3116SyzNYCZBwOKofaPZkrzv7Mru5vTGxVOAyCq_FXR0x2RSu7IupLYjGE8pR42lgDImhTbUO08/s640/Day_20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/girl-woman-looking-thinking-blonde-923564/" target="_blank">Source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Today's post is from my real-life
friend, Renia Carsillo. Renia is one of the few people I still talk to
from high school, and one of the things I love most about her is that we
disagree on some things. Being friends with someone whose perspective
can be so different from mine has made me a better person.)</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jon-J.-Muth/e/B001H6UCHW" target="_blank">“It is easy to believe we are each
waves and forget we are also the ocean.”</a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jon-J.-Muth/e/B001H6UCHW" target="_blank">
</a>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jon-J.-Muth/e/B001H6UCHW" target="_blank"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">―Jon J. Muth</span></span></a></div>
<h2 class="western">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.44oz8y1miuju"></a>What if I am afraid
to be a good neighbor?</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you’ve been reading this series
feeling like being a better neighbor is wonderful, but the idea of
forced intimacy that happens when you befriend a neighbor terrifies
you, today’s post is for you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
Being a good neighbor doesn’t
start with a batch of chocolate chip cookies or an urge to connect
with a community. <b>Neighboring begins within you, from a place of
of acceptance and open-hearted living. </b>It cannot be successfully
manifested until you can say to yourself, at least in a trembling
whisper,
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I am enough.”</div>
<h2 class="western">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.7o8tlkgab8en"></a>Neighboring requires
indecent exposure</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you don’t believe you are enough,
it’s going to be tough to open yourself up to the very real risk of
neighboring--the risk of indecent exposure.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Your neighbors see you take the trash
out in your underwear at 5 am, hoping no one will catch you.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Your neighbors might hear you say
something not-so-nice to your kids on a particularly stressful day.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Your neighbors are the most likely
candidates to walk in on the tornado that is your house the day
before a big presentation at work.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you live in an apartment building
and share walls with your neighbors, well, let’s just say they will
learn A LOT about you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we don’t feel good enough, all
those moments of exposure can be pretty terrifying. It’s easier to
stay strangers and bury our heads in the sand.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>The high risk of exposing our warts
is why being a good neighbor must begin as an inside job. </b>
</div>
<h3 class="western">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.8x9uh3isjfl0"></a>Neighboring for the
first time at 30</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Growing up, all my neighbors were
family. Neighboring never made its way into my consciousness until
Craig and I moved in together. Craig’s best friend lives just an
empty lot away from us. You can see from our laundry room window into
theirs. Our backyards look out onto the same lake. When I do yoga on
the porch at 5 am, my neighbor waves as she walks the back porch
soothing her fussy grandson.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From the first moment I dropped anchor
here, I was connected with two strangers, by both geography and
shared history, and it wasn’t easy for me. For the first time in my
life I wondered what the neighbors would think if I walked outside in
my nightgown or chased my boys around in the yard.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After three years living next door to
Craig’s best friends--now my friends too--I’ve learned that there
are three essential ingredients for open-hearted neighboring...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h2 class="western">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.9wskm4ijmk1m"></a>Essentials for
neighboring with an open heart</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whether or not being neighborly comes
naturally to you, it comes down to how you feel about yourself. If
you feel like you are enough, you will be able to separate fear from
reality, set healthy boundaries, and be a neutral safe place for all.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let’s look at why open-hearted
neighboring is inside work:</div>
<h3 class="western">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.l9yewdjdg64k"></a>Recognize what
judgement means</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The biggest fear most of us have about
being friendly with the neighbors comes from a fear of judgement. We
are afraid that our flaws will condemn us, usually because we are
judging the flaws of others.<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Think about it this way, if you hear
your neighbor impatiently yelling at her son while she jockeys him
into the house--arms laden with groceries and backpacks--do you offer
to help or assume she’s a terrible mother?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Be honest. Most of us roll our eyes and
assume she needs to read a book or two about parenting. Then, we will
turn around and worry that she thinks the same thing about us when we
repeat the action from our own driveway the next afternoon. If you
have children, you’ve probably lost your patience a dozen or more
times over the past week. If you don’t have children, insert your
husband/dog/cat here.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
If you can recognize that you are
afraid of the same type of judgement you dole out, then you can break
that cycle and be a good neighbor.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you know that you are good enough,
it’s much easier to believe your neighbors are too. If you believe
that stressed-out mom is doing the best she can, it’s easier to
believe that she will give you the same grace.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Walk across the yard and take her
groceries. Leave the judgement at the door. If you can do that for
someone else, you’re less likely to feel judged yourself and be
more open to making friends with the neighbors.</div>
<h3 class="western">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.w78k9npcb7yk"></a>Set boundaries</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once you open the door to a friendship
with those who live in close proximity it’s easy to feel
overwhelmed by their constant presence.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Being friendly with the neighbors often
means you will have company when you want to be alone and it opens up
the possibility of constant intrusions into your privacy. Everyone
has varying degrees of comfort with this, so it is essential to
recognize your own needs and set boundaries early on in the
relationship.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our neighbors, Mark and Marty, have a
pool. My boys love to swim and our two families have shared thousands
of wonderful moments on their deck. But we have a rule, before we go
over to swim we text Marty to see what’s happening in their world
before we subject them to two rowdy boys.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Sundays during football season I
open my home to pretty much anyone who wants to eat well, watch a
game and celebrate with us. But on weekdays no one crosses the path
after 7 pm unless it’s an emergency.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rigid rules like these may not be your
style, but for an introvert like me-- a woman who doesn’t do
impromptu plans well--these boundaries allow me to be open with my
neighbors while still feeling in control of my space.
</div>
<h3 class="western">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.rjsx84tk3wmd"></a>Be Neutral
</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Couples fight. Parents and children
(particularly teenagers) do too. If you’re going to commune with
your neighborhood, learn to make like Switzerland and stay out of it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Taking sides in an argument will end up
burning you, one way or the other. You can be a safe place to go, a
listening ear and a shoulder to cry on...But never never never take
sides. Even when it’s difficult not to, even when you think you
know exactly who is right and who is wrong.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Recognizing that our own reactions to
other people’s conflicts usually have more to do with us than them
can help. Unless abuse is involved, it helps no one for you to take
sides or step in--sometimes it doesn’t even then.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you are afraid for someone’s
safety, please involve the proper authorities. In all other cases,
stay out of it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When you build a reputation as a safe
and neutral zone your neighbors are more likely to come to you when
they need help and you greatly reduce the risk of hurting your
relationships with your own judgement.</div>
<h2 class="western">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.uc81jfqv34yr"></a>Try a “selfish”
prayer or meditation</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maybe, if you find this whole idea of
neighboring daunting, the best place to start is with a simple prayer
or meditation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Being a good neighbor begins and
ends with the belief that you, in all your flawed glory, are enough.</b>
Once you internalize this it will be much easier to make friends with
the people who share your walls, your driveway, or your street.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you--like me--struggle with making
friends, try starting with a daily 10-minute meditation or prayer
that looks something like this:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Help me to love myself as much as I
am called to love my neighbor. Fill me up with love and light until
my cup cannot help but run over and into the lives of those around
me.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sometimes we have to step back and be
neighborly with ourselves before we have the bandwidth to be
neighborly with anyone else.</div>
<h3 class="western">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8l9UEVVZAjUSkiavC9lPuAg5SjGnFFCJbpyEzlGHGLHl2tyew5azbj6wn4J7lVV1JKggvNB6cNiVcE-ShQQmhsAgOoEd-avzJN1t1VBGVWT0-Uy5nvra4Jt9Xc6esXcMj9djMZzYEmTI/s1600/authorphoto-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8l9UEVVZAjUSkiavC9lPuAg5SjGnFFCJbpyEzlGHGLHl2tyew5azbj6wn4J7lVV1JKggvNB6cNiVcE-ShQQmhsAgOoEd-avzJN1t1VBGVWT0-Uy5nvra4Jt9Xc6esXcMj9djMZzYEmTI/s1600/authorphoto-200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #282828;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Renia
Carsillo is an advocate for whole foods, fierce women and writing
yourself strong. Renia spent years being quiet to be successful in
business and learned the hard way that financial success matters only
if it has purpose. With a strong and often controversial style, Renia
writes and cooks for women who are tired of playing it safe. She is
the author of three books, including her recently released memoir,
</span></span><span style="color: #282828;"><i><span style="background: #ffffff;"><a href="http://booklaunch.io/reniaeats/born-hungry" target="_blank">BornHungry</a>. </span></i></span><span style="color: #282828;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Today
she writes and coaches women about body image, eating for pleasure,
and living with moxie at<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1618014457"> </a></span></span><a href="https://www.bearealbeauty.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u><span style="background: #ffffff;">bearealbeauty.com</span></u></span></a><span style="color: #282828;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">.
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #282828;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Renia
can usually be found with a spatula in one hand and a pen in the
other. She hasn't decided yet which is the better compass for lost
days. </span></span><a href="http://bearealbeauty.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=49000c9ad592238ae73d1c59e&id=8d01f83f98" target="_blank">Geta free copy of the BeA Real Beauty 30-Day Meal Planning Guidehere</a><span style="color: #282828;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neighboring </a>Series.</b></div>
<h3 class="western">
<br /><br />
</h3>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-44706507852671512592015-10-19T11:22:00.001-04:002015-10-19T11:22:31.365-04:00Jesus' Way of Neighboring (Day 19)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe1QWsQ2-v63Fof_gwqXeEbA4CkzEmAW2wP3RynD73ZJH65CZrlgAto3ccWuoN71Wx5cyRn7XXud0PN5pnsgayfWNfpzfZp0P5PMcwVn3MZ4VQGtscKMZSp7ziKoRHoKACb1AlcB9fGY/s1600/Day_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe1QWsQ2-v63Fof_gwqXeEbA4CkzEmAW2wP3RynD73ZJH65CZrlgAto3ccWuoN71Wx5cyRn7XXud0PN5pnsgayfWNfpzfZp0P5PMcwVn3MZ4VQGtscKMZSp7ziKoRHoKACb1AlcB9fGY/s640/Day_19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/door-open-welcome-door-handle-194217/" target="_blank">Source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Today's post is from my friend, <a href="http://loriharris.me/about/" target="_blank">Lori Harris</a>. Lori inspires and encourages me to live like Jesus planted me exactly where He wanted me. In a specific neighborhood, at a specific time, for a specific purpose.)</i></div>
<br />
I sit to write this post, four kids from the neighborhood shoot hoops
in the driveway, two small girls have a picnic on the sidewalk, and
four kids roast marshmallows in the backyard. Three girls have just
left styrofoam cups of water on my desk, <i>the
picnic table in the front yard</i>
while they hurry off to the corner market for more Takis. They lick
the hot seasoning from the chips before munching down the acutal chip
and when there's a crowd, the Takis go fast.
<br />
<br />
I'm working towards a deadline, but the kids are oblivious to my fingers
furiously pecking keys.
<br />
<br />
<i>Can I get some water?</i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Yougot any more marshmallows?</i><br />
<br />
<i>Thebasketball needs some more air. You think you can ask Mr. Thad to
pump it up for us?</i>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Can we pick up all the sticks in the yard and burn them on the fire?
</i>{YES!}<br />
<br />
My inner nature is screaming for three hours of quiet with no little
people writing their own version of<i>If
You Give A Mouse A Cookie </i>into
my very life. <b>This kind of loud, in your face neighboring presses
into my self-centered heart and messes with my self-righteousness. </b><br />
<br />
I
like neighboring when neighboring is neatly scheduled into my life. <b>I
like the kind of neighboring that costs me nothing more than a wave
and a smile</b>. I like neighboring when it happens with people just like
me, on days that I have penciled in on my calendar with distinct
beginning and ending times. Basically, I like neighboring on my
terms- when I've thought out the plan and executed it in ways that
showcase my strengths, like hosting a dinner party.<br />
<br />
But
that kind of neighboring is not what Jesus had in mind when He
commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves.<br />
<br />
<b>When
Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors, He was asking us to
re-imagine our families ties. He was asking us to widen our circle to
include those closest to us, literally</b>.<br />
<br />
We
love to take the Great Commandment and make the word neighbor to mean
every human on planet earth because <b>if we can generlize who our
neighbors are, we don't have to actually love our literal neighbors</b>.<br />
<br />
But
I think this is exactly what<br />
<br />
Jesus expects of us.
Jesus
is inviting us to put down roots, right where we live and love those
closest to us- even if they are nothing like us.
And
<b>He is inviting us to love them on their terms, on their turf, and in
their timing</b>.<br />
<br />
<div lang="en" style="font-style: normal; line-height: s%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<br />
When we first moved onto Avent street, we moved in with a pre-set script
for living and loving and serving. We had an entire arsenal of things
we thought would help us reach our neighbors with the hope of the
Gospel. We pulled out a calendar and penciled in all sorts of
neighborhood outreach events and for two years, we worked our plan.<br />
<br />
We
passed out loaves of bread and repaired homes and hosted movie nights
on the lawn. If you can think it up, we probably did it and spent a
great deal of dollars doing it.
</div>
<br />
But
in our third year of making crazy and doing all that we knew to do,
we just sorta ditched everything and just plain quit. We were
seeing zero fruit and although we knew our neighbors' names, we
didn't know our neighbors.<br />
<br />
<b>We
spent the whole next year, simply living in our house on Avent
street</b>. We put picnic tables in the front yard and started leaving
the side gate open to the backyard when we had bonfires. If kids
wandered into the yard, we served them Little Debbies and kool-aid.
We spent countless hours on the front porch. We opened up our home
and our yard and blurred the lines between us and them. We began to
live with lives wide open, taking in whoever walked down the sidewalk
in front of our house.<br />
<br />
And
you know what happened?<br />
<br />
Our
neighbors starting coming to see us. In droves.<br />
<br />
<b>Our
life became one big interruption after another </b>and we soon came to
realize that everytime someone knocked on the front door of our
house, we were being invited into what Jesus was doing in our
neighborhood.<br />
<br />
Over
time, <b>we began to see these interruptions as the tangible evidence of
Jesus at work in our community</b>. He was working a plan that we could
not control or manipulate with our own desire to do something good
for our neighbors.<br />
<br />
These
interruptions served as a signal that said we needed to stop what we
were doing, open the front door, and enter into the lives of whoever
was on the other side of the threshold because Jesus was already at
work and He was simply giving us a front row seat.<br />
<br />
<h3>
As
we seek to make the Great Commandment our life's mission, we would do
well to aim small and see our distinct communities as our specific
mission fields. </h3>
<br />
Jesus
has placed us, right where He wants us because He is already at work
in the lives of those who live around us. <b>Our job is to live lives
that welcome others in</b>. Jesus does not need our grand plans or our
color coded calendars filled to the gills with programs.<br />
<br />
Jesus
needs people who will simply open the front door and welcome others
in.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img class="aligncenter" height="200" src="http://loriharris.me/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Profile-Pic-For-Everything.jpg" width="150" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lori Harris is a Southern born, Texas-missing girl, who is rearing her
six kids in a neighborhood some would call the ‘hood. She and her
bi-vocational husband have planted Fellowship Bible Church Rocky Mount
on the wrong side of the railroad tracks where poverty runs deep and
racism even deeper. She passes out
PBJs to the neighborhood kids, and brews coffee just to make the house
smell like Jesus. She writes at<a href="http://loriharris.me/" target="_blank"> loriharris.me</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-39811020003121181722015-10-18T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-18T05:00:00.068-04:00Learning from Others (Day 18)<img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfBZqF8twhMBt6iKsTFVu98FshE3KSOw-sT1UAYS0n1x4YyLBLnERNqgHR3JzD0xMYimNEIbjirm1cxIuTdxff7i_nKKN0HNzKKMVxEr0xJlm_kJ4-DWtJweUIsuXOCbH7Wn1UhrdFWM/s640/Day_18.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://pixabay.com/en/bike-street-neighborhood-sunset-665925/" target="_blank">Image Source</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
On Sundays during the month of October, I'll share a prayer or quote for you to reflect on as you consider your role in fulfilling the Great Commandment. I love <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2015/09/better-together-week-1-what-happens-after-you-move-into-the-neighborhood.html" target="_blank">this interview with Shannan Martin and Lori Harris for inCourage</a>. I hope it encourages and inspires you. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Neigboring </a>series. </div>
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-90265435752660326492015-10-17T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-17T05:00:00.878-04:00How to Be a Dope Church (Day 17)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.vergenetwork.org/2015/09/28/dope-church/?mc_cid=ee14e32e0e&mc_eid=628dc56662" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.vergenetwork.org/2015/09/28/dope-church/?mc_cid=ee14e32e0e&mc_eid=628dc56662" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqYTZ9uy3J31DAc2rK2mSxYx_0FF9c9phA9wzMuTk6k5DAQQ8-G3YHBIuYuIUUDbh36yBbiHwTPvNFhyphenhyphenHhJB6opM60k7r-GO7oNAFia_2Vm4w4vuVT_KJFso2hWutvyFKnT2fvtAxdVQ/s640/Day_17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.vergenetwork.org/2015/09/28/dope-church/?mc_cid=ee14e32e0e&mc_eid=628dc56662" target="_blank">"What would it look like for the church to wake up to its true identity as a community meant to be in the streets and gutters with people? What would it look like for disciples of Jesus Christ to go into the darkest place where no one else is willing to go to rescue people and bring them to the hope that's in Jesus Christ? What would it look like to be on mission here with our neighbors that are struggling?"</a></div>
<br />
On
Saturdays during the month of October I'll included resources that will
inspire and encourage you on your journey toward loving your neighbors.
I love the <a href="http://www.vergenetwork.org/2015/09/28/dope-church/?mc_cid=ee14e32e0e&mc_eid=628dc56662" target="_blank">video</a> above from Verge Network. I hope you will too.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-75509595940381212172015-10-16T18:00:00.000-04:002015-10-16T18:00:01.783-04:00Thank YOU for Reading: A Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-34002187111614709702015-10-16T12:11:00.000-04:002015-10-16T12:11:36.896-04:00Green (Day 16)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkKextRYHT9S-Z5uZrkEzbUgTazZ0fIGR4m1Uajbbjk7oQmMMrljbwzKAOsWJao_nkqiJDBItjEWf0wv3hG5q1YRKbXu8R5Oa1hJ1SgVaX-sL3kV1aXVzSFSVmAHd9be4OtK27jNeABI/s1600/Day+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkKextRYHT9S-Z5uZrkEzbUgTazZ0fIGR4m1Uajbbjk7oQmMMrljbwzKAOsWJao_nkqiJDBItjEWf0wv3hG5q1YRKbXu8R5Oa1hJ1SgVaX-sL3kV1aXVzSFSVmAHd9be4OtK27jNeABI/s640/Day+16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/have-a-picnic-table-food-breakfast-945232/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(On Fridays during this series I'll tell a real life story of community.
<br />Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://katemotaung.com/2015/10/15/five-minute-friday-green-day-16/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a> to do so.)</i></div>
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We pass out invitations with words written in green. We say "come one, come all," and we really hope they do.<br />
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We haul the chairs and tables and spread them with vinyl tablecloths. We fire up the grill and the smoky scent of charcoal fragrances the air. Should they forget, the scent will remind them.<br />
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We fill the grill with meat and here they come. There are coolers and casserole dishes. There are bottles and cans. We talk, we linger, we wait while the grillmaster conjures up a feast.<br />
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And then we surround those tables and juice drops on the vinyl covers. Maybe someone spills a drink but someone definetely spills their heart. We come to the table to find out who people really are and oftentimes they find out too.<br />
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We linger. We make it last as long as we can.<br />
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Finally we clean up. It is a community afair. We shake out tablecloths and wipe down furtniture and allow the grill to cool. The truth is some of us don't want it to end. Because coming around the table changes us.<br />
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From strangers, to neighbors, to friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-17946640248535981892015-10-15T14:49:00.000-04:002015-10-15T14:49:07.304-04:00A Note on Seasons of Life (Day 15)<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tQ7f7S5-CbshLHTbGRiaEiICjuUokX4ygiGGfhKzA632nwRMgQDPHAlABiTW4C9ZeaW81MyiyHL2z3_9DRbVWhFSScbqLefwmBSoCEJLvnpaNRt9hyBoEQneRkf9pJXXNMtHKfPcZW4/s1600/Day_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tQ7f7S5-CbshLHTbGRiaEiICjuUokX4ygiGGfhKzA632nwRMgQDPHAlABiTW4C9ZeaW81MyiyHL2z3_9DRbVWhFSScbqLefwmBSoCEJLvnpaNRt9hyBoEQneRkf9pJXXNMtHKfPcZW4/s640/Day_15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/window-teapot-cups-ceramic-counter-690366/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecc+3&version=ESV" target="_blank">For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted...a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 </a></div>
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Are you a new mom? Perhaps you've just had a tragedy in your family. Maybe you're fighting through depression or a difficult financial season. Perhaps you're a college student in the midst of a heavy course load.<br />
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Life is a series of varying seasons of plenty and want, joy and sorrow, peace and unrest. Some of these seasons stand alone and some of them overlap. And <b>some seasons make hospitality and neighboring seem nearly impossible</b>.<br />
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And that is ok.</h3>
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<b>God has not called us to love our neighbors to earn His favor or add one more thing to our never ending to-do list</b>. God has invited us to join Him in redeeming His creation. Forming relationships with those closest to us is an honor and a gift.<br />
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But if you're in a difficult season <b>it is ok for you take a break from mission and allow yourself to be ministered to</b>. God does not want you walking around with another weight on your already heavy shoulders. He is not condemning you. Instead He wants you to receive his love and peace. <br />
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+8&version=ESV" target="_blank">There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. Romans 8:1-3</a></div>
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If you're in a difficult season here are some simple ideas for <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/be-hospitable-with-yourself-and-sugar.html" target="_blank">being hospitable with yourself</a>: <br />
<ol>
<li><b>Connect to a community.</b> In difficult seasons our natural tendency can be to isolate from others. Do the opposite. Text a friend. Join a small group. It may be hard to pursue others but you need relationship now more than ever. </li>
<li><b>Ask for help.</b> Perhaps you need meals or financial help. Maybe you just need someone to drop by with a latte. It is hard to articulate our needs but it is necessary. Allow God to meet your needs through others by communicating them.</li>
<li><b>Be open.</b> I am always surprised by how God can use me in even my most difficult seasons. This is especially true when I am able to help someone else even with something <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2013/06/on-alleviating-anxiety.html" target="_blank">as small as a quarter</a>.</li>
</ol>
If you're in a difficult season I pray you'll feel freedom from pressure to work hard or do more. I pray you'll feel peace to rest in Jesus' accomplished work for you on the cross.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQVADOqVAQAgwmFwNh5YLBurPEHi_U5Z5rZOok3NDP8w6AFdp2Xe3r_8qqvWjVSGAj2GXMmuw_0x_39BeEAK4dYmf9b2D99tITNn8ymUhWqnjcEdO47is6lSnY-L-7r1Jd9e0g88_VHk/s1600/Signature_transparent.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-84559940264960866532015-10-14T11:52:00.002-04:002015-10-14T11:57:33.211-04:00Share Meals and Simple Menu Ideas (Day 14)<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunhPYBGzJhImvPH6ZGIE3uZwHnEoWRMWpL94ThIPZOSc7unMIiysvmR8UDFeVx36IOMxxdx5o19rVfW_BxImlQogPFISaRw25CL159cwJvfuZX2nIWfbm5rxJPZ9F_78R4q9T5pO1RaU/s1600/Day_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunhPYBGzJhImvPH6ZGIE3uZwHnEoWRMWpL94ThIPZOSc7unMIiysvmR8UDFeVx36IOMxxdx5o19rVfW_BxImlQogPFISaRw25CL159cwJvfuZX2nIWfbm5rxJPZ9F_78R4q9T5pO1RaU/s640/Day_14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/table-food-rustic-healthy-food-837977/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meal-Jesus-Discovering-Community-Mission-ebook/dp/B004V9IFP8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1444834052&sr=1-1&keywords=a+meal+with+jesus" target="_blank">“Jesus didn’t run projects, establish ministries or put on events. He ate meals.” -Tim Chester, A Meal with Jesus </a><br />
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The table is the great equalizer. Eating is one of the most basic parts of the human experience. It is also one of the most unifying A lot of our best memories are connected to food. <b>Meals break down barriers and make space for relationship</b>.</div>
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<b>If you want to love your neighbors and be hospitable toward them meals are the easiest place to start</b>. We like to share meals with our neighbors in the courtyard of our apartment complex and also in our home. There is tremendous value in both.</div>
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In a community setting there are four options for shared meals: you cooking the entire meal, a potluck, sharing parts of the menu with a few others, or a progressive dinner. A (themed) potluck or a few people pitching in has worked best for our neighbors. Here are a few menu ideas that have worked well in our neighborhood or we are planning for the months ahead:</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Summer Cookout </b></h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Hamburgers and Hotdogs</li>
<li>Potato Salad</li>
<li>Baked Beans </li>
<li>Cookies </li>
<li>Lemondade</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When we did this on the Fourth of July, we only ended up only purchasing hotdogs because our neighbors contributed so much. The sides and dessert can be purchased. If you're on a budget just serve hotdogs and the sides and dessert can be made at home very affordably.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Spaghetti Night </h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Spaghetti</li>
<li>Bread</li>
<li>Salad</li>
<li>Chocolate Pie</li>
<li>Iced Tea </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This works really well when eveyone contributes a different part of the meal.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>October Fest </b></h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Brats</li>
<li>Sauerkraut </li>
<li>Warm Potato Salad</li>
<li>Apple Cake </li>
<li>Craft beer </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our community is doing this on the 24th of this month. One neighbor is providing the brats and sauerkraut, one the potato salad, and we'll provide the dessert along with a non-alcoholic beverage choice. Everyone will bring a craft beer to share.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Budget Friendly Chili Night</h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Chili & Toppings</li>
<li>Cornbread</li>
<li>Salad</li>
<li>Pumpkin Pie or S'mores</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I use <a href="http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/1846263-Cowboy-Chili" target="_blank">this chili recipe</a> every year. It uses dried beans so it's affordable and you can make it in the Crock Pot. I always use ground beef or turkey to cut costs. If you have a grill or fire pit s'mores are a fun activity to do with the neighbors. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Simple Upscale</h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="http://www.burnthismamadown.com/2011/01/brown-sugar-and-balsamic-glazed-pork-loin.html" target="_blank">Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin</a></li>
<li>Mashed Potatoes </li>
<li>Green Beans or Asparagus </li>
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/76935/molten-chocolate-cakes-with-sugar-coated-raspberries/?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=chocolate%20molten%20lava%20cakes&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1" target="_blank">Chocolate Lava Cakes </a>a la Mode</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This menu is easier then it looks because of the Crock Pot but your neighbors will think you slaved away all day in the kitchen. Watch for the pork to go on sale (we just bought some for 1.49/lb.) Plus the batter for the cakes can be made ahead.</div>
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<i>What meals do you like to share with your neighbors? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.</i></div>
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<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-54590128878661780172015-10-13T12:46:00.000-04:002015-10-13T12:46:02.333-04:00Be Hospitable with Yourself and a Sugar Scrub Recipe (Day 13)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yrFukKwZFP-wst-VcdSFDGGVWA1cdNnpD-UaqGJ2cWBIsRgspczPkUf_snvROf27WBFTBQxwE0LbH-CsYOJMaw_WG0TRPKkzLRKb1DOdmDcQJPDka-RQMJ9QyggYOeav5bJsRF8cEdE/s1600/Day_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yrFukKwZFP-wst-VcdSFDGGVWA1cdNnpD-UaqGJ2cWBIsRgspczPkUf_snvROf27WBFTBQxwE0LbH-CsYOJMaw_WG0TRPKkzLRKb1DOdmDcQJPDka-RQMJ9QyggYOeav5bJsRF8cEdE/s640/Day_13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/body-cream-massage-care-gift-913908/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+22&version=ESV" target="_blank"><span class="text Matt-22-37" id="en-ESV-23907">And he said to him, <span class="woj">“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-38" id="en-ESV-23908"><span class="woj">This is the great and first commandment.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-39" id="en-ESV-23909"><span class="woj">And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.</span></span> Matthew 22:37-38</a></div>
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The church is a place where you can earn a certificate, or a plaque even, for running yourself ragged. We call it "laying our lives down." Or "Christian service." I wonder <b>how many marriages or children have been sacrificed on these altars</b>? I know it's far to many. <br />
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When we talk about loving our neighbors we often for get the second part of the verse. <b>The "as yourself" line is another one of those areas where we think <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/on-hospitaliy-day-12.html" target="_blank">God might be kidding</a>.</b> I whole heartedly believe that God did not mean for us to sacrifice our mental, physical or emotional health when loving others or fulfilling the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:16-20" target="_blank">Great Commission</a>. And He did not mean for marriages or children to be neglected in the process. <br />
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<b>We wouldn't ask our neighbors to live like this</b>. So why would we expect ourselves to do so?<br />
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This year has been very hard for me. In this season one of the things I have been working with my counselor on is being kind to myself and extending hospitality to me first. This is the opposite of what a lot of poor theology teaches us. But what I have learned is that making a practice of <b>serving people from a place of depletion leads to burnout</b>. But loving my neighbors from a a place of plenty means that I am filled up even more when I serve, instead of being drained.<br />
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In 2013, one of my room-mates at <a href="http://allume.com/about" target="_blank">Allume</a> was <a href="http://arrangedbygod.com/about-me-3/about-me/" target="_blank">Shannon Coe</a>. Shannon brought all of us beautiful jars of her homemade sugar scrub. I was six weeks pregnant at the time. During that weekend Shannon extended motherly hospitality to me as I
slept through many of the sessions and spent most of the conference
completely depleted of energy. I didn't know that after I flew home I would discover something was terribly wrong with the baby. In November I would miscarry and enter <b>a season where I would need to be particularly kind to myself</b>.<br />
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No matter what your current season, <b>Shannon's sugar scrub is a start to being hospitable with yourself</b>. Leave it by the tub bathroom or near the kitchen sink as a reminder to be kind to yourself.<br />
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<h3>
Shannon Coe's Sugar Scrub</h3>
<ul>
<li>1 c. Sugar</li>
<li>1 tbsp. Coconut Oil </li>
<li>1 tsp Almond Oil </li>
<li>10-20 drops Lavender Essential Oil </li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Mix all ingredients. </li>
<li>Use to cleanse, moisturise, and exfoliate skin. </li>
<li>Store in an air tight container such as a canning jar.</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s1600/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJv28pxXB83aeNYMSs1ojOjutS8pEzvM_6cyaF20wt7HLdGokHggW0wdLGwragDVlHg3aRhq5lLV9UN3l_cAMJohcnRJEEglBDAHyGIgabbnEliO5Bz9ml2sIQ_dZslZgn8veItqhB4/s200/Be+a+GoodNeighbpor_Square.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-12598756980662684432015-10-12T13:30:00.001-04:002015-10-12T13:30:26.294-04:00On Hospitaliy (Day 12)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hoCSg4p0w4t3KeSsdYJhQ_ShcFytdwGoONckaE5faIv8VBvCmwcsrvHujBjplvpYi4J1UyBv4qq99aYYpEKNWe0Ou2iXOAPDeiG374XzCwBTbxHNkoDe7PpryZUMcuZxqqzND1WJkHs/s1600/Day_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hoCSg4p0w4t3KeSsdYJhQ_ShcFytdwGoONckaE5faIv8VBvCmwcsrvHujBjplvpYi4J1UyBv4qq99aYYpEKNWe0Ou2iXOAPDeiG374XzCwBTbxHNkoDe7PpryZUMcuZxqqzND1WJkHs/s640/Day_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/pineapple-fruit-beach-tropical-918943/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Heb-13-1"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb+13&version=ESV" target="_blank"><span class="text Heb-13-1">"Let brotherly love continue.</span> <span class="text Heb-13-2" id="en-ESV-30227">Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
<br>for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."</span> <span class="text Heb-13-3" id="en-ESV-30228"></span>Hebrew 13:1-2</a></div>
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Let's be honest. <b>We cannot talk about neighboring without discussing hospitality</b>.<br />
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What images does that word evoke for you? Do you think of Pinterest-worthy decor? Do you think of a spotless house that passes the white glove test? <b>Are you experiencing anxiety</b> when you think of the elaborate meals hospitality inquires?<br />
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I hope not. <b>Biblical hospitality includes welcoming strangers</b>. But most of us pass that verse over as if God were kidding. Or perhaps He meant it as simply a good idea but not a command. (We think this way toward a lot of verses, don't we?)<br />
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<b>When we look at Jesus' life we see that He was in the business of extending hospitality to society's outcasts</b>. He engaged with prostitutes, tax collectors, the worst of society's sinners. Most of which were strangers mere moments before Jesus sat down to eat with them.<br />
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This week we'll discuss <b>practical tips for being hospitable</b>. Including being hospitable with yourself. <br />
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Perhaps right now many of your neighbors are still strangers to you. Maybe you don't like some of them or maybe some of them even scare you a bit? Today I encourage you to pray and <b>ask God to help you see your neighbors the way he does</b>. Ask Him to give you wisdom as you interact with them but also boldness to extend hospitality to them, especially when it's hard. <br />
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<i>How do you show hospitality to strangers? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. </i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154347309622566061.post-17728029070400635362015-10-11T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-11T05:00:03.392-04:00A Reminder for Your Neighboring Journey (Day 11)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5TujKNhLizoyWxQyTV-2jENCLKriHVAw02wotIKBfQDocxDrzcAArHCg-TffiI24FpCRlGP-7TpqfEizgf4_RU33emqLDqJPgple-strbA93SLYbi8hvMF3UfqTsSOVFDbNi6YN8bAk/s1600/Day_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5TujKNhLizoyWxQyTV-2jENCLKriHVAw02wotIKBfQDocxDrzcAArHCg-TffiI24FpCRlGP-7TpqfEizgf4_RU33emqLDqJPgple-strbA93SLYbi8hvMF3UfqTsSOVFDbNi6YN8bAk/s640/Day_11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/girls-children-kids-friends-young-462072/" target="_blank">Image Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On
Sundays during the month of October I'll share a prayer or quote to
reflect on as you consider your role in fulfilling the Great
Commandment. I'm always inspired and encouraged by my friend <a href="http://loriharris.me/about/" target="_blank">Lori Harris</a>' words. I hope you will be too.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This post is part of the <a href="http://churchplantingconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/10/31-days-of-neighboring.html">31 Days of Neighboring</a> series.</b></div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06610739249516777157noreply@blogger.com0