Do It Yourself Tendencies

I often think about why people can’t seem to do things right. (When I say right I mean the way I want things done.) As I was listening to Jim preach on Sunday, I thought back to when I was growing up and how many times my dad fixed up our house vs. how many times we had hired professional help do the projects for us. As a result that I think that house that I grew up in was done pretty well, but the joke continues to this day that that house would fall over if we actually had a level board anywhere in the foundation.

God has given us a community in which we live as a blessing and a gift for a reason. Some people are good with physical labor jobs and have an eye for precision and tools, others are gifted by God in areas of emotional support and are the counselors in the world, and others are healers and can work in the realm of medical science and save lives. There are all kinds of people in the world and to believe as I often do that I can do everything myself means I can end up with my life looking ok but my foundation has no level boards. This can be dangerous and makes me unable to use the gifts that I am good at because I am too busy trying to correct my current difficulties.

What are some practical steps to recognizing “do it yourself” tendencies in our life as a community and not just as individuals?

living out our faith.

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to live out our faith through service and sacrifice. We would love to hear some of your stories and experiences in helping to encourage the community.
Have an awesome week and let's be the city of refuge we are called to be, to all that we come into contact with.

Cur Concept of Community.

Do we really have a concept of community and what that is supposed to look like in the kingdom? Some may say yes, others may say no. But in Christianity today I wonder how close we are to actually living out the life we were intended for. Have you ever thought about how the Jews interacted? They had a calling to be a light to the nations around them, a hope that stood in a world in rebellion, an example for all who came through the paths of trade in that day to observe and learn from. They were set in place by God's design to be the center of the known world. In Christianity we have been scattered and now live in different areas throughout the world. Often in many churches coming together for the random event that may come about other than church on Sunday morning. So here is the thought. What are we missing that the Jews had in Israel in the land God gave to them? What kind of community are we to have in the day in which we live? Are things fine the way they are now? Do we have it all together? How should we, as Missio Dei, live out authentic community, the way those in the kingdom should live?

seasons of life

Seasons are always on the move and with each passing season a new chapter of life begins. Since the beginning of spring until the mid part of fall I continue to be joyous. However after that the cold will take over and winter will make its way into our lives. I know some love winter and for them that’s fine, but for me, I can't wait for the great lion to take back the land in Michigan and for spring to come once again. In our lives we have different seasons that have very little to do with the weather outside. As a community we are to love one another, be there to lift each other when we are down, and celebrate with each other when there is cause for celebration. Where are you in your seasons of life? Let us as a community come around and embrace the good and bad in your life.

So here is what I want us to do this week (time permitting). Find a trusted friend or member of the community.

Go out and have breakfast, lunch, dinner or desert with them. Be open and honest about your life and share the season of life your in right now. Let’s embrace the community that we have and lets be the kind of community we were made for. Feel free to drop a comment on your thoughts or experiences.