Relational Community

The following is s brief quote from an article by Susanne Kilew on Ezine @rticles.com. While the piece states the obvious it is still a reminder of our need to be relational. Community is relational; we were made for this.

"The Church has to go from isolation and start impacting the community positively. Instead of deciding what the community needs, we need to ask the community what they need. Then decide what God would have us do."

Read the full piece at:

Church in the Community

By Susanne Kirlew

Pretending you care about community.

Pretending you care about community.

Posted using ShareThis

Online Community? Possible?

Oregon Live just posted a most interesting and funny article from The Oregonian. It's about this book, it's about this author, it's about Facebook and other social networks and the effects on community within the church.

Do I, as a Christian, Facebook using, tweeting, Digital Technologies and Culture graduate agree with Rice? Hmmm. I tell you what, I will read this book and let you know.

In the meantime I suggest YOU read the rich, rich article by Nancy Haught and watch Jesse Rice's funny YouTube videos. All are available at the following link:

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2010/01/christian_author_jesse_rice_ne.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Community...it's like dirt

the power of community

Posted by Kathy Harrison / an excerpt from The Just In Case Blog

"Just like healthy soil teems with life that is not always apparent at first glance, healthy communities are also alive with activity. There has been a lot of talk about why people chose not to get involved anymore. We are too busy, too tired, already overcommitted but often, those are excuses. People have always worked hard. They have always been tired at the end of a busy day. But the work got done. I urge you to look around. See what needs doing. If you love books, maybe your library needs you. Love antiques? How about the Historical Society. I know there is a house of worship that would welcome you, a school that is desperate for someone to help with a spruce up day, an elder who could use a visit.

"It does no good to complain about the state of the world without being willing to work to make change happen. As judiciously as we stock up on supplies and equipment, we need to stock up on relationships. Whoever you are, whatever your skills, there is a match out there, someone who needs just what you have."

To view the entire piece click the title hyperlink at the top.

Tailgate Parties

With the Saints going to the Super Bowl (and deservedly so I might add) I thought I'd post this little story from dailycomet.com. Ironically it's set in Houma, LA (where my forthcoming young adult chapter book is set).

It reminds me of the church picnics that were are regular occurance on TV's Little House series. What a wonderful way to fellowship--commune.

Click the hyperlink to view the whole story.

Local group holds weekly tailgating parties at church

The Rev. Mike Manase is shown wearing his New Orleans Saints beanie Saturday at a tailgate party at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles community. The Knights of Columbus at the church has held Saints tailgate parties every week this season.

By Thad Angelloz
Staff Writer

Published: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 12:33 p.m.

( page of 3 )

HOUMA — The New Orleans Saints and religion go hand in hand. So when a member of a local Knights of Columbus group wanted to start tailgating at the group’s church on game days, the rest of the membership got onboard.

I'll be at my usual church Super Bowl Party on Feb. 7th. GO SAINTS!

The PAPA Prayer

I'm reading this AMAZING book called The PAPA Prayer by Dr. Larry Crabb. It's THE best book I have ever read on prayer and one of the top ten books I have ever read. The book is so well written and is so profound.

If we got this, we'd all be the Christians we should be. This is about communion and community with our Maker which would transform the communion and community we have with one another.

Click the following link for more information, but don't even hesitate to pick the book up today!

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/prayerandcounseling/intercession/crabb_papaprayer.aspx

MLK Day going the way of Xmas?

Christmas is all about Santa and Martin Luther King was all about community service, right? NOT! Seems folks like to de-emphasize the true meaning of a holiday for one that's more comfortable.

Just as Christmas has it's founding in Jesus Christ and God's message of salvation, Martin Luther King Day is about equality and social justice. It's NOT about community service. It's not even about doing "good" deeds; it's about doing right deeds. It's about freedom and respect, not about cleaning up the streams, picking up litter or even volunteering with a child.

MKL Day is about honoring a man who stood up for what was right and non-violence. He asked for peace and brotherhood. He stood for true community in the body of Christ and in the nation.

His deeds were "speaking the truth in love" and advocating civil disobedience in the face of injustice to call attention to inequality and racism, hatred and bigotry.

In moving away from his message we will ignore it. Our acts of charity and social reform for the good of all men who were created equal are the actions that count and will remember the Reverend in the light he would have wished.

I'm back...

Hard to believe I laid this baby down for so long. It's time for a comeback. This time I think I'll stay, so don't be afraid to follow.

I want to start back with a reference/link to this intellgent article from RevLife:

Church Should Not Be About Hype

By Matt at The Church of No People

"To kick off our final week of Doubt Month, I want to ask you a question. Has church ever insulted your intelligence?"

See the entire piece at: http://www.revelife.com/720387522/church-should-not-be-about-hype/