Flesh

"Flesh" is the title of a new book written by Hugh Halter.  It is a wonderful read.  Halter maps the way a person can live as Christ in their neighbourhood.  This book is a great encouragement to the journey of loving our neighbour.
- "Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor." (Charles Spurgeon, 1875)

Dog-sittin'

It's spring break and one neighbour asked our teenage daughters to stay over at their house tonight and watch their dog.  Simple!  From relationship comes trust which then meets needs.

Ponoka & Neighbourhood Life

This past Sunday I had the privilege to speak to a few hundred people in Ponoka.  I borrowed the message from Peter, an original disciple of Jesus.  Here Peter addresses the 'church' with words such as "chosen", "scattered" and "strangers."  "Chosen" to pass on the good news that, after Jesus died, he came back to life.   "Scattered" to give a real sense that we are 'out there' among neighbours who have not seen how this good news can give life!  And "strangers" knowing we are surrounded by many who live with a different hope and a different motivation (I Peter 1:1-2).
By Sunday afternoon I was enjoying supper with Neighbourhood  Life families, hearing stories and challenges that come with loving your neighbour.  Loving a neighbour, much like loving a child, is not always easy.  In a lighthearted moment,  I was reminded that, 'we should walk a mile in our neighbour's shoes...because then we are a mile away from our neighbour and we have our neighbour's shoes!'  We know how challenging it can be to love our neighbour, but also the joy that is found in neighbours who give more than they take.

Sylvan Lake BBQ

In a few months we will see the snow melt and trees come to life, and block parties will begin.  But why wait?  I have a trailer BBQ that will be delivered and cleaned, with propane included for the simple reason that 4 or more neighbours come together for a block party.  So Sylvan Lake started early and yesterday we had a feast.  Following the food, we kicked back to discuss the benefits of neighbours coming together.  And we told stories of what happened when neighbourhoods came together.  A trailer BBQ helps, but it is the neighbours that know the benefit of caring for and loving each other that make neighbourhoods rich.  And it starts with  a few neighbours getting together.  Thank Sylvan Lake for leading the way!

Shifting Stats; Shaking the Church

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with Rev. Dr. Don Moore and teaching pastor (The Meeting House), Bruxy Cavey to discuss shifting stats and how this is shaking the church.  Stats were shared, such as the changing face of Canadians and its relation to the body of Christ.  Other stats, such as 32% of Canadians went to church on Christmas (2013) drove us to discuss how we can make the gospel more accessible to our neighbours.  This eventually led to this map of  Lacombe I passed around which demonstrated where some of the Christians live (as churches of Lacombe literally took turns laying this map out after a Sunday service for the members to mark where they live).  Looking at the map below it would be magnificent if each Christian would simply stay home more often in order to "love their neighbours."  Better yet, that each household would find another 'person of peace' (Luke 10) who would join them in loving their neighbourhood...motivated by the unconditional love they were given!

Do something!

A business man once asked, "Pastor, is my 10 percent tithe off of the gross or net?" The pastor replied, "When you actually tithe 10 percent, we will talk again."
I share this story when people ask about the effectiveness of loving your neighbour, especially when I find that person cannot even tell me the name of their neighbour.  I was at point in life when I did not know my neighbours' names, nor did I know anything about them.  It seems mysterious, but it is clear that the question about 'gross' or 'net' becomes irrelevant after tithing 10 percent.  Actually, those questions will probably dissipate much earlier for the business man.
The point is we will never understand the effectiveness of loving neighbours if we simply ask questions about effectiveness in lieu of  loving a neighbour.

Improv

Today we had our monthly gathering for leaders who are challenging their people to take their neighbourhoods seriously.  We call this our "Hub."  It was here that we were challenged by a colleague to do life in our neighbourhood as an improve:
        (1) Always say "yes!"
        (2) Then add something.
A great challenge for neighbours!

Another colleague added  we should read the book, "The 10 Second Rule." (http://www.claredegraaf.com/10-second-rule/)  - a short book written to inspire us to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit within 10 seconds; waiting any longer may give us the time it takes to talk ourselves out of it!

Painting the picture of our neighbourhoods

I was told of a tragic event that occurred to a family in a home not far from where I live.  As a result of this tragedy, they go directly to their neighbours....even before calling 911.  I am now well aware that these neighbours have a relationship that runs deep. I have loved neighbours to the point where I get called when they are stuck in the snow.  That's a start.  It is encouraging to know that I would be called, and that I could call on them.  Perhaps one day I will be surprised with a phone call or a knock on the door as relationships deepen.  This all makes sense when we discover how much brokenness is hidden behind the walls of those we call our neighbours.  The good news and stuff worth celebrating is what we are willing to share, but the brokenness is there too.  And their is no home, including our own that is without brokenness.  When we discover this truth, we can begin to redeem or restore through the hope we have in love.  Perhaps this story is best described in Karen Tamminga-Paton's painting, "Rumours of Glory (the Intercessor)."  See her work at: www.tammingapation.com.