The Torah’s good neighbor policy (Deuteronomy 22:1-4) was about more than simply making sure everyone’s lost ox, sheep, cloak, or “anything else” (see v. 3) found its way back to it owner. It was about cultivating community. Lost animals or objects simply provided opportunities for relationships to be enhanced and grown. Not everyone would lookContinue reading “We Need More Pearls!”
Tag Archives: community
Rooted Or Roaming (Up In The Air)
Up in the Air is a movie from 2009 about a man (Ryan Bingham), who spends most of his life up in the air, flying from one place to another. He is away from home about 300 days a year and his goal is to reach the 10 million mile mark in air travel— something thatContinue reading “Rooted Or Roaming (Up In The Air)”
Touchable
We’ve learned a lot about touch and isolation in the last two years, haven’t we? We started off being told not to touch our eyes, nose, or mouth (remember that?). Then we graduated to not touching things, people, and carrying around sanitizer. There was also social distancing, masks, and isolation (a.k.a., “staying in”). We didContinue reading “Touchable”
Fresh Faith (2)
Let’s look at each of these more closely. Renewing ourselves as disciples: There are few things more toxic spiritually than a failure to learn and grow. This happens because people either think they already know it all or they are apathetic about learning. Either way, the results are the same. I’ve known some people over the years whoContinue reading “Fresh Faith (2)”
God At Work
Whatever else it might be, Paul’s little letter to the Ephesians is filled with fundamentally rich truths about church that should transform the way we think about the community God has created. Written to a first-century congregation comprised of people from starkly different backgrounds (Jewish and Gentile), the topic of community would be an area where they understandably needed some pointed instruction. YetContinue reading “God At Work”
To Judge or not to Judge?
“Don’t judge!” As much as anything else, this has been our culture’s mantra for last generation. We’re so emphatic about it that I saw a meme of a little girl pointing an accusing finger at Santa Claus and saying, “Naughty or nice, huh? STOP JUDGING ME!” Even Santa has been taken down by popular culture.Continue reading “To Judge or not to Judge?”
Thinking about Community (2)
In the movie Places in the Heart, Moses Hadnot is a drifter who has heroically oversees Edna Spalding’s farm through the planting and harvesting of a cotton crop during the Depression. Shortly after the cotton is taken to the gin, members of the Ku Klux Klan pay him a visit and he is badly beaten. The attackContinue reading “Thinking about Community (2)”
Rhubarb Pie and the Community of Christ
Do you remember the United States Army recruiting slogan, Army of One? If not, don’t feel bad—it wasn’t around too long. For those of you who don’t remember, it replaced the quite well known, Be all that you can be, motto that attracted young people into the service for two decades. Supposedly the marketing strategy behind Army ofContinue reading “Rhubarb Pie and the Community of Christ”
Part of a Family
One of the more challenging tasks parents have in raising their children is in helping them to understand the proper relationship between the individual and community. This undertaking is complicated by the facts that our culture places an extremely high value on individualism and that children are naturally self-centered. Any parent or teacher can tell you ofContinue reading “Part of a Family”
Little Fingers and the Body of Christ
I cut my finger on a chainsaw. Now that I have your attention I can tell you that it was one of those small chainsaws that is powered by a battery. Furthermore, the saw wasn’t even on at the time—I was pulling the plastic over off the blade when I sliced my little finger onContinue reading “Little Fingers and the Body of Christ”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 