Yes... I know. The world needs another blog, right?
But even though there are way too many blogs in the world already... and even though 90% of them seem to die out within a few short months (see my old blogs: Cafe Verona, River Ramblings, etc.)... Nevertheless, I am a purist, and I still believe blogs hold enormous potential for opening the floodgates of communication within a community.
But what to talk about? Hmmmmm... So far when we've met as a Young Adult group (trust me, we're not the young ones), we have talked about living in community, roles in marriage, weed & alcohol, social media & the Hollywood culture, divorce and other somewhat complicated life issues. In the future, we'll tackle some other things like finances, parenting, politics, sexuality (that's a big one, right?), generous giving (a.k.a., tithing), abortion, death & suffering, racial issues, other religions, social justice... and other stuff. We'll probably preview some of that in this blog... but in all honesty, I don't have a master plan... just a willingness and desire to engage people in what seem like important conversations... especially since we live in a PC world where people may be afraid to voice their thoughts.
Oh well, let's face it... the topic of discussion isn't necessarily the most important thing about getting together... at least, not for me. The most important thing is spending some time together with other people... especially people I like and/or admire. You know, learning from each other. Encouraging one another. Sharing our thoughts, our experiences, our opinions... our innermost desires with one another. It's about getting together with other people and opening our hearts and minds toward God and toward one another. Sometimes it's about becoming vulnerable, being willing to share our deepest fears... and sometimes it's boasting about our biggest victories. This thing we're after is about trusting one another, listening to one another... and hearing one other. it's about community.
It's also about sharing words of knowledge with one another... awesome words from God... words that encourage, words that build up... words that heal... words that illuminate... words that bring hope... words that give strength, and words that bless. God doesn't limit Himself to speaking through the Bible... He reveals Himself to and through those who live in relationship with Jesus. I feel sorry for people who don't participate in this amazing thing called the community of Christ.
Ya, we live in a busy world. Life happens. Children are born... and raised. Jobs demand our time. Houses (and yards) need work. Sports are played and watched. School is attended. Schedules are written. And calendars get filled oh so quickly. Nevertheless, most of us need a safe place. We crave the company of other people... especially people who care about us. People who don't have an agenda... aren't trying to sell us anything, or coerce us into doing something against our will. We just want a place to hang. A place to talk. Maybe a place to open a beer, or smoke a cigar. A place to laugh. A place to relax... community.
But what to talk about? Hmmmmm... So far when we've met as a Young Adult group (trust me, we're not the young ones), we have talked about living in community, roles in marriage, weed & alcohol, social media & the Hollywood culture, divorce and other somewhat complicated life issues. In the future, we'll tackle some other things like finances, parenting, politics, sexuality (that's a big one, right?), generous giving (a.k.a., tithing), abortion, death & suffering, racial issues, other religions, social justice... and other stuff. We'll probably preview some of that in this blog... but in all honesty, I don't have a master plan... just a willingness and desire to engage people in what seem like important conversations... especially since we live in a PC world where people may be afraid to voice their thoughts.
Oh well, let's face it... the topic of discussion isn't necessarily the most important thing about getting together... at least, not for me. The most important thing is spending some time together with other people... especially people I like and/or admire. You know, learning from each other. Encouraging one another. Sharing our thoughts, our experiences, our opinions... our innermost desires with one another. It's about getting together with other people and opening our hearts and minds toward God and toward one another. Sometimes it's about becoming vulnerable, being willing to share our deepest fears... and sometimes it's boasting about our biggest victories. This thing we're after is about trusting one another, listening to one another... and hearing one other. it's about community.
It's also about sharing words of knowledge with one another... awesome words from God... words that encourage, words that build up... words that heal... words that illuminate... words that bring hope... words that give strength, and words that bless. God doesn't limit Himself to speaking through the Bible... He reveals Himself to and through those who live in relationship with Jesus. I feel sorry for people who don't participate in this amazing thing called the community of Christ.
So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25
Ya, we live in a busy world. Life happens. Children are born... and raised. Jobs demand our time. Houses (and yards) need work. Sports are played and watched. School is attended. Schedules are written. And calendars get filled oh so quickly. Nevertheless, most of us need a safe place. We crave the company of other people... especially people who care about us. People who don't have an agenda... aren't trying to sell us anything, or coerce us into doing something against our will. We just want a place to hang. A place to talk. Maybe a place to open a beer, or smoke a cigar. A place to laugh. A place to relax... community.
