Building the Community in Love

What builds Community? Have you ever thought about this question? I have been thinking about this since I went to Clergy Conference. When we do something that doesn't build up the community of believers then we shouldn't be doing it. Whatever it is. Then I also think we need to ask ourselves what do I do that builds up the body of Christ and what am I doing to tear it down? We need to ask ourselves about our attitudes and behaviors towards one another. Love always builds up the Body, so it isn't about being right it's about learning to engage in a process of active communication. One that invites us to truly listen to one another, to hear the spoken and unspoken word. It invites us to tell our stories in the context of God's story. We are in the midst of living out our stories and we are part of the love story that God invites us to share in the creative and redemptive power of the story. What is your story? Would you share your story?

Twenty Things to Remember

I am in need of constant reminders what it's all about. so here is some tips:

1. Faith is the ability not to panic.
2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.
3. As a child of God, prayer is kinda like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so She can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead. They can't take it with them.
16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy the precious moments.
17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay.
18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

Thanks to Mountain Wings for these inpirational thoughts.