“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Ephesians 4:3 NLT

“I am writing these things to you now… [so] you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3:14-15 NLT

Day 19 0f 40: Community requires commitment – “It takes both God’s power, and our effort to produce a loving Christian community.”

Warren goes on to make the point that many people, growing up in unhealthy (and even dysfunctional) families, have never learned the relational skills needed to build Christian community. But even if our human families were healthy, for the most part, it still takes commitment – and conscious choices – on our part to make it work.

I have to ask myself: “Is it worth it, at this stage in my life, to make the effort to get involved in these people’s lives?”

The answer is not a simple “yes, of course.” Continue reading “PDL 19 – Cultivating Community” →

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“Where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 NLT

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3.12-13 NLT

“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.” Exodus 3:5 NLT

Day 18 of 40: Our earliest human family is our first experience of “life together.”

For some of us, our birth families have helped us reach the “stars;” for others, our first experience with family has left us with deep “scars.”

No family is perfect, but there are huge differences in our early family experiences. And these differences shape our inclinations for/against trying out “life together” in the church.

Robert Schuller said: “God wants to turn our scars into stars.” That’s true… and small fellowship groups with Jesus at the center are one of the primary vehicles that God uses.

In the Bible, the word fellowship refers to sharing common life with others… “Communion” (The Lord’s Supper) is its deepest expression. Continue reading “PDL 18 – Experiencing Life Together” →