What would it be like to be part of a community of people who bring their gifts and talents together to support their neighbors? Where people of all cultures and social status are invited to connect in community of openhanded and openhearted people? Where we live outside our comfort zone and champion the rights of the "least of these." These are people we come in contact with every day.
If people are good enough to prepare our food or take care of our lawn, if they are good enough to take care of our kids or our grandparents, they should be good enough to be part of our community and break bread at our table.
God has a vision for community where all people can count on receiving grace, mercy and love especially those who are poor and oppressed among us. Where the successful are willing to give a hand up to those who are struggling for the common good of their community.
Join the journey of bringing justice and reconciliation to the world while feeding and fulfilling your soul.
When it matters... ARE YOU IN?
When It Matters...
ARE YOU IN?
WELCOME
Friday, June 1, 2018
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Our world provides us with an abundance of opportunities. Today, many of our relationships are nurtured through social media. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn are just a few of the many connecting sites. So many ways to connect, yet so little time.
Take a look at our juiced up planet!
So what does it does it matter? Keeping up with a world that's in wild acceleration can be challenging and even overwhelming.
Yet, maybe it's not about keeping up? Maybe it's about slowing down and taking time to understand how we best fit using our unique skills and talents to impact our changing, fast paced world.
Take your time, explore the blog and share your reflections in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Yet, maybe it's not about keeping up? Maybe it's about slowing down and taking time to understand how we best fit using our unique skills and talents to impact our changing, fast paced world.
Take your time, explore the blog and share your reflections in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Hungry for something more?
See how those below fulfilled their JUMBO sized cravings.
Eating a 72 ounce steak in an hour is pretty over the top and probably not something most of us would try. However, we can all probably relate to having some hefty sized cravings of our own.
We were born wanting machines, having cravings for success through work, school, sports (can you say fantasy football?), money, material things etc. etc. Yet, some cravings are much more simple like wanting someone to hang out with or even just getting a little extra sleep at night.
Our cravings can also get out of hand. Today, surfing the internet, listening to portable music, talking and texting on cell phones have become powerful cravings. Yet, satisfying our cravings is another thing. We are a nation that loves bigger meals, bigger TV's, bigger SUV's, bigger houses, mega-churches, multi-national corporations yada, yada, yada.
We are constantly looking for bigger and better ways to feed our needs. However, often after satisfying our cravings, we soon become bored and start looking for something else.
Could there be another kind of satisfaction we're really looking to fill? Maybe there's something bigger and greater outside ourselves that is calling to satisfy our hunger for more?
We were born wanting machines, having cravings for success through work, school, sports (can you say fantasy football?), money, material things etc. etc. Yet, some cravings are much more simple like wanting someone to hang out with or even just getting a little extra sleep at night.
Our cravings can also get out of hand. Today, surfing the internet, listening to portable music, talking and texting on cell phones have become powerful cravings. Yet, satisfying our cravings is another thing. We are a nation that loves bigger meals, bigger TV's, bigger SUV's, bigger houses, mega-churches, multi-national corporations yada, yada, yada.
We are constantly looking for bigger and better ways to feed our needs. However, often after satisfying our cravings, we soon become bored and start looking for something else.
Could there be another kind of satisfaction we're really looking to fill? Maybe there's something bigger and greater outside ourselves that is calling to satisfy our hunger for more?
Bernard Shaw once wrote: This is the true joy of life: being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
Check out these friends!
Hanging Out
Do you have people in your life that are fun to hang out with? Are they friends you look forward to seeing and who make a difference in your life?
Do they bring out the best in you and root for your success? And do you have friends who understand your personality and quirks and will stand by you even when your worst flaws are exposed?
If not, maybe it's time to seek out those who will encourage and support your hopes and dreams and help achieve the things that matter most to you?
Do they bring out the best in you and root for your success? And do you have friends who understand your personality and quirks and will stand by you even when your worst flaws are exposed?
If not, maybe it's time to seek out those who will encourage and support your hopes and dreams and help achieve the things that matter most to you?
John Maxwell says: “Good friends are not the icing on the cake. They are the cake.”
When things don't work out
At one point or another we all get into situations that are beyond what we can handle. We evaluate, we think we're prepared, only to realize, "I am way over my head."
And then there are times when we think we've made it or have overcome a difficult situation, when the unexpected happens and jerks us back into reality.
Take a look at what happens to this unsuspecting alien.
And then there are times when we think we've made it or have overcome a difficult situation, when the unexpected happens and jerks us back into reality.
Take a look at what happens to this unsuspecting alien.
Overcoming a slap with reality
Most incidents aren't quite so sudden... or unusual... However, many times unexpected incidents can throw us into a crises that is stressful and hard to overcome.
Yet, other situations are long and difficult which cause great pain, anger and bitterness. Maybe it's a stressful relationship, divorce or death of a loved one. Maybe it's the loss of a job or difficult illness or injury. Could be the kids leaving home or moving to a new place.
Going through a traumatic event can make us question our lives and the decisions we've made. We may be thinking: Why are these things are happening to me? I thought my life would turn out different. If I could get out of this mess, maybe I could start over.
But we can also lose perspective when our lives are focused on how everything affects us. Where the drive for personal satisfaction and the sting of personal disappointment creates a continual cycle of roller coaster feelings.
Yet we do have a choice. Life altering events can make us more cautious, cynical and fearful about the future or they can make us stronger and wiser to make better decisions and prepare us for handling new opportunities. Either way, we most likely will never be the same.
So how have you dealt with your slaps with reality? Has the long term impact been mostly positive, negative or a combo platter?
Yet, other situations are long and difficult which cause great pain, anger and bitterness. Maybe it's a stressful relationship, divorce or death of a loved one. Maybe it's the loss of a job or difficult illness or injury. Could be the kids leaving home or moving to a new place.
Going through a traumatic event can make us question our lives and the decisions we've made. We may be thinking: Why are these things are happening to me? I thought my life would turn out different. If I could get out of this mess, maybe I could start over.
But we can also lose perspective when our lives are focused on how everything affects us. Where the drive for personal satisfaction and the sting of personal disappointment creates a continual cycle of roller coaster feelings.
Yet we do have a choice. Life altering events can make us more cautious, cynical and fearful about the future or they can make us stronger and wiser to make better decisions and prepare us for handling new opportunities. Either way, we most likely will never be the same.
So how have you dealt with your slaps with reality? Has the long term impact been mostly positive, negative or a combo platter?
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, then to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows no victory or defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt
Opportunity for Impact
Nothing matters more than knowing the purpose for your life. Without a purpose, life is boring, petty, and pointless. The purpose of life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, peace of mind, or even happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest ambitions.
When something really matters to you, it will put a fire in your belly, to get up and get on with it, to do something impactful. If you have a restless spirit that is searching for something to be passionate about? Take the first step by finding an opportunity that will make the most of your gifts and talents.
Interested? Not sure? Why not check out the possibilities below and see if there is something that moves you to take a step toward a new chapter in your life? Most of the organizations listed work on the front lines of helping people struggling to meet basic needs. Let us know if something interests you or if you have suggestions.
When something really matters to you, it will put a fire in your belly, to get up and get on with it, to do something impactful. If you have a restless spirit that is searching for something to be passionate about? Take the first step by finding an opportunity that will make the most of your gifts and talents.
Interested? Not sure? Why not check out the possibilities below and see if there is something that moves you to take a step toward a new chapter in your life? Most of the organizations listed work on the front lines of helping people struggling to meet basic needs. Let us know if something interests you or if you have suggestions.
Check these out!
"We cannot do great things in this world, we can only do little things with great love." - Mother Theresa
Bringing things together
Remember the days are short. Make the most out of every opportunity.
The Journey
Wherever you're at in life, do you still hold to someday having your hopes and dreams fulfilled? Maybe they've gotten sidetracked or buried among the "have to" activites of life.
Busyness doing stuff can drain dreams and make us forget what brings us passion and fulfillment. It's not too late! We can still connect with things that bring joy and that will impact not only lives but also to those around us.
Could other centered living play a role in reviving your dreams and bring fulfillment? Could standing in the gap for the have nots in this world be the inspiration that draws us to something greater, where we were meant to be. Not a perfect place but a content and hope filled place.
Busyness doing stuff can drain dreams and make us forget what brings us passion and fulfillment. It's not too late! We can still connect with things that bring joy and that will impact not only lives but also to those around us.
Could other centered living play a role in reviving your dreams and bring fulfillment? Could standing in the gap for the have nots in this world be the inspiration that draws us to something greater, where we were meant to be. Not a perfect place but a content and hope filled place.
So join us on the journey for the things that matter. Invite others to share what you encounter and keep us informed along the way.
We'd love to get your feedback on our comments section below.
We'd love to get your feedback on our comments section below.