Here is the Love your neighbor monthly tip – write an encouraging email

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Why is it important?

When Jesus called us to love our neighbor, he gave us a task that is possible for each one of us and is also a blessing for each one of us. Many people around us might feel isolated or don’t feel a sense of belonging (maybe including us), and each one of us can bring change to that. You will see how loving your neighbor will change those things and also the relationships but also how it will give you a greater love for the people around you. It will leave a great impact and it builds a strong and lasting community for your neighbors and you as well to just name a few things. When I think back to last year and how the pandemic affected everyone around the world we saw more and more 1. the need of bringing God’s love to our local places and 2. How important it is to be connected with our neighbors. We got reminded of the call from Jesus also because our neighborhoods were the only places we could go to. So let’s all do this together starting today to take Jesus seriously and love our neighbor. We will give you a monthly tip with how to establish that relationship and love your neighbors in a practical way and then we will all put it into action with the neighbors right around us.  And then watch how over time your neighborhood will change! You, me, and all of us can do it so let’s do it!!

Our tip for this month is to write an encouraging email to your neighbors! Watch the video with some tips on that!

Hi our friend

How are you?

Jen, Caleb and I are doing well!! We are enjoying the sunny days we are having right now here in SF. Cause of the good weather Jen is able to connect with more Moms in the neighborhood while taking Caleb out to the park. It’s a wonderful way to build new and deeper relationships. We also got further in editing the book. It still is a long way to go but we are moving forward which is encouraging. Also don’t forget this month love your neighbor tip and write an encouraging email to a neighbor!!!

God bless you

Markus and Jen

 

A journey through the bible The Psalms

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So nice that you are part of this bible journey. Today we are looking at a really poetic book, the Psalms. Be encouraged and inspired!

Hi our friend

How was your Easter? We hope you had a wonderful time!!

We had so man wonderful moments this week with friends in the neighborhood. We got to connect through a Easter egg hunt and a big Easter Service, an encouraging time during the encouragement group, dinner and lunch and just by prayer walking. Each of those were easy and natural ways to deepen relationships and build new ones. It also creates a sense of community which everyone needs after this last season. Lets all do something simple this week to connect with others in our neighborhoods!

Also remember this week to get into the book of Psalms! Depending how you prefer to read it, read the full book in a seating, split it up over 2 weeks or read a Psalm daily!! No matter how you will be inspired!!

God bless you

Markus and Jen

Stories to think about – Poet and King Trust in Challenge

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Our story today is about a king who put all his trust in God even in challenges. Read a little bit more about the story today in Psalm 3.

We saw in this story how David leaned on God in every moment of his life. Where do you put your trust when you face challenges? If its not God ask God to help you to fully trust him!

Hi our friend

Since I was a little boy I loved Easter and especially finding the special gifts from my parents and grandparents hidden in the backyard of my home in Germany. We always got some gifts and lots of candy which was wonderful. When I got older getting candy was still nice, but by then I really enjoyed the sunrise service with an Easter breakfast after with the whole church community.

When I think of Easter today I remember all those wonderful memories but mainly it fills me with thankfulness. Thankfulness for the unconditional love shown through Jesus to me and you. I love how He shares in John 15.13 “No one has greater love than a person who lays down his life for his friends.” But not just that, Paul puts it in Romans 5.8 like this: “he died for us while we were still sinners.” And that’s exactly what he did, Jesus died for each person that ever lived and will live on the cross.

You might ask why. The issue is that sin separates us from God. Sin brings guilt and shame into our lives and because of that, it brings a rift into our relationship with him. We saw that in the beginning in the garden how Adam and Eve after sinning were afraid of God. Fear is never a good thing in a loving relationship. God never stopped loving us, but because of sin that brought shame and fear we stopped believing that.

Of course, sin had consequences and Adam and Eve had to leave the garden and also eventually experienced death. When Jesus went to the cross he took with him all the sins from the past, the present and the future. He made a way for us through trusting him to be free from sin, shame and fear and to be able to truly receive the unconditional love of God.

But what about death? The good news of Easter is that it did not end at the cross. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. With that, he overcame the power of death and the hold it had. Jesus says in John 3.16 whoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life. Eternal life with our loving father in heaven with no more shame or fear making us believe that we are not unconditionally loved. Death has no more power over anyone who believes in him. Isn’t that the best news ever!!

Spend some time in this Easter season to think about this amazing love God has for you and also thank him for all he did for you and me. And if there is anything in you that makes you believe that he might not love you because of what you’ve done … remember the truth in Romans 5.8! Let His love touch you in a new way in this Easter season! You are unconditionally loved!

We wish you a blessed and happy Easter
Markus, Jen and Caleb

 

A journey through the bible the book of Hebrews

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The letter of Hebrews is an easy way to grow in your faith and also learn new foundation. Be encouraged.

Hi our friend

Remember today that you are amazing and loved!

Caleb turned 1 this week and it was wonderful. Between 50 and 70 guests between neighbors, church and ywam came to his celebration in our local park. Jen got to share about the miracle from God he is with all the guests and many were really moved. It was wonderful. We really love our communities.

Another special moment this week was when I got to go to the memorial service of a grandma of a young man I mentor. It was special to be there for the family in this time of grief and also to meet them all. I felt so honored to be asked by the family to pray and share a short message at the graveside with everyone. And the amazing thing is that on the morning of the funeral God spoke to me in preparation that I might be asked to do that and gave me a message. God will always guide us we just have to make sure to have an open ear to listen!

In this week’s blog we talked about the book of Hebrews. Let the book encourage you in your faith when you read it!

God bless you

Markus and Jen

Stories to think about – Job and his strong relationship with God

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Our story today is about Job and his strong relationship with God. May his relationship inspire you!

Hi our friend

How was your week?

This week was wonderful for us. We had so many times with different people and also got to have a neighbor friend over for dinner which was really awesome. On Sunday we have a birthday celebration for Calebs 1st birthday in our local park. Neighbors, friends from church and YWAM friends are coming. One of our friends who is a singer will sing a song for him and another friend will read a poem he wrote for him. Its so awesome to see all of our friends from our different communities come together to show their love by celebrating Caleb. I say this a lot but true community is something all of us need!! Most of the times it will not just come to you. It takes an effort to build it. But let me tell you when you have it you never want to miss it!! Start today by loving your neighbor!

Also ask yourself the question, based on our story of Job, how is my relationship with God? Is there anything between you and him that holds you away from trusting and new depth? Pray about it and ask God to heal those areas!

God bless you

Markus and Jen