So how did being positive go for you? Did it change your attitude?

This week we want to write about the need for encouragement. Encouragement is something simple but can really change the outlook for people too. Again looking at Jesus we see many times how His encouragement really changed people. Last week we share about the encouragement for Peter but that was only one of them. Jesus encouraged people by breaking down walls, just think about the tax collector. A man that was not loved in that society, but he came to his house, which was a huge encouragement for that man, so much so that he totally changed his life.

So when you speak a word of encouragement to someone or do an action that is encouraging you can change people’s outlook on their day, week, or even life. Encouragement brings courage! I experienced so many times that just by caring and acknowledging a person they would feel encouraged and uplifted. Its not hard. Just think about your neighbors. What about if you encourage them in something they do really well! Maybe there yard or some art they did or even just a little act of kindness you saw them doing.

1. Start encouraging someone in your family.
2. Then encourage a neighbor through something little.

Hey our friend

We hope you had a good week!! We are on a writing trip right now in Seattle to work on the book. We are excited to move forward with this project. During the last week we had a great celebration of Saint Patricks day which is a big event in San Francisco. Many times it is used for heavy drinking but not really in remembrance of this amazing man who lived forgiveness very practical by going back to the people that once enslaved them and bringing the gospel and hope to them. Here is a link that shares a little bit about him. Be inspired by him!

Have a wonderful week!!

Markus and Jen

How was your time last week? Where you able to do things together with your neighbors?

This week we want to share about a deep need that we saw for so many years. Many people in our cities and our world are longing for it, but often can’t find it. The need for community!! Again when we look at the example of the life of Jesus we notice that he build a community around him. He took the first steps to invite people in. He talked to his later disciples and they followed him. They must have felt his love to a degree.

So what does that mean for us? If we want community we can’t just say I want community, we have to do our steps. We have to go up to our neighbors and build relationship. We have to be the ones that invite them into our live and not expect them to come to us. Over the last few weeks we gave some first step tips for that, but it is not a structure system. Relationship has to be build natural. But you have to make an effort. I give you an example. I went out for a run in the morning and while doing that I ran into a neighbor. I said hello to him every time I saw him and after a while we started to talk a bit more. After talking a bit more we invited him to our house for a game night. It was a simple way of building a friendship with someone. So it gave me something to look forward to doing my runs in the morning seeing my friend and for him it did the same thing. It also probably motivated and challenged us to have someone else that is exercising out there.

Take this week some simple steps towards becoming friends with people. I don’t know how it looks like for you in your area, but if you take an effort you will find out.

1. Think about how you started your other friendships and then start building it with neighbors.
2. Invite some neighbor into your life by saying hey and getting to know them.

Instead of looking for community be the one who brings community!

Hey our friend

We hope your week was great!! We had a wonderful brunch and a game night at our house. We also got the chance to connect with different neighbor friends which is awesome!! All of us also really enjoyed watching The Shack movie together. Invite a friend and go together to see it. Also make sure to bring tissues when you see it.

Have a blessed week and remember that God is not done with you!!

Markus and Jen

Did you get a project together in the last week? What was it in your area?

One thing that really stood out to me about Jesus was the fact that most of the time he did things together. He walked with his disciples ate with them and did tasks with them together. That brought a great sense of togetherness.

When you look at a neighborhood and neighbors in that context, how do you think it could look like there? As an example if you go grocery shopping don’t go by yourself, go together with a neighbor. All of us have to go grocery shopping and usually it’s a good way to connect while driving there. Instead of using 2 cars, use 1. It doesn’t just save you gas, but its also good for the environment. It creates an immediate sense of community.

Here is an action step:
Before you go grocery shopping this week, talk to your neighbor that you know the best if they would like to go together!

Hey our friend

We hope your week was amazing!! This week we had a team here from Colorado that wanted to learn about how they can love their neighbors. It was a wonderful time. We also had our half yearly Evaluation meeting which was this time hold in San Francisco. It was an encouraging time. This coming Friday we will watch the Movie the Shack together with our Encouragment Group. Make sure to see it. It comes out March 3^rd.

Thank you for all your Prayers and support. You are truly a blessing!!

May this week be a week of Hope!!

Markus and Jen