How did it change your perspective about people in your community after you meet them?
One of the great things Jesus did with his disciples was showing them that he really wanted them. Remember Peter and all his missteps? Jesus told him and showed him many times that he wanted him and that he was important. It was harder to believe for Peter but Jesus made it clear many times.
When you really want neighbors to become part of your life they can feel it. We don’t just invite them over, no we truly want them to come. If someone is missing it doesn’t feel the same. It is always wonderful when one of our friends comes, he changes the whole atmosphere around the table. So actually showing people that they are really wanted, changed everything for us. Our friendships and relationships deepened and got so much better.
The way to do it is to really mean it when you invite someone over. Show that you really want them to sit at your table or come over. It’s the words you say that do that, but also the action. Give them a hug when they come and sound excited. Show each one that they are so loved as soon as they enter your door!!
I think the last paragraph is a good encouragement for all of us for this week and all coming weeks. Especially also for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Its very basic, but the very basic is often the key to everything! So let’s have a true love for our neighbor!
Hey our friend
Jen and I both recovered!! Yay!!! That Cold hold on until Thursday but then we got better. So we were able to go to our Bay Area Council meeting on Friday as well have dinners we had on the schedule for a little bit. This coming week we are planning to have a Reformation Celebration with German food and the story of Luther and how he brought change into the church and also how he enabled each person to read the bible. I don’t know if you knew, but he translated the Bible into German and out of that need for bibles the book press was invented and through that the bible could be distributed. Before people hand copied the whole book which made it quite hard to get and also pretty expensive.
So where do you see things that need change and God calls you to be the answer? Also, don’t forget to show someone that they are really wanted!
Have a blessed week and be a blessing!
Markus and Jen
Recently I watched this episode of little house on the prairie which was about a lady that moved into town and she was a bit strange. Many people right away stayed away from her. But 2 of the main character decided to befriend her. Through that friendship others started to accept her as well and that opened up the door for her to help people with giftings she had. But before she could help anyone she had to be accepted and be a friend. And also people first had to meet her before the opinions could change about her.
One thing we learned over the years is that we have to start early with invitations for holidays. Its 2 weeks before thanksgiving and Jen starts to hand out invitations to many of our neighborhood friends to our thanksgiving meal. After all the inviting we end up with a very full table and apartment. Everyone who came had a wonderful time together and many of them shared how it felt like family. Through early planning most people could come since they did not have plans yet.
This weeks blog is another video blog with the topic use your in between time. We hope you feel encouraged!!
This weeks blog is a video blog and to find out what a starfish has to do with loving your neighbor you have to watch it!!