The Torah’s good neighbor policy (Deuteronomy 22:1-4) was about more than simply making sure everyone’s lost ox, sheep, cloak, or “anything else” (see v. 3) found its way back to it owner. It was about cultivating community. Lost animals or objects simply provided opportunities for relationships to be enhanced and grown. Not everyone would lookContinue reading “We Need More Pearls!”
Category Archives: community
Going Viral With Community
In Mark 9:30-31, Jesus told His disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection (9:30-31). They didn’t grasp what He was saying but “’were afraid to ask Him about it” (v. 32). Unfortunately, they did not show the same reticence in regard to arguing among themselves about “who was the greatest” in the kingdom (v. 34).Continue reading “Going Viral With Community”
Ritual And Community
The Passover was a meal to be observed in community. Although it was originally taken as a household, everyone did it at the same time and in the same time (Exodus 12:46-47,6,8). Later when Israel had settled in the land, everyone journeyed to Jerusalem in order to celebrate it as a nation (Deuteronomy 16:1-7). It was aContinue reading “Ritual And Community”
Sherlock Holmes and the Rich Life
I recently re-watched the BBC series Sherlock Holmes with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman and I think I enjoyed it even more than the first time. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea as the Brits would say, but this time through I paid closer attention to the relational dynamics. The first time around I hadContinue reading “Sherlock Holmes and the Rich Life”
Thinking About Community (3)
It was John Donne who said, “No man is an island, entire of itself . . . Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” The language of Mr. Donne may be antiquated but the truth he spokeContinue reading “Thinking About Community (3)”
Thinking about Community (2)
In the movie Places in the Heart, Moses Hadnot is a drifter who has heroically oversees Edna Spalding’s farm through the planting and harvesting of a cotton crop during the Depression. Shortly after the cotton is taken to the gin, members of the Ku Klux Klan pay him a visit and he is badly beaten. The attackContinue reading “Thinking about Community (2)”
Thinking about Community (1)
The early chapters of Genesis have much to say about community. The inspired record has scarcely started when we read that “it is not good for the man to be alone,” (Genesis 2:18). While this statement points primarily towards the marriage relationship, it also expresses the larger truth that God made us for relationships. We are social beings. ThoughContinue reading “Thinking about Community (1)”
The Power of the Table
Gregg Popovich is the coach of the San Antonio Spurs, an NBA basketball team. To say that he is successful would be an understatement. Consider the following: He has coached the team since 1996—that’s longer than any other current coach in professional basketball, football or hockey. He has more wins with the Spurs than anyContinue reading “The Power of the Table”
The Difference Between Silver and Gold
I heard on NPR the story of a man who was a sergeant in the Massachusetts Army National Guard and served on the honor guard at military funerals. His duty was to sound Taps. It’s phrased that way because he didn’t actually play the song (he didn’t know how to play the bugle). Instead, heContinue reading “The Difference Between Silver and Gold”
The Church Belongs to God!
We’d had numerous people picking up pecans off the grounds at the church where I used to work. I’d seen many of our members out there. One of our shepherds had been particularly zealous in his collection efforts, shaking the tree branches as well as using some type of extension tool that allowed him to reach up into the trees.Continue reading “The Church Belongs to God!”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 