Suppenticity: 1/21-22/2012

"Visible community is grace." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

We were reminded this week in our series on the 5 S's and Romans 12 how important it is for us to live in community and to treat each other well.  We want to honor God in the way we treat our family, our friends, our neighbors, strangers and even enemies. 

But sometimes, in this world, community, and real friendship can be hard to find. 

Here's some stuff to try this week, as we defy the patterns of this world and live holy, pleasing to God kinds of lives:

- Spend some time this week thanking God for the people around you on a regular basis.  Thank God for your family, your friends, your co-workers.  Lift them up before yourself as you talk to God.  You may be surprised at how talking to God about other people makes them look differently to you.

- Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while.  Maybe it's been so long since you talked that you're afraid it will be awkward.  Don't worry about that.  Just call them.  Catch up.  Listen.

- Call or write to someone you know who needs encouragement.  Do it electronically if you absolutely have to but consider putting the encouragement in real writing or in your real voice.

- Do an inventory of conflict in your life.  Remember Paul's admonition to "live at peace with everyone...as far as it depends on you."  Is there some part you need to play in peace-making this week?

- Re-read Romans 12.9-21.  Ask God to help you live out these life descriptions.  Maybe you just start with one that is a particular struggle in your life.

- Share some meals this week.  Gather your family around the dinner table.  Ask some friends to lunch. 

- Think about throwing a party.  I have some friends who live by the rule: "If you feel like you want to be invited to a party, just throw one."  Are there people in your life with whom you could deepen your relationship through spending intentional time together?

- Consider signing the SouthBrook's covenant and bring it to church over the next couple of weeks.  Join the whole community in commiting our lives to these old, but renewing, disciplines.

Next up:  Servispansion!

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