I will spend the day singing this sweet old hymn!
Not every sermon spurs me to think---just as every blog I write does not strike your fancy. It is always in the eyes of the beholder and our perspectives. This sermon was in a series on the making of disciples and the topic was "Community". Community is one of those things which does not happen overnight---it takes time and effort. I must admit, lately I have been very homesick for the community I had in Ruston. That community was built over years and years of interaction. Of course, it is impossible for me to have that community here in Fort Worth. NOW---I moved here to be near family---and I do enjoy our times together---BUT both of my offspring have BUSY lives and active families. I do not expect them to interact daily with me---their own families should and do take priority. That gives me great joy. BUT as the High Reverend told us---building community is an integral part of the Believer's Walk. This time around in Fort Worth---I have not done a very good job of making the required effort. That's on me! What I would like to share with you today are the three points (Is it always three?) on how to build friendships within the community.
2. Show it---have your ever heard the phrase, "Words are cheap"? NOT to discount the value of words which affirm our worth---they can fall flat or fly right over our heads if they do not sound sincere. What gives those words real power---believability? The actions which back them up. Show your love to those you claim to love by acts of affirmation. I am reading a book now that has one of the characters sending flowers to the woman he is pursuing. He didn't just send roses---he went to the florist and put thought into what he was sending. She immediately picked up on that by the variety of bouquets. He was putting thought behind his gift and personally involved in the selection. He was seeking to show her worth to him, by his attention to the details. Telling someone you love them, without any action behind those words is not very convincing. We convince others we love them when we show up, listen, and pay attention to the details.
3. Sacrifice ---Give of your time, your attention, your actions. When actions are sacrificially made they are such powerful proof of your love. When you put "Me" on the back burner and strive to serve "You" THEN YOU UNDERSTAND LOVE!
My hope and prayer is we all are part of community. Iron does indeed sharpen iron and God did create us for community. He stated in the very beginning, "It is not good for the man to be alone." Genesis 2:18
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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!