Day 69: Building Community

Kenny's (1 of 1)

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2: 42-47 NIV

Day 69: Building Community

When I go to the store I appreciate finding a great deal. But even more than that I appreciate going to a vendor who recognizes me. Perhaps they ask about my children. The fact that we know about each other’s lives gives me a good feeling. I believe that they care about me not just my money.

Living in an environment where you feel a genuine concern from the people around you is priceless. In the early days of the church described in the book of Acts we read about how the people viewed that all their possessions were to help one another. It wasn’t a utopia. They did have to work through issues of some parts of the community feeling neglected. But they worked through it. In the end they demonstrated God’s kingdom here on earth.

In the picture above you see a local Chinese take out place called Kenny’s. I remember my son saying that the lady at the register was so nice. While they have things that we can enjoy eating it’s because of how they made us feel that we go there so often.

Today I will seek to build community in the places God has placed me.

Thank you for joining me on this journey to worship and wellness. I’ve been suffering with headaches for the last few months and so I took a break but I’m back in the saddle. If you enjoy the posts please subscribe and share with a friend. Have a happy, healthy and blessed day!

David

December 7, 2019

Day 62: Connection

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

I Corinthians 12:27

My son, mother and I went to a concert yesterday evening. It was a wonderful time of beautiful music. However, what was most wonderful for my mom was the moments of connection. Seeing members of her church family she hadn’t seen for a while was priceless. I could see how happy she was.

For me it was a moment to reflect. It is so important to have a place where you feel connected. My connections were many as well. I teach at Washington Adventist University. I saw six of my students performing. A featured soloist was a young lady I met outside the voice studio who I had heard and invited to sing on a concert I produced a year ago. Her voice was beautiful then but it has grown so much!

One of the conductors, Brian Liu told me the other day we had performed together many years ago when I was a guest soloist for a performance of Handel’s Messiah at his alma mater Southern Adventist University. Moments of the past and hopes for the future came together to make the musical performance have a greater impact than just the dynamics of the chorus or the swiftness of the strings.

I am grateful for the connections my church experience has brought over the years. It can bring mental healing and in seasons of hardship. It’s my hope that my son will see how much joy his grandma and father get from our moments of connectedness and seek to foster the same for himself and his children should he choose to have them.

We are the body of Christ. Today I honor and cherish the body I belong to.

October 26, 2019

Day 41: I Need You

joshua-oluwagbemiga-05Oe0Z8Ls3k-unsplash — Photo by Joshua Oluwagbemiga on Unsplash

Day 41: I Need You

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were put to death by stoning; ^e they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:32-40

Do you realize that one day you will say something that will completely change someone else’s life? You therefore also have the potential not to as well. It’s up to you. You are needed! In Hebrews chapter 11 we read about some amazing heroes of the faith. They performed miracles. They endured the worst torture for the sake of the Gospel. But God’s plan means that only together with us would they be made perfect. In other words, there’s some stuff that we’ve got to do.

There are some heroes of the faith yet today. There are miracles still to come. There are lives that need changing. You are important!!! You have a purpose. I need you! Many people need what you have to offer. Let this reality renew your sense of purpose.

It’s easy to become discouraged. I was there this week. And God blessed me to find an encourager to help me finish making it through the day. I am not alone. Maybe you have needed emergency encouragement. There are lives to save. There are hearts that need healing. I need you and they need you.

God loves when his children care for one another.

⁷Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

⁸He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

I John 4:7-8

One evidence that we are born of God is that we love one another.

So today, I will give what I know I need–unconditional love. I’ll do it because of my daddy–He is love and loving is what we do! I’ll look for opportunities to share love. I need you. We need you. Give your love today and watch it spread like a wild fire.

October 13, 2019

Relationships

Day 29: Relationships

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

The other evening I was overwhelmed with anxiety. I wanted help to know how I could cope best but I didn’t know who I should call. The next day I was talking with a friend and told them I thought of calling them but I didn’t want to bother them. How sad. Here is someone that I call a friend but I didn’t want to bother them when there was a moment they could express their friendship best to me.

Have you ever felt like you didn’t want to burden others with what you are going through? We often retreat into solitude at the exact time when a relationship could provide the healing that we need.

Please don’t isolate yourself when you don’t feel well. Yes, we should take time to unplug from the busy pace of life. Yes, we should unplug from our devices. Yes, we should get a break from our routine. But we shouldn’t forget that one of God’s best ways to share His love with us is through each other.

Thank you for reading. I’m on a journey to share 100 days of thoughts about healing. I hope you will be blessed.

Today I will connect with someone.

September 28, 2019

Help Each Other

annie-spratt-9VpI3gQ1iUo-unsplash — Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Day 15: Help Each Other

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

My stepfather lost his first wife to cancer. So whenever he met someone dealing with cancer he would tell them of the benefit of Guinea Hen Weed. A popular natural rememy used in Jamaica more people are becoming aware of it’s helpfulness on many fronts but especially when dealing with cancer.

He could have been bitter that he lost his wife. But instead he chose to fight what had taken someone so dear to him.

Imagine how much better our world can become when we share are discoveries with one another. If you figured out how to lose weight why not share what has worked for you? If you have survived divorce what not share what practices have helped you mend. If you have recovered from disease or loss of a loved one, why not share what has helped you make it through.

In the bible we find that God is happy when we show love to each other. It’s a sign that we are like Him.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

I John 4:7

Yesterday I posted a picture on Facebook of me suffering with allergies. One of my high school teachers posted two remedies that have worked for him. I’m going to try them today. That’s love. That’s being like God. Let’s love one another and help each other out.

Today I will find one way to show someone I love them by being helpful.

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