Do you know your Neighbor?
I have a confession to make. I have a neighbor that I have never talked to. I’ve waived a few times to him, but that’s about it. I was convicted a couple weeks back about my lack of knowledge about my neighbor when Jon Dupin (who recently moved) was talking about how he met his neighbor’s and knew two of them didn’t attend church anywhere and is praying for them. I think he has lived there like a week.
I feel like an idiot! I’ve been living at my current residence for over a year and can only tell you the name of one of my neighbors. So the month of September is neighbor time. My goal is to have at least 1 conversation with my neighbor who I don’t know at all.
Random facts about being neighborly:
- The average dual-career couple works away from their home a combined 18.2 hours a day.
- Urban sprawl is creating longer commutes – approximately 25 minutes per day.
- people spend less than 15 minutes per day doing outside chores and gardening compared to over 3 hours watching tv or movies and surfing the internet.
- The average person or family has friends over for dinner about 45% less often than they did in the 70′s.
- In 1926, the first electric automated garage door opener was invented by C.G. Johnson, beginning the drive-in-and-shut-the-door method of entering your home. (I do not have a garage. Wish I did!)
- The increased number of fenced backyards, coupled with the disappearance of front porches and verandas, has privatized residences more than ever.
September is the month I’m going to knock on my neighbor’s door and introduce myself and see what happens. I will let you know how it goes.
If your like me when it comes to your neighbors change the pattern……….be counterculture and get to know the people you live beside. Start with a knock on the door.
Norah Peyton
Pictures taken by Kevin & Melanie Van Wynsberg. They are great photographers. Click here to check out Melanie’s blog.
Who thinks we should go for 4? I do….
Pick Up Your Cross
Luke 9:18-27
18Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
19They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”
20“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “The Christ[a] of God.”
21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
What would be different in my life if everyday I put my selfish desires aside and follow Christ?
That’s the question on my mind. Not some days. EVERY day. I am falling in love with Luke 9. It may lead me to my first tattoo.
My Top 5 TV Shows
1. Sportscenter – If I am able to watch it 5 times a day I will.
2. Wipeout - I usually end up crying due to laughing. I’m a huge fan of the big balls.
3. Fantasy Factory – “Do Work” and “Sketchy” are now part of my vocabulary.
4. Cake Boss – Makes me want to open a Bakery.
5. Flipping Out – It’s on Bravo. I’m not ashamed.
Click here and let me know what your top 5 are. Best 5 gets a prize!
