RIGHT NEIGHBORLY

Pansy Pot. A neighborly gift.
The best part is my "green thumb" neighbor's understanding of my deficiency in this area.
Master Gardener extraordinaire. She believes in "helping," not shaming, the less inclined.
So....when the temps were due to drop, I got a text that it would be okay to take them in out of the elements, even hard rains. When the deadheading was needed, I received the info on the best place for pinching. Now that's a good neighbor.
Pansies for the Patio. A right neighborly gift for sure.

Growing up in a small town, Daddy had a way of recognizing those on our block who were "right neighborly." In fact, he's the originator of the term for me. Christine and Pappy, who love me as a grand daughter, were "RIGHT NEIGHBORLY in all caps! (Galatians 5:14)
Daddy also spoke of "old" Dr. Dade being "right neighborly." I suppose sometimes it's more difficult for the elderly to be "right neighborly" when a 6 year old girl picks, without permission, their beautiful King Alfred daffodils because she wanted to give them to her mother who had always admired them. Being said little girl, I was required by Daddy to "march" right over to the Dades' home and apologize, that was more than the neighborly thing to do, it was the right thing to do. (Exodus 20:5)

Dragging my feet, literally, and pleading "right" motives was not an acceptable excuse.
I marched. (Matthew 19:19)

Dr. Dade accepted my apology and said the right thing to do would be to let him know when I needed flowers for my mother and he would help me choose the right ones from his yard. (Romans 13:8)

That was above and beyond being right neighborly!

CHOOSE: COMMUNITY

Recent sermons from ABC and FEC have emphasized the importance of loving God and loving our neighbors. (Mark 12:30-31)

Neighbors in the pew next to you. Neighbors across the street. Neighbors across the ocean. 

Getting to know others builds community.  Trust is built. Diversity is celebrated. Relationships are solidified in both the good times and the bad. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Support is given whether in a hospice room or at a baby shower ---at least that's the way my weekend was spent.

Celebrations can be shared even when one is past childbearing age, whether it's parents of their "first" new born down the street ....

.....or the big reveal across town at the gym----a girl is on the way to join 3 brothers.

Wherever you are, get to know the ones God puts in your path and celebrate where they are in life and also be there to mourn with them when life ends. 

CHOOSE: FOREMOST FOR THE FIRST FRIDAY

First Friday Focus

Matthew 22:38 sums up the first and foremost of all the commandments :

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37) 

Dr. Luke combines the greatest commandment in the law as well with "and love your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27)

These words are first and foremost for keeping on your heart---on this first Friday and forever!! 

CHOOSE: NEIGHBORING

"Community" verses continue to speak to my heart.

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.
(1 Corinthians 7:17)

Whatever situation my town/city and I are facing is not a random selection but is ordained by God.

My situation and assignment take place just east of the "mighty Mississippi" and extend to my immediate neighborhood.

He has placed me on "my" street for the last almost 39 years.

From one man He made all the nations, that should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed time in history and the boundaries of their lands/habitations. (Acts 17:26)

Choosing neighboring in my city and "my" dwelling place on "my" street, seems all the more important when I remember that He has placed me there----for His purpose.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY with Love

A valentine's message sent with love by John Parker. (gray shirt in middle) 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22: 37-39)

Locali-TEA : neighborhood

Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
(Proverbs 27:10b)

How much fun we had last night as new neighbors, a soccer coach from Brazil and his precious family, came trick or treating at our front door. With his 2 daughters, we now have 5 little girls on our street and 1 little boy "on the way." They, too saw the big "Pumpkin Speak" announcement and were thrilled to be a part of our "hood."

Young families are a breath of fresh air, and life, for us----the resident grandparents!
May we share "life" with them as well!

A NEIGHBORHOOD ANNOUNCEMENT......

AS ONLY THE YOUNG AND CREATIVE COULD DO!!!

A cuppa locali-TEA is usually best served in one's own neighborhood and often served right at the threshold of one's doorway.

His Sovereign-TEA = my locali-TEA

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, (Acts 17:24-26, ESV)

Last Sunday's sermon (8/31/14) at Allen Bible Church, "Addressing Atpopia," gave me lots of food for thought. Atopia, a placelessness, somewhere between utopia (idyllic) and distopia (danger). It was another in the series of "Our Locality, His Sovereignty"---and a good one it was! God determines our times and our location. Wherever we are at this season of life, we're right where He wants us to be.
Location! Location! Location! He's put us in the dwelling place of His choice.
The crux of the message to me:

• There is a spiritual art to neighboring.
• Can ask, Why here, Lord?" but better to ask, "For whom?"
• When everyone is our neighbor to love, no one is your neighbor. (Too broad---ask God for focus.)
• Love locally. 
• Start by knowing your neighbors names so your neighborhood isn't a "strangerhood."

My notes spilled over from the pages offered. So much seemed so important. Then I lost my "important" notes. So typical---but God confirmed my remembrances as later hubby found those notes under his car seat.

My notes were numerous and yet the New Century version summed up my focus, "God decided exactly when and where they (Dotsy included) must live."
His sovereign-TEA sweetens my cuppa locali-TEA, as I seek to feel compassion for my neighbors and continue to move toward them as I get to know them and share God's grace---beyond the fences.