Take ~5 minutes to read this 'COUGARS Daily' which contains snippets from A Slice of Infinity. Invite your family and friends to participate in reading with you daily. Then, consider sharing your comments or faith questions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
For where two or three gather together as my followers,[a] I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20)
A Slice of Infinity snippets:
The apostle John wrote his third letter specifically for a dear friend of his named Gaius. John wanted to commend Gaius for opening up his home to house, feed, and encourage traveling ministers. At that time, many prophets, missionaries, and teachers would travel from place to place to help set up new congregations. While John wrote his second letter to emphasize the importance of refusing hospitality to false teachers, his third letter focuses on the importance of extending it to true ones. John contrasts the hospitable behavior of Gaius with the callous behavior of a man named Diotrephes. Diotrephes was a controlling leader within the church who refused to welcome traveling Christians into his home and would force out any members of the church who were caught helping them. John urges Gaius to avoid being influenced by such behavior. Welcoming others is about more than just hospitality; it is about receiving others in the same manner that we have been received by Christ.
Chad's comments:
I am thankful that this has been modeled for me in my childhood. I remember occasions when our church would bring in singers and preachers whom mom and dad would invite into our home. One singer in particular I became very fond of, he was a white haired, white-bearded gentleman who sung songs that to my recolection would be like a Christian box car willie. For me, it was one way of feeling appreciated by my elders; a reinforcement of belonging - both to my Christian heritage and to the larger church. If you have the opportunity to love on such members of the church as the itinerant speakers/teachers/prophets and singers who come your way, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take them into your home.
As a group, I will be challenging you to reach out to a neighbor. To invite someone over to your home whom you have had little to no contact with. This is not an effort to 'evangelize' them on the spot, but simply an effort to begin REAL relationship with them. Be in prayer about whom God would have you invite. More to come.
* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog.
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs
- Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. (3 John 1:5-8)
A Slice of Infinity snippets:
The apostle John wrote his third letter specifically for a dear friend of his named Gaius. John wanted to commend Gaius for opening up his home to house, feed, and encourage traveling ministers. At that time, many prophets, missionaries, and teachers would travel from place to place to help set up new congregations. While John wrote his second letter to emphasize the importance of refusing hospitality to false teachers, his third letter focuses on the importance of extending it to true ones. John contrasts the hospitable behavior of Gaius with the callous behavior of a man named Diotrephes. Diotrephes was a controlling leader within the church who refused to welcome traveling Christians into his home and would force out any members of the church who were caught helping them. John urges Gaius to avoid being influenced by such behavior. Welcoming others is about more than just hospitality; it is about receiving others in the same manner that we have been received by Christ.
Chad's comments:
I am thankful that this has been modeled for me in my childhood. I remember occasions when our church would bring in singers and preachers whom mom and dad would invite into our home. One singer in particular I became very fond of, he was a white haired, white-bearded gentleman who sung songs that to my recolection would be like a Christian box car willie. For me, it was one way of feeling appreciated by my elders; a reinforcement of belonging - both to my Christian heritage and to the larger church. If you have the opportunity to love on such members of the church as the itinerant speakers/teachers/prophets and singers who come your way, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take them into your home.
Upcoming Cougars' "Neighbor-Day" weekend:
As a group, I will be challenging you to reach out to a neighbor. To invite someone over to your home whom you have had little to no contact with. This is not an effort to 'evangelize' them on the spot, but simply an effort to begin REAL relationship with them. Be in prayer about whom God would have you invite. More to come.
* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog.
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs
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