One Heart, One Mind

Hi My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How are you doing?  It is a beautiful day outside.  This is my first day back from a long weekend vacation.  We attended my wife's family reunion which was held at her sister's place out in the country.  There were about 55 people that attended and a good time was had by all.  To be sure this wasn't a cheap weekend for my in-laws to host.  Lots of utilities, toilet paper, gas, sweat, picnic supplies, and other things were provided at their expense.  They were happy to do it.  We love the family reunions.  They are worth all of the work, money, and stress it takes to put them together.  Relatives come from as far away as California and Texas for this event that begins on Thursday night and ends Sunday afternoon with people coming and going all weekend long.  We play softball, fish, swim, boat, shoot clay pigeons, pistol shoot, volleyball, egg toss, water balloons, card games, eat, eat, eat and yes, there is drinking (responsibly of course), and camp fires, fireworks, tenting, and lots of fellowship.  It is loud, funny, interesting, intense, and loving.  Still, it wouldn't happen if it weren't for the planning, work, and money supplied by my in-laws.  We are of one heart and mind when it comes to family.  

All of us have had relatives live with us at one time or another.  Our homes are open to each other without question although there are ground rules to be followed.  We would give each other the shirt off of our backs.  This is what family does for each other. This is the way it is supposed to be.  It is like church but a little wilder perhaps.  Lord, forgive us.  Acts 4:32  "All the believers were one in heart and mind.  No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had."  Acts 2:46,47 "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."  Treating each like family isn't just a good idea, it is the Word of God and God blesses us for doing so.  

So, I believe we need to take it to the next level.  We are good at coming together for covered dish dinners and meetings and events, but how many of us invite our church family to break bread with us in our homes.  I am as guilty of this as anyone else is.  According to this Word of God the people met in church daily and yet we have difficulty meeting once a week.  What is up with that?  The devil is playing games with us and we need to fight back.  There is strength in numbers and that is a good reason to come to church  and to invite fellow Christians to our homes because there is strength in numbers.  "love one another as I have loved you" Jesus said.  Are we ready to be on one heart and mind?  How do you say it?  My castle is your castle?  

God loves you and so do I,

Pastor Bruce

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