“The lack of genuine community and relationships beyond the single-family home are a contributing factor to the malaise of depression in our society.”

A thought by Alan Hirsch and Lance Ford, (2011-01-01) from their book, Right Here, Right Now: Everyday Mission for Everyday People (Shapevine) (Kindle Locations 2566-2567). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.

Somehow we have built within our worldview an idea of isolation even within our families that may not be totally healthy. Our little family unit has become the total it and it is causing us to be overworked and in turn underdeveloped relationally which is not God’s way of living. He has built within us a need for each other and when we become isolated on ourselves we have the potential for depression and self-centeredness.

We right now have 6 of us living in a two bedroom apartment and it is working. Of course it has been just one week but I really don’t for see a problem. Now I do believe that three bedrooms would be better so our two granddaughters would have their own room but living together has some value to it.

I do understand the need for independence but maybe not to the extreme that our society has taken us. If you make a study of the early church they put everything together. Now maybe that was something just for then but I’m not sure there isn’t some value in it for now. Somehow we have to figure out how to survive in the now. I mean we have big houses with just two lonely people living in them and people looking for places to live that they can afford. We need in someway to come together and to not isolate ourselves in order to solve the problem.

I wonder if we have gotten away from what God’s plan is.

What do you think?

Comments

“We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 118). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But is that all that is important? Jon says, “We want to realize an immediate return from whatever we invest in. I am prone to this way of thinking in so many areas of my life. ‘I paid a lot for that meal, yet the portions were not that big.’ ‘I invested two hours in that movie, and it was just okay.’ ‘I went to church, but the sermon wasn’t that profound.’ We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives. But beauty doesn’t fit within that framework. When Mary anointed Jesus with oil, there was an immediate outcry against her extravagant generosity. ‘It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ (Mark 14:5) One gospel depicts the disciples crying, ‘Why this waste?...

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

“Hurry and love are incompatible.”

A thought by John Mark Comer from his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 23). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Wow, pretty strong thought isn’t it? John says, “All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as a human being, are when I’m in a hurry—late for an appointment, behind on my unrealistic to-do list, trying to cram too much into my day. I ooze anger, tension, a critical nagging—the antitheses of love. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re trying to get your type B wife and three young, easily distracted children out of the house and you’re running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), just pay attention to how you relate to them. Does it look and feel like love? Or is it far more in the vein of agitation, anger, a biting comment, a rough glare? Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.” He goes on, “Hence, in the apostle P...

Just Continue That Thought...

Search This Blog