INWARD: THE POWER OF FAMILY

The older I get the more I realize how lucky I was as a child.  I was surrounded by a family that was uniquely committed to one another.  My parents, grandparents, great grandparents, aunt, great aunt and great uncle gathered for every birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving.  My family loved being together, and they loved one another.

But when you sat at a dinner table the debate was on.  People argued about unions, budgets, mayors, governors, presidents, and what somebody was wearing.  I don't remember how old I was when I discovered that America had Republicans, and Democrats.  I grew up believing they were the damn Democrats and the damn Republicans.

No matter how passionate the debate, or how pointed the argument... we were always family.  I grew up with the absolute knowledge that everybody in the family would offer me an opinion if they disagreed with something I was doing.  They hated my long hair, pot smoking, beer drinking, and rotten grades.  My family let me know how they felt.  But I was still a member of the family.

The same should be true in the church family.  We should be so committed to one another that nothing can separate us from the love of the family, or the thoughts of the family.  Speaking truth, ruffling feathers, growing up, and staying connected are all part of family life.  It is true for our birth family, and our church family.

As we move INWARD with one another in our Life Groups and Mentoring we would do well to remember the words of St. Paul in Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT)

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.


See you Sunday,
Paul