Placed For A Purpose

Take this in: You don’t have to be the perfect neighbor; you just have to “good enough.” Today we share a concept we’re calling “Good Enough Neighboring,” inspired by the parenting philosophy, “Good Enough Parenting.” This is not a passive or apathetic approach. On the contrary; it’s transformational. Good Enough Neighboring tells us that when we reject perfectionism and embrace our limits, we’ll become neighbors who model vulnerability and repair. Get excited, because you are about to discover the joy of being a neighbor who is “good enough.”

Article: Good Enough Parenting

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This Advent, we dive into the powerful idea of incarnational living—being fully present in our neighborhoods, just as Jesus was as Emmanuel, "God with us." Reflecting on the humanity of Jesus and His presence among us, we discuss how His example calls us to dwell and engage authentically with our neighbors. From sharing meals to walking our neighborhoods with purpose, we consider practical ways to embody Christ’s love in our everyday lives. Let’s move from being invisible in our communities to being tangible expressions of God’s love, bringing light and hope to those around us this holiday season.

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In the spirit of the season, we’re launching the 12 Days of Neighboring Challenge! Inspired by the classic Christmas carol, we’re sharing fun and creative ways to connect with and love your neighbors this holiday season—from delivering Christmas cards to hosting an open house. Join us as we unpack each step of the challenge and offer practical tips to make neighboring both meaningful and manageable. Plus, we’re adding a little incentive: complete the challenge, and you could win a $100 Visa gift card (use the link below to contact us)!! Whether you try one idea or all twelve, the holidays are a perfect excuse to show your neighbors they’re seen and loved. Let’s make this season brighter, one neighbor at a time!

The 12 Days of Neighboring

12 cards delivered 

11 prayers a praying

10 Hands a waving

9 smiles a smiling 

8 Hot Chocolate mixes (teas, bags of coffee, mulled wine)

7 Holiday jams (cheese and crackers)

6 Christmas candles

5 Plates of cookies (honorable mentions cinnamon rolls, sourdough)

4 poinsettias (christmas cactus)

3 Mailbox convos 

2 bids for help (Help w/ Christmas lights)

And an open house where neighbors bring pie.

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Gobble, Gobble! Or should we say "Grumble, Grumble?" Thanksgiving is here, but sometimes we’re more grumbly than grateful. In this episode, Dustin Crowe, author of The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks, explores the difference between feeling thankful and actually expressing gratitude. We’ll discuss simple ways to build a gratitude practice in your daily life—whether it’s through Thanksgiving traditions, reframing challenges, or creating a culture of thankfulness in your neighborhood. Let’s turn our grumbles into gratitude and connect with our neighbors in a way that reflects God’s goodness.

Grumbler's Guide to Giving Thanks

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In a world that celebrates busyness, we’re often left feeling rushed and disconnected from the people around us. Today, we discuss how we can intentionally slow down and connect more deeply with our surroundings, including our neighbors. With insights inspired by John Mark Comer’s "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," we’ll share practical ways to shift our mindset and create time to invest in those living around us. Let's reframe our view of time—not as a scarce resource—but as a gift we can share with others, demonstrating a love that’s unhurried, patient, and grounded in God’s presence.

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Let’s face it—most of us are horrible listeners but don't know how to change. Today, we’re diving into the hilarious, painfully relatable ways we all miss the mark and offering practical (and maybe even life-changing) tips to reset your listening default settings. Join us for laughs, real talk, and a guide to becoming the listener everyone wishes they had!

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Today, small talk is getting a glow-up! Rather than dismissing it as a waste of time, we’ll consider how neighborly chit-chat can be a doorway to meaningful relationships and deeper conversations. We'll discuss how the challenges—social anxiety, awkward pauses, and a lack of emotional fulfillment—are real, but by viewing small talk as an essential “icebreaker” to genuine connection, we can break through these obstacles. With this small-talk rebrand, we might start seeing it as the first step in building relational bridges—and an important way to join in on what God is already doing in our neighborhood.

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Carolyn Lacey, author of "Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary People: Seven Ways to Welcome Like Jesus," joins the discussion to explore the true meaning of Christian hospitality. Carolyn shares insights from her book, discussing how we often misunderstand hospitality as simply entertaining or hosting. Instead, she reveals the deeper, Christ-centered nature of hospitality—grounded in generosity, compassion, and humility, modeled after God's own welcoming heart. She challenges us to rethink what it means to practice hospitality in our everyday lives, encouraging us to extend welcome not only through grand gestures but also in small, meaningful ways that reflect God’s generous love.

Extraordinary Hospitality (for Ordinary People): Seven Ways to Welcome Like Jesus

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Are you hesitant to share your faith with your neighbors? Matt Smethurst, lead pastor at River City Baptist Church and author of "Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready," joins us to discuss the challenges and importance of evangelism. Matt shares his personal experiences and insights on how to be better prepared to share the gospel, offering practical advice for those who may feel hesitant or out of practice. He touches on the fears and spiritual battles that often keep us silent, while also emphasizing the joy and privilege of speaking about Christ. With a focus on loving engagement, Matt helps us understand how to grasp the gospel for ourselves, contextualize it for others, and seize everyday opportunities to share our faith boldly and authentically.

Before You Share Your Faith

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Are political conversations with neighbors just too divisive to touch? Today, we’re joined by Ken Sande, founder of two conflict resolution organizations and author of The Peacemaker, to talk about how to approach these tricky discussions with emotional intelligence. Ken shares insights on how to manage your emotions—and those of others—while navigating sensitive political topics, especially in today’s polarized climate. Drawing from decades of conflict resolution experience, Ken offers practical tools to engage in respectful and meaningful dialogue with your neighbors, even on sensitive political issues.

Ken Sande's Website

The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide To Resolving Personal Conflict

17 Ways To Respond To Explosive Politics

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