Vineyard Covington

Having thankful hearts is God's will for us -- an invitation into a better way of experiencing the world and having our eyes opened to God every day. Gratitude is a spiritual practice we engage in that over time transforms our lives as we become more attuned to seeing the love and goodness of God.

Big thanks to Ray Hollenbach from Campbellsville for sharing with us!

Is all this just a ploy to tell people about Jesus? The answer is no! Or maybe, loving our neighbors and inviting them into community IS telling them about Jesus. Ultimately, our hope is for everyone to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus, but it can’t be some ulterior motive for love.

Jesus gave us a strategy we call looking for people of peace. God is already at work in our neighborhoods, and as we go loving everyone, we look for people who are open for more. So the pressure's not on us to make something happen. We don’t love people so they will know Jesus; we love them because we know Jesus.

THIS WEEK (and every week!): Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to the people of peace around you and pay attention for opportunities. Release the pressure to force anything and lean into the people who are receptive to you.

As this series comes to end, remember the goal of practicing is not just to do a few good things once a year, but to ingrain ourselves into a way of life that looks like Jesus -- that looks like love. Everyone gets to play!

Jesus loved parties and spent a lot of time hanging out with unexpected people. Those of us who've found life in Jesus should be the best partiers on the planet! Most of the time we just don't celebrate or we only invite those on the inside, but what if we spent more time enjoying the hope and good things in our lives and invited the ones who don't normally get invited? This kind of open and invitational life within community is a great picture of what God and his family are like. Plus parties are one of the best ways to get to know your neighbors.

THIS WEEK: Host (or schedule) a party and invite your neighbors. Find something to celebrate, have a cookout, build a backyard fire, watch the game... Do whatever you love to do and invite the people who live nearby. It doesn't have to be expensive, and you don't have to do it alone. It's a great chance for your neighbors to connect with others in our family who have the hope and love of Jesus in them.

We typically think we have to be the ones to give everything, but real relationships allow others to give as well. When Jesus sent out his followers he instructed them not to bring extra supplies and to accept the hospitality of the people around them. Allowing others to serve and use their gifts actually helps them feel like part of the community.

THIS WEEK: Allow yourself to receive from a neighbor. Ask for help. Accept an invitation. Get advice. Allow your needs to be seen.

What current need do you have that a neighbor might be able to help you with?

Shoutout to Joshua Stoxen and the Vineyard Central crew who've been loving their neighbors in Norwood, OH for 30 years!

“The art of receiving is not complicated. It comes down to being aware of our own needs. It’s about opening our eyes, then being vulnerable enough to ask and receive.” - The Art of Neighboring

Jesus came among us revealing the love of God by serving others. How can you share love in a practical way to your neighbors?

THIS WEEK: Do something to serve your neighbors. If you see a need, how can you meet it? What do you have that you can give away to the people around you?

Rake leaves, make some food, help move, be home and give the best candy on Halloween...

Our world loves to talk so when someone really listens it stands out. Maybe one of the best ways to love our neighbors is by being good listeners. Show them you care by taking the time to listen and become a safe person for them. ​

THIS WEEK: Practice listening to your neighbors. ​Be curious​.​ Ask questions. Learn their stories. God is already at work in their lives​ and sometimes we get to play a part in that.​

​How often do you see the people who live around you? We can get stuck isolating ourselves inside, but ​​w​hen we physically put ourselves in position to see our neighbors, it's amazing how many more opportunities for conversations ​we find. ​ ​

THIS WEEK: Practice being available for simple interactions with your neighbors by moving to the front porch. Instead of spending all your time at home inside or in the backyard, start hanging out in the front. Drink your morning coffee out front. Play a game with the family in the front yard, read a book, go for a walk, eat dinner outside... Be intentional about being where the people are in your neighborhood, and see what happens.

Remember to learn your neighbors names and write them on your fridge magnets so you don't forget.

Everyone has to eat. We do it everyday, and no matter how busy we are, we find time to get food. So why not use these times to invite and connect with our neighbors?

In the Bible we see Jesus constantly having meals with all kinds of people. Hospitality is a powerful way to show love and welcome people in because deeper connection happens when we break bread around a table. We talk. We laugh. And we move from just acquaintances to real relationship.

So what neighbor around you can you invite to share a meal this week? Wednesday seems like a great night! Give it a go.

Jesus said the most important commandment is to love God, AND to love our neighbor as ourselves. If it's a priority for the amazing life Jesus has for us, then it's worth examining and practicing together.

We can easily become numb to this idea and metaphorically try to "love" everyone. But what if we took this commandment literally and started being intentional to love the people who live right next to us? It's a lot easier to love someone when you know their name.

THIS WEEK: Start learning the names of the people who live right next to you. Figure out a simple way to introduce yourself, and then write them down so you don't forget.

God runs things differently. He chooses the weak and the vulnerable to advance His Kingdom here on earth. He uses praise to silence enemies. We are all God's children, we're all invited into the awe and wonder of this adventurous life, and we can all be empowered to share this good news with others!