This is My Neighbor (week 2)
May 17, 2011
If you’re reading this & you have not blogged about the first chapter (Who Is My Neighbor?) yet, please go do that first! Also, don’t forget to participate in the discussion on last week’s questions. You need to comment on at least 2 teammates posts.
I hope you are all having a fantastic week and found the reading this week to be interesting and thought provoking. Here are the questions for this week…
Why do you think the one story (‘Towel Dry Conversations’) says “I am also aware that to Jesus I probably look a lot like Bobby, and He still takes time to listen.”? How does this statement make you feel?
The overall question of last week’s reading was “Who Is My Neighbor?” In this week’s reading we read several stories about who Leroy (and his friends) have as neighbors. Short stories of how they embraced individuals as neighbors in their lives by loving, caring, listening, and being with them. So how about you? Tell us a story of someone who has been your neighbor…either that you cared for like William & the guys that threw the party for Fernando or someone like Mrs. Bishop who cared for and listened to Claire.
See you all on Sunday! (if not before…if you are joining us at The Gathering on Friday night) Come Sunday ready to discuss our reading and have some more fun as a team!
I think that in the towel dry conversations the dude meant that God treats each one of us equaly.
My story of me being a neighbor to someone probably is when I was a friend to these little kids on my bus. At first I wanted to sit with my 8th grade friends but something told me to go and sit with this one 4th grade girl. She was very happy I sat with her because she said no one ever sits with her. I learned she came from a rough past so Ive tried to help her deal with it. Ive sat with her a lot since and each time I strive to be super kind and loving to her. The other little kids on the bus all noticed me being a neighbor to the 4th grader and they all wanted to be with me too. They always write me notes on how much they love me and I look forward to being with them now.
An act of kindness can lead to other great things. You found that your kindness became contagious and others were drawn to it. Sometimes being a friend to those who are younger than us has great rewards because they have not been influenced by as many factors in life.
In towel-dry conversations, I can relate to this author.
My mom works and helps patients that live in their own homes with medical problems. I always thought they were just patients. But the one lady my mom took care of, has a very sad life. She lives by herself and is very lonely. Most of her family is gone, except her niece and nephew, who she barely communicates with. We like to visit her a lot and sometimes celebrate holidays with her. Sometimes people aren’t really who you expect them to be.
Rachel,
I really liked when you said that sometimes people aren’t really who you expect them to be. I could not agree more. It’s really easy to judge but i have been really trying to give everyone a chance. Thanks for posting that!
I think it says that because Jesus looks at everybody the same no matter what race, color, or any other detail. This statement made me feel good because it saying that jesus is always there to talk to, pray to, or be with. Someone that has been my neighbor is the leaders on sunday nights because one time we were all messing around(the 8th grade boys) and Bob was getting frustrated and told us that all the leaders were coming on there own time because they wanted to be there to teach us about God and to be with him. That always stuck with me because I realized that we could have no one to keep us under control or teach us about God.
I totally have to agree with you that sometimes we forget that our leaders dont have to be there. They are helping out because of love not for really anything else.
I think the towel dry conversations tells us that God looks at us all the same, whether rich or poor. He cares for each of us equally and wants us to show his love to others. This mad me feel good because it shows me that God cares about me and he is always there for me. He doesn’t judge us and he wants us to love him.
Someone that has been my neighbor was actually one of my teachers. I was really upset one day and she asked what was wrong and tried to make me feel better. Even though we aren’t extremely close, she cared about how I felt and took the time to listen to me. That reminded me that we can see God’s love in many forms and sometimes the people showing the love aren’t the people that we thought we would see it from.
-Alyssa-
I agree completely that God shows His love in many different forms. I know I’ve had times were people had shown me love, and I didn’t expect it at all. I thought it was really nice of your teacher to do that towards you. (:
I agree with you both, its amazing how we see God’s love in all different forms and how Jesus never judges anyone and cares for us equally.
It makes me remember that in God’s eyes we are all alike. I think sometimes I forget that.
Alot of my friends are neighbors to me. If I am depressed they usually notice and try to cheer me up. It sometimes fails, but at least they try. My one friend actually kind of understands me (it took her ten years)and it’s really nice that she just doesn’t look at me strangely when I say something no one else gets.
Katie,
I agree with you that we are all the same in God’s eyes. I know sometimes i feel like i have gotten myself into a really deep hole and that no one understands. But God loves each one of us the same. Really cool perspective!
Katie,
I agree that a lot of friends are good neighbors. A good neighbor doesn’t always help when or how they intended to, but they tried and that’s all you can ask for.
Alyssa and Katie-
I like that you say a good friend/neighbor does not always help when it’s needed or even in a way that you feel you need helped, but it is the idea that they tried to help you that matters. Sometimes it is hard for us to figure out what our friends really need but to be there for them is the best thing we can do. Thanks for your input!
that is right God sees all of us as the same. When others see a poor man God sees a king.
I agree with everyone, I think it means that we are all considered equal in God’s eyes no matter if we are this person or that person. And God still takes time to listen to us and answer our prayers.
One thing that reminds me of a neighbor was the experience of C2. I enjoyed getting to know my adult that I was paired with. my C2 leader really helped me get through some things. It had been a really challenging time for me that year, working through friendships, and relationships. It was really nice to have someone there to give me advice and talk with me.
My C2 leader was like that too. We had alot in common and she helped me figure some stuff out. I think it’s great that we can have that kind of experience.
My C2 leader left me.;(
I think it means that in some way, we’re all like dirty homeless guys. We mess up. alot. But God still takes the time to listen and love us. Wow. It leaves me in awe to think that God loves me that much to look past all my flaws.
One of my most beloved neighbors is actually Abbi. As you all probably know, we’re pretty much inseperable. But she means so much to me. She cares about me and loves me unconditionally. I am truly blessed and i thank God all the time for her. She gets me like no one else does and it is so wonderful to have someone who will listen to me and give me Godly ways to deal with situations. I Love you, Abbi. <3
Leah,
I liked that you said that we mess up a lot, but God still loves us. Sometimes, we feel that God isn’t listening, but he always is and will always be there for us.
I totally agree how you said we all mess up. No one is perfect and we all have our flaws.
i like how you said we all mess up becasue its sooooooooooooooooooooooooo true
I agree we all make mistakes and its great to know God is still there for us.
aww leah i love you doll (:
and i like your comparison to us, to dirty homeless guys. clever (:
I think this means that God loves ever single one of us the same; no matter what we look like, or what we have done in the past: right or wrong. We don’t have to try and prove ourselves worthy of God’s love. It is already there, and will always be there, ready for us to take in.
I personally have many people that are good neighbors of mine, but there’s just one time that stuck out to me the most, when many people were my neighbors. When I was in Boston, Leah, Emily D, Abbey, and I were having a little “heart to heart” chat. I honestly don’t think that any of us were thinking about being in a full fledged conversation when we first started talking, but by the end we were all in tears. We all told personal stories to one another, and we all listened with a open mind, and with our whole heart. It was a great feeling to know that the people you were showing love to by listening to them, were loving you right back. We were all great neighbors to one another, and it was a great way for us all to get closer too. (:
I like how you talk about God’s love. Sometimes people make it sound like he just fixed all your mistakes once, but we need to remember that he always will.
I think that in the towel drying conversations it means that Jesus looks at us all the same no matter what we look like.
Recently I met a new kid at our school who is came from Iraq named Mustafa. I talked to him as soon as I could that day because I can imagine how hard it must be to be a new kid at a school (especially when you don’t speak very much English). We talked a lot the next couple of days and i realized how cool and fun to hang out with he really was. He told me that he was glad I talked o him and that he thought no one would (that made me feel really good). We have since become really good friends and we hang out now. I’m very glad that I decided to talk to him that day and see what his story was.
Koty,
It’s really cool that you became friends with Mustafa. I know a lot of people were judging him and making fun of him when he first came to our school. Way to be a good neighbor!
I agree Koty. That is a very difficult thing to do, especially at school. That is definitly showing people what it is like to be a good neighbor.
I have to agree Koty jesus does look at us all the
same no matter what we look like. i also agree that
was very neighborly befriending him
The black guy bobby story really touched me. He would be one of those black guys in the 50s i would like to meet. I could probaly get him a job at my Uncles landscaping business. My uncle who owned half of it just passed away with cancer. So they are used to helping people out with good kind hearts. The towel convention just means Jesus looks at us all the same from me to the next average Joe. Even LeBron James to Koty Beavers.
I wanted to write a 2 comments they are both related so heres the first:
“Its not about the gift, its the thought that counts” my mom always said. It has always seemed to reverberate through my mind since I never really had a whole lot as a child. My father ran his own business, it was passed down from his father before him. He had no choice what his profession was, I do. My dad has always told me he loves me because his father never did. His business went under when I was in 6th grade and my mother stopped working at the hospital when I was adopted. We had no money, no jobs, little to eat and seemingly no chance. For 2 years we didn’t have any money coming in and my dad began to get sick.
“Its not about the gift, its the thought that counts.” thoughts seemed to be the only thing we had. This forced me to appreciate the little things in life like a handshake or a hi-five or a hug, a present from someone like my two parents who gave me more than they had at the moments they didn’t have anything. They wanted me to feel as if we were not struggling to make it day to day. They were trying to show me some resemblance to a nice life. I learned that it doesn’t really matter as much how good the things I had were, but that they were given with love and care. Those times were worth more than million dollar mansions, all you can eat buffets, the best video games or the best cars. I knew they were given with care and love, and love makes all the difference. I may have grown up with little but I grew up richer than the richest of the rich, because I had love. Real, genuine, true love. Wherever you are treat others with the love you want to receive, search for others that will not only love you for who you are but are interested in your safety and well being. Search for people who are willing to step outside of the bounds for you and tell you when you are wrong. Remember that you are the example of Jesus they will see. Remember its the thought that counts
I agree with you because sometimes it seems that people don’t notice all I do for them. But like you said it’s the thought that counts. And to keep on doing it.
Heres my second story: Last summer my aunt Carol (My dads sister) died during the summer. Now me and my aunt Carol didn’t really get along because she had a knack for saying the wrong things at the wrong time. Let’s just say she had the worst timing of anyone in the world. She really did try to do the best she could for all those around her but I didnt really realize that until after she died. She drove me up the wall to the point we almost kicked her out of our lives for assorted reasons I cant go into but you get the picture. I remember that after the funeral my neighbor patty made us dinner that sunday, It might have been the greatest dinner I have ever had, it was amazing that she went out of her way to do that and it made us all feel a little bit better. But what was said during the meal was what put everything into perspective. I found out that when My Aunt Carol was in High School she was named homecoming queen her senior year. Not because she was the prettiest or the most popular but she hung out with the people that no one liked and everyday during lunch she invited all those kids, the ones who didn’t have enough money or no one liked to lunch where she made food and fed all of them herself. All of those kids voted for her because of the way she was an example of Jesus. Now knowing my Aunt Carol who was not the strongest cook to begin with, it was definitely the thought that counts lol. But seriously I know it meant more to them then we can ever know. What can you do to make an impact like that?
i really do think that is amazing when my dad died on november 24 lots and lots of people were at my house and they were dontating stuff and making us food so i no how you feel bro
I think the towel conversations it means that god sees us all as equals no matter what we have done and he’ll always take time to listen.
Someone who has been a neighbor to me that stick out to me the most is when I have been sitting in line fora roller coaster at cedar point and I am just bored out of my mind and a person who is standing in line next to me will just start talking to me out of nowhere and it will turn it around from being boring to being fun and by the time comes to ride the ride you have made a brand new friend.
Noah-
I like your idea of a neighbor in this post. I don’t think I would have ever thought about that, but you are right. And what a great time to show someone how friendly you can be (how neighborly you can be…)
I like how you and the guy at ceder point will probally never see each other again, yet you talk to each other and get to know each other.
and that just might make him wonder ,is there a God that randomly loves me just as that kid does.
I’ve only been going to church on a regular basis for a little over a year now so I didn’t get the whole Jesus upbringing. Up until about 2 years ago I had been inside a church twice that I can remember. Once for a wedding and once for Christmas eve service. When my parents were still together there was constant arguing at my house and I hated it. When my parents finally separated, my moms friend discovered this little tiny Quaker church in the middle of the woods called First Friends.
Every time! Rrgg. I will finish this post no matter how long it takes me!
Where was I? Oh yeah that tiny church in the woods. About 2 months later I accepted Christ as my savior and saw an improvement in my attitude, my outlook on life, and my overall quality of life improved. Not being a selfish jerk, I of course wanted to share this with everyone I knew. I learned that a kid I know is a pastors kid. I got other people to start going to church again. I even got one to come to church with me every week. I won’t say any names, but the fact that he even speaks to me is crazy because he is literally the most popular kid in my school and I’m well, me.(As crazy as it may seem to think that I’m not super popular, it’s true) Nonetheless, I guess I acted as a neighbor by trying to get more neighbors. Which is ironic because a have a neighbor (like, a literal neighbor not a figurative one) that is a pastor. But I digress. My act of neighborism was bringing people to Christ so that they may shar in eternal life with Him.
thats awesome keegan, sometimes I dont think we realize that everyone in our churches have not been Christians all their lives and everyone is in a different place in their walk with the Lord. Thank you for your vunerablity with you situation with your parents, The people I live with right now, my best friends family with whom I am very close to are going through that right now. I dont know how long ago that was for you but no matter how long ago it is its hard, I felt like God wanted to give you some encouragement that your not alone and to keep your head up. God got yo back
We are all like Bobby because there is nothing differnt about Bobby then there is about us. God gave Bobby his story and God gave us ours. God gave everyone something unique so it shouldn’t matter what our story is, just the fact that God gave it to us.
I thnk my group of frineds, both inside of school and outside, we are all neighborly. I know I can go to anyone of them and tell them whats wrong and they will care. We all just support one another and truely care about them. They are one of my favoritst neighbors (:
I like the fact that you focused on God giving us all something unique. We have all been blessed with things from God, and we have the ability to help others through our unique blessings.
I think the basic point of the quote is what so many have already said and that is that we are all loved by God. I think a deeper point might be that we all are going to be judged by others for what we may or may not have or the abilities that we may not have. However, God does not judge us based on those criteria but, rather, equips us for success. That success may not look like much to some people, but others will appreciate it.
Growing up, we didn’t have a lot, but I know that I was aware of those who had less than us. There were a couple boys down the road who were not well-liked at school, and they came from a very rough family. Their dad was a drunk and known for a bad reputation. My brother and I decided that we would start playing basketball with them at our house. They would come over and play, and we eventually established a friendship with them. We tried to get them to come to church with us or go to youth activities, but they never wanted to come. Eventually, they moved away, but my brother and I tried our best the whole time to befriend them.
(Here is Emily D. Blog for this week)
I think the message was that all of us sin and we’re most likely going to/already have disappointed people in our lives but God is always going to be there and he’s the one person that no matter what, is always going to understand us. Even though we talk differently, our looks and actions differ from each other, and we think differently, God looks at us as equals.
An amazing neighbor I have would be my sister, Sammi. Most people get really annoyed…I talk about how awesome she is constantly. I honestly can’t imagine who I would be without her. She’s always been there for me. She’s someone who no matter what you’ve put her through, she’ll forgive you. People tend to think that I’m a really weird person (which is kind of true) but she understands me…she’s pretty weird too
She’s leaving for college in the Fall, and I’m going to miss her so much. I hope to be there for her as much as I can to return the favor for all she’s done for me all my life.
Emily D.
I think it says that because Jesus looks at everybody the same and it does not matter what co.or your skin is and where you wwere born and what your family is like.the statement made me feel good because god prays with everyone and will talk to everyone.
My story of me being a neighbor to someone is when the people in 8th grade would be messing with the smaller kids and making fun of them i would tell the REALLY you r picking on kids that have done nothing to you and stuff like that
This is the blogging for week 2
This statement makes me feel loved and that someone cares for me to be happy. Like there is someone that is making my bad life a little less hard along with a faithful God that will never let me down. A time that I have gave neighborly love was when, in boston, we did something called BAM. This stands for be a miracle. We, in our group, went around and gave out our lunch to the people in boston commons who were in need of food. the whole Godly meaning of being a neighbor is sharing Gods love. We could have shared his love by sharing his eternal gift of heaven, but we gave out food. That has to spark the question of, there has to be a God if they are so willing to give out their food. -josh duffie blog