This Sunday
22But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].
24And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Galations 6:22-26 Amplified Bible
Somebody in the neighborhood called the City today to complain about the excessive noise and cars on Sunday afternoon. She told them she perceived we were having "church services" and asked if that was "an allowed use" in a neighborhood. My first reaction was defensive. But then I realized this is the perfect situation in which to be kind, neighborly, and "turn the other cheek". If you agree, here is what I am suggesting ~ for parking we can get one car in the garage (whoever parks in the garage should be planning to be there for the duration), and three on the driveway, if you park with that in mind. If you need to, pull up and drop off supplies and family, and then park further down the street, even back out on Alamo. If you park on Cheyenne, be mindful to leave spaces in between cars for residents so they don't feel inconvenienced by our presence.
I don't believe the noise is from the music, but from the kids playing in the pool. The house rule is an adult with the kids while they are in the pool, but we really haven't "enforced" that. If everyone took turns spending time out there, no one would have to be overburdened with the task, and the kids don't get quite so worked up when adult is out there. Thanks to everyone for your cooperation!
Any more thoughts and suggestions - post 'em!
23Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].
24And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Galations 6:22-26 Amplified Bible
Somebody in the neighborhood called the City today to complain about the excessive noise and cars on Sunday afternoon. She told them she perceived we were having "church services" and asked if that was "an allowed use" in a neighborhood. My first reaction was defensive. But then I realized this is the perfect situation in which to be kind, neighborly, and "turn the other cheek". If you agree, here is what I am suggesting ~ for parking we can get one car in the garage (whoever parks in the garage should be planning to be there for the duration), and three on the driveway, if you park with that in mind. If you need to, pull up and drop off supplies and family, and then park further down the street, even back out on Alamo. If you park on Cheyenne, be mindful to leave spaces in between cars for residents so they don't feel inconvenienced by our presence.
I don't believe the noise is from the music, but from the kids playing in the pool. The house rule is an adult with the kids while they are in the pool, but we really haven't "enforced" that. If everyone took turns spending time out there, no one would have to be overburdened with the task, and the kids don't get quite so worked up when adult is out there. Thanks to everyone for your cooperation!
Any more thoughts and suggestions - post 'em!
posted by Michelle at
7:17 PM
2 Comments:
I told you guys about the animal sacrifice stuff!! Now look what you've done! Kidding...kidding...
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
I know Jason and I have only been a couple of times. But if I might suggest the plain-as-the-nose-on-your-face approach: Invite the complainant. Love trumps all.
By
Laurence, at Thu Aug 31, 09:25:00 PM
Okay, here is my two cents worth:
I agree that we should do a better job of sharing the responsibility of watching the kids in the pool. I know I am guilty of not doing my part. Because my kids swim well, I have not stepped up and helped out in that way. Anyone's kids who swim should take turns watching ALL the kids. We are a family right? However, I also think we should be strictly enforcing the rule to shut down the pool during the "service" part of the afteroon/evening. We had agreed to that early on and we have not been enforcing that. If the kids always have the option to swim then they will not come and join worship. I think the older kids should be more involved in what we are doing. I know I want my kids to not think of the Cheyenne house as a place just to go play with their friends, but the place they can go and worship and get fed. I know we have not figured out exactly how to do that for the kids yet, but the longer we allow the kids to go just to play and swim, the harder it is going to be to change that down the road. So, I would like to see the pool shut down once the "service" has started and encourage the older kids (10+) to join us for at least worship and prayer.
As for the neighbor, if we want to be the light then we need to start by being cooperative. I am willing to do whatever it takes to not "anger" the neighbors. When we had severe problems with our neighbor about our dogs barking and her dogs charging the horses as we rode by, once we stopped being defensive and confrontational with her and began demonstrating that we were really trying to control our dogs, she backed off completely. Once she realized we did not want to fight her, that we really wanted to try to do the right thing, she has not complained again once! So, let's be the light to the neighborhood, not the "flood light" that makes the neighbors cringe and hide their eyes!
By
Vicki, at Fri Sep 01, 08:57:00 AM
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