⁶ Leave your simple ways and you will live;
       walk in the way of understanding.

 ⁷ "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult;
       whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

 ⁸ Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
       rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

 ⁹ Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
       teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

Have you ever worked or lived with someone who is totally failing in a few areas but has no idea? And nobody tells them, and they go on like that for years? I have. It's sad.

One time I talked to a guy about what he was doing wrong, and he changed. He changed!! What!? Usually we just ignore it, talk about them behind their back, react passive-aggressively to them.

That's messed up. But that's the way we like it in our culture: avoid confrontation, but if you do confront ensure that they won't listen by losing your temper, accusing and yelling at them.

As Christians called to love and help each other, if we know someone is totally messing up or being inconsiderate - we should go to them in love and rebuke them.

Also, we need to be listen to rebuke ourselves - even if it's done in an unloving, critical manner - that's what the wise do.

There are many Christians out there that are shouting at the darkness of outsiders, but not lifting a finger to love them. That is not the model that Jesus gave us!! We are to love outsiders, eat with them, heal them, bless them.

Fighting and quarreling with them, especially regarding political matters, has driven a great wedge between us - they can't even hear the Gospel that gives life because they don't trust us.

It's time to take Jesus seriously, love one another, put on supernatural grace, patience and gentleness so that outsiders will actually listen when we share with them.

Stop fighting and make positive change.

Over at The Resurgence, there's a great article "Simplified Missional Living."

Jonathan Dodson gives us 8 easy ways to engage non-Christians in your life. Go read his article to get the full effect, but here are the bullet points:

* Eat with non-Christians
* Walk, don't drive ,around your neighborhood when possible.
* Be a "regular" at your local coffee shop, restaurant, market, hair cut, etc
* Hobby with non-Christians - find extra curriculars that you enjoy that you can do with all kinds of people
* Develop relationships with your co-workers and pray for them
* Volunteer with a non-profit once a month, and bring your family, friends and small group too!
* Instead of watching TV or playing XBOX, participate in city events, get in the mix
* Serve your neighbors - like weeding and fixing their cars.

Above all, strike-up conversations, be friendly, say "hi, my name's BLANK. What's your name?"

TheCommon.org is a website that connects people who want to help with someone to help.

It's a phenomenal site for volunteer projects and getting your church members involved in loving their community!

Check it out!

Oh my gosh, this is so beautiful! This is HUGE for the Church!