Listen to Merlin Gonzales, author of Kingdom in Our Midst, and founder of Faith, Hope and Love, International – Indianapolis on ArtSees Diner Radio this Sunday, April 28 at 10am
“Take a fresh look at your neighborhood” is the topic of Merlin’s message Sunday. Listen live at ArtSees Diner Radio.
Kingdom In Our Midst Series – Featuring Merlin Gonzales is a special presentation brought to you by ArtSees Diner Radio, and ArtSees Production. The week series with author, community activist and church leader Merlin Gonzales. Merlin founded Faith Hope and Love Intl., which collaborates with churches crossing denominational lines. He has developed the concept of “Mission Trips in Your Own Backyard” to unify the Body of Christ by bringing the love of God into the community. Merlin’s messages and teachings are about raising up a generation passionate for God to build a legacy of transformation.
7pm eastern time!
Previously, I wrote the article about Missional Community and the most recent one was about taking the time to be intentional to have a transformational community.
I mentioned that I will be writing about the next step towards building missional community. In order for us to have lasting changes, we need to build a strong foundation. Our foundation is the Biblical Principles.
I am currently conducting a teaching series on “a study on Living in God’s Dominion Here on Earth.” Here’s Session #1 Introduction to the Kingdom
Be blessed!
Merlin
Completed illustration of the KIOM Video Trailer
You are probably wondering what the heck the image above is. Well, check this video to see Take a fresh look at your communities.
In my previous Blog, I asked you to take a second look at your community. What did you see? Did you walk your neighborhood, did you talk to the people in your church or in your school or the Cashier at a grocery store?
If you were not able to, there’s grace for all of us. But if you did take the time to “explore the land”, you should notice some obvious things that became familiar or were neglected – in the physical, emotional or spiritual realm.
Two years ago, I found out that my cholesterol was high. I tried to eat healthy foods and I exercised regularly. However, the busyness in my ministry prevented me from following through what I’ve started. Last Saturday, I found out that my triglycerides was very high. If I wanted to live longer and live a healthy life, I need to take the time to exercise and to be intentional to eat healthy foods. (I’ve started eating healthy foods and did some exercise last night and this morning – shoveling snow).
So the first step in order for us to have healthy neighborhoods, we will need to the take time to see what’s happening and we need to be intentional. In order for a change to happen, we need to know what needed changes. We need to find what the problem, then we can start finding the solution.
BTW, hope you liked the video trailer; please consider sharing it with others as we work towards missional communities.
One of FHL Food Pantries
Take a “fresh look” at your community. Yes, take a second look with your keen eyes and see what’s obvious.
Many times, the obvious gets neglected. Just look around you as you are driving to work, to your church or to your school. What do you see…I mean, look around with observant eyes. How’s the sidewalks, how’s the person driving the vehicle next to you or how’s your fellow student or your co-worker who has been indifferent. They are apparently present in our world and yet we miss them.
Our society had become so enamored with the conveniences of modern living that made our lives complicated and we tend to become individualistic creatures. We are busy people. Many of us spend more time gazing at our smart phones than our spouses or our loved ones.
I would like to ask you to “take a fresh look at your community” again. What direction is your community going if you accept the status quo? Do you see deterioration, self-centeredness, residents are living in fear and oppression? How’s the environment? Or, do you see a Missional Community where the atmosphere is charged with vigor, joy, freedom, helping one another and caring for each other. Are the neighborhoods clean, safe and vibrant?
When you look again, do you see little things that can make huge impact? Do you see your neighbors getting involved in making it a better place for your family and for your community? What would the church at the street corner say if you offer your assistance to come alongside them to reach out to others? How would your employer or the principal of a school nearby react if you approach them to build a Missional Community – a place where residents are caring for each other, a place where all the sectors of the community come together to build safer and healthier neighborhoods?
Yes, I believe that together, we can build a society known for its hospitality, cleanliness and prosperous in any way possible. My next blog will provide you with practical steps that we can take to transform our neighborhoods together.
God bless,
Merlin Gonzales