Part 2- Do you know your neighbour?

After writing the previous post, I thought of some more practical ways of getting to know our neighbours. These are from previous experiences I have encountered, both in Australia and overseas.
*Have a BBQ with them (consider cultural/religious considerations)
*Invite them over to your house for an occassion
*Give birthday cards to the kids ( if applicable )

Maybe you can think of some other ideas...

Do you know your neighours?

Recently while away on holidays, I stumbled across an article
that looked at 'neighbourliness being a dying art in Australia'.(The article is mainly looking at Queenslanders) Reading the rest of the article, it goes on to mention that 41% of Australians interacted more on social websites than with neighbours.' With technology advancing, it does not surprise me that more and more people use social networking sites to communicate more with people. Yes, it is great that technology is helping us connect with people, but I really wonder if there is also a downside. Lots of people live busy lives, however is not talking or getting to know our neighbours an excuse for our busyness?

Just saying hello or asking how your neighbours are could make their day especially if they are in need of encouragement.As a Christian, I can definitely show God's love by getting to know my neighbours personally.




Source:
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26518456-23272,00.html>

Isaiah 9:6 (New International Version)

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [a] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Opening hours for Christmas shopping

Recently, at a shopping centre I know quite well, I saw mentioned that it has extended their opening hours by an extra hour on Sundays. People have an extra hour on Sundays to go shopping.In many shopping centres, the shops will now be opened up for longer hours to cater for the demand of Christmas shopping. Therefore, employees can earn extra money for the extra hours they work.

However, I am wondering if it is beneficial for all.
What would it mean if that one less hour of shopping was spent on meaningful relationships with people you don’t know, eg. inviting a neighbour you haven’t talked to over for a BBQ, or if that one hour could be spent on loved ones, including spendimg time with your children on leisure activities?

Whether you or I do lots and lots of extra shopping leading up to Christmas, priorities can be hard, espeically living in world where lots of people are busy.

For me, an important priority is for the materialistic view of Christmas with fabulous times,food and fun times, to not get in the way of my relationship with God-for Christ came at Christmas, the greatest gift of all.

$ spent on Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is run every year in Australia in November. I am not really into horse racing however I have gone to a race day(derby day in Melbourne) with work colleagues two years ago to see what it was 'all about.' (it involved a lot of persuading even though I was quite reluctant at first)

Every year, lots and lots of money is spent betting on which horse will win. A lot of people will bet hoping that their horse will win, and if they do win big, then, it will be the best thing that happens to them. As I was reading online after the Melbourne Cup this year, I read that the 'race drew total bets in excess of $150 million'. That is A LOT of money..and it causes me to feel very uncomfortable, especially through my childhood and overseas experiences of seeing people who live on a few dollars a day.

Couldn't that money be used in other more worthy ways to help vunerable people in our society or help communities that are struggling or even help put extra resources so that people can come to know God through Jesus?

Does our life depend on just money all the time or living for him in his world? In the Bible in Matthew 6:24, Jesus says “You cannot serve both God and money.”
I am wondering what your opinion is.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Dust Storm...... and Jesus

Recently, a rather interesting dust storm left a mark on the city of Sydney. For a few hours on 23rd September it was something to behold. It was a rather strange day for a lot of people who had never experienced this before. In Sydney ( and even other parts of the world) there was news about it on the television, radio and through word of mouth.

Please see picture below of Sydney harbour..



The next day I was thinking quite a bit.. Wouldn't it be great if people were so passionate about Jesus that the coverage of him would be like what we saw on Thursday 23rd September in Sydney. It would be something quite amazing. Here in Sydney we have the Jesus All About Life Campaign.. What a great opportunity for people to talk about Jesus..

An image of dancers.




With life so busy and hectic, it is great to be able to take time out enjoying the wonders of God's creations.
Viewing dancing ,drama, art or something else are things people do to relax . I wonder what does it for you?