In my continual quest to find an exception clause or asterisk to Christ’s Second Greatest Command, I have a new excuse I’m sure the Lord has never heard before: “My neighborhood is a ghost town.” Literally. I live on a guest ranch in Colorado where the cabins are...
Neighborhood Cafe
Autumn Outreach
My daughter used to get on my last nerve by the last day of summer. I think this phenomena is actually God’s kindness to mothers, easing the pain of separation with the joy of independence (hers and mine!). We both looked forward to going back to school. But then I...
An Open Letter From Your Neighbors
These quotes are from real correspondence I received from women who wanted to start a Neighborhood Cafe Bible study... until they got scared. It was originally published in 2010 but still holds true today. Dear Neighbor, We felt hopeful when you first said you wanted...
100 Ways To Engage Your Neighborhood
When Josh Reeves made a list of 100 ways to engage your neighborhood. He said: "I have found that it is often helpful to have practical ideas to start engaging the people around me. Most of the things on this list are normal, everyday things that many people are...
Loving Your Actual Neighbors Podcast with Asherita Ciuciu
Have you ever heard the audible voice of God? The closest I've ever come was an unforgettable moment when He directed me to look out my window at the women around my home. Recently I shared on my friend Asheritah Ciuciu's podcast how this was the beginning of The...
Bible Study Recommendations for a New Neighborhood Cafe
Bible Study Recommendations for a New Neighborhood Cafe "Do you have suggestions on books or studies that work well when a group is first getting established? If the group gels, I figure the group can help decide on the next study, but choosing the first topic is up...
Do It Scared
I've knocked on hundreds of my neighbors' doors to invite total strangers into my home for an Open House followed by a women's Bible study. And I've been scared every single time. It does get easier, but it's never easy. Sure, I'm an extrovert, but I fear rejection...
Sticky but Hopeful
I guess "milk and honey" is a good thing, but it sounds sticky to me. Do you all know the story of the Israelites? They had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years. God sent a man named Moses to get them out and lead them to a far off land He promised would be flowing with...
How to Love Your Neighbor in 2021
Special Bonus ChapterUpdated EditionPANDEMICS, PROTESTS, POLITICS & MOREThis decade is off to a rough start. So far, the 2020’s are marked by a deadly global pandemic, distressing racial tensions, divisive partisan politics, and white-knuckle economic uncertainty....
Books that Build Relationships: Alongside
If any of you have gone through a trial, you understand the impact others have on your healing process. You may have also experienced the tough conversations that were more harmful than helpful. We are all imperfect in the area of comforting others which is why we...