Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good a Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community There is great freedom when it comes to forms of worship and I will just mention a few basic elements that have been found useful in the development of our relationship with God and others.…

Devotions from James Smith’s book, the Good and Beautiful Community Worship is more than a private matter meant just to inspire the individual and to create an emotional sensation. It is bigger than the person, and while inspiration is a by- product of worship it is not the central aim. Worship is a communal activity…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community The good and beautiful community is not based on the prosperity gospel or the poverty gospel, but the gospel of abundance. We have what we need when we need it and it is enough. We look at our assets in a new light and…

Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community The good and beautiful community is prevented from generosity by the false narrative that: what I have is mine to use for my own pleasure. Mine. Mine. Mine! This makes us feel entitled and teaches us that what we possess, money, time or abilities, are…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community Another false narrative that prevents us from being generous is: If I give it away, I have less. This assumes that what we give away and share is now lost and that now it contributes to my lack. But the true narrative is that…

Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community. The good and beautiful community is a generous one but sometimes we miss out because we hold false narratives. One such narrative is “God helps those who help themselves”. That is not Biblical but said by Ben Franklin who was a deist. This narrative works…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community The Good and Beautiful Community is not afraid to hold us accountable. To hold someone accountable is not easy and we must do it with discernment.  In I Thess. 5:14 it says “We urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted,…

Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community In the good and beautiful community we are asked to reflect the glory that is ours as His children. This involves encouraging one another, admonishing and watching over one another in love. Also to become involved in specific activities on a regular basis that are…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community To be both a comforting and challenging community at the same time we must remind each other of who we are, show each other what we can be, and have the courage to hold each other accountable. Our identity is one who is loved,…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community Sometimes we may think that the community exists to serve me and my needs, and that they should not tell me what to do. We live in a consumer culture and it leads us to believe we are entitled to have all of our…