The Body of Christ for Today!

So God's Spirit has been changing my heart and my spirit in some new ways. Ways that I would not have even thought of searching out before now. I do not believe that I would have been open to some of the things that God is doing in my life and beliefs before now. It really is amazing how His timing is so perfect!

I believe that one of the primary reasons that the Body of Christ is struggling in USA is because it does not know how to "put into practice" the admonition we receive from scripture. How does "being the Body of Christ" look in our day and technological age? How do we allow others to become a part of our very independent and personal lives? How would Christ minister to this generation of Christ-followers and non-Christ-followers?

I have come under some personal convictions as of late, and I want everyone to hear me when I say "personal convictions." I do not believe that others are not actively pursuing Christ if they are not pursuing Him in the way that I am getting ready to describe. I know that there are different settings and context in which people need to search out how they should "be the Body of Christ" in their personal location. That being said, you must actively search out your context for "being the Body of Christ."

For me here where I live in Spring Hill, FL there are a number of things that we can do. All of these ideas take a great deal of communication, trust, grace & mercy that can only come from the Holy Spirit. Please pray continuously while approaching these ideas with a great deal of common sense and "Spirit" sense.

1. Cell phones. I have been spending about $120 on two phones, one for me and one for my wife. I would say that the average person spends about $60 to $75 on one cell phone per month. I believe that we could combine a number of people onto one Family Plan account and save people $30 to $40 per month. I have purposely started to max out my Family Plan account. I have one line left out of 5 that I am waiting to find someone that needs a phone. I believe that this is one area of life that we can become more of a family with each other. If nothing else we can help each other save some $$, by being more interdependent.
2. Meals. I would love to see us spend more time together eating. Now this maybe a little more selfish idea, because I love to eat. There is something that happens to us when we share a meal together. In the book of Acts we see the early church going from "house to house and breaking bread together." This is something that fused that group of believers together. There is also an economic side to this. I come from a big family. I am the third out of seven children. I know the cost difference in fixing a meal for 3 verses fixing a meal for 10. It is not that much more. When you buy in bulk you save. This is the reason that various warehouse clubs are doing well. Imagine if we intentionally purposed to shop with the intention of eating together? I believe that we would not only be built up in Christ through our time together, but I also we would save money together.
3. Cars. I know that many of us have multiple cars. Many of us have two income families and jobs require us to head in different directions. Living in a suburban setting is also difficult because many things are so spread out and separated. My wife and I have been blessed to trim our vehicles back to one. Some time ago we gave away a second car that had originally been given to us. I think that giving cars to one another as "each has need" is an opportunity that many of us overlook. Even sharing rides with each other. Picking up each others kids or spouses from school, work, practices, church, etc. is an amazing example of fellowship. Many times people see these as inconveniences to their busy schedules. My challenge to you is to view them as a function of the Body of Christ. Christ is being praised when we share our lives together.
4. Homes. This is likely the biggest and most personal area in which I have been convicted. When I went to Haiti I saw whole families living in homes the size of my garage. I have often lived with the conviction that I live in a home that is large enough for two families. This has become an ever present idea in my life as my wife and I have attempted to purchase a home over the last few years. As many of you know, God has protected us from getting into some bad purchasing situations. The price of housing in our area took a steep and drastic step up about 5 years ago. About 2 years ago that market dropped out from under many people here and many have been forced into foreclosure. Thanks to God, we were unable to purchase during this time, despite having put in numerous offers. We have currently put an offer on a home that two years ago would not have been within our price range. It is approximately 3200 square feet. The only reason that we decided to go ahead try to purchase a house this size is with the conviction of sharing this home with other people. I know that many of us are not comfortable sharing that much life with each other. To be honest with you, I don't know if I am comfortable with this yet. This is something that has not yet become a reality for my family, but we are taking steps to get out of our rental home and purchase something so that we can allow God to work through our home!

Please tell me what your response is to these ideas. As I have confessed these are not for everyone. Many of them are still a stretch for me. But these are some of the convictions that have been on my heart lately. Share your heart with me!
Chad