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One Mile Radius

“One Mile Radius” links to my purpose here on earth.  My inner circle hashes out the catch phrase and we look for ways to be sensitive and aware of those we live near, work with and meet in our ordinary days. For us, it represents the call to share the Good News with others.  It's not enough to only go to church but we remind ourselves that we are the church. 

I listened to the sermon one Sunday morning and thought about my own personal one mile radius.  How can I brighten my visits with the Native American gal who cuts my hair every six weeks in the salon a few blocks away?

I think of my neglect of the friendly couple that lives a few doors down and make a mental note to invite them to dinner soon. 

I sent a quick text to the president of our road association to thank him for hiring a contractor to level out our country road.  Only half the residents pay the fee to maintain the road we all use to get in and out of our town.  The president stopped by the house and we sat in my kitchen nook and brainstormed ways we can approach our neighbors to pay up.  I realize I need to pray for him as he deals with the winy complainers.  


I am proud of our mid-week group from church.  Every Wednesday night we meet here in Smallville where one of our pastors opens up her home for us to gather in and eat snacks, delight in desserts and drink coffee and tea together.  We discuss the fine points of the Sunday sermon and ways we can implement it.  





Sometimes all you have to do is show up!
We celebrated Valentines Day last weekend at the sports bar in this one-horse town.  Yes, all 13 of us showed up at the bar and filled a long table right in front of the jazz guitarist who happens to be a brother from our church.  There we sat laughing, eating dinner and offering encouraging smiles to our brother as he played “Georgia” and “My Funny Valentine” among other bluesy greats.  The joy of the Lord cannot be hid when we show up together even in a bar.


It’s all about relationship.
I like the concept of the one mile radius.   It emphasizes relationship more than religion.  We Christians carry a big God inside of us.  Sometimes it’s enough just to show up and be there!          

Comments

  1. Hi Mary! I just love this concept of the 'One Mile Radius'. I am preparing a talk, and in it I say how we are to love those around us, but not just the people we know. There are a lot of souls that populate our one mile radius.
    Your not-so-little group is wonderful, and I think the idea of discussing the sermon from the week before is a GREAT idea. Not only to you enrich your faith, it helps to pay attention too. Sometimes my mind wanders during a sermon (hate to admit that), but this would make me much more accountable.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  2. What a blessing this post was. Praise the Lord for your sweet spirit as you look for ways to reach out in your " one mile radius " I like that!

    Have a blessed week~

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  3. What a blessing this post was. Praise the Lord for your sweet spirit as you look for ways to reach out in your " one mile radius " I like that!

    Have a blessed week~

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  4. I love this whole concept, Mary! And I love these words of yours, " It emphasizes relationship more than religion." That is it in a nut shell! I know that the Lord will use you in the relationships that you mentioned in this post, as well as show you other ones. The thing is I know that you will be obedient to His leading. xx

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  5. Wonderful. I like that idea of a one mile radius. It reminds me that there are others around that need to know Jesus and feel love. Thank you for this post.

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  6. Mary, what a fantastic post, and such a great concept. We all need love, and to show love to everyone, not just those we know.

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  7. I love, love, love this! It's the kind of thing we've been talking about in our church - the importance of fellowship and relationship. I'm going to share this with our prayer team tomorrow!

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  8. I like the idea of the one mile radius too. I've been inspired through the teachings at church and other studies I'm doing to look for ways to reach out love on others not only in our family, church, but the local community as well. Some ideas suggested were to pay for the groceries behind you in church, randomly pay for someone's meal in a restaurant, etc. Those things are a bit uncomfortable for me to initiate now but I find a simple act of offering to take someone's shopping cart back to the store or to the place to keep them can produce a smile on someone's face. Its the little things we do that further the kingdom and open the door for us to perhaps share our Lord with others.

    betty

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  9. Oooo, you got my wheels turning with this one, Mary. One mile radius. What a challenge. Going to give this much thought and prayer, then put feet and hands to it! Thanks for sharing this!

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  10. What a great concept! You're so fortunate. :)
    Like many city neighborhoods these days, we've but a 'nodding' acquaintance with most of our neighbors. Then again, I don't suppose any of us are limited to a literal one-mile.

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  11. WOW! One mile radius! Oh if we would only reach out to a few and then those few reach out to a few and then...a domino effect would happen. In my one mile radius it's my family! LOTS of family! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  12. Great reminder sister Mary to keep in mind..."one mile radius..." How we can touch others and share the love of the Lord. Even better, to point the way to Him. My! My! I'm hundreds of miles away from you and you surely touch this heart each time you visit me or I come here. Your faith like what I always tell you, always blesses mine...That I am also thankful for your friendship, love and especially prayers!!! Back at you sister! and may the Lord bless you and give you discernment to how you can touch those who live around you. I'm sure your fire brings a true kind of warmth and genuine love!!! You're right! Sometimes, we just need to show up and be there! Stay strong! Love to you.

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  13. Dear friend! I know you make your one mile radius SHINE with the light of Jesus' love wherever you are, whatever you do, and whoever you are with. You surely shine a beautiful light here in blogland...I love and appreciate you and thank God for the blessing you are to me and to so many others. Would have loved to hear that bluesy guitar playing...and by a brother in the Lord, none-the-less!

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  14. I like your reminder; We don't go to church so much as we are the church. We are to be the church first and foremost in our one-mile radius--that's our Judea.

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  15. Thank you! As usual, you shared a lot. AND you made me smile and rejoice re: my body when you wrote into my blog piece. Bless you!!!!

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  16. What a concept! One mile radius, making an impact on those we live closest too! Such a blessing you have been to those around you, and how special to get together with your church family and have such a good time!

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  17. I like that concept of a "one mile radius". Our circles are not coincidence. Thanks for the reminder and nudge. And thanks too for reaching way beyond your "One mile radius"!!!

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  18. Hi Mary. I live in north Georgia. I am blog friends with Dianna, Mari, Melanie and Debbie and wanted to say "hi." I love this idea. Sounds like your Valentine get-together was a wonderful time of fellowship and of course I am impressed that the guitarist played "Georgia!" Have a lovely evening. Mildred

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  19. Hi! The one-mile-radius concept is quite inspirational. I like the practical ways you showed through which you care for people around you, thereby sharing (being) the Gospel. Certainly worth emulating. Bless you!

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  20. Love your perspective on your one mile radius. Actually I am attending a mission meeting in a church this weekend and I am going to use that to open up my little talk. Mission can seem so daunting especially when you put foreign before mission that it scares us into apathy. You are an inspiration my blog sister.

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  21. How short is a one mile radius? It just got shorter. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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