Summertime in Oregon!

First of all, sorry it's been over a week since my last entry--last week I was really sick for 4 days and the rest of the week I was catching up! I am looking forward to a much better week, and I hope your week is going well for you!

Anyway, it's almost summer, and there is just nothing better than summer time in the Northwest! One nice thing about summer here is that we finally get to see more of our neighbors. We Oregonians like to be outside when it's warm and dry, doing yardwork, playing in the yard, firing up the barbecue, etc.

We really need to take advantage of these beautiful weeks and get to know our neighbors! Why not pick a date in the next week or two and invite some neighbors over for a barbecue? Or if you're really ambitious, you could try organizing a block party! As Christians we tend to huddle together and often fail to connect with others who need Christ.

So make a decision to be "salt and light" in your neighborhood this summer! Chances are your neighbors feel a little bad that they don't know you very well, either, and most will really appreciate being asked over. And don't get caught up in thinking of them as "evangelistic projects". Jesus simply said to "love your neighbor as yourself", so just go into the season trying to be a good friend and showing love to the people around you!

(If you'd like some suggestions on how to spiritually make the most of a neighorhood meal, you might find a couple ideas in this article: Summer Cookouts Can Nourish Souls, Too).