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<title>Neighbors Blog</title><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/index.html</link><description>Discussion about house churches and faith</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2011 Kevin Abbott</dc:rights><dc:date>2012-05-08T12:08:07-04:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Tue, 8 May 2012 12:11:52 -0400</lastBuildDate><item><title>James - A Bible Study</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-05-08T12:08:07-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/d102e13bd13b3165ad5007ec655bd2ac-19.php#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/d102e13bd13b3165ad5007ec655bd2ac-19.php#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As I studied James, at this juncture in my life, I realized there were 40 commands and that opened the book up to me in a very powerful way. ...  During my study I came to see James as more of a football coach than a teacher of facts. 

...James 1:2-4  &nbsp;Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 

...In the end you will be able to do things beyond what you thought you were capable of doing.  


...James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.


James does not center verses 2-5 on plastering a smile on our face when it gets tough. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Easter: The Alternate Ending</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Easter</category><dc:date>2012-03-28T15:44:13-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/27aa44326b6a04c10a771b4eaa545844-18.php#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/27aa44326b6a04c10a771b4eaa545844-18.php#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Most of us have known someone who died at a young age or have seen justice unsatisfied. 

...All of creation was damaged when Adam and Eve sinned and a destructive trajectory was established.   The die was cast for all, a meaningless life, hardship, disease, death and hopelessness. 

...He lived a sinless life and died on the cross, a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all who would accept his offer.   Best of all, on Easter morning Jesus was resurrected with a body that could never die again. ...  In so doing, he provided an amazing opportunity for all who would accept him. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Passing on a Legacy</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Legacy</category><dc:date>2011-09-26T14:50:30-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/910739d7da66b8bfc0aa29cf06b712a0-17.php#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/910739d7da66b8bfc0aa29cf06b712a0-17.php#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Your children and grandchildren will question where you get that character from and will trace it back to your God. 

...You are teaching your children and grandchildren what a good marriage looks like; what to look for in a spouse; how to disagree while still showing love and respect.


...Faith in the next generations will infuse them with the courage to try what they have not tried before. 


...Challenge your children / grandchildren, so they will develop skill and stamina, but make sure they can be mostly successful at their level. 


...It corrects and usually hurts, but the goal is always improvement, especially when it comes to your child&rsquo;s self-esteem. 


...If your child gets in a tight spot, will he/she think of turning to you for help? 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Where Was God on 911</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2011-09-10T12:15:42-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/41900d739a480a4cf2cf60117a89e1d8-16.php#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/41900d739a480a4cf2cf60117a89e1d8-16.php#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.


...29:10 &nbsp;This is what the LORD says: &ldquo;When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.  

...14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent&rsquo;s reach.  ...  17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring&mdash;those who obey God&rsquo;s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. 

...9:20  &nbsp;&nbsp;	The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood&mdash;idols that cannot see or hear or walk.


...In days to come, disaster will fall upon you because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD and provoke him to anger by what your hands have made.&rdquo;
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Tribute to My Dad</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Wendell Abbott</category><dc:date>2011-08-30T10:59:54-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/c9eecc6677916fe56cb6ca574cfc1d4c-15.php#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/c9eecc6677916fe56cb6ca574cfc1d4c-15.php#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[To me though he stood above any man I have known.   I respected him and learned from his example because he instructed by action rather than words.   He taught me to work hard; to face disappointment by standing up and trying again; to have the balance of self-respect yet putting others first; to have an inner strength that does not need to boast; to make everyone around him feel special because he believed they were; to laugh and enjoy life; to take care of the family regardless of the cost; to be directed by faith in God, integrity and honesty.   God was gracious to me by giving me a healthy snapshot of Himself in my earthly dad, Wendell Abbott. 


&ldquo;A good man leaves an inheritance for his children&rsquo;s children&rdquo;


...13:22]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Independance Day</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Endurance</category><dc:date>2011-06-29T10:11:52-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/b6b22d10a6a3ba48ce45def269120624-14.php#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/b6b22d10a6a3ba48ce45def269120624-14.php#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[One man who was previously a Seal said one of the goals, is for the Seal to experience failure everyday.   It develops a mental toughness that makes him face failure not with the stalemate of &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not good enough,&rdquo; but with action, &ldquo;now what.&rdquo;   He went on to say that professional athletes sometimes will train with the Seals and they are the ones who most easily quit for this same reason. 

...Stop thinking that the challenges you face are a result of not being smart enough, fast enough or strong enough.   Think of it rather as God&rsquo;s training, exposing your weaknesses in order to make you better and stronger. 

...&ldquo;My son, do not make light of the Lord&rsquo;s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Air Force Basic Training</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Devotion to One Another</category><dc:date>2011-06-01T09:54:11-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/aa55ad17ca00c7aa657fca65b9f47a7b-13.php#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/aa55ad17ca00c7aa657fca65b9f47a7b-13.php#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[My son was one of the several hundred graduating that day after eight grueling weeks of Basic Training. ...  I was watching my son and in the path of my vision, I saw a young woman wobble a bit then fall flat on her face on the hard asphalt. ...  Later my son told me that she would be punished for passing out and may be forced to take a couple more weeks of basic training. ...  My son told me that it was her fault, she either locked her knees or didn&rsquo;t drink enough fluids. ...  It is unacceptable for her to pass out because she didn&rsquo;t take care of herself. 

...Perhaps I will be your wingman tomorrow and I may need you to be at the top of your game when I am under fire. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Hunting for Mushrooms</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Seeking the Lost</category><dc:date>2011-05-10T22:37:17-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/8b040c937c58a58064fa09e605db30ec-12.php#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/8b040c937c58a58064fa09e605db30ec-12.php#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The waitress came up to us with a notebook, pointed to some English words and asked if we could pronounce them for her.   She explained that she is studying English in order to take a test for citizenship in the U.S. 


I asked her if she would like some help learning to speak English and she became very excited being eager and grateful for the help.   I am in the process of getting a couple of women who can meet with her once a week to teach her conversational English.   She has a need that our house church can meet and perhaps we can make a friend and share the gospel with her.   Who knows perhaps we can play a part in planting a Chinese house church in Decatur. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Children In the House Church</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Kids</category><category>Children</category><dc:date>2011-05-02T13:24:25-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/75d6320d162c858b2855fb02b7d91e69-11.php#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/75d6320d162c858b2855fb02b7d91e69-11.php#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[One of the greatest benefits I see in the house church is the ability for kids to learn by being part of the adult interaction.   A four year old may not understand the depth of a biblical truth that made an impact on his or her parents, but to see adults praying, worshipping, loving and studying God's word is a rich heritage to hand down. 

...So I posed some questions about kids in the house church to several mothers of young children and this is what I discovered.&nbsp;


...To this several women told me that it was essential that everyone, especially the women, to constantly encourage the mother that her children are loved and welcome in the mix.&nbsp;


...They had a hand held mirror with a picture of Jesus on one side and would rotate the mirror to correspond with "Jesus" and "me".   It was fun because I felt, even as a stranger, that I was taking part in conveying the love of Jesus to this baby.&nbsp;
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>House Church in a Postmodern World</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Postmodern</category><dc:date>2011-03-22T00:04:21-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/cc659c030ec1f90afc4c811e6f335bdc-10.php#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/cc659c030ec1f90afc4c811e6f335bdc-10.php#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[He also identifies four shifts that are taking place from the modern age to the postmodern age. 

...This is a great opportunity for the house church because postmodern people yearn to belong to a community. ...  Many young people today come from broken homes and are looking for a home church that is multigenerational. 

...The craving for community is extremely strong among postmoderns, yet they are repulsed by any kind of judgmental attitude. ...  The second step is when he became a believer and then finally he was eligible to belong to the church family.   As a result of the pressure of the postmodern process the new paradigm is reversed to &ldquo;belong, believe, behave.&rdquo; ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>How to Start a House Church</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Church Plant</category><dc:date>2011-03-19T05:41:00-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/planting%20a%20house%20church.php#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/planting%20a%20house%20church.php#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A woman who works in housekeeping asked me if I would be willing to meet with some of the staff to pray and study the Bible. 

...This seemed odd to me, but the best place to find the lost lambs is among wolves who have the senses to smell a genuine lamb. ...  I know it is scary to step out of our comfort zone, but one thing is for sure, if we don&rsquo;t try nothing will happen.


...Basically this is a person with whom we develop a relationship, who wants to know more about Jesus and has friends. ...  It is best to meet in that person&rsquo;s home or at least in a place where he is comfortable. ...  The employee at the nursing home who asked me to lead the group is the person of peace in that situation. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Discipleship</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Discipleship</category><dc:date>2010-05-31T10:26:20-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/0fbe0608370c1fdd15137f5944646baa-8.php#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/0fbe0608370c1fdd15137f5944646baa-8.php#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This is the choice phase, the period of leaving family&nbsp;and job in a lesser priority compared to the commitment to Christ.


Head learning phase &ndash; This is the period of sitting &ldquo;at the Lord&rsquo;s feet&rdquo; to learn head knowledge. 

...skills learning phase &ndash; The skills phase is putting into practice the knowledge learned. ...  It is the Go and Do part of discipleship and requires courage and faith. 

...According to Jesus&nbsp;a student will do well if he can become like his teacher or master.   Let us face our fears and perfect the craft of discipleship in ourselves.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Was That a Dream From God or Just Some Bad Pizza</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Dreams</category><dc:date>2010-05-31T10:22:34-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/dream.php#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/dream.php#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The verse in&nbsp;Acts 2:17 says, &ldquo;In the last days, God says,&nbsp;I will pour out my Spirit on all people.&nbsp;

...For example, I have had people say that they had a vision from God and the message is &ldquo;God loves us.&rdquo;   That message is all over scripture and does not require a dream or vision to point it out. 

...Like Peter&rsquo;s vision in Acts 10, &ldquo;three men are looking for you&rdquo; or Ananias in Acts 9, &ldquo;go to the house of judas on Straight Street and ask for &hellip;Paul&rdquo;


	&bull;	Is the dream or vision relevant for today, by telling us to do something, prepare for something or just change our understanding about something? 

...If the dream causes a significant emotional response after a couple of days and an urgency to do something about it, then it probably wasn&rsquo;t just a dream.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Today&#x27;s Disciple</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Discipleship</category><dc:date>2010-07-13T10:14:47-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/disciple.php#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/disciple.php#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[He knows that hardships are a form of discipline, so he is not discouraged but rather thankful because the &ldquo;Lord disciplines those he loves&rdquo; (Heb 12:5-6).


...Today&rsquo;s disciple will hold on with tenacity the path God has for him and hold on loosely to everything else (i.e. stuff, position, relationships, nationality).


...He has a father-son relationship with Christ with all the intimacy and confidence that involves as well as a fear of the Almighty&rsquo;s greatness and his own insignificance.


...He does not depend on Christian literature and media about the Bible to strengthen his knowledge and growth, but rather connects directly to Christ through prayer and Bible study. 

...He understands he is not a spectator, but is expected to produce fruit with the gifts he has been given in the sphere of influence he has.


...As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>When Your Glass is Half Empty</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Hope</category><dc:date>2010-07-13T10:07:43-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/hope.php#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/hope.php#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Most of us have a plan for where we want to end up in life both financially and in our position in life. ...  All of the sudden we find ourselves pitched off the interstate and onto a small country road putzing along at a painfully slow pace seemingly in the wrong direction.


There is a place in the Bible where King David is in a very dark place and not only found strength to take another step, but did so with greatness. ...  &ldquo;The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want&hellip;&rdquo; In that psalm there is a phrase &ldquo;My cup overflows&rdquo; Even in one of his deepest moments of turmoil his glass was not only half full, it was overflowing. 

...Sure they are getting rid of stuff &ndash; that car they could not really afford, cable TV, the big house, shedding off the things that they thought would bring them pleasure, but have found them to be a trap of time and finances. 

...The formula for having a glass half-full attitude in these tough economic times is for us to hold loosely to our stuff and hold tightly onto Jesus Christ.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Keep Going No Matter What</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Endurance</category><dc:date>2010-09-29T10:01:39-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/never_give_up.php#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/never_give_up.php#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Jones ship, the Bonhomme Richard, began to sink after two of her cannons exploded.   The British captain commanded Jones to surrender to which Jones shouted back with his famous line, &ldquo;I have not yet begun to fight!&rdquo; ...  He strapped his sinking ship onto the enemies to keep his afloat and fought the British for three more hours. 

...Life is full of challenges and roadblocks, keep up the fight no matter what.   Plan A and B are rarely successful, continue trying until you find a plan that accomplished the mission.


&ldquo;Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God&rdquo; (Heb. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>No Passive Kingdom</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Kingdom</category><dc:date>2010-11-10T08:59:15-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/no_passive_kingdom.php#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/no_passive_kingdom.php#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The mission Jesus gave to us is to &ldquo;go and make disciples&rdquo; which includes leading people to Christ and helping them grow.   God&rsquo;s Kingdom is forcefully moving forward and many times that journey is difficult.   We must stay engaged in Kingdom work even when it is tough because many are lost, seeking the way.   Christ is the answer.   The Gospel is the message and the Holy Spirit is the power.   PRESS ON!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What Does It Mean to Surrender</title><dc:creator>kabbott@frontier.com</dc:creator><category>Surrender</category><dc:date>2010-11-10T17:19:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/surrender.php#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thechurchathome.com/blog_files/surrender.php#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[First example: When the angel told Mary, a teenage unmarried woman, that she would become pregnant, her response was &ldquo;may it be done to me as you have said&rdquo; (Luke 1:38).   No question she had to know the dangers of an unmarried pregnant woman in her culture.   What do you think was her level of surrender, somewhere between 8-10?


Second Example: When God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac and Abraham followed through, what was his level of surrender, between 8-10?


Third Example: A rich man asked Jesus, &ldquo;What must I do to inherit eternal life?&rdquo; 

...How can we bump up our level of surrender to Christ and be open to His plans for our lives?]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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