• Small Talk: A Rebrand
    Nov 5 2024
    Today, small talk is getting a glow-up! Rather than dismissing it as a waste of time, we’ll consider how neighborly chit-chat can be a doorway to meaningful relationships and deeper conversations. We'll discuss how the challenges—social anxiety, awkward pauses, and a lack of emotional fulfillment—are real, but by viewing small talk as an essential “icebreaker” to genuine connection, we can break through these obstacles. With this small-talk rebrand, we might start seeing it as the first step in building relational bridges—and an important way to join in on what God is already doing in our neighborhood. CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.
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    22 mins
  • Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary People with Carolyn Lacey
    Oct 29 2024
    Carolyn Lacey, author of "Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary People: Seven Ways to Welcome Like Jesus," joins the discussion to explore the true meaning of Christian hospitality. Carolyn shares insights from her book, discussing how we often misunderstand hospitality as simply entertaining or hosting. Instead, she reveals the deeper, Christ-centered nature of hospitality—grounded in generosity, compassion, and humility, modeled after God's own welcoming heart. She challenges us to rethink what it means to practice hospitality in our everyday lives, encouraging us to extend welcome not only through grand gestures but also in small, meaningful ways that reflect God’s generous love. Extraordinary Hospitality (for Ordinary People): Seven Ways to Welcome Like Jesus CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.
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    34 mins
  • Before You Share Your Faith with Matt Smethurst
    Oct 22 2024
    Are you hesitant to share your faith with your neighbors? Matt Smethurst, lead pastor at River City Baptist Church and author of "Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready," joins us to discuss the challenges and importance of evangelism. Matt shares his personal experiences and insights on how to be better prepared to share the gospel, offering practical advice for those who may feel hesitant or out of practice. He touches on the fears and spiritual battles that often keep us silent, while also emphasizing the joy and privilege of speaking about Christ. With a focus on loving engagement, Matt helps us understand how to grasp the gospel for ourselves, contextualize it for others, and seize everyday opportunities to share our faith boldly and authentically. Before You Share Your Faith CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.
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    40 mins
  • Avoiding Next-Door Political Outrage
    Oct 15 2024
    Are political conversations with neighbors just too divisive to touch? Today, we’re joined by Ken Sande, founder of two conflict resolution organizations and author of The Peacemaker, to talk about how to approach these tricky discussions with emotional intelligence. Ken shares insights on how to manage your emotions—and those of others—while navigating sensitive political topics, especially in today’s polarized climate. Drawing from decades of conflict resolution experience, Ken offers practical tools to engage in respectful and meaningful dialogue with your neighbors, even on sensitive political issues. Ken Sande's Website The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide To Resolving Personal Conflict 17 Ways To Respond To Explosive Politics CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.
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    48 mins
  • Parenting Without Panic in LGBT+ Friendly Neighborhoods
    Oct 8 2024
    Rachel Gilson, author of "Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT Affirming World," joins us to talk about how we can love our LGBT+ neighbors and how Christian parents can navigate complex conversations with their children about faith, gender, and sexuality. The discussion touches on Rachel's personal journey to faith, the importance of teaching kids God’s positive vision for the body and relationships, and the need to address contemporary cultural challenges with both truth and grace. By offering practical applications and emphasizing love across differences, Rachel encourages parents to foster open, biblical conversations with their children while modeling Christ's love for their neighbors. Buy Rachel's book: Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World: Discipling Our Kids with Jesus' Truth and Love Check out the Birds & Bees kids' curriculum: https://birds-bees.com/ Birds & Bees Free Resource Read Preston Sprinkle's book: Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say Buy Rebecca McLaughlin's: Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships? Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality (Biblical response to lgbtq+, homosexuality) CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.
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    47 mins
  • The Halloween House with Jimmy & Kelly Needham
    Oct 1 2024
    After moving into their new neighborhood—ironically named Sleepy Hollow—Jimmy and Kelly Needham were surprised to learn their home had a big reputation. Upon learning their house was famous for being one of the spookiest Haunted Houses in Dallas, the Needhams had a decision to make. Listen as they share about transforming their home's reputation as "The Haunted House" to "The Generous House" through a night of gospel-driven outreach, complete with king-size candy bars, hot chocolate, and a prayer station. The Needhams share stories of how offering extravagant generosity has opened doors to prayer, gospel conversations, and long-term relationships with their neighbors. This episode is sure to get your October neighboring juices flowing! Get a copy of Real Bad Guys Read more about the Needham's Halloween House click HERE.
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    42 mins
  • Guided Neighborhood Prayer Walk: The Lord's Prayer
    Sep 24 2024
    While the concept of moving your body while talking to God might seem intuitive to some, many of us could use a "prayer walk tutorial." We have this idea that heartfelt prayers should be spontaneous, but many of us struggle with scattered senses, short attention spans, and feel we’re lacking in the language of prayer. The challenge feels high. Perhaps the disciples felt some of the same when one turned to Jesus saying, “Lord, teach us to pray." Seeing the challenge, Jesus offered us the Lord’s Prayer. Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Begin with Praise Scripture: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Prayer: "Lord, I praise your holy name. As my loving father, you’ve shown me an unwavering love. You are all-knowing and all-wise. May Your name be known and honored in this place.” Step: At the start of your walk, spend a few minutes praising God as your Father, thanking Him for who He is and what He has done in your life. 2. Imagine God’s Kingdom Coming To Your Corner Scripture: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Prayer: “Jesus, I want my daily interactions to be filled with your kingdom values of justice and compassion. May my family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers see signs that you are healing our broken world, and know that you came not only to save but to reign as the good king of an eternal kingdom." Step: Take a few moments to envision what it would look like for God’s kingdom to break into your neighborhood, workplace, and city. Pray for opportunities to make things right in your community. 3. Pray for Provision Scripture: “Give us today our daily bread.” Prayer: "Father, help me to depend on you to meet my needs each day. Teach me to trust in you as my provider rather than relying on myself.” Step: Pray for a heart of God-reliance rather than self-reliance. Ask for financial stability amidst stressors. Pray for those struggling emotionally and spiritually, that God will be their source of comfort and hope. 4. Seek and Extend Forgiveness Scripture: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Prayer: "Lord, remind me of all the times and ways you’ve forgiven me. Help me to extend that same mercy to others, letting go of bitterness and grudges.” Step: Ask God to reveal any sin in your life. Confess it (e.g., favoritism, self-importance, greed, jealousy, neglect, contempt, or others). Thank Him for His immeasurable forgiveness in Christ and pray for a spirit of forgiveness toward your neighbors. 5. Pray for Protection Scripture: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Prayer: "God, help me to recognize and resist evil influences in my life. Protect me from harm and keep me safe in your presence. You are my refuge and ever present help in trouble.” Step: Seek God’s protection from unseen spiritual adversaries that foster disorder and violence. Thank Jesus for overcoming his enemies through sacrifice and love. Ask God to grant you the strength to avoid temptation and to overcome evil by cultivating His sacrificial love in you. 6. Close with Praise Doxology: “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Prayer: "Lord, I recognize Your sovereign rule over all creation. May your presence be felt by everyone who lives here. You are worthy of all our reverence and worship. Amen." Step: End your prayer walk by reflecting on how God’s power and sovereignty are visible in the natural world around you. Share with Him how you’ve recently experienced His power and love in your life. Thank Him for being a just and good King. Pray aloud Psalm 145:13: "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works."
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    21 mins
  • You Should (Could) Pray For Your Neighbors
    Sep 17 2024
    Has guilt been a good long-term motivator in your life when it comes to prayer??? We didn't think so. Today, we're making the move from "should" to "could" in hopes that God will move in our hearts and ignite a deep desire for prayer. As we follow Jesus' example in this, we're asking the Father this question: "What is it I want him to do right now in my life? In my family? In my work? In my neighborhood?" If you could ask the Lord right now to do anything in your corner (and you can!), what would you ask for? CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Follow this link to share your neighboring stories with us or tell us your thoughts on today's episode.
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    28 mins