Recently, when I was reading the New English Bible translation, I noticed that where most other translations used the word fellowship, this Bible used the term “share a common life.”

I like that. To me, that’s what fellowship and community are all about– sharing life together. And not just the pretty parts. In community, we share the good, the bad, and the ugly (to borrow a Clint Eastwood movie title).

Life is too hard to do solo. God said that it’s not good for man to be alone. In the original context, He was referring to the institution of marriage, but it applies to all relationships. You are most vulnerable and prone to err when you’re alone and out of community.

Too many think that there is strength in hiding your scars and trying to carry your burden alone. They think asking for help or charity is weakness. I think it’s real strength when you say, “I can’t do this alone. Will you help me?”

I’m in a fantastic community group. Hopefully, we’ll all get comfortable enough with each other to be authentic and honest, presenting not our best selves but our true selves.

Healing comes when you take off the masks and name your scars, your fears, your failings, your wounds. And I still think that there are people out there who can find their healing thròugh your and my stories.

Mike Glenn always says you need comminity because the first person you lie to is yourself. You need people in your life to set you straight when you are less than honest about your struggles. You need people who will remind you of the words to the song in your heart when you’ve forgotten them.

For some odd reason, when I wrote my blog last night, I thought it was Thursday. Today is Thursday. I got that straightened out. Thas has nothing to do with anything, just thrown in for free.

i’m thankful for good community and friends and family who keep reminding me of what my best self looks like and keep encouraging me to keep striving toward Christlikeness. You guys are pretty much awesome in my book.