Author: StephanieBBlake

I love to help others focus on the one thing that's most important in life through my ministry, teaching and writing. As Vice President of Xtend Ministries International - www.xtendinternational.com, I travel extensively with my husband. I maintain two websites: www.onefocusministries.com and stretchmoney.wordpress.com. On the One Focus site, you can find free Bible studies, devotionals and information about my first book, "The Prayer Driven Life". My book, "Money: How to Be Rich Without It and How to Stretch It Using Ten Hints from the Past and the Technology of Today" was the inspiration for stretchmoney.wordpress.com. Money saving hints are contained throughout the book and this site was created to continue to give helpful hints on stretching money or having the proper view toward money.
One Focus Blog

Cleaning House

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My husband and I own a house in America, but are seldom there. When we do return home, it’s obvious we have been gone. Not so much from the outside (wonderful neighbors and church friends look after the yard), but when I walk in the door, it isn’t long before I head for the vacuum cleaner. There is a layer of dust all through the house, covering furniture and floors.

Beautifully crafted pieces of furniture do not look attractive with a layer of dust. In order to see details of a piece, dirt must be removed. Sometimes a good polish is also in order. After that is done, I remember why we bought that piece of furniture. Clean, it is very appealing. Dirty, it is not.

The house is a 1905 Queen Anne Victorian. Although there has been much restoration done (and more in the process), there are some things lacking that most modern houses have. There is no insulation in the walls or under the floors. Daylight can be seen underneath entry doors. Where pocket doors inset the wall, the ground is sometimes visible from the floor.

As a result, insects can easily find their way into our home. In our absence, spiders take up residence. There are cobwebs everywhere – especially in the corners of the twelve-foot ceilings. Getting rid of the cobwebs is quite an effort. I am short. I need to stand on a ladder just to reach them with the extension on the vacuum cleaner or a long handled broom.

I really notice those cobwebs when I first return home, but a strange thing happens if I don’t tackle them right away. I forget about them. I no longer look up in the corners of the doorways or the ceilings. I get busy with other things – office work, yard work, shopping and visiting friends and neighbors. I feel a bit like Morticia from the Addams Family. The cobwebs can stay. They are part of the decor.

It occurs to me that sin is a lot like the dust on the furniture and the spider webs in the corner. If I don’t insulate myself against things displeasing to God (by staying in the Word or talking to God about everything), I tend to get used to them. I don’t notice the irritable thoughts, the lazy attitude toward commitments I made to Him, the selfishness that rears its ugly head. I get busy with other things and neglect to clean the corners in my life.

The best remedy for cleanliness at home and in my spiritual life is to tackle the dirt immediately. A close examination of my house always requires more cleaning. A close examination of my life does the same. Maybe I get accustomed to those unattractive, sinful attitudes, but I’m certain God does not. His desire is for my life to be pure and clean. He wants to see the reflection of His Son in me.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart. . . (Psalm 24:3-4a NKJV). Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10 NLT).  

One Focus Blog

National Checkpoints and Boundaries

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As my husband and I travel in our ministry, most of the time we fly. In the process, we encounter many checkpoints – passport checks, immigration checks, custom checks, etc. These checkpoints mark a boundary between two countries: either the country of our residence or the country where we are traveling from to the country we are traveling to. Each country has a specific form that must be filled out on entry with information on the person who is traveling – the foreigner. Even though people at the checkpoints speak English, it is still obvious we are entering another country.

Although we mostly travel by air, we sometimes use a train or drive to another country. When we lived in El Paso, TX and traveled to Mexico, long lines at the border were stark reminders that this was a boundary.

There was a time when car travel in Europe meant going through tedious checkpoints at national boundaries. Now many who are part of the European Union can travel freely from one country to the next without being stopped, but the physical checkpoints are still there as a reminder of the boundary.

When traveling by train from one country to another, even if the train does not stop at the border, officials enter the train and check your documents. Boundaries exist for security reasons. We have observed people without proper documentation being removed from our train.

I learn a lot by watching people in airports and train stations.  I hear many languages being spoken around me. As I pass through the check out lines, I observe the variety of colors in the passports people are holding in their hands. Even languages and passports are a type of boundary.

Once we are through the checkpoints, have collected our luggage and are joined with our partners in ministry, there is great sense of relief. Boundaries no longer apply. We are part of the family of God, no matter what country issued our passports. I am not a foreigner in their homes or churches. There is a bond. It is a blessing to be part of a worldwide family of God where boundaries do not exist.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). There is one body and one Spirit. . . one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4, 6).

Reflective Focus

What Was So Special About David?

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Shepherd Boy

From his very beginning, David held a special place in God’s heart.  He was the shepherd boy who killed Goliath with only a slingshot and his faith in God. Perhaps his relationship with God was developed while he was taking care of the sheep in the field.  Certainly, we know that his experience as a shepherd gave him the background knowledge for the most familiar psalm in the Bible: Psalm 23. He knew the Lord was his shepherd. He had seen His hand in his life as a young boy.

King of Israel

Saul, the first king of Israel, was a great disappointment to God.  He did not follow through on his faithfulness. He took matters into his own hands.  God told Samuel that He would replace Saul with a man after His own heart.

When Samuel started examining the sons of Jesse for the one God was calling to be Saul’s replacement, God told him not to judge by their appearance. He was looking on the heart. The heart He was looking for was David’s heart.

God sought for a man after His own heart and He found that man in David.  He is still searching for someone like David.  He is looking for those whose hearts are completely His.  Will He find you like He found David – to be a person after His own heart?

Faithful Friend

The story of David and Jonathan (Saul’s son) is a familiar account of friendship. They were closer than brothers, but because Saul intended to kill David, they were forced to separate.  David never forgot his relationship with Jonathan.  After Saul and Jonathan had been killed and David gained the throne, David sought out his surviving son, Mephibosheth, so that he could show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake.

Musician and Song Writer

David’s music soothed King Saul’s troubled spirit until Saul’s jealousy drove him away.  Perhaps the biggest clues we have about David being a man after God’s own heart are contained in the songs he wrote.

What are those clues? What made David so special? What was so different about this shepherd boy called to be king?  How did David earn the distinction of being a man after God’s own heart?

Most important, what can we learn from his life that can help us have a closer relationship with God?

David’s Predetermined Choices

In the many Psalms that David wrote, he declared his trust in God, he prayed to God, he declared God’s glory and he asked God questions. It seems, many times, that we are privy to a private conversation.  David seems to be thinking out loud.  His prayers are intimate.  He is seeking God’s heart.  He knows that God is responding to his.

These psalms, written at different stages of David’s life, give clues to where he is and what he is doing at the time.  In examining them, you will discover many references to what David plans to do.  He declares his predetermined choices.  He states the things that he will do.  Among these “I will” statements are the following (many of these are repeated throughout the psalms):

  •  I will praise God
  •  I will sing praises to your name
  •  I will pray
  •  I will worship
  •  I will bless the Lord
  •  I will tell of Your marvelous works
  •  I will give thanks
  •  I will trust in God
  •  I will rejoice
  •  I will wash my hands in innocence
  •  I will restrain my mouth
  •  I will teach others the fear of the Lord
  •  I will wait for God
  •  I will meditate on God’s wondrous works
  •  I will lie down in peace
  •  I will hope continually
  •  I will go in the strength of the Lord

Like David, we have the ability to start anew each day.  Whatever is in the past or whatever is going on today, we can make the same choices David did and be a person after God’s own heart.

© Stephanie B. Blake

July 2011

(for a Bible study on this subject, see “Will You Be a Person After God’s Own Heart”)

One Focus Blog

Freedom and the French-American Friendship

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My husband and I lived in France for a year. I developed some deep friendships with some French people in the church where we were serving and learned a great deal of our joint history. 

The Statue of Liberty

A joint project between France and America, the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty was built by Americans and the statue itself, designed and built by French artist Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, was completed in France, disassembled and shipped to the United States. An icon of freedom, the official name of the Statue is the “Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.” The statue was a gift from the people of France and symbolizes the friendship between the two countries.

Normandy

The Allied assault on D-Day (June 6,1944) aimed to liberate France and drive into Nazi Germany. Over 9,387 Americans are buried in the American cemetery in Normandy with an additional 1557 names inscribed on the Walls of the Missing. France has granted a special perpetual concession to the land, free of any charge or tax. The American Battle Monuments Commission maintains the cemetery. Two Italian granite figures at the western end of the central mall represent the United States and France.

The last battle in the Campaign for Normandy was the Liberation of Paris. It started with an uprising by French Resistance against the German Paris garrison. On August 24, French Forces of the Interior received backup from the Free French Army of Liberation and the United States 4th Infantry Division. On August 29, a joint Franco-American victory military parade traveled through the streets of Paris.

Casablanca 

The cooperation of French and Americans during the war inspired one of the best-known movies of all time. Casablanca was set in unoccupied French Morocco during WW II. The movie bore the name of the stopping off point on the way to Lisbon and then to America as people attempted to escape Nazi occupied Europe.

The main characters in the story are Rick Blaine, lIsa Lund and Victor Laszlo. Prior to the German occupation of Paris, Rick and lIsa fell in love.  On the day the Germans marched into Paris, lIsa was to meet Rick at the train station but failed to show up. She had received word that her husband Victor Laszlo, a Czech resistance leader, had not died in the Nazi concentration camp but was alive and needed her.

Rick goes to Casablanca and sets up Rick’s Café Américain. Rick and Ilsa meet again as lIsa and Victor arrive in Casablanca, attempting to find passage to America. German Major Strasser comes to Casablanca to prevent Laszlo from leaving. While in Rick’s cafe, he leads his soldiers to sing the German national anthem. Victor Laszlo then orders Rick’s band to play La Marseillaise, the national anthem of France. When the bandleader looks to Rick, he nods his head in approval.

Rick helps Victor and lIsa escape to America by providing them with letters of transit to Lisbon. When Major Strasser tries to stop them, Rick shoots him. The movie ends with Rick and Captain Renault (the local police chief) making plans to join the Free French at Brazzaville, ending with the memorable line by Rick, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Friends and Brothers, Free Indeed

Our national mottos are Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, and In God We Trust. The origins of the French motto are not Christian, but the principles are. The God in whom we trust has provided a way for us to have liberty, equality and brotherhood. Through Christ, true freedom is possible. Through Christ, we experience a brotherhood that lasts forever.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. . .Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:32, 36).

One Focus Blog

Street Cleaners and Foot Washing

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One day as I was walking to Bible study (all uphill), it was a little difficult to keep consistent footing because there were so many leaves on the sidewalk. A recent rain made walking on wet leaves a bit tricky. Halfway up the hill, I encountered public service people cleaning the sidewalk and street. It was a joint affair – one man sweeping the leaves, another behind him with a large water hose spraying the leaves from the sidewalk to the gutter and finally a big truck gathered the leaves from the curb and vacuumed them into the truck. After passing the workmen, my trek was much easier. The path was clean, free of obstructions.

Starting my walk, I really hadn’t thought about the leaves or the mud. I was just trying to work my way through them or around them. The pathway didn’t really look dirty to me. In fact, I didn’t think about it until after I had passed the workmen and was treading on clean pavement.

If you are in the family of God, you have been cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus. Believers still sin and should confess their sins, but God tells us He stands ready to forgive those sins and have us return to fellowship with Him.

Sometimes, like the leaves on my pathway, we hardly notice the things that need moving out of the way. We walk through those things or around them without giving it much thought. Everyday obstructions of the world become so commonplace we aren’t even aware our pathway needs a washing. Those obstructions can be anything: a sin, a worry, a disease, concern about a loved one or maybe a problem with our job.

 

There is a constant need to check for things that need to be cleaned up in our lives – anything that might hinder us from following the Lord without interference. A clean, clear path is much easier to follow than one that has to be maneuvered around.

 

Just before His crucifixion, Jesus made this point to His disciples. He washed their feet. As He told Peter, they were clean already because they had bathed, but a foot washing was necessary to get rid of the world’s dirt and grime. When we submit to Jesus for a foot washing, He removes some things – such as sin or worry. Other things beyond our control obstructing our path, we can simply give to Him to carry – such as ill health or concern about a loved one.

We often come to Jesus in prayer and praise Him, thank Him, ask Him for guidance or direction and bring all kinds of concerns to Him. He is delighted when we do that. We should pray for all those things. Before we bring any of our concerns to Him in prayer, though, it would be a good idea to ask Him first if we need a foot washing.

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you” (John 13:8-10).

One Focus Blog

Twitter, Facebook and Blogging: Thinking Out Loud on the Internet

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I do a lot of research using Wikipedia or websites specific to the topic I am interested in. If I want a personal perspective, though, I check out the blogs. I appreciate those who are willing to share their expertise in a field. Some of the blogs I follow have to do with writing.  The publishing world is changing so fast that the best way to keep up with it is to read an expert’s blog on what happened in the industry yesterday or even today.

I view life from a Christian perspective, so I also research the people posting the blogs. That doesn’t mean I only read blogs posted by Christians. It means I evaluate what I read by their experience in their field, and take their spiritual state into account as well.

If you follow the news, as I do, you know you should be careful what you post on Twitter, Facebook or your blog. What you say reveals who you are. Politicians and other public figures have discovered that posts are definitely not private: “your sins will find you out.”

The tools the internet provides has allowed me to feel connected even though I am not in one place for very long. On Facebook, I might discover a relative has been in the hospital, a friend I haven’t seen for a long time has a birthday, another friend had a death in the family or another one needs prayer.  In an instant, I can send an appropriate comment.

Blogs give bloggers an opportunity for even more individual expression than Twitter and Facebook since the words are limited only by the blogger’s desire.  I follow one person who intentionally writes a 1000 word blog every Thursday. Others are of various lengths, but research has revealed that most readers quickly scan a blog, so one of no more than 500 words has more of a chance of being read.  Short paragraphs, breaking up text with bullets, and using proper font make it easier to read. If there are no comments on your blog, don’t despair. Experts say over 90% of readers don’t leave a comment.

One blog I follow is a daily blog on prayer. My friend who writes the blog told me, “This is really hard. I am always thinking about what needs to go in my devotional on prayer.” Well, honestly, how cool is that? His thoughts are always on the subject of prayer.

The internet has given us the opportunity to think out loud in front of a worldwide audience. What we think eventually comes out in what we say, and for those who are in our real world (not just our world), they know what we think shows us in our actions as well.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8 ESV).

One Focus Blog

Situational Awareness: A Life Principle

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Situational awareness is a term familiar to pilots. Flight instructors teach their students that it is imperative to hone their observation skills: to be aware of everything around them at any given moment and in every circumstance. They must be prepared to react to anything unexpected in the flight path.

The same is true for operating any moving vehicle. When the operator loses focus or is distracted, he is no longer situationally aware and can put himself and others in danger. That is the reason cell phone usage while driving has been outlawed in many places.

Whenever possible, my husband and I try to start our day with a walk. He is the leader. I follow. I need to observe his every move. If he turns left, I need to turn left. If he crosses the street, I need to go with him. It is not as easy as it sounds because I have a tendency to lag behind. I have on occasion lost sight of him and for a brief moment, have a sense of panic.

I need to keep my eyes on him not only because I want to walk with him, but also because I often don’t know where I am. God neglected to put a compass in my brain. Since I am also inclined to fall, I have to watch the ground and him at the same time. One morning, God provided a big stick for me to use as a walking stick and that did help a great deal. I was able to keep my balance and enjoy the surroundings a bit more since I didn’t have to keep my eyes on the path every second. I enjoy the walks, but I do have to be situationally aware of my husband’s leadership and my surroundings.

A believer also needs to be situationally aware. There are lots of obstacles on the path of life. In order not to be tripped up requires a constant focus on Jesus. As the living Word, He is our guide. It is up to us to finely develop observation skills so that we recognize when we have deviated from the path He has chosen for us. It is possible to ask for help and get back on the right path again, but when we realize we have lost sight of Jesus, there can be a moment of panic. His written word can serve as a rod to guide us. As we hold it dearly in our minds and our hearts, it is easier to keep our eyes on Him.

The Lord is my shepherd. . . He leads me beside the still waters. . . He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names’s sake. . .I will fear no evil; for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:1,2,3,4).

One Focus Blog

Home, Here and Heaven

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I have a passport issued by the United States of America and my husband and I have a house there. However, for most of each year, we travel overseas on mission assignments. He jokingly says we live in the airport. 

Our home is wherever we are. We really just leave our belongings behind in a house we call home, but that house does have our mark on it. We set up housekeeping temporarily in different locations around the world, some longer than others. No matter how long we plant ourselves in any one spot, however, we are still essentially living out of a suitcase.

If we are fortunate enough to be in a place where we come and go for a period of time and have a small kitchen to be able to cook in, I often go to the refrigerator or the cabinet searching for some item that is not there.  It is actually in my home in the states.

As happy as I am to do what we do, occasionally I get homesick – for the familiar security of the surroundings we call home. There is a sense of renewal and refreshment when I walk into the doors of our home – a sense of belonging. I am joined again not only with our stuff, but our memories.

My heart breaks for those who have lost their homes to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and tornadoes. Many whose families survived these tragedies commented on what remained was what was really important.  If all the family members were without injury, they counted their blessings and did what was necessary to start over.

I have tried to imagine what it was like for Jesus while He was here. How hard it must have been for Him to be away from the security of Heaven. He is the creator and owner of everything on earth but He was treated like a stranger. He left his Father and the comforts of his home to live among many who didn’t understand his language. When He spoke about his home, He was often misunderstood. Eventually, He was crucified because of his description of his relationship to the Father and his rightful place in Heaven. Among His many sacrifices was the temporary condition where He identified with those who had no home. He literally had no place to lay His head.

Among the things I would like to say “thank you” to Jesus for was His willingness to leave His home for a time so that those who of us who believe in Him could be home with Him forever. Heaven will be home because that is where Jesus is.

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:2-3).

Reflective Focus

Separated by a Common Language

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Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29 NAS).

English

I travel and speak internationally, sometimes with an interpreter, many times in English. In an international setting in a country where English is not the first language, many attending my conferences know English as an additional language.  Even if English is the national language of the foreign country where I am speaking, the English spoken in that nation has its own cultural identity.

Traveling to nations where English is spoken supposedly relieves the pressure of having to learn another language.  I have become aware, however, of communication difficulties among English speakers in different cultures. If you do travel, you might incur the same issues.  Even in you live in an English speaking country, you will encounter others who have learned English as an additional language.  Below I have shared a few tips I have learned in my travels.

Although English is so widespread, communication problems do exist between English speakers of different nations. Often what one intends to communicate is lost in the language itself. What can be done about it?

Be aware of the possibility of misunderstanding. Watch the person you are speaking with closely for body language that communicates he did not fully understand what you had to say.  When that happens, rephrase your comment.

Do not use idioms. Although a dictionary exists which tries to explain idioms used in American, British and Australian English, avoid idioms altogether.

Stay away from jokes. It is a rare joke that is understood by all cultures.  Humor can be effectively used without telling a joke.

Never insult your listener.  Resist the temptation to say something like, “I just used simple English.”  If you had really used simple English, you probably would not have been misunderstood.  So, a good rule is to simplify, simplify, simplify.

Take special care if you are teaching or speaking to a group. Often your attendees are a mixture of native English speakers as well as those who have learned English as an additional language. If you have been sensitive in preparing your speech, everyone should be able to benefit from what you have to say. You don’t want anyone to spend time trying to figure out what you meant by a certain comment at the beginning of your speech, thus ensuring that the rest of the speech was a loss.

Keep cultural references to a minimum. It can be offensive to others when all of your examples are from your own culture. Personal examples can be effective, however, such as “As a father, I have found that my children watch my every move.  This makes me think twice about the kind of leader I am at home and in the business world.”  Your example can then be very specific.

Even personal examples, however, have their limitations. For instance, if you are speaking to a group in a poor, depressed country, making references about the difficulties of finding what you want while you are shopping not only does not make sense to your audience, it points out the differences between your cultures.  They may not have the ability to buy basic things, much less shop around for “just the right thing.”

Enjoy the experience. People of different cultures can learn much from each other.  Being able to speak the same language is a huge plus, but consideration and humility should always be present. If you are truly interested in communicating, your listener will know it and you will be encouraged to return.

Christianity

Just as one would expect that he would be understood when speaking English with another native English speaker, we often make the mistake that everyone who claims to be a Christian will also understand the words that we use in describing our faith.  That is not always true.

Some denominations have attached certain meanings to common words used in the Christian community.  Sometimes this can lead to not only a lack of communication, but a vital difference in doctrine as well.  If you are in doubt about whether you and the person you are speaking with are in agreement, clarify.  Some commonly misunderstood words are:

  • Christian.  A true Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ.  Some people equate the title with cultural Christianity, i.e. living in a “Christian” nation, being part of a “Christian” family, being a member of a “Christian” church.
  • Baptism.  Baptism is a testimony of a person who has trusted Christ as his Savior and Lord. It is not essential to salvation; however, some denominations teach that it is.
  • Spiritual gifts.  Every believer has been given at least one spiritual gift to use for the building up of the body of Christ.  There are some denominations, however, that teach that some of the gifts are evidence of salvation and present in every believer.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:5-6).

© Stephanie B. Blake

June 2011

Download Separated by a Common Language

One Focus Blog

Falling Down and Getting Up

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I love shopping for groceries in Europe. A car is not necessary. You can walk to the local market or easily take a bus to a favorite store. While in France, I was leaving my favorite discount store with a buggy full of groceries on one side and a full bag of groceries on the other shoulder and tripped on a piece of jutted pavement and fell flat on my face.

Instantly, three French gentlemen stopped their vehicles and got out to check on me. Had any one of those men been walking beside me when I fell, I am sure he would have tried to catch me; however, I was already on the ground. One of them extended his hand to help me up. Although I told him I was OK, the other gentlemen had to make sure themselves. Although slightly embarrassing (I wound up with a huge black bruise on my chin), the response of these men reminded me that chivalry is not dead.

I couldn’t carry on a conversation with any of these men since I don’t speak French. All I could say was “Merci.” Although they were not angels and it is doubtful that they were Christians (since there is such a small percentage in France), that brief encounter was a reminder of some Christian principles.

In our spiritual lives, we often stump our toes and wind up in a spot we did not plan on. Being unaware of obstacles in our path, sometimes we trip and fail to carry out the will of God in a given situation. We may sin by commission or omission, but the sin would have been prevented had we been carefully watching for rocks in the road.

It is our responsibility to be aware of the possibility of stumbling and guard against it. Once we fall down, it is more than embarrassing. It might be some time before the bruise of the fall disappears. It might be so obvious that it affects our witness. However, when we fall, we need to get up and move on.

If we have stumbled because of sin, certainly we need to ask for God’s forgiveness and do what we can to rectify the situation and ensure it doesn’t happen again. We might be required to go back and move the rock out of the way so that others will not stumble.

Sometimes in the moving on process, we need help from our brothers and sisters in Christ. They can extend a hand, lift us up and help us get back on the path again. God puts the responsibility for sin squarely on the shoulders of the sinner, but one of the ways He provides restoration is through the support of members of His family.

It is good to remember that we can be on either side of this situation. Sometimes we fall and need help. Other times we watch our brothers or sisters stumble and need to lift them up. That’s part of being a family.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ…For each one shall bear his own load (Galatians 6:2, 5).