Family Dinner Night

My wife Tina and I, have for years, been living out our spirituality–our faith–with others in community. I’m not talking about the “church we go to” but rather intentional community with others that’s focused on living like Jesus would live if he were walking around our neighborhood today.

A big part of living like a family with others is eating together, and OFTEN!

As if it is carved into sacred stone, our extended family–we call it our missional community–gets together for a weekly family dinner night.

These collaborative meals are usually simple, sometimes elaborate, often thrown together, but always warm and full of acceptance. It is a needed bright spot in our week and a time when anyone and everyone are invited in everyone is always invited. At times we will take communion together and go around speaking Good News to each other, pushing back the hurts and disappointments of the week and reminding one another of what is now true of us because of Jesus. Afterward, everyone helps clean up, making sure there is no leftover mess.

As a family, we practice an “open door policy” with one another. I know that I can stop by the home or apartment of those in my community at any time and it will be no big deal. It works in reverse too; my friends know that they can stop by our house any time (I’ve noticed that the single guys seem to practice this more around dinnertime).

This may freak you out a little. You may be thinking, “Whoa, how do you have any time to yourself.

What about boundaries?

There have been times when my wife, Tina, and I are sitting on the couch in the evening having a glass of wine together and the doorbell will ring. “Hey, Caesar. Hi, Tina. What are you guys doing tonight?” And I will say, “Hey, Nick, how you doing brother? Tina and I were just sitting here watching this romantic comedy together and I, um, was kind of hoping for a happy ending…if you know what I mean. So unless there is some emergency or you really need us right now, let’s get together tomorrow if that’s cool.”

Because of the openness and trust we have with one another, there is not only the freedom to open our homes, but we also have the freedom to say “Thanks for stopping by, but now’s not a great time.” We all know this and respect this reality.

But sometimes it’s hard!

Living like this could really spin-off in a bad direction if we don’t live with a focus on the Good News and live with intentionality. If my life is all about my comfort and feeding my preferences, then all of that stuff would be frightening and impossible to sustain. But in light of the love we have been shown, it is a pleasure and a blast to live in ways that show what our real, true heavenly Dad is really like.

Sure it would have been great if someone would have shared these ideas with you or led you into this way of thinking and living years ago, but as always, the next best time to begin…is now!

Question: What’s keeping you from hosting a weekly family dinner for your friends and community? If you’re doing it already, what are you experiencing?

Salami Eggs

If you’ve been following this blog or read any of my books you know that life in community–lived like a family– is a big deal for me…and my family, both natural and extended. And meals are a HUGE part of building traditions and really feeling like a family.

One sure way to get our family and friends out of bed and around the breakfast table is to make a Team K family favorite dish … salami eggs. (Imagine in your mind a plate of food with a glowing orb of joy around it!)

This is one of our own concoctions, combining a few different ethnic traditions into one unique and totally delicious meal. Add to this a little breakfast cake, some black coffee, and the occasional mimosa, and an instant brunch-time feast erupts every time.

What’s kind of amazing about this particular dish is how many of our friends have started making it themselves, posting pictures online and seeking our vote of approval as they declare this meal to be one of their absolute favorites. Why? Because they’ve been so blessed by our tradition and want to faithfully pass it on and bless others. It is, in fact, an impossibly easy meal to make—once you’ve seen it cooked and eaten it a few times.

Countless times my wife and I have shown how many eggs per person ratio we use and how to cut the salami into little half-inch squares and fry them just right before adding the whipped eggs. We have confided in them which of the corn and wheat tortillas they should buy that will hold the cooked salami and eggs. And we have showed them just the right amount of cream cheese to spread on the tortillas before adding a favorite hot sauce. All of it adds up to one amazing bite of righteousness!

To be repeated and passed on, again and again…

This meal has become a ritual, a favored tradition in our household, and now in many others as well. It has multiplied out to new “generations” of salami and egg makers, many whom we have never even met. Each one is putting their unique little spin and nuance on it, but passing it on faithfully with love.

Imagine if life and discipleship all followed this same pattern or process.

It can, and it must.

It’s critical that we not only learn to live as extended families on mission, but that we faithfully and intentionally learn how to pass this life of Jesus on to others who in turn make more disciples.

You’ve probably never enjoyed the salami eggs before…but the next best time is now. Go for it. Here’s a link to the recipe and pictures…I KNOW you’ll enjoy it!

Death Makes No Sense

​Today I want to talk with you for a bit about a really cheery topic. Death.

Wait! Don’t go away just yet, stay with me.

 

Recently I was at a funeral. The mother of a friend of mine passed away and there were hundreds of people who came to say their goodbyes and be with the family. The ceremony went on for hours.

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Helping People Feel Like Part of Your Family

With more Christians and churches doing home-based micro churches and neighborhood-focused expressions, it’s fair to ask: how are we making people feel when they’re in our homes or anywhere with us?

In this episode, Caesar and his wife, Tina, let you in on a recent coaching call where they discuss treating people like family–not like guests—and the powerful heart change that happens for us and others when we do.

part of your family

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Losing a Scarcity Mentality To Discover Abundance

The world has moved into a new sense of scarcity and lack. As the pandemic has taken its toll on jobs and our savings, a feeling of scarcity in our lifestyle and relationships has also set in.    

In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar shares his own experience of being raised with a scarcity mentality and where the true root of this mindset comes from. He’ll also help you find freedom and show you how to experience an abundance mindset.

losing scarcity discover abundance

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Creating a Multi-Generational Family Team

For many in Western civilization, our idea of “family” seems like a failed experiment. We’ve been sold the line that the family exists primarily as a springboard for the individual. But what if our families functioned more like a team–a team on a mission?

In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with Jeremy Pryor, who has created a multi-generational household that lives together on mission making disciples of Jesus. Their story is powerful!

multi-generational family team

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