3 posts tagged “church”
I tried to talk myself out of going to church this morning.... Excuses like - I'm not cleaned up, I really have nothing to wear, and besides that what would be the harm in missing? Just go next Sunday. Well, I defeated those thoughts with - I NEED to go to church and what if God speaks to me? I want to go! I'm going even if I don't feel my "Sunday best"!
God blessed me for going. I felt like I was in the midst of one of the sacred moments of my life this morning.....
As I listened in church today I felt God saying, "these are the keys to your life... listen!" One of those sacred moments happened after the service when I connected with an older couple who was visiting this morning - everything else around me faded away for those moments we engaged in conversation. It was a divine connection.
I don't know what tomorrow holds (my future) and I've had 'butterflies" today and not sure what that is all about. But I felt touched and encouraged by God about me (and His love and purpose for me).... about my future... about my place in the body of Christ.
In the near future, I hope to post what I believe the Lord was saying to me this morning. Right now, I need to somehow get these 'butterflies' to subside. Maybe hot chocolate will help!? ;-)
I've given myself a couple assignments in the last month or so. One is to get back into church. And the second is to develop more friendships. I believe these two assignments were birthed by God. I say this because MY two plans were to move South and possibly also start Seminary (and I was praying that the Seminary would be in the South *laughing*) Well, we can make our plans but God directs our steps. I see the wisdom .... first things first. And I also know that I may never move South and may never go to Seminary. I'm at a point where I'd like that direct telephone line to God... "Hello, Father? Just tell me plainly what you want me to do, where you want me to go and I'll do it!.... just not Alaska, okay? ** smile ** "
This summer I attended a conference workshop on Friendship which gave me some things to think about and tools to work with. Since this conference I have prayed for some healthy friendships with Christian women and have asked the Lord to help me recognize who He was bringing into my life.
Right now, there are 5 women who could be very good friends if I will allow it. God is good! With each of these women I already have a history of some kind and I respect and like each one.
Concerning church, the next step is to serve. I want to contribute in some way. I see this happening very soon.
*** God is good! And He is always faithful to me. ***
I'm thankful for His grace in my life
BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) started Wednesday before last. We are studying the book of Romans. Yep, what a book. I've always seen it as the Constitution of our Christian faith. I look forward to the discipline of the study. A woman in my discussion group invited me to a church that I was an active member of back in the 80's. I sat with her and her family last week. What a blessing.
Well, much has changed there and I prayerfully think I could align myself with the pastor's vision of the church. Seems to be outreach oriented, reaching out into the community. He mentioned in his teaching that if anyone was double-minded (divided loyalties), or had symptoms of contamination such has multiplicity (ambivilance-pulled and pushed thru life) and/or duplicity (falseness in relationships where public person and private didn't match) then they were in prision and needed to bring it into the light. He said, "We can help you". I want to align myself with a pastor and the body of Christ that catch that vision... that want and see the need to get in the trenches and fight the good fight and be real... etc. etc. etc.
I am a work in process, .... I can see God working in my life... and He seems to always be using me 'in spite of myself'.
