Doing Church...

You know…sometimes “doing” church isn’t easy…because church is family. And…what family is ever perfect?  Is yours?  (LOL?)

I have a wonderful family…we laugh, we cry, we have amazing times together…but do we always agree? Do we ever have personality clashes?  Tough times and struggles?  You bet!

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25

Just a word of encouragement for any who might need it.  

Yes, you may have been hurt by folks from the church. Yes, you may have been disappointed by the church.  Well…God is the only One who will never disappoint, people always will…that is why He calls us to an intimate relationship with Himself.  Still…we can’t get around it…

We need each other…desperately.

We can’t become more conformed into His image without each other’s chafing, rubbing the wrong way, and all the marvelous experiences a true family has.  Truly…the marvelous outweighs the difficult.  So…

If you are currently out of fellowship with a local church body…reconsider.  There IS a church family out there for you.  Ask the Holy Spirit to lead the way…and no…it won’t be perfect, but it WILL be family and HE will be there.

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photo: Girl's Scene

Time for a Check-Up...

It might be time to have a little “forgiveness” check-up…

Just as we should…but don’t often do…have a yearly check up with our physicians to check…you know…vital signs…and physical stuff (do you like that medical terminology?)…we might be needing us to have a little…heart check-up.

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15

These are pretty heavy words from the mouth of our Savior…forgiveness…our completely forgiving every person who has…wounded…hurt…offended…abused…us…is really more for…us.

When we don’t forgive someone…or start to allow the Lord to remove the layers (for often…deep wounds…family or church…wounds…take time to heal), we bottleneck the outpouring of His love in our own lives. And, that brings us to another point…

Is there someone reading this who needs to…forgive the Lord?
That happens, you know. It is not right, but it still may happen. I just heard about someone today that didn’t understand…why something had happened in their life. If that is you…don’t run from Him. Don’t stomp off and be mad, sulk, give up your faith . Would good will that do? It is most likely the enemy or human failing…that has caused your hurt.

 Though you may never know that until you run into His arms…talk honestly and listen honestly. Relying upon His unfailing Word and finding comfort in the fullness of His presence. 

Take it from one who knows…

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photo: Rocco Palermo via Flickr