Searching

I've always been curious about how people choose a church to attend. It got me to thinking about our last 3 churches. Yes, three. Church- hopper? No. But satisfied? No. Not yet. Why? I wish I knew. Maybe I'm just not the church type. I wasn't raised in a church after the age of 9. My parents left the Catholic Church and we never attended again. I guess I started getting the wrong view of church and haven't necessarily felt proven wrong yet. Maybe it's my thinking and not so much theirs. Whatever the reason, God is on it. I've asked him to lead us to where we would best serve him. We were on fire in our first church and left because it began to feel like " religion". We left the second because it lacked what the first one taught us: relationship. The third brought us back to relationship, but lacked in areas we are starving for. Still.

So how does one find a church? A place to belong. Fellowship that makes you feel like family. Classes to help you grow. No cliques! Being loved AND included. And most importantly, worship that pleases God and stirs your spirit to grow and flourish. Is there such a thing or does this exist only in fairy tales? I've been told as much. Every church has it's downfalls. It's just deciding what you can handle and what distracts you to the point where your service is hindered beyond repair. 

I've read the chapter in Rick Warren's book, Purpose Driven Life about fellowship. I realize that my lack of spiritual maturity is the cause of my own intolerance at church. I don't blame everyone else, although I am a little disappointed by people at times. 

I go back to the original reason for finding a church to attend: we needed something. And when we were well-equipped, we served. We even served when we were totally unprepared! We understood the whole giving without receiving thing. But we soon began to feel empty again. Gone were the classes that originally drew us to our third church. And eventually gone was the pastor who taught us that we didn't have to be perfect to be there. We just had to be there.

 At the end of our time there,I felt like a car running out of gas. Slowly chugging, desperate to go just a bit longer, sputtering, then abandoned at the side of the road. And while we were told at this very church that we were part of the church family, very few people asked why we left. Funny, if my family missed a few holidays, I think I'd care to ask why. Is " church family" just another word in the dictionary of "Christianese"? We leave. No questions asked, our mailbox gone. Poof! Time to search again. Oh, but we'll always be welcomed back. Really? Why don't i believe that? Because truth speaks and actions back it up. Because in my experience, if people care, they ask questions. 

 So do we take yet another chance on church or do we avoid being disappointed? What does God say? I know he wants us in fellowship with others on his behalf, so I believe he will answer our earnest prayer to lead us to a church home. 

I'm not sure where that will lead, but I have my own criteria in mind! He is probably laughing at me already. While my faith is strong, my ability to act on faith needs some work. If God wants us somewhere, I'm afraid he's going to have to get out the bullhorn to make sure we hear right this time. 

Searching....what led YOU to the church you call home? 

Fakin'

As we were shopping for our weekly healthy items, I stopped to say hello to my old friend, Bacon. I miss you, I said sadly. Then I looked over at a section of turkey bacon. I called my hubby over. " look at this turkey, trying to be bacon!" He smiled. " I mean, really. Why does the turkey bacon need one of those fat viewing windows anyway? " Will turkey bacon ever measure up to the real thing really? I think not, and I told it so as I walked away. I'm not falling for that fakin' bacon!  But boy, the real thing sounds so good!! 

Super Bowl

Tonight we are hosting the youth group for the Super Bowl. I always enjoy having kids here, and I've started taking a picture of the piles of shoes whenever they come. It's a joy and a blessing to share our home with them tonight. The drums and guitars are getting a lot of use! It's a cacophony of wonderful sound: pong pong, air hockey, darts, music, and most of all laughter and cheering. Oh yeah, I think there is a game on too!