We discussed and decided we'd go for kicks, just for the experience. We'd not had a connection at another church near our house and hadn't lined up one for Sunday yet so we accepted the invitation. Well, 4 Sundays later, I think we've found our home. Huh? Well, for one, it took 4 Sundays because the pastor was gone for 3 of those Sundays and we felt the Lord calling us back each time so we'd finally get to hear the pastor preach. Thankfully, we listened because we loved him! He is a teacher! Yay! He is there to challenge us and help us grow. He's not a showman to get people in the door. He doesn't make everyone feel warm and fuzzy, but he has a heart to help people grow and come to Jesus. He even does all this without yelling. : ) The other 3 speakers were great, as well.
The worship music is so God centered and honoring. It brings me to messy tears each week because it brings me to a place that makes me realize how much I love God and how much He loves me. The church is big, but as I worshipped, I would look around and see what God sees. There are so many people, for one thing and what is wrong with that? That is something to celebrate! All those people have made the effort to come and worship the Lord and learn more about Him. Hallelujah! Why did I complain and worry about size? As continued to look around I noticed young, old, rich, poor, fashionable, not so fashionable, black, white, hispanic, Asian, Indian, you name it all worshipping together. Amazing. There are people dancing, hands in the air or standing like a statue all worshipping together. I am now to a point that I don't look around as much as can focus on worship the Lord, but I was in awe the first few weeks.
I have felt a new fire lit inside of me. A fire that challenges my faith in a good way. A fire to make my relationship with Jesus extend beyond myself. I want to help fill churches and make them mega churches I want to help within the church to reach out the many that may walk through the doors hurting or wanting to grow. It's not about me and my comfort zone, it's about God and the work He is doing. He is doing a work in my heart, for sure!
So everyone else in my family is loving it too! M loves her class and has already made friends. C loves his class, though it will take him time to feel a part of things. Mike has some issues with mosh pits that he needs to work out, but I am praying he'll get over it. : ) In the end, I am so thankful for our friends inviting us, I am thankful that Pastor B was away for 3 weeks so that we had to keep coming back and I am thankful that God is alive and well and working on hearts. Is there something wrong with small churches? No, they are also doing God's work, but I am looking beyond my little world and what makes me comfortable now. I do have a desire to make close friends and have fellowship in smaller group settings, which will hopefully come soon!
I am reminded of the first mega church in Acts(we studied this in our homeschool this week!)
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:41-47 NIV
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3
