to three church services on one sunday, and all three of them were
incredibly good, but that wasn't all, I was at the house where my sister
works (you see, she is sort of the reason I am even in Ohio), and some of
the family of the household were over. A very special new friend of mine
played the guitar for us. It was really awsome! I can't tell all the
reasons for why this guitar playing was so very special, but let me say I
was touched, encouraged, and blessed. Praise God for this man and the work
that I am sure God wants to do through him.
Now, to the church services.
The first was at a church called New Point. And the pastor taught on
giving, tithing, and the such. Ok, roll your eyes, another pastor talking
about tithing and giving. But wait! Don't roll your eyes! Think about it,
every blessing we have, every single one, the food we eat, the cloths we
wear, EVERYTHING, is from God! This was a great message for me, as I am
stugling right now with something that I feel like God gave me, and now
seams to be slipping away. It was never really mine, It was Gods all along,
and I tried to hold onto and controll it, I still do, yet I was able to say
on sunday, hey God, it's yours. Now, like I said I still strugle. But this
"letting go", it does not mean I cease to ask for it, cease to want it, just
again that I let God "build the house". Sure, I hope He does, I want Him
to, but I have to be able to say that it is truly His, and if He chooses
not, then that is it. Do I do nothing? No. DO I ask wisdom from Him?
You bet! Am I perfect? Well... someday, but I'll be dead by then.
Then ythe second churche service was at a Menonite Church called Sharron.
Ok, here is wheere I have to be very cairfull. I am NOT menonite. I do not
adhear to many the menonite rules or some of their doctrine on salvation
doctrines. I believe salvation is a gift and calling of God, without
repentance. No way to lose it! Ok, enough of that. The pastor was visting
from another church, and the main theme of his message was forgiveness. He
told the story of the bitter, angry man who tried to kill the pope John
Paul. And he told of hown John Paul later went to that convicted man in
prisson, sat down beside him and told him that he forgave him, and wished
that he could get him out of the prisson. Forgiveness heals. Never hold
ought against any man (ok, ok, I'm not perfect). God has forgiven us all
sort of awfull crimes! The greatest of which is killing Him! Yes, all of
our sins played a part in the death of Jesus. Yet He has forgiven us them,
that is why He died. So can we forgive, and forget, and lay asside our
minor sqaubles...
Which brings me to the third service. This one came later in the evening
(we didn't get home untill arround 10:30pm. It came after the special
guitar playing. It was at a place called new grounds Cafe. This place is
really neat. A coffee shop, but a church all at the same time. Here, the
fellow (a new aquantance of mine) preached to us an awsome message to WAKE
UP! He talked about petty church splits, and the church in places where
christians are persecuted. We are asleep here in the USA. He himself is!
WHat will we do when we get to heaven, and introducing ourselves we say that
we are John Smith from earth and went through such hardship! The Liberals
called us a mean word, they cqalled us, gasp, INTOLERANT! and the person we
just met says, how awfull, can't even imagine what it was like. ANd little
known to us, they were a christian from China, or Germany in WWII. ALso, we
are strong in Christ. We can talk streight to the maker of heaven and
earth! We have His word in the Bible! WE ARE THE VICTORIOUS CHURCH! Lets
live it! WOOHOO!
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