Church and strawberries
I had the best "church service" the other day. The best I have ever experienced actually. I went out to the farm where we get the CSA in the summer and helped them plant the new strawberry field. The whole 6 hrs I was there working with them I was in this incredible place of gratitude and joy. It was like I was worshiping and honoring God by being there, I was honoring the farmers by being there (which also honors God) and I was honoring myself by being there cause I love planting (which also honors God). I swear, it was better than being in a service (we talked God stuff some, I hummed a couple hymns while I worked, I prayed with my hands the whole time).... and none of the other people there would categorize themselves even vaguely christian. It just rocked. *grin*
I have been thinking a lot the last few years about what being a Jesus follower can look like and what part "church-as-an-event" plays in it. It has been over a year and a half since we have attended a worship gathering regularly, and yet we are healthier in our walk with Christ. I still am trying to work out the kids part of it though, because even though we are doing a way better job of trying to instill a sense of love for God in them, I think we still need others to help. One idea was letting them attend Awanas. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
Our only concern has been our need for a faith community. People that share our faith and want to be involved in each others lives, encouraging each other and helping each other continue to grow up. I have felt incredible pressure (from myself) to either find something or to create something along these lines, but slowly I have been letting go of control of that. Last week I think the final tether to that issue finally was released. I am content. God may or may not nit something together for us, and I am OK with that. Something my prof said at the last f2f keeps rolling around my head on almost a daily basis...
"Be at peace, live Christ, have fun."
I can actually say that I am! I think I am in a good place. I think I am finally open to what ever God brings our way (where as before I had rules on what God could bring and what he couldn't). So whats the plan now, since I am obsesive about plans... *grin* We might attend this thing called grafted again (mostly to see some old friends). We are having as many people who will come over for a communion dinner on Good Friday this year. I will keep going to the farm to help when ever they need me. We might look at a kid thing for the boys. We will continue to look for God in our ordinary life. And in looking at that list I kinda sit back and think "Sweet!".
I have been thinking a lot the last few years about what being a Jesus follower can look like and what part "church-as-an-event" plays in it. It has been over a year and a half since we have attended a worship gathering regularly, and yet we are healthier in our walk with Christ. I still am trying to work out the kids part of it though, because even though we are doing a way better job of trying to instill a sense of love for God in them, I think we still need others to help. One idea was letting them attend Awanas. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
Our only concern has been our need for a faith community. People that share our faith and want to be involved in each others lives, encouraging each other and helping each other continue to grow up. I have felt incredible pressure (from myself) to either find something or to create something along these lines, but slowly I have been letting go of control of that. Last week I think the final tether to that issue finally was released. I am content. God may or may not nit something together for us, and I am OK with that. Something my prof said at the last f2f keeps rolling around my head on almost a daily basis...
"Be at peace, live Christ, have fun."
I can actually say that I am! I think I am in a good place. I think I am finally open to what ever God brings our way (where as before I had rules on what God could bring and what he couldn't). So whats the plan now, since I am obsesive about plans... *grin* We might attend this thing called grafted again (mostly to see some old friends). We are having as many people who will come over for a communion dinner on Good Friday this year. I will keep going to the farm to help when ever they need me. We might look at a kid thing for the boys. We will continue to look for God in our ordinary life. And in looking at that list I kinda sit back and think "Sweet!".