As I look back on my life, one of the constants has been, God. I do not remember a time when I was without Him. I was "Raised in Church"....I know most Hymns by heart...I know almost all the "Imortant" verses and stories...I have the utmost respect for a sanctuary and Church building. But, in all my life have I really been the mirror image of Christ?
I have taken the two jobs I have for 2 very important reasons...I love children and I want to help children. Plain and simple...my job with the school affords me the opportunity to spend time with children and help mold them into better students...my job with the Church affords me the opportunity to teach children about Christ and His immense love for EVERYONE. Not just the ones that go to Church....EVERYONE. There is a song we sing called "Big House"....
It's a Big, Big House,
With lots and lots of room.
A big, big table,
With lots and lots of food.
A big, big yard
Where we can play football
A big, big house,
It's my Father's House.
Of course the song is referring to Heaven...Heaven our ultimate destination...But, as I become older I watch as people fall farther and farther away from God. We send missionaries to foreign countries to teach them the Gospel, which is a fabulous thing. But, these are people who have never been exposed to the truth...If you are reading this and live in the USA, then more than likely you have seen or heard some of the truth. People are turning away from the faith in droves...they are opting to sit on their couches on Sunday mornings, rather than attending a local church service...why is that?
Half of the children in our class at school don't attend Church and some have never been! We live in the "Bible Belt" where EVERYONE is a Christian...NOT! I see the problem from many different angles and I have heard all of the excuses...
"My clothes aren't nice enough..."
"Sunday is the only day we don't have anything to do..."
But, the most horrible thing I hear is....
"We visited your church and not one person spoke to us..."
Seriously? Let's get something straight...Church is NOT a "Social Club" where one is allowed based upon their status, their bank accounts, their neighborhoods, their vehicles, their education...NONE OF THAT! Church is and should be one of the most welcoming places on earth. Our job as members of a congregation is to welcome ANYONE that walks through our doors...ANYONE! Regardless of how they are dressed, or how their vehicle looks...
It sickens me because I have been guilty of not running up to New Comers and introducing myself, telling them how glad I am that they came and asking them to return...Brother Tim does an EXCELLENT job of delivering a message from God's Word EVERY Sunday. He is such a fabulous teacher...he makes the Bible easy to understand...but, when you don't make someone feel welcome, they are not going to be fed the way they should. Some Christians will be surprised when they walk through the Pearly Gates and see who all is in Heaven...VERY SURPRISED...God doesn't care about the things we care about...He cares about our souls and our hearts...
He cares about the least of these, He cares about the fatherless, the widowed, the poor, the rich, the homeless, the uneducated...EVERYONE! So should we! As members of our Churches, we have a responsiblity to welcome and to love...it goes beyond the size of our contribution! Faith without works is dead...so if you do not feel the desire to live like a Christian, then you might need to reevaluate your faith...Do you have to go on every mission trip? no...Do you have to go to Bible Studies? no....Do you have to go to Sunday School? no....Do you have to come on Sunday night? no.....Do you have to come on Wednesday night? no....
But, those things give you an opportunity to grow in faith...to become a better person...a better Christian...the bonus will be you will become more like Christ and you will not be governed by the World's ideals, but by a more kinder set of ideals...Will it be easy? NOPE....being an example of Christ is probably one of the most difficult things to do...half the time I feel like a hypocrit, because my life does not always mirror Christ...I am a work in progress and I am beyond thankful...He is not finished with me yet!
Oh, and one more thing...You have NEVER done ANYTHING God will not forgive...with a humble heart and sincerity, He will forgive you! With your confession and belief in Jesus, He will save you! God is so much easier than humans are...and I am TERRIBLY sorry if I have made any one of you feel as if you were not welcome...You are and you are also very loved by the Most High God! He even loves you if you aren't an Ole Miss Fan! ;)
Love to all!
Monica
I have taken the two jobs I have for 2 very important reasons...I love children and I want to help children. Plain and simple...my job with the school affords me the opportunity to spend time with children and help mold them into better students...my job with the Church affords me the opportunity to teach children about Christ and His immense love for EVERYONE. Not just the ones that go to Church....EVERYONE. There is a song we sing called "Big House"....
It's a Big, Big House,
With lots and lots of room.
A big, big table,
With lots and lots of food.
A big, big yard
Where we can play football
A big, big house,
It's my Father's House.
Of course the song is referring to Heaven...Heaven our ultimate destination...But, as I become older I watch as people fall farther and farther away from God. We send missionaries to foreign countries to teach them the Gospel, which is a fabulous thing. But, these are people who have never been exposed to the truth...If you are reading this and live in the USA, then more than likely you have seen or heard some of the truth. People are turning away from the faith in droves...they are opting to sit on their couches on Sunday mornings, rather than attending a local church service...why is that?
Half of the children in our class at school don't attend Church and some have never been! We live in the "Bible Belt" where EVERYONE is a Christian...NOT! I see the problem from many different angles and I have heard all of the excuses...
"My clothes aren't nice enough..."
"Sunday is the only day we don't have anything to do..."
But, the most horrible thing I hear is....
"We visited your church and not one person spoke to us..."
Seriously? Let's get something straight...Church is NOT a "Social Club" where one is allowed based upon their status, their bank accounts, their neighborhoods, their vehicles, their education...NONE OF THAT! Church is and should be one of the most welcoming places on earth. Our job as members of a congregation is to welcome ANYONE that walks through our doors...ANYONE! Regardless of how they are dressed, or how their vehicle looks...
It sickens me because I have been guilty of not running up to New Comers and introducing myself, telling them how glad I am that they came and asking them to return...Brother Tim does an EXCELLENT job of delivering a message from God's Word EVERY Sunday. He is such a fabulous teacher...he makes the Bible easy to understand...but, when you don't make someone feel welcome, they are not going to be fed the way they should. Some Christians will be surprised when they walk through the Pearly Gates and see who all is in Heaven...VERY SURPRISED...God doesn't care about the things we care about...He cares about our souls and our hearts...
He cares about the least of these, He cares about the fatherless, the widowed, the poor, the rich, the homeless, the uneducated...EVERYONE! So should we! As members of our Churches, we have a responsiblity to welcome and to love...it goes beyond the size of our contribution! Faith without works is dead...so if you do not feel the desire to live like a Christian, then you might need to reevaluate your faith...Do you have to go on every mission trip? no...Do you have to go to Bible Studies? no....Do you have to go to Sunday School? no....Do you have to come on Sunday night? no.....Do you have to come on Wednesday night? no....
But, those things give you an opportunity to grow in faith...to become a better person...a better Christian...the bonus will be you will become more like Christ and you will not be governed by the World's ideals, but by a more kinder set of ideals...Will it be easy? NOPE....being an example of Christ is probably one of the most difficult things to do...half the time I feel like a hypocrit, because my life does not always mirror Christ...I am a work in progress and I am beyond thankful...He is not finished with me yet!
Oh, and one more thing...You have NEVER done ANYTHING God will not forgive...with a humble heart and sincerity, He will forgive you! With your confession and belief in Jesus, He will save you! God is so much easier than humans are...and I am TERRIBLY sorry if I have made any one of you feel as if you were not welcome...You are and you are also very loved by the Most High God! He even loves you if you aren't an Ole Miss Fan! ;)
Love to all!
Monica
well said, Sweet Monica! You are very special!
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