the church.

day #6

Sunday, I don't really know what to say about today.

It was tiring, fun at moments.

Not very restful.

Church was ok.

I hate that church was just "ok"...

In no way is this a bash against my church, church family or Pastor.

My church (family) is friendly & welcoming...

Yet I go week after week because...

I have friends there &

It's expected of me,

I am a little afraid of leaving because...

I don't want others to think ill of me

& I don't where else I would go to church.

I can't leave without really trying to change things.

Part of my problem might be a heart issue.

Sometimes when I leave my church I don't know why I went,

I hate that. I desire so much to be feed way more then what I am,

but I don't know where to find that spiritual food.

My church is traditional in many ways.

It has many good, talented people;

but yet it seems lacking in passion & vision.

I would love to see a revival spark.

My idea of a good church would be:

-A church that has a mission, as a body unified through Christ they are headed towards a goal that is Biblical, they know their mission & each part of the Body (the church) does their part.

-The leadership is unified, a team that is in tune & walking faithfully with the Lord. They are strong leaders who are passionate about the mission of the church but more importantly, the work for the Kingdom. They show humility, wisdom & discernment through teaching & discipleship to develop holistic, spiritual growth.

-The body of Christ is warm & welcoming, there is fellowship among the believers. They are there for each other to help each other out so no one is in need. They are there to support, edify, encourage, love, serve, disciple, teach & pray for one another.

- Meaningful & inspirational worship that centers on God & develops community. Worship that draws the body of believers to an atmosphere of expectancy & anticipation that God is present.

-The church is growing, there is fruit for the labor & actions of the body of believers. Each believer uses their gifts to meet the needs of those in the church body & also in the community.

(*ideas were found at: http://www.bobyoungresources.com/articles/characteristics-effective-church.pdf)

I don't know if a church like this exists or if I included everything I would want to see. I just think that we as the body of Christ tend to take "church" & make it something that we just "do". It becomes about customs & traditions rather than our relationship with Christ.

We get so excited about what new worship song the praise team will play rather than preparing ourselves to be drawn to the feet of our Savior. We worry about social standing & popularity, who can out do whom. I think it is time for the church to step back, take a look at their body & see if each part is doing the job it was made for.

"Oh God, move in this place. Work in my heart, open my eyes to the things I don't see. Show me how to love like you have loved me. Let the church arise to the calling that You have placed on us as followers of You. I want to go deeper! Take me down off the surface & help me to dive deeper into my relationship with You. I want to know You better. I want every moment of my life to bring you glory.

God, I give you my thoughts.

God, I give you my actions.

God, I give you my future & I trust that You know best.

That You have a plan for me that was carefully crafted for me.

Help to give each part of every day to You for Your work to be done.

May I be a light to someone each day.

Give me the desire to seek renewal & revival.

Give me a new heart for Your Word, Your work & Your people.

Change my heart attitude, may I do everything to please You & bring you glory.

Let the foundation of my life be made strong through You.

Be my cornerstone & my strength."

*1 Corinthians 3:10-15/

Courage

^{day #4.2}

¹⁵Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, & every kind of music, to fall down & worship the image that I have made, well & good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?"

¹⁶Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego answered & said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, & he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

-Daniel 3:15-18

Oh to have this kind of courage & faith.

Daniel & the other guys had such faith in their God even when their future was uncertain. The future for them was of uncertainty not "oh dear what will I do when I grow up" or "goodness I don't know what I will do next summer", their uncertainty was in the realm of whether they would live or die. What if we all lived that way, like each decision would affect our lives.

Each decision we make does affect our lives & those around us.

I want to be more purposeful with what I do each day.

God reveal to me how I can do this, open my eyes to see how I can further Your kingdom & bring You glory. You have a purpose for me, may I not waste the time You have given me.

Psalm 57:2-I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

Psalm 138:8 -The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.