Finding a Church ... It's No Picnic

I am in the midst of the prayer letter downloading and proofing and I decided I need a break, so what better to do than to blog. J

A friend and I are trying to find a church. I live in Colorado Springs – I could throw a stone from almost anywhere in the city and hit a church. Why then is it so hard to find one that fits my criteria? I don’t think I’m being demanding. All I want is a place for community, growth and service. Is it really too much to ask that I find a church home where I can not only get involved and build community, but also agree with what the pastor says on Sunday mornings? I don’t need 100% agreement, that’s idealistic and frankly if that happened I would never be challenged. What I am asking for is not to be confused or outraged when I leave, both things have happened recently.

I am still in the process of church-hunting and I hope to settle somewhere soon, looking for churches is emotionally and spiritually exhausting. Here are a few things I’ve learned in the process:

1.       Don’t go to a church just because it has a cool name – it doesn’t mean the church is cool.

2.       Youth doesn’t always mean a fresh perspective.

3.       A late start Sunday morning should not be an indicator of where to go.

4.       Always get someone’s opinion about the church before you go, you won’t be sorry. You might if you don’t.

5.       Size doesn’t matter, friendliness does.

6.       Just because you know people that go there doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for you, even if it’s in your comfort zone.  

This all I have so far; not a lot, I know. I’m still searching. Trying a new one Sunday, here’s to hoping it goes better than last Sunday. J

 

Do We Understand the Meaning of Persecution?

During Monday chapel at the US-MC we prayed for several individuals who are in prison for their faith. As I ardently keep these people in my heart and prayers, I am reminded of a conversation I had with my Bible study group a couple months ago as we read through Philippians. Do we, primarily as Americans, really understand persecution and therefore understand the power of Jesus Christ in the lives of those who are truly persecuted?

In the book of Philippians Paul is writing from prison, so clearly, joy in the midst of persecution becomes a major theme in the book’s 100, or so, verses. The Bible study group was talking about learning from Paul’s example by finding joy in Christ even through our personal persecution. This gave me pause wondering, have I ever been truly persecuted? Had anyone in that group? I would argue that people in the U.S. today do not face imprisonment or death for sharing their faith. (Of course there are exceptions to every rule.)

We might face the loss of a job or friendships because of our faith; we might be teased, bullied or shunned. This is persecution, but can we really understand the position of Paul or these men in prison around the world today? They remain constant in faith and rejoice in the Lord despite their imprisonment. Would I have that courage?

So often we are sucked into narrow-mindedness and increase our minor problems to eclipse real problems in the world that often don’t have easy answers. I complain when I don’t have enough money to buy a new pair of boots while sipping from a bottle of filtered and fortified water when children in South East Asia walk miles in ragged flip-flops for water that is potable. A person de-friends me on Facebook because of my religious beliefs and I feel an injustice has occurred; how petty are my woes when men are wasting away in prison for their faith and waiting for a trial before a biased judge.

I pray you and I will never have to face true persecution; that our biggest worries are those that pass easily in the night. But more so than that, I pray that we will remember Christians around the world who are suffering for their faith and the many who die because of it.

Here are a couple good sites that share stories and help with prayer ideas for the persecuted church. I hope you take time to visit them and add the persecuted church to your prayer life.

http://www.opendoorsusa.org/

http://www.onewiththem.com/

I Saw the Sign -- Now I'm More Confused Than Ever

Recently, I’ve been contemplating the idea of signs and growing experiences.

We all believe in some form of “signs,” some being more legitimate than others. You may not call them “signs,” but really we all can agree we get information from sources outside ourselves on occasion. In my life I often take “signs” as the word of the Holy Spirit. What I’ve been mulling over is when a “sign” is from God but it is, in human perspective, ambiguous. Is it a message to move on, to work harder, to change, etc.? While in the Philippines, I knew I was following God’s will because he gave me “signs” of his purpose – impact, community, spiritual maturity. “Signs” that it was time to leave the Philippines were also clear – peace in the decision, importance in work at the US-MC, and very little drop in my support after announcing the change of ministry.

Those were all positive signs, good things although acting out God’s will wasn’t easy. What I’m struggling with now is what if the signs are negative. Aside from a few inividuals, why has building a community in Colorado been a struggle? Why do some friendships stay on the surface and continually require an outpouring of effort with little result? Why do I have the desire to travel, move on? Why has my monthly support dropped over $500 a month, making it impossible to maintain my salary. What are these signs supposed to tell me? Should I change my focus? Work harder to get new supporters? Postpone dreams/professional ministry? Try to meet new people? Pour out more time and energy to build community?

I guess my major question is, if I am following God’s will for my life why don’t I feel as blessed and reassured as I once did?

This brings me to the other thought – if this is a growing year, what am I learning? The book of Philippians has seemed to follow me around these past four months or so, is there something there? Am I devoid of joy? I feel like I am in a tornado of decisions and changes and I can’t get a grasp on what the purpose is; what am I supposed to do now?

If you think about it, please pray for me in this time. I need a grasp on what I am supposed to do with these “signs” in my life. What’s the bigger picture I am failing to see?

As I continue this time in my life, I pray that I will come out on the other end a stronger person, both spiritually and emotionally. Growing pains hurt, I’m just struggling not to be broken.

Resolutions are meant to be broken

If procrastination was an Olympic sport, I’d be winning golds since 2001 (when I started high school and realized laziness didn’t always mean bad grades, and therefore succumbed to my genetic pre-disposition to start something I might never finish). You might be hard-pressed to find someone lazier, or more easily distracted, than me. All this self-deprecation is to say, it’s been a while since my last post.

Life update: Christmas and New Years flew by, spending half the holiday in Colorado and the other half in California. I am increasingly reminded of the blessing of my family, despite our dysfunction. I stayed at Kassen’s apartment in Cali, watching corny movies that only your sister won’t judge you for enjoying – what would I do without my lil’ sis? We had a late Christmas with Erin and her family (I included a pic of my nephew and niece because they are too cute not to show off :)). I love giving gifts and playing with them afterward. Bonus of being an aunt – you just get to do the fun stuff.

Work update: On the trip to California I had the opportunity to tag along with my parents, meeting with a few missionaries and some people who are considering OC. I enjoyed talking to each person about their journey and their perspective of OC. As someone literally born into the mission, it was good to hear why people join OC and what we have to offer. Now that I am back in Colorado I have more work to do than time to do it. It’s an exciting time for the communications department. We launched our new website, http://www.onechallenge.org/, at the end of December and now we have the constant task of updating it and making it relevant. I love it, but there’s a lot to get done.

There are a few possibilities of exciting developments that might be coming up in my life. Most things are in the dream stage right now but I will keep you posted as things develop and become more concrete.

Happy New Year! Love and blessing in 2013.