I guess this blog thing is a hit because I've had two people tell me that they enjoy reading it and one person saying "hey, you didn't post anything yesterday." I didn't think that anyone would read this besides my close friends because they felt bad for me, lol. So the feedback for me is great. IF you read this and enjoy it, please let me know! Everyone loves getting positive remarks :)
So what do i feel like talking about today? I'm thinking church. I was just thinking of all the reasons why people do not go to church. I can tell you why I didn't go to church for a while and why i made several excuses each week. First of all, none of my family went to church so why would I? They slept in on sundays and it was a long relaxing day free from school. Next reason, I had to work sunday mornings. I had a ton of bills that wouldn't pay themselves so i needed to work. Another reason, I never really felt like I had a church. I absolutely loved going to Alameda Baptist Church, it's a very loving place with great people and going there got me saved- so i literally owe them my life! :) But, i went there because Eden went there. I never felt like it was my church- like i belonged there. As I got older, I didn't feel like i was growing as a christian. I went to church but just felt like I was going through the motions. I was at a stand still. So, I stopped going to any churches. Aaron's family always went to McFarlin (which is a ginormous church). So I went there with him a few times... mainly every year on Easter. Which is funny bc that is the one day of the year that people get up and go to church. It is a very important day and hallelujah that people go to church at all.. I just wish people would go consistently.
So, I went to aaron's church a few times and felt the same, like an outsider. They would have greeters at the door that would say hi and seemed friendly enough, but I just felt like i was just another face in the crowd. After a while, Aaron and I decided that we wanted to go out and find a church to call our own. We went out to First Baptist Church in moore one sunday for their service. To be honest, I can't even remember the service at all, or one person's face from that church. I don't remember anyone talking to us. Which I had been there previously for an assignment for my sign language class (had to go somewhere they only used sign) and that service was awesome and people were so friendly. Maybe we just got missed but I feel like that happens far too often. Yes, we weren't outgoing and attempting to meet people but we were nervous. No one likes being the new person. So then we started visiting go church and you should know by now how i feel about them. After Aaron and I did a class which basically just sumed up the churches beliefs and what not, we became members. We also filled out a volunteer form- where we think we could be an asset in the church. They said they were always short on greeters on sunday morning and that they could use help because they don't want anyone to feel like a stranger or get skipped over. I said I would love to do that! Not only do i love to meet new people, I know what it is like going to a new place and no one talking to you. Makes you feel like no one wants you. So hopefully I can help change that, at least at my church!
SO what are other reasons people don't go to church? I have heard that people don't go to church because everyone is a hypocrit. They are right, there are a lot of hypocrits in a lot of churches. But there are hypocrits everywhere! It is our job as christians not to be that picture that others see as "well they preach this and then go out and do the opposite." Let's face it, we are not perfect. NO ONE IS PERFECT. Everyone makes mistakes, lets you down, and hurt people... most times not intentionally. We do make mistakes and we sin. If you say that you never sin, well you are a liar. That is the reason Jesus went to the cross. Because no matter what you do lie, cheat, steal, murder, whatever! It doesn't matter- because Jesus died on the cross so all that could be wiped clean. ALL christians still sin. It is inevitable because like i said no one is perfect- the only perfect person who ever existed was Jesus. I feel like a lot of people have bad experiences with churches- whether they are catholic, lutheran, baptist, methodist... and then they never go back. Church is awful, hypocritical, only after money, want you to devote a certain amount of time every week to some kind of volunteer... what ever it is and then they never go back. I just pray that these people don't give up. I am friends with a very brave guy named Jason. He is a gay man and tried to go church. I have no idea where he went to church or what denomination it was but they kicked him out of the church.. yelled at him and were just awful just because he was gay. Now I know what the bible says about marriage being between a man and a woman and i have NO IDEA how the Lord handles homosexual people but what I do know is that 1) we are supposed to love Jesus with all that we have and 2) we are supposed to love all people the way that Jesus loves us. So just because someone is gay does not mean that i will love them any less. ANYWAY back to Jason. Last summer, I kept telling him about my church that I had been going to and that i felt like it was a judgment free zone. He was hesistant of course (who wouldn't be) but he came to church with me! And he loved it! Everyone was so nice to him and he raved about it to me. That was such a blessing for me. Now, if HE can go to church, I feel like people should have no excuse, lol.
Some people have said well i don't like going to church.. they try to tell you what to do, what to believe, and how to live. Well For me, church is not something that I feel like I have to do. I get excited to go church every sunday because I am around people who love God and love each other. We get to sing and praise our GOD! I learn more and more about him each week and i love that! I have heard that i don't have to go to church- i can pray and read the bible from home. Well that's great, but how many people actually do that? I think those people haven't found that church that they can call their home and my advice to them is don't give up! There is a church out there just for you. Yes, i LOVe when people come to my church and want everyone to come experience GO church but it may not be right for everyone. As long as you put your faith in the Lord everything will fall into place. If you aren't going to go to church, get into God's word. Because that is the TRUTH. If you want to know about God and how much he loves you or the answer to ANY problem you have, look in the bible. The answer is in there.
I guess i will leave with a quote I once saw-
"Christianity is not a religion.
Christianity is not a set of rules of do's and dont's.
Christianity is a lifestyle defined by our heart"
Until next time, God Bless :)
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