Mike and I attended the "inaugural" service for Bayou City Fellowship this morning. It was wonderful! Very well attended, too. I had never heard Curtis speak before - he is great! Very engaging; laid-back; funny!! Mike was a bit embarassed for all of his LOL moments, but we weren't the only ones cracking up. It is nice being a newcomer when everyone else is, too. We didn't feel overly self-conscious. It was weird recognizing so many people that I follow online but have never met. I almost feel like a stalker - I feel like I know them personally, but they have no idea who I am. Not that I'm anybody, but still.
So Curtis is starting with a message series on 1 Peter. Ha! Anyone who is speaking about Peter is definitely going to have Mike's attention. This first message was mostly an introduction about Peter but with (of course) 3 main points:
-1-Jesus interrupts our lives by getting into our stuff (material things), i.e. Peter's boat.
-2-Jesus interrupts our lives by getting into our business (what we think we know), i.e. Peter's fishing expertise.
-3-Jesus interrupts our lives by getting into our plans (redirects our future), i.e. Peter left everything and followed Him.
Why would we want this? Because it allows us to witness the impossible become possible.
Mike was particularly impressed with Curtis' interpretation regarding point #1 - he took a different perspective than Mike had considered before. Mikey liked it!
We'll be going back next week. Can hardly wait!
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Church People
Is it just me, or does everyone have a love/hate relationship with their church? People can be so annoying sometimes. I hear people, good people, say such ridiculous things sometimes, I wonder if they even hear themselves.
"Drums in worship is wrong - straight from the devil."
"We don't do that, we're Baptist."
"We don't want to draw the wrong kind of people."
"I'll stop giving if the pastor doesn't _____________."
"We've always done it this way."
I start to wonder if I make any of those type of ridiculous statements. Would I recognize it? A friend of mine says shes fasting from judgementalism for Lent. And I think, "How can you do that? If you knew you were being judgemental, would you normally still do it?" I guess I'm judging her for that, hmm?
Anyway, I do love my little church. They are frail humans, but they love each other the best they can, and try to let Jesus lead them in all they do. I just have to remind myself of that sometimes. :)
"Drums in worship is wrong - straight from the devil."
"We don't do that, we're Baptist."
"We don't want to draw the wrong kind of people."
"I'll stop giving if the pastor doesn't _____________."
"We've always done it this way."
I start to wonder if I make any of those type of ridiculous statements. Would I recognize it? A friend of mine says shes fasting from judgementalism for Lent. And I think, "How can you do that? If you knew you were being judgemental, would you normally still do it?" I guess I'm judging her for that, hmm?
Anyway, I do love my little church. They are frail humans, but they love each other the best they can, and try to let Jesus lead them in all they do. I just have to remind myself of that sometimes. :)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Ladies Tea 2010
The Ladies Spring Tea was held at the church on Saturday. I'm not much of a girly-girl, but I really do enjoy attending a tea.
This angle is better:
I borrowed the bronze flatware from my brother (it was given to him by our great aunt also) - it's from Thailand.
The tea was very nice - great chicken salad! The guest speaker was Jeannette Clift-George, Christian actress, author, director. She shared her testimony and some words of encouragement; she was very enjoyable.
My favorite part, though was the "opening act" - Chelsea Holmes. Chelsea is a member of our church (20 year old drama major at U of H). She so moved me last year with her monologue about the woman charged with adultery where Jesus says, "Let those who have never sinned throw the first stone". And everyone leaves. Then he tells her, "Go and sin no more." This year Chelsea went with a comedic monologue about women and the many hats we wear. It was hysterical! She did a wonderful job! Great "range"!
The theme of the tea was "Treasure" and that we should treasure God's word about all else (the verse is from Psalms). All the decor focused on things we treasure - memories, family, riches, and most importantly His word and our salvation.
So I have a bunch of pictures of the different tables (still learning this camera). Someday I might take pictures of people, but I'm not ready for that yet.
This angle is better:
I borrowed the bronze flatware from my brother (it was given to him by our great aunt also) - it's from Thailand.
The tea was very nice - great chicken salad! The guest speaker was Jeannette Clift-George, Christian actress, author, director. She shared her testimony and some words of encouragement; she was very enjoyable.
My favorite part, though was the "opening act" - Chelsea Holmes. Chelsea is a member of our church (20 year old drama major at U of H). She so moved me last year with her monologue about the woman charged with adultery where Jesus says, "Let those who have never sinned throw the first stone". And everyone leaves. Then he tells her, "Go and sin no more." This year Chelsea went with a comedic monologue about women and the many hats we wear. It was hysterical! She did a wonderful job! Great "range"!
The theme of the tea was "Treasure" and that we should treasure God's word about all else (the verse is from Psalms). All the decor focused on things we treasure - memories, family, riches, and most importantly His word and our salvation.So I have a bunch of pictures of the different tables (still learning this camera). Someday I might take pictures of people, but I'm not ready for that yet.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Random Easter Musings
Easter celebrates the most significant event in human history - Christ's resurrection. It is something that Christians celebrate in their hearts every day, but Easter is the one time a year when we focus on nothing else. The Easter bunnies and bonnets and all that never really distract from the point - all that Jesus said is true. I love hearing, "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" He keeps His promises - and there are a lot of them.
I understand being angry with God. He lets things happen that are painful - like death. If He's so all-powerful and good, why would he let people suffer? The answer has to do with the world being cursed, and the gift He has given us of free will. And it isn't that He can't, but that He won't - which sounds like He's really mean, and that is not true, either. We all know that parents who really love their children must say "no" sometimes, maybe even lots of times. It's difficult, if not downright impossible, to see things from a God perspective. We have no idea what the big picture is - what good He is really working in the world. But He did provide a future and a hope.
Christ died painfully; God sacrificed His only Son. And then Jesus came back to life on the third day - death has been conquered. FOR US! We are forgiven and accepted by God because of what He did for us. Life can be hard, but we don't have to worry about that. God is with us.
Yes, churches and church people can be disappointing - they should but rarely do behave any better than anyone else. But a believer is meant to be with other believers - living and learning life together. I drift toward solitude, but find it brings me to a self-centered and depressed place. I am so much happier when I'm in the group focused on something besides myself. Anyway, I'm thankful for Easter that brought hundreds of people back to church to celebrate. I hope they stick around.
I understand being angry with God. He lets things happen that are painful - like death. If He's so all-powerful and good, why would he let people suffer? The answer has to do with the world being cursed, and the gift He has given us of free will. And it isn't that He can't, but that He won't - which sounds like He's really mean, and that is not true, either. We all know that parents who really love their children must say "no" sometimes, maybe even lots of times. It's difficult, if not downright impossible, to see things from a God perspective. We have no idea what the big picture is - what good He is really working in the world. But He did provide a future and a hope.
Christ died painfully; God sacrificed His only Son. And then Jesus came back to life on the third day - death has been conquered. FOR US! We are forgiven and accepted by God because of what He did for us. Life can be hard, but we don't have to worry about that. God is with us.
Yes, churches and church people can be disappointing - they should but rarely do behave any better than anyone else. But a believer is meant to be with other believers - living and learning life together. I drift toward solitude, but find it brings me to a self-centered and depressed place. I am so much happier when I'm in the group focused on something besides myself. Anyway, I'm thankful for Easter that brought hundreds of people back to church to celebrate. I hope they stick around.
Check out Mike's Passion Vine - the first bloom was on Good Friday -
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Run! Run! Run!
Last night we went to Bible study at White Oaks Baptist down the street. Pastor Michael played a video for us where the leader takes a group of people to a Greek ruin - an arena that sat 40,000 people where they would hold the games. He talked about how the athletes in the games ran for the glory of their gods (and then for Caesar when the Romans adopted the practice and decided the emperor was a deity).
The point was that the apostles (especially Paul) often explain Christianity as a race (see Hebrews 12). And they used this example for the non-Jews because society understood the games. You run to bring glory to Jesus. You don't run to win, you run like you want to win; you do your best - whatever that is. You're cheered on by a crowd of witnesses. The key is passion - don't hold back; give it everything; let go of the things that hold you down. Run! Run! Run!
It was awesome. He also made some interesting references to Elijah. But I'm still pondering it all. Next week they're luring us back with promises of ice cream!
The point was that the apostles (especially Paul) often explain Christianity as a race (see Hebrews 12). And they used this example for the non-Jews because society understood the games. You run to bring glory to Jesus. You don't run to win, you run like you want to win; you do your best - whatever that is. You're cheered on by a crowd of witnesses. The key is passion - don't hold back; give it everything; let go of the things that hold you down. Run! Run! Run!
It was awesome. He also made some interesting references to Elijah. But I'm still pondering it all. Next week they're luring us back with promises of ice cream!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
The Church
I am finding that my passion for THE Church is growing at a comparable rate to the growth of my frustration with individual churches. I so long for unified purpose among God's people, and so despise self-serving, separatist ministries. I want to be involved somehow in serving for His greater purpose and not a single ministry's purpose. But I work for a church, not the Church - or do I?
I recognize that I've become so negative about my church that I've lost sight of the fact that God has placed me here at this church for a purpose. Am I going to change everyone else's thinking? Am I called to lead the charge against silos and narrow mindedness from my desk beside the elevator room? Not likely. But I can do my part in keeping my focus on Him and not on me (and certainly not on "them"). By remembering that God has given me a heart for the Church and seeking to serve Him at this church in that context, perhaps I can get a handle on what He has for me.
When I got my first church job, my mother warned me about "feet of clay." Of course, I told her I knew that and my church was different. I've come to realize that my church isn't really different - it is still made up of humans with human weaknesses. I've also noticed that I am very ready to cut myself slack for my own failings, but am quick to judge when anyone else shows a less than Godly motivation. So apparently, God has some things to teach me yet. (I'm still here, aren't I?)
I recognize that I've become so negative about my church that I've lost sight of the fact that God has placed me here at this church for a purpose. Am I going to change everyone else's thinking? Am I called to lead the charge against silos and narrow mindedness from my desk beside the elevator room? Not likely. But I can do my part in keeping my focus on Him and not on me (and certainly not on "them"). By remembering that God has given me a heart for the Church and seeking to serve Him at this church in that context, perhaps I can get a handle on what He has for me.
When I got my first church job, my mother warned me about "feet of clay." Of course, I told her I knew that and my church was different. I've come to realize that my church isn't really different - it is still made up of humans with human weaknesses. I've also noticed that I am very ready to cut myself slack for my own failings, but am quick to judge when anyone else shows a less than Godly motivation. So apparently, God has some things to teach me yet. (I'm still here, aren't I?)
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