The winds of change...

Well, it seems my life is always in some type of transition. The transition du jour involves church.

Beth, RJ and I have been going to New Life Baptist for a little over a year now. While we love the people there, something is just not right.

New Life is a church on the cusp. Though they want to be a dominant force in the Inglewood community, they are still a little closed off with their thinking. The people there are fantastic. I remember several of them from Riverside Baptist where Beth and I got married. So, on one hand it is a very nice and homey church. On the other hand, I'm concerned. It seems like every opportunity that is presented that involves growth is shot down.

When we started attending last year, it was so nice to see familiar faces every Sunday morn. But that was about it. About 4-5 months ago, the pastor mentioned the opputunity to join forces with a local Hispanic church that was looking for a home. In my mind I saw New Life as a growing, ever changing church that was going to live up to it's name...New Life. That did not happen!

The Hispanic church came and started their own service, only renting meeting space. What was supposed to be a joint service once a month, has only happened one time. Maybe I am a little jaded with my train of thought, but something is just not right.

Onto another thought about the church. I have a 10 year old that does not want to go, because he is being bullied by the pastor's son. As much as I have tried to teach RJ about turning the other cheek. He is not happy there. Before you jump to concl;usions, I have spoke to RJ about this, as well as the pastor. I long for the days of a youth group like we had at Riverside. Jay Victory was a man you had a vision for young people and the trials that they were going through. The youth leadesrship at New Life is not real strong. They have people who attend to the department, but that is it. If you know me, you know my heart is with the youth of the church. I have volunteered several times to help out, but am told no, or we don't need you at this time.

For most of my Christian life, music has held a very special place in my heart. When I am singing a special on Sunday morn, I feel the spirit of God right beside me, singing right along. If I am in the choir, it is the same feeling . There is nothing like worshiping my Savior through song. Our music ministry at New Life is lacking tremondously. We had an iterim Minister of Music before Christmas, and that's when I became active with the choir. In Jan., the church decided to let Mike go, and start the search for a new Minister of music. Here it is August, and a search has not even started. this is a big part of who I am, and it needs to be mistered to.

I guess when it comes down to it, I am not happy in our present situation. Both Beth and I have prayed about this for a while now. It seems God is leading us in another direction. New Life has served a purpose for me though. It reminded me of the love, fellowship, and importance of forgiveness! It has taught me the importance of keeping my life Christ centered. It has taught me that I have a family that needs to have Christ in their lives. I hold no hard feelings to the church, in fact I have been blessed to be a part of it! But it seems it is time to move on.

I have a favor to ask though...Several of you (the 2 or 3 that read my blog), have family or friends at New Life. I plan on talking to Brother Brian this week sometime to tell him how we feel. This blog is just a journal of my thoughts and feeling. I'm asking that you keep us in prayer during this time of transition. Please pray for my family and I as we seek God's will in all that we do!

It's been a while...but I'm home!

It’s been a week since I blogged! I can’t believe it’s been that long. Anyway, my surgery is 16 days away! As Mr. Rogers would say, “Can we say nervous”? Yea, nervous but excited as well! It seems I am all over the place with my feelings. At one point, I can’t wait to start this new part of my life. On the other hand, it’s like “what the heck am I doing”? From everything I have read this is all normal. Now with Christmas right around the corner, there is a sense of urgency right around the corner. But I’m OK!

It’s been a while since Beth, R.J. and I have been to church. I mean we attend, but that’s about it! We attend! Last week, I made a decision to become more active with my church life. Now this is not because of my surgery, but more because I know what’s right. R.J. loves going to New Life. He enjoys the youth and his teacher. Who by the way was a teen in a youth group I worked with several years ago. I’m getting old, no way around it! In fact he went to his first Lock-In a couple of weeks ago. Memories flooded my mind of eating goldfish, mixing all types of food in a blender and drinking it, and doing really stupid things. I totally blame Jay Victory for this time in my life! OK, blame him and Thank Him at the same time! My time with Jay, Bronie, and the gang at Riverside will always have a special place in my heart! Beth enjoys New Life also. She enjoys the freedom of worship as well as the family and friends that are there. I honestly think she feels comfortable for the first time in many years!

Now for me…It’s like coming home! This morning I sang in the choir. This is the first time I have sung in a choir since my days at Riverside. In fact the last time I sang period, was the last service Riverside had. What can I say, while I was singing, I felt a warm feeling, an embrace, a reminder of what worship is! There is nothing like knowing God never leaves your side. That God will wrap His loving arms around you and forgive. That God is no further than an out stretched arm waiting for you to invite Him home! This felt good! Oh yeah, the last time I sang in a choir, I wore an XL choir robe, today…a Large! Whoo Hoo!

Now I realize this post is all over the place, kind of like my feelings! Anyway, keep us in your prayers; there are unseen forces at work in our lives right now. Love you guy!

Have a great big God filled week!