Saturday Nights Part 2

Last time I wrote, I was so excited about the Saturday night services we have at church. I am still excited, but our little group is getting hit so hard spiritually. I am thankful that my work and personal life have been going well, besides the neighbor kids above us who stress me out a lot, but many of our group members are dealing with huge stressors in their lives.

Though some attacks are taken out on me during our music practices and during the service (a person whining and then posting on facebook during practice), I have tried to keep the verse Eph 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" in the forefront of my mind and just pray for our entire group and the individuals who are hurting me.

I have told some of those who are hurting that we are there for them and praying for them, but also asked them if they could pray for our group as well. It's easy to get caught up in our own self and wallow in that mess, so I think knowing that we need each other and must pray for others, helps us turn the focus outward too.

My main prayer is that we would see Jesus' face through all this.

My biggest hurt was a member who blogged about how music practice is so far from Christianity or loving one another. I couldn't agree more. I hate organizing a music practice and talking about the technical aspects of worship music. It is much easier to do it by myself, but that is IMPOSSIBLE to do with a group of people who have different backgrounds, music styles, etc. We need to practice. I would hope that he'd get out of his inward focus or self-righteous attitude and actually try to work as a team instead of bringing down the group and ruin the whole purpose of our being together.

This brings me to a topic that I blogged about sometime last year. The idea of complaining. These Christians who decide they hate everything about Christianity and relentlessly complain and never do anything about it annoy me. What's the point. I guess it is good to be thinking. I know I went through that phase, but there comes a time to move on; grow up! I hate to quote Ghandi, but really, "be the change you want to see in the world". If you want people in the church to love more, then stop complaining about it and love them more. If you want people to be in community together, then ask about their lives. Stop being pissed off that people don't pursue your every need and whine on a blog about how nobody cares about you and everything is superficial. Maybe stay and talk to people after a practice or service instead of bolting out the door to blog about how people are not acting like the "Church" and are just playing church.

Well, I'll get off my soap box. I am always failing at being a Christian, but I am so thankful for God's grace in my life and the huge blessings that he has given to Dan and me. We see God in so many aspects of our life and He continuously draws us nearer to Him. There are huge parts of me that want to be mad and crush the things that people say and do, but I know that I must keep my mouth shut (to their face at least) unless it becomes out of line and love them.

What does love look like? I believe it varies with each person and situation, but that is another topic. For now I will TRY and not take these things personally and will carry on with the amazing ministry that God has provided! I am excited and I will not let people's flesh or evil steal that from me!

1 Pet 5:5-11 "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."