Wait.

Here is one of my experiences of God over the last week.

There was this book that showed up on our coffee table, Teach Me To Pray. I think this was a free gift from the Christian bookstore back in October. Well, since I “found” it a week or so ago, I have started off my time with God by reading the one page thought for the day. On December 26, it suggested reading Psalm 119. So I did. The next day, I decided to read the next 5 Psalms and continue that pattern daily (missed a day or two in there). Yesterday, I read the thought of the day and it centers on waiting on God, in particular using Psalm 25:5. Well, I start to pick up my reading on Psalm 130 and within that Psalm are the words, “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait.” Now I know that God is trying to tell me something. What is it? Wait.

Now my heart is searching for what I am to wait for. Surely there is plenty to wait for. We are far from having the support we need for us to be full-time with the new church plant. Perhaps He is telling us to wait on Him to provide. Perhaps I need not to rush into finding a part-time job when we arrive. Wait.

Maybe I am just too excited about our new house and all that I can dream up about what it could look like. Wait.

Maybe I am getting excited about all that God is going to do once we get started with the church and I will want to rush things and so I must be patient. Wait.

Perhaps it has nothing to do with our circumstances or our life, but God simply wants me to be in His presence. Wait.

I desire to see the other two people coming on board as staff members to be full-time as well. Wait.

I have wanted a motorcycle for over 10 years now. Wait.

Things to do, places to see, people to meet. Wait.

The coming of Christ to redeem us once and for all from this world of pain and suffering. Wait.

My Thoughts RE:Churches Not Having Services on Christmas Day

Okay, I want to jump in and give my take on this whole issue of churches not having services on Christmas Sunday. Here is the article that was written up in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Why do churches close on Sunday?.

I must state that it bothers me that we have boiled our relationship with Jesus down to whether or not we attend a worship service on a Sunday. I don't remember Jesus's words to the first disciples being, "Come follow me, I will help you develop a habit of attending a worship service to please me." I don't remember Jesus's last words before ascending into heaven being, "Now go, and attend worship every Sunday and I will be with you until the very end." Where does this obsession with Sunday morning worship come from? In my opinion, it comes from a works mentality. It is something that we can check off this made-up list of whether or not we are good Christians. Woe is me if I come to the point of chaining myself to a man-made law.

What are we saying to all of our brothers and sisters who are in countries who cannot worship openly and freely? Are we not saying that they are wrong for not worshiping openly on Sunday? If we are of the opinion that a worship service is the key to our walk with God, then there are lots of people who missing out on what is most important. I am so glad that it isn't the way God intended.

Perhaps a little side note might be needed here. I am by no means saying that I think worship is not necessary. Worship is a part of our life and part of our devotion to God. Corporate worship is also a vital part of walk with Him. However, to limit it to a sanctioned service on a particular day is totally out of place. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Worship can happen with a gathering of two or three family members in the home just as well as it can in a large worship service of thousands. Maybe if we taught people how to worship as a family in their own homes, this whole service canceling thing would not be an issue because we would be having multiple families worshiping together to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.

One other note for those who think that of all days to not have a service, Christmas Day would surely not be one of them. How many services have you offered on Christmas Day in years past when it was on a Monday, a Tuesday, or any other day? Do you make it a point to be sure that your congregation worships together on that day? Just something to consider before talking about the Bride of Christ to others in a demeaning way.