Day of Community

I am so thankful our pastoral staff encouraged our congregants to join a small group for a 5-week exploration into discipling (check out https://multiplymovement.com/vision to see how you can embrace Jesus call to make disciples). In the midst of what seemed like a chaotic schedule last week, I felt ill-prepared to guide our group through last week's discussion of the importance of reading the Bible. I was already feeling at a disadvantage in this area as I'm probably the least knowledgeable of our group in terms of biblical facts, so to be unprepared to guide the discussion on "God's autobiography" was quite disheartening.

The beauty of these community groups is  they are indeed collaborative. We're learning not only from the text and the Francis Chan/David Platt video clips, but also (and in my opinion, more importantly), from each other. When I was feeling inadequate discussing the material and unprepared to guide the discussion, we each offered independent views from our own experiences, offered support and guidance for confusing concepts, and shared our personal journeys with the Word! When we build community within our church family, these relationships and experiences can foster lasting impact beyond the doors of our church building.

Day 84: Heavenly Father, thank you for humbling me last week by learning more from my community group than they probably learned from me. Thank you for bestowing wisdom on Pastors Chan and Platt as they share the simple, yet effective concepts of making disciples. 

Lord, I have many faults and can only thank you for your grace. I've never thought of myself as proud. Last week after our gathering, I felt disappointed in myself for not carving out the necessary time to better prepare for our weekly discussion. I let pride and jealousy get the best of me that night. I want to glorify your name, Father, but I felt at the time I fell so short. In hindsight, were you teaching me a lesson about the church? After learning and leaning so much on my fellow group members' experiences and understanding of the intent of your Word, I realized the lesson of NEEDING the church. I am grateful for not being rescued from my uncomfortable state for it makes me appreciate even more the importance of surrounding myself with friends in Christ who can help build me as I help build them.

Father God, I pray this Multiply experience has sparked a fire within my friends to continue learning and leaning on one another. This world can pull you down with pride and jealousy and keep you from seeing the lessons in front of us. Thank you for revealing them to me in your timing, the perfect timing!

I love you.

Source: http://www.carmelumc.org

Day of Equipment

On Thursday, while my eldest continued preparing for her upcoming mission trip, I took the little one to purchase her first softball glove. Expecting a quick stop at Play It Again Sports, I didn't plan much time for the excursion (she is only 5 after all). But, alas, ALL of the gloves in her size were gone. We tried some smaller and bigger gloves, but none of them fit quite right.

It's important for her to have the appropriate equipment to ensure this doesn't stand in her way enjoying her first year of softball. Off we went to Dick's Sporting Goods! We scoured the shelves searching for a glove with the perfect fit. We could've settled for her sister's hammy downs, but I want my youngest to have her own memories with her own equipment. We could've grabbed the first glove we saw, but if it didn't fit quite right, she might get discouraged and quit before she ever got a chance to experience the joys of the game. We could've settled for a baseball mitt versus one for softball (not too much difference at the tee-ball age), but it would seem like a compromise. After much searching, we found a glove she's excited to start using.

Searching for equipment is similar to church shopping. One of the things I love about the Christian faith is the variety of church families to join. Some people might suggest the slight differences in doctrine from one church to the next actually cause rifts within the faith or may foster rationalization for non-believers to say "you can't even agree on doctrine, let alone unity!"

For me, the variety allows people from all walks of life to find a church family who meet the unique qualities and life experiences of each and every person. You could borrow the beliefs of someone else or you can seek a congregation for which you feel most comfortable. You could join the first congregation out of guilt or obligation, but quickly become bitter and disengaged because it doesn't fit your specific faith journey needs. You could even choose a church which on the outside looks like what you're seeking, but the church doctrine appeals to congregants who may not align with your personal convictions, thus compromising a part of you.

When seeking a new church, I've found an unyielding desire to shop until I find one that fits like a glove! It creates my own memories/experiences along my faith journey, it keeps me falling in love with Jesus daily never becoming complacent and disengaged, and it allows me to reveal my vulnerabilities comfortably knowing I'm supported by others who share things of similar importance. Never give up finding a church to foster Christ's love within you. When you find a church that fits like a glove, you can embrace God's plan for you uninhibited!!

Day 79: Heavenly Father, thank you for instilling in me a desire to keep seeking my role in your church. Thank you for providing me free will to choose a church which does not distract me from fulfilling your role for me. Thank you for guiding me to Carmel United Methodist Church.

Lord, I pray each member of my church spends time in self reflection ensuring they feel our church fits like a glove for them. As much as I would never want to lose members of our congregation, more importantly, I don't want followers to feel complacent and not quite right in their place of worship. It seems more important to help believers find a congregation in which they can thrive for your glory than to ensure we don't lose numbers and financial offerings. 

Father God, I fear if we are not equipped appropriately through our devotion to you, our love for others, and our recognition of the importance of finding an appropriate church, we cannot build disciples who can build disciples. I trust what you place on my heart can help ensure my lasting commitment to you. I want to go wherever, whenever, and whatever!

I love you.

Day of Teamwork

When my daughter initially told me she wanted to wrestle, I was skeptical because of my preconceived notions about "those types of boys." I know, completely unfair and prejudicial, but we're talking about my first born. I'm a pretty protective momma (ashamed to admit it, but I'll be honest about my initial worries.)

Needless to say, after watching her dedication to the team, even with season ending injuries her first season, my stereotypes were quickly thwarted. Wrestling is arguably the most mentally and physically demanding sport. I no longer view them as boys and girls wrestling each other, they are all athletes on one team trying to win as a team.

Last night was a fantastic testament to this one team. Two wrestlers qualified to compete in the IHSAA state wrestling tournament. The vast majority of this one team attended the tournament to show their support for two of their teammates. What a lesson!

Can you imagine if Christians could show up as a collective beyond Sunday worship to support the one team that is the body of Christ?

Day 52: Heavenly Father, thank you for creating a daughter who steps out of her comfort zone to try something different. Thank you for breaking down my stereotype and revealing to me the many benefits of my child's chosen sport. Thank you for a coach who teaches far more than just wrestling maneuvers.

Lord, what a glorious opportunity to use this lesson about support and teamwork in our faith journeys. As your disciples, we should bond together to support your church. Your message through Pastor Scott that we have enough churches hits deep within me, Lord! Let us spend less time creating new churches when we may not see eye to eye and work to build up your church! Not the denomination, not the ceremony, not even the doctrine! I pray your believers can use your Word, the common love for you, and work as a team to build your kingdom. 

Father God, thank you for opening my eyes and letting me see, beautiful glimpses of truth from Thee!

I love you.