Church Words and Tears

"I don't know the words, mama, " my six-year-old looks up at me wiping the tears from his eyes. I hug him and sit on the pew next to him while everyone else keeps singing. I did not know the words to this one either. It happens. He has just started to read and wants so badly to know all the words. He wants to participate in worship. He loves music and he knows music. He reads music already. For the next song, I sit next to him, and I tell him the words that are coming up and he sings along, smiling from ear to ear. He nods his head to the tune and sings loudly, so do I. It is good to know the words for worship.

Lent Inverted - Giving when it hurts

"The point of Lent is for your sacrifice to remind you of Christ's sacrifice. So, as long as the task reminds you of Christ's sacrifice for you and reminds you of your sin and need for repentance, I think that would maintain the spirit and purpose" said Vicki Vaughn, a spiritual guide who is an expert in spiritual formation. I had been toying with this idea for many days before Lent and even a few days after it started. This confirmed the legitimacy of my idea and moved me forward. So this year, I am doing lent upside down, or inverted. Instead of giving something up, I have added one more thing to my to do list. For me, as for many of us, adding one more thing to the list is a sacrifice of my time and maybe even a little sleep. Certainly, every time I participate in this activity, I will be reminded of my need to follow Christ's leading in my life. So as I sit and write this blog many days into the Lenten season, I participate in a moment of obedient sacrifice, giving this moment to God, knowing I am in great need of his grace. Other tasks go undone, and I am forced to focus Christ alone. To the gift of Himself I answer in the giving of myself and my time, making myself available to his presence and his call.

We, The Church

We, The Church, do solemnly promise to embrace the name church. We understand that we, the people of God, ARE the church and that God has called us to come together as a community to act like the church to perform the function of the church. We will open our doors and our hearts to all those who enter seeking, searching, wandering lost and hungry for the things of God. We are the people of God who, by his Grace perform the functions of the body of Christ through his Church. Our church will call itself a church so we will be the the City on the Hill and the Light to the world. The lost and lonely will know they can come here and find God. We are Jesus' Church. We will honor him and his name for us, the church. There will be no doubt where we stand and to whom we kneel.

Dear God, help us to know and do your will embracing all you have for us as his church never wavering in our determination and faithfulness to hear your voice and follow your way. May we focus only on you in this worship space. We invite you here. Amen.