Well, it was a good weekend, not exactly restful, but good none-the-less.
Friday night we went to a movie with our friend, Justin and did a little shopping. We saw “Miami Vice” which after some contemplation, i’ve decided, wasn’t that good. (i found this review that sums up my thoughts pretty well: Filmcritic.com ). Saturday we had baby-sitting duty most of the day with two of my nieces. They were easy to handle and we had some fun…Jen did most of the work, of course (while I mowed the lawn). Later in the evening we went to a wedding reception for my friend, Chad. He got married a month ago up in Michigan, but since a lot of people couldn’t be there, they came down here for a little get together. It was good to see them…but sad to know that it will likely be months if not a year or more before we see them again. Today was exceptionally busy…woke at 6:45am, at church for band practice at 7:15. Played for our two worship services, then went home briefly before leaving for my neice’s birthday party. It was fun, all the kids were as cute as ever. Then we came back home and i took a little cat nap before church tonight. We had the big VBS finale tonight and then a party-type event afterwords for the kids. Party is probably an understatment…carnival, festival, mini-street fair is closer to reality. it was really great event…i’m sure the kids loved it.
so…that was the weekend. tomorrow is our last day to get things straightened out before the real chaos begins. Jen’s youngest sister will be here Tuesday morning for a 2 week stay, after which, we’ll be heading out to Washington for a couple weeks. (hear that kipp? we’re coming to see you!) while it’s sure to be busy, I’m looking forward to every minute of it.
anyway, better get to bed so i’ll have energy to burn tomorrow.
Here is yet another post that I began some time ago, but never finished. Here’s what I wrote a couple weeks ago:
Do you ever wonder why the church does the things that does? Do you ever wonder if we’re doing it right or wrong?
Some of these thoughts have been passing through my mind for the past several months and I can’t seem to shake them. For the longest time I was on another kick that was almost the complete opposite of where I am now. I pushed and pushed to try to get more “spiritual meat” into our church meetings. I was tired of the same old stories and the same old fellowship, I wanted to learn about deeper things…and now, it’s not that I don’t want to learn those things, but it’s that I’m beginning to see that it’s not the church I have to blame for not teaching me, it’s myself.
There is great power in a community of people who are like minded. People who all want to grow will push each other, encourage one another, and inspire each other to move forward. The problem is that we have to jump through so many hoops and follow so many rules that are “the church” that we can’t ever really get there.
All I want is for the barriers to be broken down and for God’s people to come together. nothing more…no amazing worship band, no preacher, no boundaries. Just us and Him.
Fitting just perfectly with this post, this is part of the passage I read tonight in my devotions, found in Acts 2:43-47:
“A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity–all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.”
There’s a site that I visit regularly to get my daily dose of tech news called “digg”. Recently they opened up the channels for more than just tech news, so now it covers just about anything under the sun. Inevitably, there are some pretty heated discussions about politics and religion that follow. I don’t tend to get involved too much, in fact I try to stay away completely from most of it. I just know that posting something on a website isn’t going to come across right and my intentions will be lost in the debate.
I digress… there are really a couple things that always hit me after reading those types of posts. First, it’s a big reminder (read- smack in the face) that there is a big, lost world outside the limits of Winchester. Where I live just about everyone believes in God…sure they may not attend church regularly, or their church may be a little different than mine, but generally everyone believes. It’s weird to think that our whole country used to be that way (what happened?). So, when I begin to realize it, my heart begins to hurt because I feel like there’s more I could/should be doing for the Kingdom, but I don’t know what those things are and I don’t know how to accomplish it. None-the-less, it is good to be reminded of such things.
The second thing that enters my mind is usually a question. and while there are many versions of it, it is essentially the same question: “Why do I believe what I believe?” This only brings on more questions about traditions and faith which can quickly consume me. I do believe that having these questions is a healthy thing, but I also know that it can turn deadly if I dwell on them too long. In any case, the one question that I’m asking myself currently is “Why am I right, while so many others are wrong?”. By that I mean, there are dozens of religions…muslim, Christian, hindu, etc. Even within the Christian faith there is Catholic or Protestant, then after that, denominational differences, and deeper and deeper until it finally rests at me. So, why is my church’s belief right, while the Baptist are wrong? What about the Catholics? I mean, the Catholic church was THE first church…maybe they’re right? I know that a lot of the things that differentiate us are minor, but I just wonder, who is right? (and where am I wrong?).
anyway, i know these are deep questions…they are probably questions that aren’t bad to be asking myself…but I have a feeling that I’m not going to find the answer…at least not on this planet.
Tomorrow morning is the funeral of someone in my Church. She passed away Sunday…after I found out, I wrote this:
A woman in my church passed away today. She has been fighting cancer for the better part of the past 2 years and lost the battle somewhat suddenly. When they announced it tonight I think most were surprised, some were heartbroken, but I think beyond that there was a little bit of joy and peace in all of us. Her struggle was finally over, there was no more pain, no hurting, and she was finally at rest. Her husband was there tonight…I couldn’t believe it honestly…but I think it was a testiment to what God has done in their family…and I think he knows that it’s what she would have wanted.
Tomorrow I’m playing in the band at her funeral. It was her request that there be praise music sung…I was surprised to find that the music is very upbeat. Which just confirmed with me that she was at peace about her life ending…and she wanted us to have that peace and reassurance as well. So while it may be a time of mourning and reflection here on Earth, she is celebrating her new eternal life in Heaven. Hopefully we can share just a few minutes of that celebration with her tomorrow.