Dear Reader,
Joni Eareckson Tada, a well known American Christian leader, has a short radio program on WJTL every morning at 8:20 AM, Monday through Friday. It is the favorite part of my 15 minute commute to work each morning. Her words of encouragement and teaching are humbling and thought-provoking. Recently, while Joni was reflecting on the aches and pains of her aging mother, she described her mother full of spirit and humor. Joni then added, "God doesn't need to give you an explanation for your aches and pains, because he already explained it on the cross." What a thought!
After hearing that, I then reflected back on a verse that Joni also mentioned in the program, Isaiah 46:6, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." What a verse!
I am only 26 years old. And someday soon I expect a gray hair or two, but that day has not approached me yet. But the verse in Isaiah is applicable to ALL people regardless of age because it shows us where the focus should be. Notice - to Whom does does the verse refer to a mere six times?
In Isaiah 46, God is speaking to the Israelites about His reaction to the gods of Babylon. God makes it very clear that there is no comparison to Him; no other is His equal. He says that He can summon a bird of prey from the east or bring a man from a far-off land to fulfill His purpose. Who can say that suffering from aches and pains aren't part of His purpose? God will bring about what He has planned to do; and we see that explained through the cross when Jesus suffered much more than aches and pains!
So I will choose to remember who God is in comparison to the gods of our time. The god of health and happiness has no power over our Holy God of Heaven and Earth. And in my suffering I choose "to take to my heart and fix in my mind," as it is written in Isaiah 46, that my pains are for the glory of God - just like the sufferings of Jesus Christ on that old rugged cross.
~Sara
9.08.2009
Church Hunting Season
Dear Reader,
The Lancaster County landscape is speckled with many churches of all different shapes and sizes. Newcomers to the area can be overwhelmed with the choices: Brethren in Christ, Presbyterian, Baptist, contemporary, traditional, mega churches and house groups. My husband and I have experienced this feeling since we moved to the area last year. Both of us have grown up in a church family that has loved and nurtured us. But in a new area, a lack of family and friend connections can make finding a new church home challenging.
The true test of our faith has been during those Sunday trips from one church to another, thinking to ourselves, "Lord will we ever have true fellowship again?" We continually analyze ourselves and our actions: Were we outgoing enough? Are we too critical, or are our "checks in our spirit" correct? After each new service, the question inevitably looms before us - can we call this church our home church? I admit this process can be discouraging.
I feel Christian fellowship is a blessing, but it is not a condition of attending church. The devil tempts us into thinking that enjoying the company of other is our only reason to attend church services. First and foremost, we go to church to join in with other believers in awestruck and humble worship of the glory of the Lord. We worship through sound instruction, song and prayerful intercession. I believe that though our obedience in worship, God blesses us with joy of Christian fellowship and friendship.
It is my prayer that the churches, that Lancaster is famous for, are intentional in reaching out to the people who may be seeking a church home. I pray that each church seeks first to glorify the Lord in all they do. May the worship of our Sovereign Lord, Prince of Peace, Creator, and Best Friend take priority in our lives!
~Sara
The Lancaster County landscape is speckled with many churches of all different shapes and sizes. Newcomers to the area can be overwhelmed with the choices: Brethren in Christ, Presbyterian, Baptist, contemporary, traditional, mega churches and house groups. My husband and I have experienced this feeling since we moved to the area last year. Both of us have grown up in a church family that has loved and nurtured us. But in a new area, a lack of family and friend connections can make finding a new church home challenging.
The true test of our faith has been during those Sunday trips from one church to another, thinking to ourselves, "Lord will we ever have true fellowship again?" We continually analyze ourselves and our actions: Were we outgoing enough? Are we too critical, or are our "checks in our spirit" correct? After each new service, the question inevitably looms before us - can we call this church our home church? I admit this process can be discouraging.
I feel Christian fellowship is a blessing, but it is not a condition of attending church. The devil tempts us into thinking that enjoying the company of other is our only reason to attend church services. First and foremost, we go to church to join in with other believers in awestruck and humble worship of the glory of the Lord. We worship through sound instruction, song and prayerful intercession. I believe that though our obedience in worship, God blesses us with joy of Christian fellowship and friendship.
It is my prayer that the churches, that Lancaster is famous for, are intentional in reaching out to the people who may be seeking a church home. I pray that each church seeks first to glorify the Lord in all they do. May the worship of our Sovereign Lord, Prince of Peace, Creator, and Best Friend take priority in our lives!
~Sara
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