CHURCH? FOR OLD FOGIES OR HAS IT CHANGED?

"Church?  Isn't that just for old people, half of which fall asleep?"  This is what a coworker said to me once when I mentioned that I went to church.

Well I'm not old, I don't fall asleep and I really enjoy going to church.

Church has changed over the years.  Today the music is more modern and lively instead of the old fashioned hymns.  Many churches have a full band playing with guitars, keyboard and drums.  People of all ages attend and participate fully in the worshipful music.  Most preachers engage the audience rather then standing still behind a pulpit and speaking with a monotone voice.   Suits and dresses are no longer expected either.  Come in jeans, shorts or whatever is comfortable.

Many churches are very involved in their local community as well.   Various church programs are actively serving the needs of those around them such as Soup Kitchens, Puppet Shows for Children, After School Programs, Divorce Recovery Groups and so much more.

Recently a team of about 100 young people visited our community for one week in a program called SERVE.  The team was divided into groups of about 6 and assigned a different home to visit each day where they would serve the home owners by doing various yard work for them.  The program is designed to lighten the load of the elderly, single parents or anyone else who needs the assistance.  It is a means of serving others while displaying the love of Jesus.  The kids genuinely enjoy the opportunity to help others and the recipients of their volunteer work are blessed.

I think it is sad that so many have never been to church.  There are so many churches to choose from, all of which are happy to have visitors.  Once in the door you should receive a hardy welcome and if you take the initiative to learn about opportunities to get involved, you will soon find a second family.

If you are afraid of people in churches having a "bible thumping" mentality, don't worry I get it.  I have even witnessed it and it turns my stomach.  Don't get me wrong, I believe the Bible, but nobody needs it shoved down their throat. 

So perhaps you have been to church and didn't like it or were somehow offended.  Then try another church.  I honestly believe there is a church out there for everyone that can be a home away from home.  If you do not receive a warm welcome and witness love in action, then look elsewhere.

Perhaps you just don't like Christians.  Many find Christians to be hypocritical, judgemental and unkind.  If you have been wounded by a so-called Christian, I am so sorry!  Even as a Christian myself, I have dropped my jaw in utter shock to hear some appalling stories of encounters that non-Christians have had with Christians.  Although we are far from perfect, we should be known for our love and compassion above all else.

Having a Christian faith gives meaning and purpose to my life.  My Christian friends are my closest friends.  Actively participating in Christian service gives me inner joy.  Church is where my faith, friends and ministry are found.  It's not a once-a-week activity.  It's  a daily existence with God in charge.

My weekly church attendance is a source of rejuvenation.  Life is hard sometimes.  Church helps me get through. 

So what is keeping you from going to church?  Reach out and find a whole new life waiting for you.  Church is not boring.  Check it out for yourself and see.

Give Thanks!

TIME FLIES BY BUT GRATITUDE REMAINS

Oh dear, I see it has been awhile since I wrote a post for my blog. 

I guess I've had too much of my time occupied with all the details of our recent move.

How time flies.  We have been in our new home for over a  month already.

It has been a very busy month.  So, unfortunately, blogging has been neglected.

But this blog is about gratitude and I have not neglected to have a grateful heart in this past month despite all the activity.  I am grateful for our new home, the abundant sunshine we have had, great family times we have enjoyed and so much more.

I express my gratitude to God every day even amidst the busyness.  I find time alone with Him to chat, sense His presence and focus on His goodness to me.

It is a habit I have nurtured for many years and will continue to do so.  It keeps me close to God which keeps balance and peace in my life.

Life gets busy and then time flies by.  But we each need to nurture the practice of gratitude and times of restful solitude to replenish ourselves. 

Don't lose balance in your life by being so busy that even the essentials to peace and happiness are put on the back burner. 

Daily we need to spend time alone pondering the goodness of life with a grateful heart.  This will help us to achieve peace in the storm, contentment in adversity and an inner joy each and every day.

Give Thanks!

SHOPPING SPREES

Yesterday I did something I have never done before.  I spent over 3 hours in one store and came out with 5 new dresses, 5 new shirts, a pair of shorts and jeans, a jacket and 7 pairs of shoes.

Guess what?  I spent only $400 for all of that with about 75% savings.  Now that's what I call a shopping spree!

It helps that I am in Oregon where there is no tax and that I am visiting my brother and his wife who is the queen of bargain shopping.  She can even find designer hand bags for $5.

I really am not a fan of shopping but eventually it is a necessity.  After all, when you are still wearing some clothes that you wore 20 years ago, it really is time for a change.  Yup, that's how much I hate shopping.

I have never before found in one day (never mind one store) so many clothes I liked enough to buy.  I am a pretty picky shopper and I usually run out of patience looking. But it sure helps to have a wise, experienced shopper with you to give advice and help you with the search.

And for me shopping is actually fun when I find great deals!

I was raised to never pay full price.  My parents never had enough money to pay full price and why should we when there are always bargains to be found by looking.

I was taught to be wise in my spending.  Money needs to be respected.  Wasting money is like spitting in the hand that gives it.  God, as the head of our universe, is ultimately the Giver of everything good.  Everything we have is actually His that He has graciously given to us.  Money included.

There are too many people in dire need in our world today.  When those of us with money, spend frivolously, it should disturb our conscience.  It should evoke our sense of right and wrong.

And if we spend our money wisely, it should leave us money to give to those in need.  The Bible teaches that is more blessed to give then to receive and I have always found that to be true.

If you have never yet experienced the incredible joy of meeting someone's genuine need by giving, then you should seek the opportunity to do so.  There really is nothing else like it!

Give Thanks!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Something is lacking in child rearing these days that certainly was not lacking when I was a child.  As a result, many children today seem to be poorly behaved.

My generation was raised to be quiet unless spoken to and to be obedient and respectful.  Right and wrong was clearly established.  Despite this, there was still ample time for childhood play, creativity and fun. 

Now many children are taught to make their own decisions and question authority from a very young age.  They seem to be encouraged to speak up (and interrupt) and let their voice and opinion (with 3 years of wisdom) be heard.

I can understand the desire to challenge our children to think, and to nurture independence but I believe some parents are trying to do this at an age when children still need guidance, structure, boundaries and a good role model.

Child development has been called "development" for a reason.   A young child's mind has not yet developed enough to make decisions and offer reasonable opinions.  They still need to learn by observing (while silent?) the examples set for them by adults.

I also believe that part of the "be silent until spoken to" philosophy is so that kids can learn respect for their elders.  Even as adults we have to practice respect for our bosses, leaders, dignitaries, senior citizens, war veterans etc.  If we don't learn this as children we likely will have trouble mastering it as adults.

Popular parenting styles and philosophies do change over the years.  Only time will tell whether they are positive changes.  I think for many, reading varied authoritative books on effective parenting is a must before starting a family.

After all, parenting really is the toughest, most complex and important job we have!


We want our children to grow up self-confident, respectful, productive, law abiding, happy and fulfilled.  That is a tall glass to fill.  So we need all the help we can get.

Today is Father's Day and I am grateful to have a Christian father who instilled Christian values into our home both by example and teaching.  We learned right from wrong, a strong work ethic through chores, respect and love for others.  We also learned to give to those in need and we learned to give thanks to God in all things!

I am more grateful for my father with each passing year.  Hindsight is 20/20 they say.  I was a challenging child to raise who needed a lot of discipline to learn the principles and values my father desired for me.  But with time he succeeded and I love him for it. 

I am proud to say that today I am in many ways just like my Dad!

Billy Graham (Christian Evangelist) says this about fathers:
     "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of
     the most valuable assets in our society."

Clarence Budington Kelland (U.S. Writer) says this:
     "My father didn't tell me how to live, he lived, and let me watch him do it."

Happy Father's Day to all the great Dad's out there!

And to all the loved children, Give Thanks!

SOULMATES

I just spent a weekend with family and witnessed the beauty of young love.  You know what I am talking about.  When your heart skips a beat every time the one you love enters the room.  When no matter how bad they look first thing in the morning, in your eyes they are always beautiful.  When you cannot stand to be apart for any significant length of time.   It really is sappy but most of us have experienced it in the early days of a new romance.

I know all about it.  I used to sing love songs to my husband and he used to buy me flowers so often my friends got jealous.  We are older now but still very much in love.  Nonetheless,  I sing to him less often and he brings me flowers less frequently.  And that's OK!

So what has changed?  Nothing really.  Our relationship has merely matured.  The frills have lessened but the depth of our relationship has increased.  So the love songs and flowers are no longer required in abundance to prove our love for each other.   Our love has already passed the test of time.  

We have always been soulmates but it is deeper now and as a result the romance will never end.  

My husband can still melt my heart but the best thing of all is that he gets me.  He understands me. He knows how I tick.  And I do him.  We can without fear or awkwardness share our innermost feelings.  That makes us soulmates.  That makes our love so much stronger.

Today and every day, I am grateful for my husband.  His humor and wit keep me entertained.  His integrity and loyalty make me proud.  His desire for godliness keeps me humble.  And his love and commitment to me, in spite of myself, never cease to amaze me.  

He is more then I deserve and more then I could have ever dreamed of and I get to call him mine.  He often knows my thoughts before I speak and he understands my heart no matter what emotion it is feeling.  

Sounds sappy right?  Well I love the sap of having a soulmate! 

Give Thanks!