September 9, 2010

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  Homemade cinnamon rolls was the aroma that awakened me on Labor Day. Hubby was laboring happily, in the kitchen, flopping a fabulous, yeast infused blob of dough around. I only ate one roll, one of the misshapen ones (as if that really mattered!). All of the pretty ones were going to be delivered to our friends at our church who were busting their buns doing a major remodel in one of the buildings. They were ecstatic, of course, when these rolls arrived. It was a well deserved treat and as hard as they've been working (hubby included), I'm sure everyone on that "job" has lost a couple pounds. They are all determined to get the work completed so that the place will be more welcoming and practical. The desire of our hearts is to see this bunch of believers grow up, fire up and quit bickering; "old" folks vs. young. This class vs. that class. This ministry vs. that one. This ladies' group vs. the Youth group, the head pastor vs. alot of people, etc.  This ridiculous nonsense happens no matter where you go. As long as people exist, bickering will happen; strong wills run over the weaker ones. Money talks and the ones who use their money to buy the power to get their way are the ones who can ruin a promising venture. What I really wish is that hubby and I could just break away and do our own thing without fear of being ostrasized by people who don't understand what the true gospel is. It's not rules and rituals and legalism and ya gotta do this, that and the other if you're a member of this church. Yes, I love a bunch of the people in my church. And yes, it's not about the building. It's not supposed to be about the programs and the music or whether the windows are completely covered or the communion grape juice tastes like the cheap brand from Walmart. It's not about what the attendance is and if there's enough fingerprint approved workers in the nursery. For me, "church" is about what the Holy Spirit is doing; His Godly, almighty powered being in my soul, my heart...how is that coming through? How am I fed by His creation? How does He come through when I am with other people or by myself at the lake, the ocean, on a quiet hike, in the grocery store, driving in traffic, dancing (though I'm awkward!), singing, laughing, crying, talking, listening...How does he come through HIS WORD? "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path". When I read the Bible, I ask him to help me understand. Because of Jesus, the understanding is there, in me. I only have to ask to be shown. I have begun to earnestly study a couple of books that help me understand. I wish I knew greek, hebrew, Aramaic! The gathering of saints ("don't forsake") doesn't mean you HAVE to attend a church service every single Sunday or Saturday and woe to you if you don't! One of the best ever gatherings of saints my family and I experienced was the beach gathering at Laguna's Main Beach. I felt so at home there, so welcomed, so accepted. We were with people who SIMPLY wanted to sing and thank God for what He has done. The Bible was opened and read from. There were no agendas, no competition, no rituals, no rules. There was respect. and sand and ocean and birds and traffic and people all over the place, and we were in a spiritual realm that was meaningful and real, based on our love for and belief in Christ. I just don't think we can recreate that scene at our struggling church here. My hope is that we can fire up the people and help them see what they need to do to thrive. It takes more than cinnamon rolls!

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