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All my life I’ve attended the same little rural baptist church. Which now-a-days is no small feat considering people are on the move and non-denominational churches are popping up everywhere wooing folks with all sorts of technology, catchy music (some of which I love…) and the idea of Jesus wearing plaid.
Folks don’t stay in jobs long term anymore let alone churches. Some days I’m proud to have seen over three decades at my church.
Other days I seriously wonder if I’m nuts?
Sometimes, similar to the word of God, church can be a double edged sword. There is great victory to be found within it’s walls and there is also the worst pain inflicted, because well, it’s composed of people.
And on occasion, people can make you just want to go home, turn off the phone and curl up with your cat.
I read about Jesus washing the disciple’s feet this morning before the last supper. Bread and wine and betrayal all intertwined within that sacred space… So I guess it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the same themes would play out in our churches today.
But because of Jesus, and Him alone, we keep coming back.
We keep being faithful not because we’re paid, not because we feel the need to keep up appearances but because God calls us into fellowship and it’s not always pretty and maybe it’s not supposed to be.
Despite circumstances we are still called to give thanks in all things. We are all sinners in need of a savior.
Looking for an encouraging word and practical ways to interject more faith into our life.
Looking for like-minded travelers on life’s pathways.
Looking for a place to serve a purpose.
Looking for a place to be emptied out and filled back up.
If you have a church home, be grateful. If you’re looking for a church home, remain hopeful. If you’ve been hurt by a church, remain graceful.
The kingdom of God is near… and maybe closer than we think.
I’m thankful for my church and the hands and feet and hearts of friends turned extended family it has afforded. And most of all I’m thankful for the Father that created it, heads it up and lovingly calls us to continue seeking Him first.
♥
recollecteddesign.com 
Love seeing your church — is the white door yours and the brick one too? If so, I love the history! And your thoughts on church are pretty good too! 🙂
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No unfortunately the only one that was my church was the interior shot. Those other two are just churches I love the architecture of- one around the corner from my work and one in Ayden, NC where my mom grew up. ♥
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Well, you are certainly right. We are all humans in any of churches, yet we seem to think that because we go to church, we are suppose to be perfect. We are human. We make mistakes all the time, but we have Christ who wipes our sins away. A church family can be some of the most supportive people you have and as you said they can also cut deep with their hurt. We just need to remember, as my daily verse today is: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
He plans for us to prosper as long as we remain in him and he in us. He wants us to prosper and continue spreading his word to the unchurched. With God as our focus, nothing we do can be wrong. Just turn your eyes upon Jesus and he will shine his love down on us.
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Yep we are all human and church is no exception…taken me over 30 years to realize it..! No one is perfect but Jesus and he can always fix our focus ♥
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