I woke up way too early but happy. We had some great friends over last night,there was a bon fire and chili pies. The girls watched Poltergeist,which meant they slept with the hall light on. Everybody was dressed and ready for church on time. No hoopla about clothes or hair,which in my house is amazing. The girls went to the sunday school, I'm not typically a fan of sunday school. However, they did just loose a major chunk of their friends. I don't feel like its churches job to rear them in the fear and admonition of the LORD, its mine so I let them go. In this case I'm letting church be a bit of a social situation for a little while. As time goes on and they start to make friends ect I may have them sit with us again. Apparently these childrens leaders are new and they had them come up front to be annointed and prayed for. I was so proud of my girls for joining in during the worship part of the service and praying for the leaders. I am thankful to the UPC for a few things and giving my children complete freedom in worship is one of them. The other is a good foundation in modesty. They sang Amazing Grace. I don't think I have heard it sang in church in many many years. But it felt like my anthem, my theme song. I know God was ministering to my heart during the service today. He preached on Psalm 112, I think the title of the sermon was Breaking the spirit of Poverty. It was an excellent sermon. He's a very positive pastor. There is no negativity or anger. I don't feel like he's "speaking" to someone in his congregation. Its just the Word. So far its a very comfortable place to be. I have to check my own judgemental spirit once in a while. Like in my head "oh my, that sister doing that singing has ONE SHORT SKIRT on" Yeah she did, thats a fact. My sin is judging that woman while she's getting her pray on. I never would have considered myself judgemental but I am learning that there are things I am kinda funny about. I mean, I didn't think she was a harlot out of the pits of hell or that she shouldn't be allowed to sing. It isn't that blatant. My sin really is noticing her negatives at all. I should have thought "oh, that woman sings with her whole heart and what an instrument God has given her" Women in pants in church is something I am going to have to adjust to. Again, it isnt' that in my conscious mind I am thinking anything bad. Its just that I notice it at all. I don't really think it should be the first thing I notice about someone. I am really praying for God to help me. Then we went to Ruby Tuesdays and used our buy one get one coupon. Dinner out, AND I got to feel all frugal. Husband and I have both been working on our bodies. He's doing Body for Life and its AMAZING what he's done to his body. I have lost 20 lbs and 15 inches. Today is our "free day" I'm impressed with my own self. I see where I have really shifted my thinking. My free meal was a turkey avacado burger with fries..I only ate half! I felt so full. We have a teeny carton of gelato we're going to share tonight. God is being so good to us. The healthier we get in one area or another it bleeds over into the rest. Pretty Groovy huh. That fear that we'll leave "the church" and it'll all just go to pot appears to be unfounded. The more distance we put between our family and that church the happier and healthier we are.
Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin.
"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"Amazing graceHow sweet the soundThat saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I'm found Was blind, but now I see'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed My chains are gone I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy rains Unending love, Amazing grace The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures He will my shield and portion beAs long as life endures The earth shall soon dissolve like snow The sun forbear to shine But God, Who called me here below Will be forever mine Will be forever mine You are forever mine
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We sang the same song at church this morning. I was in tears the whole time.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean by watching your own heart. I've done this with some young girls in our church. I think " I can't believe their mothers let them dress that way" I have to watch my heart as far as judgement like this goes because you know what? I too have daughters and it says in the word...It would be judged back on us. In Matthew 7:1 says "Judge not, that ye be not judged." This is where I have to be very careful.
That is so true what you said about pointing out her negatives....ouch!! Thanks for that. I should always look for the positive in those situations. Good point you made.