This morning I went to church at the Parkrose Campus (still Abundant Life Church) and I really enjoyed it. I've been missing worshipping in the old building since Uprising left, and well, I left Uprising. I got to meet some new people and listened to a great message on marriage.
Yes, how ironic I would skip church last week when it was about SINGLES and yet make it for the marriage one. Anyways, several of the verses Pastor George used in his message hit home, especially after writing my blog was last night.
Let me share them with you.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men." Colossians 3:23
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed." Proverbs 15:22
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4
So, as you can see... a little conviction via some of God's Word goes a long way in my mind and heart. First, I want to make sure that what I do- whether at home, church, at a friend's house- that I am going in with the mindset that I am serving God. I am His. And being His is hard often, true, but it is also a huge honor.
Secondly, if it wasn't for the trusted friends and mentors in my life so far-- who knows where I would be! God has consistently provided people in my life to listen with a gentle ear, provide the comforting hug, kick me in the butt or tell me to shut up. We aren't alone, and we aren't supposed to be.
And lastly, goodness. One of my greatest fears in life is that I will be selfish. Weird eh? Since we all are, and its hard not to be. Growing up, my dad pounded in my head the badness of selfishness. But somewhere in those lessons... I think I mixed uo selfishness and selflessness. I want to stive always for selflessness. Thinking of others before me, and being compassionate and understanding of others needs. However, that is different than selfishness, where its my way or nothing. Me, me, me.
While at Parkrose Campus, there was a woman there who was asking about an upcoming event, the Women of Faith conference. I overheard her asking for info, and since no one seemed to know much (at least about how to get hooked up with the group going from Abundant Life) I butted my way in and told her what she needed to know, who she needed to contact, etc. She must have been fairly new to Parkrose, because she didn't even know about ALC's Happy Valley Campus-- so I gave her some history, etc. When I was done, she looked at me and said, "Well, if everyone is as helpful as you are right now here, then this is the church for me!"
That is what I want. To be helpful, to meet needs, to get people connected to others who want the same things. To stand out as a light for the Christ's Church with all the crazy info I got stored up in my head. I am excited to see where this is all going...
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