Church

It was a full "Church" day yesterday to cap off a busy weekend.  After going to my own church in the morning, I went to visit a friend's church about an hour away in the evening.  It was a truly beautiful church with an amazing view both inside and out in the patio.  I was able to see the sunset and praise God for the beauty of His Creation.

I also found it interesting to visit another Church.   It's nice to see how other parts of the Church body worship; and because it was all so new to me, I was able to pay attention to the details.   It was interesting that they take offering by having baskets near the altar and having us walk up and give it.   They serve communion weekly, they had Bible verses on the screens during the instrumental bridge sections of the songs, and when they did Scripture reading, at the end, the congregation responded with "Thanks be to God".   I could tell, not surprisingly because of their location and reputation as a "celebrity church" that they were a more outgoing, feeling-oriented, media-savvy.   But, it was nice to see the balance in emphasis in Scripture and prayer.

The message was interesting, using the passage with the discussion between God and Abraham about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.   Starting with the burning bush passage, it was pointed out that the question Moses asked (why the bush burned but was not consumed) was never really answered, but instead, Moses was brought to "Holy Ground" in the presence of God.   Similarly, the questions we ask in our most difficult moments may never really get answered, but, in the bigger context may be what draws us into the presence of God.  Then, going back to the conversation between Abraham and God, we see that Abraham's initial outburst about God's justice and mercy was modified, when he remembered that though God treated him as a "friend" in conversation with him, yet he really was in the presence of God; and was reminded that God is Just and Merciful.   The message was light when touching on sin and the holiness of God, but, was applicational and relevant.

I'm glad I had a chance to visit with my friend, though she found that her Bible Study group was no longer meeting after the evening service; but has been moved following the afternoon service.   But, it was nice that we had a chance to go to dinner afterwards to talk and catch up and share prayer requests.   We found a vegan restaurant that was pretty good - I had a Pad See U with soy fish, with kale and broccoli as the vegetables.   Interesting, and nice to feel like we were eating healthy.

The previous evening, my family tried an all-you-can-eat Hot Pot place.   It was Vietnamese, so the soup base was spicy and some of the ingredients were not what we were used to; but, it was tasty and seemingly pretty healthy.  And the price was pretty good at $12.99 per person.  They also had a nice sweet chili sauce for dipping.

In conversations with a couple of friends, I am convinced that it is all God that I am able to continue to juggle work (even with the extra major project), church (class, AV, COA, small group), remodel (will need to deal with the rental soon also), family and friends, etc; and have not really dropped any balls.   I feel that being abld to handle all this and with a joyful attitude has got to be supernatural.    Even the little things are not being dropped on the wayside.  Last week, I washed my car; on Friday, I cleaned house, Saturday, I reviewed Bible Study, exercised, did grocery shopping, took care of some tenant-friend things, and was still able to spend time with family; and Sunday was pretty much church and fellowship all day.  I am thankful to God for enabling me.  Amen!