Church

What do you think of when I say the word "Church?" Does that word scare you? Does it even peak your interest? Chances are, you probably don't even think about it. I know I rarely do. If someone tells me they are going to church, it doesn't even register, and honestly it may not even register in their mind. Why is that? I think it is because "church" is something we take for granted. As "Christian Americans" we are able to go to church whenever we want, for as long as we want, and as often (or little) as we want. A lot of times I fear we don't put very much thought into it. I don't believe that is what Jesus intended.

When the early church started, it was comprised of small groups of individuals who met, broke bread and worshiped the God of Jacob. They discussed their faults and helped to keep each other accountable for their actions. They also praised God together for their blessings and gifts. Many times in the letters that Paul wrote, he made sure that those he was writing to were being held accountable for their sins and reiterated the grace and love that can only come through Christ. When they broke bread together (just like us good Methodists...lol) they not only did so for the nourishment of their bodies, but the nourishment of their souls. During the last supper, Christ made it clear that only though Him and his blood could one gain the salvation needed to be in complete communion/community with God. But Jesus didn't only talk about "breaking bread" during His last meal.

In Matthew 14: 19, Jesus is getting ready to feed the 5,000. At this point the disciples are frustrated and worried that they will not be able to feed such a large crowd. But Jesus refused to let them go hungry.

"And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples and the disciples gave them to the people." (Matthew 14:19 NIV)

I believe this part of the Gospel is one of the first instances where the church is sent to action. Jesus not only performed a miracle, but He made it so that all of his disciples were a part of it. Jesus, from the beginning was making it clear that He wanted us involved in His plan.

The idea of Church is not just a praise band, or a choir on a stage every Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 with people "participating" in a worship service. But in all reality it is God people getting their hands dirty and making sure they world can take part in Christ's body. Christ tells us in the Great Commission:
"All authority in heaven has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28: 18-20 NIV)

Hallelujah!

So...Do you want to go to church? Or do you want to BE the church? It's your decision.

Amen.

Obedience

Obedience. Websters dictionary defines obedience as:

1. The act of obeying, or the state of being obedient; compliance with that which is required by authority; subjection to rightful restraint or control.

What do you think of when you hear the word obedience? When I think about it, I automatically think about cleaning my horrifically disgusting and dirty closet when my mom used to tell me to. I also think about doing the tasks assigned to me in school or in work. Usually when I think of obedience, another word that is usually attached is command. If something is commanded, in order to honor that command you obey it and follow through.

So many times I think about God's commandments and wonder if I am obeying them fully. The answer (I feel) is met with a resounding "NO." How many times do I find myself not loving my neighbor. I find myself trying so hard to prove my point to someone that I forget the tone of my voice, or I begin to talk down to that other person. This is not what Jesus had in mind when he said love your neighbor as yourself. Instead, I get so caught up in loving myself, and my "precious" point that I forget there is even another person in the room.

Why is it so hard to obey? So many times we allow our flesh to get in the way of God and His power. We try so hard to fight it. Why is that? I believe it is because WE want to be in control. Until we realize that we are not the ones in control, we will continue to get in the way of our relationship with God.

I am being challenged, and I challenge those who read this, to really try and LOVE people. Not just say it, but mean it, and do it. LOVE AS A VERB! Love is not just a feeling. Feelings are involved, but there is so much more to it than that. When we OBEY Christ's teachings and Love one another, we are sharing God with other people. How cool is that?

LOVE!

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Today was an interesting day.

God spoke to me this past week. It was clear, and it was wonderful. They were the words I needed to hear.

"I LOVE YOU"

Wow...
There could have been no better time than this week for God to tell me that. God has blessed me with so many things. My family, my fiancee, my friends, my guinea pig...lol...but for Him to just say that to me...Wow...

I so very much enjoy being told that I am loved. It is as if God brought me a gift to show me that He loves me, and then He just straight out and told me.

I just wanted to share that.

In Christ!
B-ROG

First Post

Well...Here is my first post on the blog. It has been such a long time since I have had a blog such as this. I used to use Live Journal back in the day, and it was always nice to go back and read how life was when you wrote those. It is so amazing to think back on all those ideas that were coursing through my head. There were days of joy and days of sadness, as well as anger in the form of a good rant, all the while not being sure if you always wanted people to read what I was writing down. But for some reason, I did it. A LOT. I am not really sure what caused me to want to start writing in a blog again, but I do know that Jason Fry had something to do with it. I have been reading his blogs and it is interesting to see the thoughts of a pastor, other than my dad. We (for the most part) knew what went on at the church. There was always Someone complaining about this, or complaining about that. But it was always good to hear when something went right. When someone realized that it wasn't about them, but instead it is about JESUS!

I am not really sure what to think about this move to Fredericksburg. I am so very excited, and yet I am scared and nervous as well. I truly want to be the best example I can be for the youth. I sometimes wonder why God really wants me to go. I feel like I don't deserve such an honor as leading a group of young people to Christ and making sure that they are fed spiritually and connected to the vine. I pray that God will give me patience and courage to ride out the tough times. I know they are coming. It is not going to be an easy task. But someone once told me that God won't give us more than we can handle.

On a more personal level, I have found so many friends here in College Station. I will miss them dearly. I will especially miss Miranda for the time that we will be apart. We only have about 10 months left until we get married. I CAN'T WAIT! I love her so very much. I know that God wants us together and He will give us the strength to push through these last few months and be victorious!

I would like to leave now with a bible verse.

Jeremiah 29:11
"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.

In Christ!
B-ROG