Hello Friends,

I've been taking some time for myself and trying to relax.  It's been refreshing.  This past Sunday morning my Pastor preached about Hebrews 9:11-28.  He talked about how the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus makes us clean, it purifies us.  We can live free from guilt and look forward to our inheritance, because of the atonement of our sin.  A clean conscience... I don't know about you, but I often feel guilty, I don't always know why, and then, because it's logical (NOT) I feel guilty about feeling guilty.  But we don't have to live this way.  Christians who have whole heartedly repented of our sin and asked Christ to lead us as our Savior are FREE from guilt.  This does not mean we are free from sin.  We will always struggle with sin, as we are only human, but we can have confidence in the grace and forgiveness of Christ, all we need to do is ask.  How great is that?

Sunday night, I went to my "other" church.  I've been going on Sunday nights because I really felt I needed something.  My church focuses on children's ministry on Sunday nights, and as I do not have kids, it seems odd that I would go.  Besides, children can be scary, you never know what they will say.  And there's this one girl, that could win a world staring contest, quite easily.  Anyway, I went to my Sunday night church.  I love it there, the people have made me feel so welcome, even though there are only about 10 of us.  The sermon was about the Narrow Gate that leads to eternal life, how few will find it and how the wide gate leads to destruction.  How Christians are like Salmon swimming against the stream, instead of going with the flow.

I reflected on so much sitting there listening.  I'm not even sure how to sum it up.  I briefly wished my own church had a Sunday night service that included everyone.  But then, I thought of those sitting around me.  Most, if not all, were at least 20 years older than me, but most likely were twice my age.  I thought about pre-covid when my church had a Sunday night Bible Study, and most were at least 20 years older than me.  If my church had a regular Sunday night service, the kids wouldn't be there, the parents wouldn't be there, and eventually Sunday night service would literally die off.  (Not meaning to sound morbid, that is just the fact of the life cycle.)  So maybe having nothing for adults on Sunday nights isn't so bad.  I still think it is disregarding the older population, and also the childless, but how many of those would even come?  Probably not many.  These children are the future of the church.  If we don't teach them to be Strong in their Faith, who will?  Certainly not the World, who deny His existence, and who want to force others to go with the flow, not swim against the current.  Their parents will, but these children need a church family.  People they know will love and support them.  People to pray for them (and with them) and will encourage them to stand up for their Faith, to enter through the Narrow Gate.

I then reflected on those adults who were there as I was growing up.  People like Regina who worked in the nursery, Cathy who taught my Kindergarten Sunday School, and Greg, my 5th grade Sunday School teacher, who would draw a box on the board, cover it with his hand and say "everything you need to do to get into heaven is written in this box, what did I write?"  Of course, the answer is nothing.  Because Christ died for us, so there is nothing we can DO to get us to heaven (not counting the accepting His Grace of course).  

Then I reflected on middle school and high school.  Carol, Debbie, Bruce, Bob, and others, some of which would have been the age I am now, and did not have children of their own, investing their time in us.  Spending lock-ins at the church with us (which seems unreal to me, because I'm that age now, and I can't imagine staying up all night like they did back when I was a youth).  

Then I thought again of those around me, and the lack of "young people" in the Sunday night service.  Do I need Sunday night service?  YES, Yes I do, but so do the kids.  Do I need Sunday night service every single week?  Probably not.  So, I am going to volunteer, at least once a month to go to the children's ministry at my Sunday morning church.  We'll see how it goes, perhaps it won't be as awkward as it sounds.  Then again, maybe it will.  (Children are quite scary at times, and I am pretty sure they can smell fear).  We shall see how it goes.

I encourage you to find a ministry to get involved with, whether it's with children, the elderly, fellow parents, fellow singles, or whatever else you may relate to.  We as Christians need each other.  We need to support each other, support our children, support the elderly, everyone needs to know they are loved and valued.  YOU need to know you are loved and valued.  The only way is to minister to each other.  This doesn't have to be big.  You can send a card, make a phone call, or deliver rice crispy treats to their doorstep when they are out, so they have a surprise waiting for them when they get home.  Just love on them, everyone, children (even the scary ones), and adults (even the hard to love ones).  God loves us, and we must share that love with others.  Perhaps some small deed will plant a seed in another, and help them to that narrow gate.  Isn't that our calling as Christians?  Spread the Good News so that they follow God through the narrow gate?  

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen