Friday, March 29, 2013

Family

“When asked why he (a former gang member) didn’t come (to church) anymore, he gave the following explanation: “I had the wrong idea about what church was going to be like. When I joined the church, I thought it was going to be like joining a gang. You see, in the gangs we weren’t just nice to each other once a week – we were family.” That killed me because I knew that what he expected is what the church is intended to be. It saddened me to think that a gang could paint a better picture of commitment, loyalty and family than the local church body.

The church is intended to be a beautiful place of community. A place where wealth is shared and when one suffers, everyone suffers. A place where when one rejoices, everyone rejoices. A place where everyone experiences real love and acceptance in the midst of great honesty about our brokenness.” –Francis Chan in Forgotten God 

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

How Long?

I remember walking for hours one morning last summer during a prayer walk around our church grounds…asking God all the way…How long  till you hear us? How long till you heal us? I begged Him to intervene and mend us. I’m still waiting…

“How long till You hear us?
Till You come back, we ain't giving up.
How long till You heal us?
Till You come back, we ain't giving up.
Love rise up.
Hope rise up
How long till You free us?
Till You come back, we ain't giving up.
How long till You mend us?
Till You come back, we ain't giving up.
Your strength will come like something lifted up.
Lift up you head (love is rising)
Lift up your head (hope is rising)
Lift up your head (be lifted)
Be lifted, be lifted.
Lift up you head!”   David Crowder Band