Let me begin this post telling you first that to be honest, I began to think of that question of what the church really means to me. This week I had a conversation with someone very close to us, who was sharing a very hard struggle in their life. As I listened and heard them talk about this, I felt that it would help to tell them that if they could be a part of a church family to have people who could rally around them and walk with them through this storm, it would help! My advice fell on a heart that is questioning to believe in being a part of a traditional church now and said that because I am legalistic, I believe in The Church! This caught me by surprise as I had never thought about myself being legalistic! Yes I believe In Jesus Christ and His church and I believe that The church is part of what Helps us to grow spiritually and helps us to be a part of what Christ instituted for us, as well as share the spiritual gifts He has given us! TAnd yes, I know I have a long way to go, but as I sat there and began to think about why I do love The Church, it became so clear of what it means to me! So these are my thoughts and maybe they will fall fresh on someone that might be struggling with what God has for them and what it could mean to their lives! I know this is long but it contains a little of my life’s story and what God has done for me!

From the very beginning , Church has been a part of my life. My parents raised me and we were there every time the doors were open. I didn’t complain about going because it was always such a sweet time of fellowship and all my friends were there so I looked forward to going. I loved learning about the Lord and it was just always a huge part of my life. It was not until my early 20’s that I began to think I didn’t need church. After all, life was so good, I had a good job, cute little car. Dates every now and then and lots of friends. So who needed to go to church all the time. Then marriage, babies and time went quickly! My husband went to church because be wanted to play baseball for the church team and church again became our social life as well as what we felt we were “doing our duty to bring up our kids in church!” So we went when it was convenient, got involved in Sunday school, I helped with the youth and life was pretty good! Then things began to unravel! The marriage dissolved, our sweet children went through some very hard years of trying to deal with their their dad and I living apart and the divorce! I felt so guilty getting a divorce and worried about what friends at church would think if they knew our problems. So I quit going for a few years, other than the occasional visit when I missed being in church!

In 1996. Randy and I married and (many of you know this story but it is worth repeating. ) We had began our marriage deciding that we both knew we needed to get back in church and we joined First Bapt Dallas. One Sunday as we listened to the sermon that Dr Hawkins preached on marriage, Randy leaned over to me and said, “with our history, it’s going to take more than love to make it work, we need to dedicate our marriage to the Lord”. So that is exactly what we did! That was about 28 years ago. As we got involved with different aspects of the church, we met friends who we have walked through life with for all these 28 years. We have prayed for prodigal children! We have sat at the bedside of friends who have passed away! Taken meals to friends who had surgery! Spent hours encouraging and praying with people in the waiting rooms of many hospitals! Opened up our homes to young ministers to stay during the summer months when they were interns! Given luncheons for ministers wives and small groups who needed to get to know other new people who were just joining! Allowed women who had had abortions to heal, to meet in our home! Had Bible Studies and fellowships and gathered new members around our table to share meals! I’m 2012 living in CA, and new to our Sunday school class, new friends came to the hospital to sit with me while Randy had brain surgery!

This is the church to me! Apart of all the things that we know the church stands for, sharing the gospel and sharing in the Lords Supper, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ! Hearing Gods Truth preached! Yes all these things are the church, but in our days of struggling with marriages, prodigal children, losing jobs, diagnosis of Parkinson or cancer, the church is what allows us to have hope and strength and to remind us to keep our eyes on the One who is the Church!!! Jesus Christ! To have dear friends pray for us and encourage us to keep the faith! To walk besides us in those hard times! To laugh with us and share in the joyful times of blessing!

Today if someone is reading this that might be walking through a difficult season, remember that Christ died to give us eternal life! Choose Christ, choose His church and know that inexpressible joy can be found! Celebrate that and join with others that have found Him and worship corporately with other believers! None of us are perfect, but we can place our faith in the one Who is….Jesus. “And on this rock. I will build my church!”

Ephesians 3:15,21 “from Whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.Amen

Upon this rock I’II build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

And all the powers of Hell itself

Shall never more prevail against it

For Satan’s thrones are built on sinking sand

Upon this rock I’II build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

Upon this rock of revelation

I’II build a strong and mighty nation And it shall stand the storms of time, Upon this rock! (Sung by Sandi Patti)