What a joyful day in the Lord's House yesterday! I arrived early, in time to watch Tim W. open the worship practice with a sincere prayer for the Lord's enabling. I listened to them rehearse for a few moments, then grabbed a coffee at Dunkin Donuts. On returning I enjoyed conversation with a brother I've been wanting to get to know better (John Roberts). Then I made my way over to Truth Walk for the privilege of hearing Scott Stengele teach from Obadiah. How I enjoyed taking in that lesson, along with its encouraging application-- The morning just seemed so right. It was a "This is where I belong" kind of feeling.
Then it was time for worship. What a blessing to sit with my family and hear our 8 and 10 year old sing the words. Interspersed throughout the singing were declarations of renewed commitment from both congregation and pastors. Then an excellent message from Pastor Tim on persevering faith (from the Book of Acts). The happy conviction settled in-- Yes... "God will build his Church!" Clearly, God is building his Church right here at TFC.
Honestly... it makes me want to consider arriving at 7:40 AM every Sunday! But I'd better run that one by Theresa first!
Your title made me smile Peter!
ReplyDeleteClever and provicative.
Your post made me smile too. How good God is to help us see things that matter most, and be happy in them!
I've often said that if we are to be like Christ and if Christ loves the church, then we must love the church like He does.
Your post reflects a growing love for the Bride of Christ. Praise to Him.
Tim
Provicative.
ReplyDeleteBet none of you knew that was a word.
Just trying to provoak a reakshion.
Peter I must confess I am jealous of your experience. I was at home sick. I missed out. But God blessed me with passage of Scripture, from Psalm 22, this morning that I was reminded of when I read your post.
ReplyDelete22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!...
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.
It was when I read this portion of your post that I was reminded of the above passage.
"Then it was time for worship. What a blessing to sit with my family and hear our 8 and 10 year old sing the words. Interspersed throughout the singing were declarations of renewed commitment from both congregation and pastors."
Praise be to God who has blessed us with each other. And as a part of the true Church can echo our praises with one voice to the one of whom it is said, "For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations."
I've known similar words.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your post Peter.
Who is this John Roberts guy? Are you trying to provic him into commenting? As Harold would say, "thank for calling and may we have our next caller please".
ReplyDeleteJR
"Thank you for calling and sharing... may we have our next caller please."
ReplyDeleteBy the way John, you are the kettle calling the pot "black" when you poke fun at anyone's spelling!