Salt of the Earth

I started a blog. I've contemplated it...and procrastinated. But I finally did it. I don't really know what I expect to accomplish. And, I don't anticipate many followers. But, I have lots to say and this is the best avenue I know to do so.

Today marks two weeks since my family "left" our church of nearly 14 years. It has been an eye-opening experience. Last week we were heathens and didn't go to church or have church on our own. We needed the break. But, this morning we woke up (not at 5am!), had breakfast together as a family, then decided to "have church." We sat around the piano and sang for nearly an hour. When we had enough of that we got out one of Dylan's Bibles, The Honey Word Bible. Deric read from Matthew 5 - Jesus has called us to be the salt of the earth. He's counting on us to be "salt shakers" to the people around us...to give them a taste of what life could really be like with Him.

As I thought about this, I kept coming back to "what life could really be like with Him," and couldn't help thinking about what life "shouldn't be with Him." Too often Christians get caught up in staying busy in the church. Sunday School, Worship, choir practice, visitation, children's programs, youth programs, programs for married couples, programs for single adults, men's programs, women's programs...the modern church offers a smorgasbord of programs to keep us busy. But, is it enough to be busy? Is that what God wants? Does He want us to be busy...so busy that our families suffer...so busy that we neglect the very Reason we go to church? I have spent my entire life involved in one church program or another. And, I like to think that my family and I are better for it. But, we had gone over the edge, I think. We were so involved - so busy - that our family was beginning to be adversely affected. We all started dreading Sunday morning by mid-afternoon on Saturday. That cannot be the way God intended church to be.

"A taste of what life could really be like with Him." I'd like to think that my family got a good taste of the adundant life today. We came together as a family, worshipped our Sovereign Lord, studied His Word, and enjoyed spending time together. Will we continue in our home church endeavor? I hope so...whether we eventually land in a traditional church or not, times of worship spent together as a family are absolutely priceless.