Bells and Whistles

A friend and I have often discussed what type of church we are seeking.  It seems we are in the days of the mega churches with the entrapments of bells and whistles of light shows and bands and praise teams.  Why?  2 Timothy 4:3 tells us that the time "will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."  In other words, man wants to have his ears tickled; he wants to hear what will make him feel good about himself and his lifestyle.  That is why we have the "prosperity doctrine" preached in the mega churches. 

But, I digress........

That is so far removed from the church of Jesus' time.  AND, I think that is why there is a large faction of the population who want nothing to do with church; they don't see Jesus in that. The church He founded met in homes where people shared a meal together.  They showed concern for people, not how to pay a multi-million dollar mortgage on a stadium or multi-plex.  Recently, an acquaintance asked me about coming to a new church that meets at a local school.  I nicely cut her off and told her I want no part of it.  I do not need flashing lights and praise teams to worship God.  I need a community of like-minded people who want to commune in private homes over a home-cooked meal where they have a Bible study and plan ways of doing for those less fortunate in their community....where they pool their resources to fix a damaged roof of a poor shut-in...where they collect socks to hand out to the homeless (I recently found out that is one thing the homeless need a LOT of)...where they make sandwiches on one of the Bible study breakfast meetings and assemble bag lunches to give out to the homeless....that is the community of Jesus followers I want.  I once had that...and it was wonderful.  Now, there is just me....for the time being...so I wait.  I wait on the Lord.  He will bring that to me again...someday.  How do I know?  Because He says "Trust in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."  Jesus told his followers in Matthew 25:40:  "Truly I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." 

So, I wait on the Lord to bring it to pass......the Church as He intended.....one of service to the least among us.......a pure, unadulterated church.....not one ensnared with the trappings of this world.

Intentional

Intentional---This is my "theme" word for 2015--my word to live by.  To me, the word means "on purpose with forethought."   I want to be intentional in what I do:  intentional with my finances, intentional with my relationships, intentional with my work, intentional with my health, and intentional with giving my time to others. 

I have been a "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" person.  This year I want it to be different.  I see 2015 as a pivotal year in several areas of my life, and being intentional will help me to achieve my goals.  My 2015 goals are as follows:
                
                           1.  Contribute *weekly* to my savings account using the principle of adding the
                                       amount that corresponds to the week of the year
                           2.  Pay off 3 debts
                           3.  Stick to "clean" eating as much as possible for my health
                           4.  Exercise at least 3 times a week
                           5.  Allot a specific day of the month to visit my parents, putting all else aside
                           6.  Read through the Bible in one year with a plan I found online
                           5.  FEAR NOT

With God's help, I will be able to live an intentional life this year, one that blesses others as well as meets some of my personal goals.