A Light at the End of the Faith-walk

After working for the past year every Sunday, I finally decided to be disciplined enough to visit with people that inspire me, and that I've promised to visit. 

Mr. James Davis was one that inspired me, and doesn't know that I'm blogging about him, so I can't get in trouble with him for boasting on him a bit. 

Mr. James always spoke to me at the store, always encouraged me, and never spoke harshly to me, of me, or of anyone when we spoke. He did however, invite me to church with every encounter. Today I honored that invitation. 

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him." Hebrews 11:6

I think it pleased God to see Mr. James' persistence pay off. I was in church and met a host of new friends. I met people genuine in their compassion, and enjoyed a great service at Friendship Baptist Church. 

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Mr. James hoped God would move me, because he hadn't seen me until today. Hahaha! Upon seeing me and hearing my testimony, Mr. James blessed me with more kind words and asked me to call him when The Lord blessed me to under-shepherd His people somewhere, so he (Mr. Davis) could come hear me speak. It puts chills on me that someone still sees me as a man of the Most High, or that someone sees just a smidgen of Gods' presiding in me at all. 

Before that I attended the early service at the Spruce Pine UMC where Pastor J taught about keeping the faith also. He reminded me that God makes a way out of no way. Pastor Jeremy taught from Exodus 14, using an analogy that referred to the Dukes of Hazard. Classic sermon, and I'll never look at the parting of the Red (Reed) Sea quite the same again. "Caught between a rock and a hard place, between the devil and the deep blue sea." Pastor J reminded us that even if some of us often have our backs against the proverbial wall that God is always faithful and delivers His children. 

It was great seeing some very familiar faces; my band instructors from school, one of my star soccer players (pastor's daughter), a former cohort (band member) from the Playhouse, and others from other walks in my life. I had great experiences in both church families. 

Following up church, I had a great time watching the Panthers beat up on the Lions and eating way too much of my grandmama's delicious Sunday Best, and spending time with my Baby Girl... Life is good! Now capping off a great day with a wonderful night! #SuperSunday with a #ProudPapa that wears the title each day and participates in #ADayInTheLifeOfAnImperfectChristian

Peace, blessings, and joy... That real PB&J!

What Is Church To You Part 2

Here's part 2 with a little spiritual algebra at the end from your pal the imperfect Christian...

What Is Church To You Part 2

A couple of the imperfect Christians life long friends commented on the blog titled "What Is Church To You." One did so via the comment section on the blog, and the other via a PM (Private Message) on Facebook. Here are some of the Q&A's that the imperfect Christian received. They are very good answers, and I encourage any reader, to comment in the comments section, below. Or send me your info, and I can PM you if you want to keep it on the down low.

1. If you could be a part of a church family, what would be the most attractive part of church for you?
A) "The Church. Not a club or being w/ the cool people. Just having church not judging others but worship however, the Spirit moves."

B) "The friendship, the support, the ability to give back, learning more about faith."

2. What is the least attractive things about church from your experience?
A) "Having a "right" way of doing things and judgmental people serving their own purpose."

B) "The politics. The cliques that eventually form.
Shunning outsiders because they don't match the rest of the congregation in some way."


3. What do look for personally from your church?
A) "Worship and teaching of the Word. People who gather not just physically but in spirit. Support-supporting each other in daily life, forgiving each other when needed and real love. Living like a real family except as the family of Christ w/ everybody trying to stay together w/ Christ as its #1 focus."

B) "Someone like Preach leading it! (I wish!) The more open a church is, the better I like it. Jesus didn't need a huge building and fancy clothes to get his message across. He recruited a bunch of fisherman on the shore (how do you think that smelled?). The focus has to be on the message, not on the church itself. And the message is for everybody."


4. If you could do one thing to help your church, what would it be?
A) "To fully be the active part of the body of Christ with the gifts God gave me to use for His glory."

B) "Make them meet outside in a tent once a month."

5. What is church to you?
A) "Worship, singing, dancing, being with the people that are wanting more and more of God and letting that one goal lead us through learning and becoming more of what He is moving us toward to fulfill our life's purpose."

B) "A place of love, faith and learning. I know that some claim to be rock-solid in faith, and that is wonderful. I just don't work that way. God has thrown me curve balls many times, and my faith has be refined, examined, tempered and strengthened each time. A church should support those changes in life."

The difference in the apologies, were that one friend started the letter with apologizing for taking so long to comment, and the other closing with almost the exact same words!

The imperfect one learned many years ago that God gave him one mouth, two ears, and two eyes for a reason. So the Spiritual Algebra is formulated as such:

2 Eyes Open + 2 Ears Open - 1 Mouth Shut = Friends 4 A Reason!

Until the next time... Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J!

What Is USDA Approved?

The imperfect Christian uses a different acronym for "USDA."  USDA to the imperfect Christian means that "U Show Divine Approval." In other words, when you study and worship God, you manifest the Spirit within you.

Study to show yourself approved unto God,a workman that need not to be ashamed,rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 KJV

The time has come for the novice to be removed, so that the redeemed preacher may once again rise from the core and be made present in his entire being, from the inside out! On that note one hour til the meeting begins! Diligently seek Him, study Him, and become USDA certified!

Peace, Blessings & Joy... that real PB&J!

What Is Church To You?

From a distance things look different. For from a glance, people thought the imperfect Christian Rav had oversized offroad tires, but as they got closer they realized that they were innertubes for the river. You may or may not know of Benny Hill, but he was a prime example. Benny would do a thorough look over on a woman, and go ga-ga over her. Then when he passed her she wasn't quite as attractive as he had anticipated. Isn't that the same with any quick take, or lustful desire? Even with church right? The building, cathedral, place of worship seems immaculate, then you go inside for a closer look, and it's not as pretty on the inside. Mainly because of the heart of the matter and not because of the building itself.

Better look up close... What's inside, what is the heart of the matter, where is the heart of worship in that church?
Old - New... Can you break away from traditions, or do you need to build on them?
Time and distance changes things... The Road to Emmaus, the time that the disciples were away from Jesus, and they had totally forgotten what Jesus had taught them, and were slow to receive what He was teaching even as He walked with them.

AC/DC sang a song that built a Highway to Hell, and we all turned it into a freeway!

So what turns you on about being a Jesus Freak or what totally turns you away from His love?

Survey:
1. If you could be a part of a church family, what would be the most attractive part of church for you?

2. What is the least attractive things about church from your experience?

3. What do look for personally from your church?

4. If you could do one thing to help your church, what would it be?

5. What is church to you? Peace, Blessings, & Joy... that real PB&J!