Finding the Right "Church"

 First off - 

The 'church' isn't the building, it's the body of people. 

As buildings are classified as 'churches' this is the first misconception.

God's house is a 'Temple', 

Which is a place we go; to worship God.

God's house should be a Holy place, one that we hold in high esteem. 

One that is only entered into when we are there to worship God;

 and speak/teach His Word. 

For these reasons I have not attended any 'churches' in the last 30 + years. 

I have not found a single religion that truly worships God rightfully in His Temple. 

Recently I have been looking for a place to go and worship with fellow Christians, only to find they now disgrace the Lord, welcoming acts of sin and coffee machines?

Really, you think you're doing it right - by grabbing your coffee first?

Just so, you can sit there and drink coffee while the pastor/preacher speaks.?

"Come as you are?" or "Pajama days"?  While the poor may not have fine linen, they always did know to be clean and wear the best that they had. 

Multiple service times for the 'convenience' of those that don't like to wake up early?

Not one from any of these places, will I expect to see in Heaven!

My worship is done at HOME, 

where I know I have cleared the space to welcome the Lord into the house.

I know they don't have the true power of the Spirit, by the fact they cannot fulfill the miracles that Jesus left us the power to do.

Jesus hasn't changed, the rules haven't gotten easier, 

the expectations of God have remained the same as always - even unto the END.

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. 

Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. AMEN

Mark 16:15-18

And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; 

        In my name shall they cast out devils: 

        they shall speak with new tongues.

        They shall take up serpents; 

        and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; 

        They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Matthew 6:24

No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. 

You cannot serve God and the devil.

Plain and simple. True followers of Christ have the powers, to speak in tongues, heal the sick and so much more. Jesus is still here as I don't believe the world has ended just yet. And He warned us - you can't sit on the fence with your spirituality. You must serve one or the other. 

Next time you're grabbing your coffee in your comfy pj's going to church and sitting on the pews, you might want to think about it. 

Blessed by God,

Life's very blessed @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping By

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

We are all going to Die

 It is something your born with ~ 

the fact that we are all  - going to die.

My first emergency Hospital trip, my first major "What's wrong with me" medical concern. 5 days in the hospital and I left with oxygen tanks in tow.  At that time doctors couldn't figure out what happened because I had waited 2 days after I fell to even go in. I couldn't breathe and it kept getting worse. I was dying at home. My oxygen count was in the low 70's and dropping.

My left lung apparently quit working and was just sitting there. I was put on the oxygen to force air into my lungs, doctors hoped it would 'kick in' and start working on it's own.  I was given morphine so I would be comfortable until I died. While I was there, I was met with a variety of people. One of which was the end of life clergy. I soon realized on was on the death floor of the hospital, with some very old people that were 'waiting to die'.

FREAK OUT

Doctors told me to prepare myself and my family, as my time here was very limited. My lungs were estimated to only last maybe another 5 years. This was in 2006  - I was only in my 40's and 2 of my kids were still minors under my supervision. I was devastated and I don't think the kids totally believed it. My insurance would never provide a transplant and I'm against it anyways.

I got rid of 'stuff' - nearly everything I owned, and I've kept my life 'minimalized'. I don't want anyone to be burdened by a lot of crap when I'm gone. Cremate me, toss the ashes in the wind and go on with their lives. I gave everyone things that I knew would be important to them and made sure they had things I wanted them to have. 

Since then, I have had little interest in material things and my Birthday and Christmas wishes have been to spend time with those I love. "Let me feel wanted" as I grew up unwanted by my own mother and it did have a large effect on me emotionally for the rest of my life. Being 'unwanted' is a hard feeling to live with. 

Needless to say, my lung healed, and my primary doctor suspected that I suffered a stroke which is what caused me to fall. Since that time, I had a couple smaller strokes and have been on heart medication ever since. I managed to heal my lung and get rid of the oxygen machines. Being free of any life support devices. 

Over the course of that first 5 years, I was an emotional mess internally, trying not to let it out or share with anyone. I have kept my material possessions to a minimum and spent as much time with my kids and their families as I could. Probably too much as I feel like I've been pushed away over the years. 

I've tried to divorce my second disaster to no avail. He has mental issues and would not be the same person in court as he is out of court, which would lead to another horrible ending much like the first one I managed to survive.  I don't have the strength to go through the hell again. 

So, I have learned tolerance, praying to God to see my sacrifice and provide me happiness in some other form. That led to my horse. The first horse I have bought for myself. One of these days I will share the childhood horse horror story... I still have my horse, and she will be with me until one of us dies. I will go homeless and live in my car before I will sell or get rid of my horse. PERIOD.

And here we are, almost 19 years later! 

I'm still here!

Often times wondering if I should have died sooner because I feel like I've outlived my purpose to be here.  I'm guessing God has other plans. Life has been a roller coaster with a lot of ups and downs. I've been blessed to watch my kids grow up into amazing adults and I've seen some of my grandchildren grow up to have their own families. Blessed beyond any amount of silver or gold. 

No one has a guaranteed tomorrow, whether the doctors tell you about it or not. Appreciate life and show your love to the ones around you, because in an instant either you or they may be gone. No one has the answer for any of us. My only sister died when I was just 18, hit by a car, leaving 3 beautiful children behind. My parents lived to be in their 80s and late 70's.

 

                   You just never know

                                            Cherish the moments. 

To have faith in God is to have faith in God's timing as well. 

Blessed by God

Lifes a blessing@ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.