Dying to self: Living as part of the Body of Christ
The title here sums up what I am starting to experience with my recent new church fellowship. I thought I should also mention in prayers that as I meet others in surrounding communities and churches if God has something else (especially closer to where I currently live) that is suggested to me I certainly will consider that also.
A large part of Christian identity involves the family; with the husband/wife component and kids and the whole congregation at large. The fact that there is always one or more that volunteer to get into in depth discussions is encouraging; as well as transparency about their own struggles. It has significantly expanded what I had experienced before this where the primary concern seemed to be if someone was in the hospital; or needed help which is of course something good and in fact it is encouraged for those who have more to help others where I attend (a Mennonite tradition). Just having most of the day with the service and meal afterwards is different (I could have stayed from morning to late evening with the wrap up of the kids week of Bible study but it was too much with the drive home). Specifically the guy from the other church encouraged me to share more on this whole divorce and remarriage issue; seemingly where I attend is the only place that believes as I do in all of Eastern PA and I have already met or been referred to others whose wives left them that remained single; not an enviable situation.
At any rate; getting out of my comfort zone or complacency and more time in fellowship is generally a healthy thing. Like someone said today if we remain alone we are at best unbalanced. He also brought out "iron sharpening iron". That seems to have been in "spades" for me lately; and greatly appreciated.
So I encourage those out here to find fellowship; either a church or even home Bible Study or start your own.
The title here sums up what I am starting to experience with my recent new church fellowship. I thought I should also mention in prayers that as I meet others in surrounding communities and churches if God has something else (especially closer to where I currently live) that is suggested to me I certainly will consider that also.
A large part of Christian identity involves the family; with the husband/wife component and kids and the whole congregation at large. The fact that there is always one or more that volunteer to get into in depth discussions is encouraging; as well as transparency about their own struggles. It has significantly expanded what I had experienced before this where the primary concern seemed to be if someone was in the hospital; or needed help which is of course something good and in fact it is encouraged for those who have more to help others where I attend (a Mennonite tradition). Just having most of the day with the service and meal afterwards is different (I could have stayed from morning to late evening with the wrap up of the kids week of Bible study but it was too much with the drive home). Specifically the guy from the other church encouraged me to share more on this whole divorce and remarriage issue; seemingly where I attend is the only place that believes as I do in all of Eastern PA and I have already met or been referred to others whose wives left them that remained single; not an enviable situation.
At any rate; getting out of my comfort zone or complacency and more time in fellowship is generally a healthy thing. Like someone said today if we remain alone we are at best unbalanced. He also brought out "iron sharpening iron". That seems to have been in "spades" for me lately; and greatly appreciated.
So I encourage those out here to find fellowship; either a church or even home Bible Study or start your own.
Also some great conversation here lately.
RP
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?