Convictions

Good evening, my bloggy friends. It was a wonderful Sunday, don't you agree? The weather was beautiful here in Wyoming (at least in my corner) and the day went smoothly. 

This morning for church, we had a small group; many people from the nursing home that attend regularly were sick, as well as one of the few children that attend our church (prayers for their well-being are always appreciated). The Sunday school lesson had two messages: Enoch and the first chapter of Romans. Two weeks ago the adult Sunday school class was given a simple 4 question survey to better help the pastor know what we have on our minds- what topics would we like to have explained or discussed more? what characters in the Bible would we like to learn more about? and similar questions. Interestingly, two of the guys had chosen Enoch as one of the characters they would like to know more about. And they didn't even talk it over before hand- they didn't even know that the other had thought of the same individual. I thought that was quite interesting. For Enoch, we were directed to some of the few verses in the Bible that mention him: Genesis 4:17, 5:19-24, Hebrews 11:5-6. It would be nice to know more about Enoch but I don't think the Bible gives much more information. He was a good choice for learning more about, I think. The book of Romans we will be studying for our Sunday school for the next few weeks I believe. I have always been interested in Paul's travels and his work. One of the most thought provoking bits of information that I took away from the lesson this morning was that the church in Rome (the early Christian church), although said to have been founded by Peter by other religions (Catholic, I believe?), had not specific founder. We were directed to the book of Acts, chapter 2, to the time when more than 3000 were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. The reason for the referral was to show that many people had traveled to Jerusalem- "out of every nation under heaven (v. 5)"- and heard the gospel in their own tongue. Those individuals most likely did not stay in Jerusalem but went home to their own place. It would make sense to believe that there was at least one person from Rome. Also, Paul does not write to the Roman church as if he is talking to one particular person who is in charge, like he does at some of the other churches. Perhaps there is more to learn about the founding of the church of Rome as well, but I found it to be a very enlightening Sunday school lesson today. For the service, the talk was about overcoming the hurdles or obstacles so that we can be what God knows we can be and so that we can be recipients of more of His blessings. The reading was Joshua 6. I, unfortunately, got tied up in one phrase that the pastor made use of and was sidetracked for half of the message. The closing of the message I did hear, thankfully, and fully appreciated. There was an example given of a couple that had attended the church for a short time but they were confused about God's blessings and their role in receiving the blessings. They had for some reason come to believe that whatever God planned for them would simply fall into their laps- they would have to do no work to receive the blessings. They stopped working. They ran out of groceries. They did absolutely nothing. Eventually the man had to be hospitalized when he was almost to the point of dying! He was 28 and his lifestyle caused him to lose the use of his arms and legs- from lack of activity. He simply felt that whatever God wanted him to do, he would simply 'do' it. Without any of his own participation. It seems a little strange (okay, the word I really thought of was absurd...) that someone could come to this belief but there are some that feel there is nothing that they need to do- God will do it all. That simply is not true. The pastor ended the message by saying that we need to participate with our church family and to participate in inviting others to visit our church. I agree with him, but at the same time, I think that we also need to give to others what God has so freely given us. When God blesses us, we need to give to those who do not have. The church family is important but I often feel it is necessary to help others outside of my church. I admit that I am not very involved with my church family. It is definitely something that I need to pray more about.

I apologize some that this has gotten to be so long! I intended to direct you to Heidi's post on 'convictions'. Her post touched a nerve. Not a bad one! Well, perhaps a bad one because it made me uncomfortable actually. But in a good way. I wrote on my FB page yesterday that I had lost my 'focus' and it's true. I have lost my focus almost completely. It isn't my focus to cleaning my house or for my school or the kids' schooling. My focus should be God and that is what I've seem to lose. The convictions post by Heidi brought this to my attention. I have been feeling quite strange lately, like something is missing and I now know it is the focus I had a while ago (how long has it even been??) on God and things He would have me concentrate on. I really hope that I can get it back because I feel like a train that has gone off the track!

I hope that everyone else had a wonderful Sunday and that Monday is glorious!