Sunday Thought....

The rhythm of the fallin' rain woke me up this Sunday morning. Felt good to be in bed. One cat curled to my side, while another glued himself to my leg. Circulation  was non existent. Since my bed was comfy cozy and I knew these cooler Texas, rainy mornings would be even more non existent as Summer inched closer--gave serious thought to stay put.

Yep. I figured I need not head to the Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush, because--heck, I DO have the internet. Hence, I could watch the service via my iPad while I propped up against pillows, and sipped a cup of coffee.  Plus, the rhythm of the fallin' tempted me. Yep. I was gonna stay home.

Wrong.

The cats moved as I reached for the TV remote. I watched the news. A sad story of a high school student, just finished the school year, drowned. The news program showed a picture of a young man, smiling, all his life ahead of him. Now his family mourns and plan their loved one's funeral. No more choices will this young man make.

I still could make choices in my life. For a couple hours on Sunday, I can go to His house, especially since He's been my house ALL week.

Yes--got up, said a prayer for this young man's family, and to church I trekked.  I need to be in the House of the One who gives me strength--I am not guaranteed tomorrow.

Inspiring Sunday....

Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush, has two services: 7:30 am & 11:00 am. I usually trek to the 11am, except for today. Made it to 7:30 am service and feel blessed that I did!  Now I gotta admit, I am not so much a morning person....especially on a weekend!

When I pulled into the parking lot, I was surprised the number of cars. I mean, it was 7:30 on Sunday morning! I digress on all of this...

The jest of this story is once I got into church, I felt good. I had the chance to sit in an almost up on the pulpit seat-which I like...and celebrated in Pastor Rush's continued message of demons working their way into our life in such a smooth way we don't realize it until too late. Yes, we can tell the demons to get out of us.

But what if the demons don't go?

That's when Pastor Rush said how the problem is part of the process for the promise. I believe those words more than I ever have.

I am blessed.

Sunday

I made it on up and out the door headed to the Inspiring Body of Christ Church. Today was the day the sixth graders would graduate from the IBOC Christian Academy.  The academy goes from diapers to the sixth grade. There were 13 graduates to receive their diplomas. 


I wound up sitting by a man, I call Duck. Now, Duck is part of his name, yet I can't remember where. Anyway, as these sixth graders spoke of leadership and those that inspired them, I whispered to Duck I don't even remember my sixth grade year being anything like this. What these kids talked about, I didn't even really speak of until I was, uh---well....like on my third job or so. :) 


Duck then informed me, when he was in sixth grade, the school district sent him to different towns. Why? Because he was a classically trained violinist and performed! My mouth dropped. Duck kept saying, 'It's true. True. True."  OK, Duck is the kind of guy who likes to tease, be mischievous, talks to everyone and I guess I didn't picture this guy with a violin--he wouldn't be able to fit it over the muscles in his arm. Anyway, I tell Duck when I was in sixth grade, playing the violin was not even in my school's repertoire. I don't recall anyone playing a string instrument--ever. Not until I was a teacher's aide here in Dallas, did I see kids play violin. In fact, on my birthday, a little girl, maybe fourth or fifth grade, played "Happy Birthday" to me.  Yea. OK, so I thought an ear drum of mine might bust, yet it was the thought. 


After I told Duck that, he produced a black and white picture of a little boy with a violin. The little boy looked like him. I did stare at the picture and back and Duck.  I asked if he still played. The dark cloud over Duck's face was telling. He said he could, but he doesn't. I felt best not to pry and let it alone.


Once again, I found nobody really knows your story. 

Sunday Good

Trekked to get my Praise and Hallelujah at IBOC, aka Inspiring Body of Christ Church today, with Pastor Rickie Rush doin' the preachin' as only he can. Once again, the message Pastor Rush brought was right on time! How does that happen? Goes to show God knows all thoughts. Pastor Rush asked us if we try to impress or impact those around us?  Do we say we walk in Christ, shout hallelujah, throw our hands up in the air to like we do care, yet our actions may show otherwise?  When folks know you walk in Christ, they wait for us to slip up. Yea. I know this one REAL good.
***Pastor Rush spoke of how we don't need to be talking all about our past to show how wild and cool we usta to be. That is all about trying to impress. That's all about what I have tried to do these last couple weeks with co-workers. Heck, I know how old I am--I remember vinyl, and I know how old some of my co-workers are--like they could be my grown kids. Anyway, sometimes I felt left out of conversations, I mean, don't we all want to be involved?  My co-workers, born in the late 70's and early 80's spoke about  going out, sex, drinking, yadda yadda.  Well, I use to go out too, right? Key word there is 'use to'--anyway, I told them a couple three or four stories. 
*****They gasped. Could not believe I EVER did stuff like that. It's also like Pastor Rush spoke today. The younger set really can't see you at their age. Or put you in that situation. Hey, I see how I usta be as plain as day and forget, the younger set sees me as a true grown up, their mom and/or big sister--not somebody who disco'd to Donna Summer in spandex skirt and four inch heels. So my co-workers asked me about stuff I so dusted behind some dresser drawer and forgot about. For a few minutes, I was part of the chit chat and the 'cool mom'. Yet when it was over, I felt kind of uneasy. I'm not exactly that person anymore, nor do I really want to pretend to be. Yea, it made me feel good for a few minutes with my co-workers, but then the reality was they would still go out and I'd still be in bed by 10:30 PM. What good was it?  I admit it was all to impress, not impact. My flesh, not my spirit was doing the talking. 
****Which brings me back to part of the Pastor Rush's message and one of my 'a-ha' moment. Was I bringing them some of my testimony or what?  They know I am a born again Christian. I've told them that without God I would not be here today. The co-workers listen, yet not so many questions yet.  If I go on and keep telling them about my back in the Bad Mama Jamma days--I need to check myself  for my own  motives.  
***Do I just want to impress so I could be part of their (and others') reindeer games, or do I want to make an impact? Even if there are  folks who don't like what I say, yet for whatever reason they keep talking, text and can't forget what I said? The impact would come from the God's influence on me for me take it forward. I want to make the impact that keeps on ticking.
***Another good thing was Reverend Glen Jones came up to me and said he'd found my blog. Reverend Jones read some of my posts when Pastor Rush was on his little medical leave. Felt good to get the acknowledgement and all that is to give God all the Glory.  
***Oh and the fishies in the photo?  It is one of the smaller aquariums in Inspiring Body of Christ Church--aka MY church!  
I am blessed. 

February 26, 2006 was Sunday

It was not Oscar Sunday that year. However, it was a Sunday I do remember as a one of kind. I wondered if something was wrong enough with me that I should go to the hospital. Even tho I had a 'jolt' as I washed my hands in the ladies' room in my home church at the time. The 'jolt' was a enough I held the faucet for fear I would fall to the floor. "What was that?" I asked myself. I felt a little different, yet...

Nonetheless, I went to the sanctuary. Sat farther back than usual. Like close to the exit doors to be precise. I did not speak to anyone, I just smiled and nodded. Which looking back, seems ironic, because I knew a few people there. I tried to write out my check for offering. The numbers came out as large letters a child in kindergarten would muster "A" "C" "U". No numbers. I somehow managed to scribble my debit card number on the envelope after 3 tries to write out a check.

I still stay, even tho I couldn't say our devotional out loud. My mouth would not form the words. I made it thru the whole service, wondering why I was acting the way I was. I managed to walk the few steps to give my offering then I walked up the aisle and out the doors. Walked to my car, drove to the grocery store and got what I needed. Once home, I put away my groceries and I was too tired to get on the Internet (my PC was dial up then, so that could have been part of the problem :) I just lie on my bed all day and watched TV. Did not talk to anyone on the phone. Just pet my two cats.

And wondered if something had happened wrong enough I should go to the hospital.

In 2012, on this Sunday, I headed to my home church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church (IBOC) with Pastor Rickie Rush. I needed me some church today. Pastor Rush has taught from Exodus before, yet today I was touched more than I have been. Pastor spoke of Moses asking God why He had chosen Moses to lead. Moses said he himself was a slow speaker and not an eloquent speaker. God told Moses he would tell Moses what to say. All in all, Pastor Rush taught how God would use our weaknesses for His strength.

I believe that. Back in 2006, yes, something did happen wrong enough I went to the hospital the next day. A week went by in fear and wonder if my speech would ever be again with out slurs and skipping words in sentences. Would y speech be normal? Would people understand my words?

Since 2006, with my confidence being someone lack, my weakness has become my biggest strength for God's glory. Because of Him, people have complimented on my words and tone. . Some have urged me to speak more, while others want to know how I do it.

With God's goodness and mercy. I know no other way.

I am blessed.

Random Thought...

As I walked up the sanctuary aisle, after the end of service at Inspiring Body of Christ Church I Spotted one of the ushers.
In this same I walked in. aisle.
My long ago love, Bear. I have written about him before in this blog.
I'll be honest, I thought about acting like I did not see Bear. I don't have an answer why--just thought I'd ignore him. As crowds would have it, the wave got me on his side,
Closer to Bear, than opposite side of the aisle.
Bear had a big ol' smile on his face. I think my face was pregnant with hesitation.
He hugged--as all the usher may hug the members.
He said it was good to see me. Likewise I said.
The IBOC ushers wear black suits. Men look handsome in black suits--especially Bear.
I made it out to my car and pondered as I drove toward the exit.
Can't imagine Bear and I met in 1998.
It is sad we're not really friends in 2012. We are church friends that say "hi" on Sundays.
Oh well.
It's better to say "hi" in God's house, than in no house at all.

Sunday Fog..

This was the today's morning view from my front door.

When the day is dreary like this I find I am more pensive about tasks and goals and such. How about you?

After I took this photo, I got ready to head to my place of worship: Inspiring Body of Christ Church with Pastor Rickie Rush. The sermon was on Stamina. As usual the Message was right on time! A woman, who sat beside me, would nudge me whenever Pastor said something that touched her spirit. Let's just say the woman apologized several times because of her nudges. I will be surprised if I do NOT have a bruise! :) All good tho.
I will say some of my own personal fog cleared after Pastor's sermon. Even if the skies around Dallas didn't.

All good tho.

Last Day of 2011

As I write this I am in the midst of getting ready to head to my New Year's Eve celebration. I am doing the same thing I did last year and the year before that.

Going to Inspiring Body of Christ Church. My church. I HEART my church. New Year's Eve at IBOC is like a big party with over 4400 of your bestest and closest friends without the booze.

Last year a high school chum accompanied me. He said he had a good time even tho a woman did vomit a couple rows ahead of us. :) This year, I've not had much contact with the high school chum for a couple months. I do hope his New Year's Eve is grand. I know mine will be.

So if you excuse me--I must get ready to dash off--2012 does await!

Thanksgiving 2011

Yes, indeed.
I did get on up and headed to Inspiring Body of Christ Church for the Thanksgving Day service. My church is one of the few, in Dallas, opened on this day. A few thousand of my dearest and bestest friends were also in attendence. Pastor Rickie Rush did appear, with a neck brace on. He didn't stay long, yet Pastor gave a Word and let us see he is doing well.

The rest of the day was spent with a wonderful BFF, her hubby, and another friend of the BFF, I hadn't see in a while. Our bellies got full, while conversation spread. Then the BFF's hubby went into his office. That left us three girls to gab to our hearts' content. Sometimes just hanging out with the girls, is what you need to let you know you are doing well.
So for Thanksgiving 2011
Alot to be thankful for.
I am blessed.

Sunday Best

Today was good. Yes indeed, I got up and headed to my church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church. We were told Pastor Rickie Rush, may speak for a few minutes on Thanksgiving. Yes, my church has Thanksgiving Service. One of the few churches open on the day. I have been showing up for the service since 2004--when I was actually a member of a another church. Pastor Rush has been away, all of November because of spinal surgery. We pray for an appearance, regardless how short. Will be good to see him.

Just like its good to see this kitty posted here. That's my big ol' at baby cat MaxMaxx. MaxMaxx is tuxedo tabby aka 'tuxie'. We have been together for five years--around Thanksgiving enough, I celebrate that as the day. His purr rivals a lawnmower and he weighs more than any toothpick thin supermodel. This was his way to take on Sunday.

Seems like both of us had the BEST on this day!

Shine On

This is one of the views from my backyard. Got up and headed to my church, Inspiring Body of Christ, with a bit of curiosity. Today was the first Sunday, for at least a month, Pastor Rickie Rush would not be there to deliver the Message. Pastor Rush underwent spinal surgery earlier this week. To get to his issue, the surgeons would go thru Pastor Rush's esophagus and vocal chords.

Pastor is on the mend, and I need not have worried about today. Service was great--with 200+ men being the choir and Rev. Glen Jones brought the Message on home! He spoke how were are in the process of a promise. Once again the Message was right on time!

As for this picture, it does let me know where my strength comes from....

I am blessed.

Sunday Blue Bell Terra Cotta

I tell ya what--today was bee-YOO-tee ful here in Dallas-Ft Worth. Sure, it got a little cloudy then that broke all away. Got my Praise ON at my church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church. Pastor Rickie Rush reminded us how God knew us before we were even in our mother's womb. He chose us. I like that. He has plans for me. Like that alot.

OK--then as I sat and watched the Dallas Cowboys beat the St Louis Rams I natural sea sponged this pot. This is another "bell" terra cotta pot. Only this one is an 8 inch pot sponged with metallic acrylic paints of blues, including topaz, with some amethyst sponged here and there. The base is a gloss black. I'm a believer of Folk Art acrylic paints, however Hobby Lobby carries a brand called "Anita's" which is cheaper and I like the results. I prefer "Anita's" much better than Michael's "Craft" paints. I would be curious on your thoughts...Blue is my fave color, so I am liking this pot....alot.

Sunday Good

That's what today is. Got my Hallelujah Praise on at MY church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church. Choir had us all in the aisles. Pastor Rickie Rush's message had me thinking about what I "say" to God. Ya gotta speak it. Not just think it. Great day. I don't feel like headin' to work on Monday either. That might be one of those "speak" things I really need to pay attention to. On the terra cotta pot front, I actually tried a different technique called for a sponge to apply the acrylic paint. Imagine my surprise, when the directions called for a sea sponge and there really is a reason to actually use a sea sponge. Not the sponge I had on hand to clean the pots. Hmm. So yes, to buy a sea sponge is on my 'to do after work list' for Monday. Anyway, take a look at the cat. He's tellin' me to take it easy, cuz there's still some Sunday left to enjoy. The Blue Bell Tiramisu ice cream will indeed help!

Sunday So Good

I tell ya what, I'm still tired from the writers' conference yesterday. Goes to show me, I am so outta shape. There was a time I exercised at least 5 days out of the week. I was healthier and leaner because of it. Such one more of the things on my mind. My terra cotta pots--all 20 of them have new homes. I still can't believe that. Boosted my confidence about 10 fold. ***Today. I got my church on. Needed THAT bad. Pastor Rush of Inspiring Body of Church brought it. He's been preachin' about passion and living courageously as a Christian--not religiously, yet as a Christian. Spiritually. All good. Hittin' right where I need. Before church started, someone tapped on my shoulder. This man calls me by name. His name escaped me, eventho the face was familiar. He told me "Mike" and we'd sat by each other. I remembered. It was a few weeks ago, and I recall we had a couple laughs. Nice.

There' still some Sunday left. I'm headed to the couch with cat close behind. The TV remote and I are pretty much gonna become one tonight.

Yep. Good all the way 'round.

Sunday Stuff

Even tho it's another 100-something degree Dallas day, it's been a good day so far. Made it up to get my Amen and Hallelujah on at Inspiring Body of Christ Church (IBOC with Pastor Rickie Rush). Message was about our passions. Not the lusty kind that Denzel Washington or Johnny Depp conjur up. Nope. The passions you have--that are the gifts God gave you. Yet for some reason you ain't following them. You think you can do better on your own. Well, from my own past experience, that does NOT work. The Men of IBOC, all 200 voices strong, got their song on and helped us with our praise. Bear, a past love was up in the choir. When I met him all those years ago, never would I think he would be in any choir, unless it was to shout the goodness of The Gospel According to Heinken Beer. I digress. Funny, when I first started to church in 2003, I just thought "All THAT singing!" Now, I make sure I'm there to catch it all. Oh, the choirs' songs don't come out of a hymnal...

After church, I headed to Micheal's Craft Store and bought my 20 terra cotta pots and paint. If this whole pot thing takes off, I need find whole sale prices for pots. My cute and natural curly hair frizzed up in the heat..wasn't as cute and curly as was before--so I had to head to Panera's Bread for spot to eat. I LOVE this place.

As I went to find a seat, I see a woman, I wasn't sure it was who I thought I was. And it was who I thought it was. We're not chums, yet acquaintances. Michele is a local author with 8 books to her credit and concentrates on Christian Fiction. What was cool--yesterday we spoke on the phone, because her 9th novel, that her publisher says must be done by the 15th and she has bout 30 thousand more words to go--has a cat in it. Michele is not a cat person and asked a few days if I was. Hence our 45 min call. Michele said too bad she didn't know I would be there today. Well, I didn't know. We chatted about her book. My pots. I actually had a picture I'd printed on tissue paper I showed her. Our running into each other was an inspiration for me. Michele was probably going to hang there until about 8 tonight. She says she goes to Panera's because at home her kids and hubby would bother her. Well, since Michele's in the works on her 9th book, it works for her!

All these writers and other creative types I am meeting. Sounds like part of the church message church, God will put you around the folks that can help you with your passions, because they 'get' you.

I "get" that now.

...and if you will excuse me, I got a kitty's tummy to rub and a chocolate chip cookie to devour.

I am blessed.

Sunday Six

Tyson Chandler is his name.

He is a member of the NBA Dallas Mavericks. Tonight is Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. Dallas needs just one more win out of these last two games to bring home the Trophy. The game will be played in Miami--yet the Dallas has proved they know how to handle the 'Heat.' The city of Dallas hopes this the Sixth and Final game! ******In the meantime, as I countdown minutes to the game, I think how great it's been to not worry about some school paper due on Monday. I'm on a two week break. I don't want to go back to this particular school either. I need to find another school to transfer to. My education is important to me. What I've run into so far is, I need to enroll and register before the new school will even discuss what classes I have taken will transfer or not. Seems like a waste of my time. One school said it would be at least a year and a half for me to finish. That's a big ol' no from me. Stay tuned.****** I just remember what my Pastor Rickie Rush, of Inspiring Body of Christ Church said last week, "Specialize until your special." That is so good on so many levels. I'll just trek onward. I am being led and for once I'm OK with that.

OK. Back to tonight. 30 minutes until tip-off. Got my Mavs t-shirt on. Blue Bell Homemade Ice Cream in the freezer and a cat who purrs louder than the hum of the a/c. Sounds like the makin' of a NBA Finals Championship game to me!

GO MAVS!

10:30 PM

Sunday about is done. Never to be seen again. Wow, that was deep. My philosophical side.

So much has happened since you and I met up: Change in job tasks to a maybe change in schools. Maybe a chance to really clean my house from to bottom to I think I over fry my hair when I flat iron it--so back to the natural, curly look for a bit.

Then there was Pastor Rickie Rush, of Inspiring Body of Christ Church preached today about the folks in our lives. Like a man, we are so nuts about, yet he ain't nuts about you as he should be. Hey, I've been there and even have the t-shirt. It comes to be able to let them go. The world isn't over. In fact, you could be waving 'good-bye' with your right hand and waving "hello" with your left. I like that. Put some things inperspective.

And my terra cotta potta pots. The journey continues. Just let me say that. I would like to launch one--just ONE pot on June 12th. Why? It's the cat's birthday. The cat's who is the namesake and CEC aka Chief Executive Cat of this enterprise. Stay tuned to all that.

And lastly--as the clock ticks 10:36 PM, the Dallas Mavericks, are now down 2-1 in the NBA playoffs to the Miami Heat. They lost by two points abut an hour ago. I did say the Mavs in 6 games. Mavs lose. Pain don't last always. Next game Tuesday--pain better be over by then!

On that note. I need to put my clean sheets on my bed, just the cats can 're-fur' it and get some shut eye.

Monday will come soon enough.

I am blessed.

Sunday Show Down

The beauty of a cat's love is it is pretty unconditional. Yea, I know the cat nay-sayers would so say "NAY". However us cat lovers know different.***Too bad our human relationships aren't so. They should be. Even as a Woman of Faith it can be hard. What am I getting at? Well, today Pastor Rickie Rush of Inspiring Body of Christ Church, here in Dallas, spoke how people in our lives act when WE go thru a crisis. Not them. US. What a crisis means to them and to us. How a crisis actually strenghtens the one going thru it. A crisis also reveals what was already there. Good and bad.****The good is knowing you have friends that will see you thru. The bad is they hi-tail the minute it's more than a cold you have. Oh, sure they may hand you a tissue . Then they say they're going to the drug store to pick more up....and you never see them again. Friends cannot carry your burden/cross, yet the true friends will wait at the tomb until you come out.*****Pastor we can worry so much about a good person leaving our lives, we don't concentrate on the not so good ones, that we care for, yet they don't do anything for us. Been there. Even got the t-shirt. ******This happened when I had my little open heart surgery a few years ago. The man I loved enough to marry (I thought) his name is Bear--I've blogged about him-wound up asking me twice (or was it three times?) to forgive him for not being there for me. He wasn't either. He thought I was being untrue about my prognosis. He said he 'knew me'....he didn't. He said I lived too far away to bring me some strawberries, when he knew I couldn't drive and couldn't walk more than 10 mins before I had to sit down. Yet, he would take someone else he knew cross town in an ice storm, with plastic over one car window. I lived closer. And it was a clear day.*******Then I think of Movie Man--I've blogged about us too. He was THERE every step of the way. He was the last person I saw, the night before surgery. He brought me home from the hospital. My birthday was a couple weeks after I got to go home. I still couldn't drive and barely could last past 7 pm. He made sure I had a birthday. He came to get me. Helped me walk thru the places we went. And when I had to give myself my daily I-V, which looked like a lemon. We sat in a parking lot of a grocery store. Movie Man drank his Mountain Dew, I gave myself my I-V and wondered would my life go toward the better. He made sure I didn't over do it. I know it was a scarey time for him, yet Movie Man was there. Bear, I wanted to be there--he chose not to.********Fast forward to today. Neither man is in my life. As Pastor Rush preached today, I thought so much about both Bear and Movie Man. So different they are of each other. Age. Skin color. Yet they both did care for me--in their own way. It just didn't seem to be what I absolutely needed. ***The theme Pastor Rush preaches is "At This Level"--how some folks may not 'get you' and they may not want you to change. Why? Because they can't handle it. People that are called to you never leave. The folks that aren't-- never stay. The thing is, how to know the difference?

That's a God thing***After I pray, I'm gonna pet a cat.

Sunday Twist of Terra Cotta Pots

Ya know, I was glad today was Sunday. Why? Because I got to go go back to the House of the Lord. I needed a Word from Pastor Rickie Rush of the Inspiring Body of Christ Church. Yes, I needed to know how good wants me to have my desires of the heart. I want people to look at me and see His light. Yes, all of that. However, as Pastor Rush says, we may not have that pain tolerance level to handle what He's got for us. Any other time I would think, "Well, yes I do!" *****
Alas, I think of the painted and decoupage terra cotta pot I showed my friend yesterday. I wanted Her opinion. I do believe she was being kind.****Blessing ain't hit my painted and decoupage terra cotta pot scene yet.****Nope. My pot was UGLY. I'm not saying that to get attention. Nope. It was UGLY. I'd just spot you the "GLY" and my goodness. My vision for the pots, hasn't quite made it to "what is" yet. The focus of the pot, was overshadowed by the accessories (aka tissue paper) I plastered on the pot. Oh my goodness. I'm amazed how Mod Podge transforms anything. I do admit I'm having fun messing with it. However, I'm not feelin' that good to share my pot's unattractive to you. Don't want you to turn to stone. ****I want my terra cotta pot to be terrific and pretty and I want to like it before I share it with others. My friend yesterday says, "Be patient. Art is difficult." ****Once again, I remember the C's and D's I mustered to get in junior high art class. I tell you what, once I get these pots ready for human consumption, I'm going to send one to my junior high art teacher. Yep. She found me on Facebook. It will be a surprise to her. Maybe I can redeem myself and maybe get up a "B".
****Pain tolerance level indeed.

Easter Today...

The picture is me,

on an Easter Sunday about 100 years ago. I remember that hat--I HATED that hat. It kept falling off my head. I think the plastic string was busted. Those gloves---uck. Yea, let's just say I pretty hated the whole outfit, which included hair!
The church, Bethel Baptist, was literally right across the street from my house. I'm sure I had a bible verse to recite, which I'm sure I may have messed up. Nerves. Back then and for alot of years, I was not thrilled going to church, on Easter or any Sunday for that fact.
Why? I didn't like the way I was treated. I seemed to be an outcast. Never seemed to be like the other kids. I was singled out. So Church was always not a fun place for me. Nothing to do with my belief in Him--just made sure I had other things to do.
Fast forward to Easter 2011. The last nine consecutive Easter Sundays I've attended church, because I WANT to. Today was no different. Not a seat empty in the sanctuary, which translated into over 4000. I can't explain the electricity that zips thru the room. Alot of us our "At This Level" t-shirt on. We're not a fancy church, yet we are on one accord. For the first time, I was in the first row. That is something--and yes I was close to the pulpit.
Today is what I needed. Stuff on my mind fries me. The blessings that are ready to break through. Felt good to be there. Sure, some stuff the Pastor does, I disagree with and he understands--all in all, the Inspiring Body of Christ Church is my Home away from home.