Back In 2020 there was a day, a Sunday, that I went to the church I had thought of attending.
The parking lot was empty on a Sunday but there were benches by the sidewalk leading into the entrance of the church. In the middle of the parking and driveway area there was a flagpole with a flag flying at half mast. Across the large empty parking lot was a side street with a bit of construction in front of it. It had a sign that said "Dead End".
I sat down on the bench in front of this empty church and parking lot and looked at that flag flying at half mast and wondered if this nation would rise or fall--if that flag would rise again or fall. I said a prayer for my nation that I loved so much, then got in my truck determined to find an open church.
I went to all the churches I could find in my town--and there were several--all of them closed.
Disappointed, I went back home. I wondered if that had been Jesus seeking his church, what would he think of his electronic replacement bride?
Sure, many pastors will justify their closures with their great reach on the internet. But for me, there is no replacement of the human church physical presence. The face to face unmasked countenance of a genuine smile, greeting or hug with shared tears and prayers.
I had stopped attending church. Then when I decided to give the church another try, the churches were closed. Deceived into closure. Like my beloved nation and world.
There is no substitute for the real thing. There is no substitute for TRUTH.
I am still wondering if our nation will rise or fall. I found a church that finally opened. In the meantime until that happened, my church was my own dining room table, my Life Application Study Bible, and you.
God bless you.
Have a blessed day.
And don't forget to drop in at c/Christianity for the core Bible studies and fellowship. There are a core group of us openly serving under First Century Bible Church to ensure the whole platform stays covered in prayer and body life.
A lot of times your kitchen table is the best church. Keep it humble and be with God as it works for you, he understands.
As I think back on it, the time I spent at the table. Involved in the Word of God, it better prepared me to find the right church for me. Still, there is a sadness inside as I think of the hope for my nation that was lost over those days. The testing. Oh the testing. The suppressed anger until it dissipated...maybe a little.
God is everywhere man. Some of my deepest revelations have been pretty far from a church
The original Church was people gathering in each other's homes to worship. Everyone was a participant -- and not a spectator in a pew watching a live performance.
Think about it.
I read Philemon 1 this morning at my table. It is a letter from Paul to a Colossian guy named Philemon who hosted the church in Colossae at his home. Somehow, Philemon's slave, Onesimus, wound up with Paul in Rome. This letter encouraged Philemon to accept Onesimus back as his Christian brother rather than punish him as a runaway slave. Lots to think about in this letter...about being owned or free as Christian brothers.
Link: https://www.biblestudytools.com/philemon/1.html