Church Visit

We made our first visit to a new church here in Columbia this morning. We had already heard of and seen in our driving, Shandon Baptist, but my teaching partner, Chris, is a member there and invited us. We all actually loved it! It is a huge church (both in size and attendance) with lots of opportunities.

Ron and I very much enjoyed our SS class and the boys did, too. Chris was super-helpful, introducing us to the Children's Director who took Ben to his classes (he goes to a whole group for the first hour and then small group for the 2nd hour while we are in service) and to the Middle School Minister, who Clay described as "awesome". He really took care of Clay during SS and service.

The service---- WOW! We attended the contemporary service, which was what we were looking for in a worship service. The music was terrific....very praise and worship and the minister was really good, too. He's preaching from Revelations and at lunch, Ron, Clay and I agreed we want to hear the next two sermons, as well.

It is so evident that his heart is focused on God and reaching others. He truly challenged everyone to be a part of the "solution and not the problem". And, the one thing he said that hit so home with my heart was that "history sometimes becomes identity". He was speaking from a church perspective, but how true for me (us) as well. We let what has happened, how it has always been....our history....become who we are.....we hold onto the past instead of letting God have the future. And, that is something that I am so guilty of....I find myself rationalizing every aspect of my life, especially my walk with Christ in terms of "history" and "what others think" (he touched on this, too) instead of my present and future and what Christ thinks. (At least that is my life application from the sermon today.)

It was a great experience....thanks, Chris for inviting us and helping us find our way around this morning. We'll definitely be back to visit again!