What Next?

Well, we did it. We left Greenhaven Neighborhood Church. It wasn't easy. In fact, it was as though we lost a loved one. That church has so many precious memories - not the building, but the people. Of course, the people who meant the most to us (Derk and Connie, Cindy and Kerry, Martin and Paula, Missy, Brent and Jodie, John and Rebecca) left before we did. It was like a second home for us.

Christmas was especially hard, but we're doing so much better than I had expected. Heath and I are doing a devotion with each other, and we're also going through a study with the kids. I've noticed a marked change in my walk with the Lord. I am more dependent on Him now. We've visited Danny's church and the church Missy attends, but our eyes are on the prize, Mosaic Sacramento. I am truly excited about it. The "Dada" church is in the early stages of development, but every day I imagine a place where people come together and worship Christ without the constraints of the American church, as we presently know it.

...

I had an epiphany last Sunday as I was listening to the pastor at Sanctuary (the church Missy attends). He was speaking about how the generations have negatively affected the church as a whole, but something popped into my head. I realized that it isn't so much that the people themselves have destroyed the church, but rather our prosperity has chipped away at its sanctity. I understand I am not communicating this well. What I am trying to say is this: If you look at the history of this nation, you will notice that people were more dependant on Christ during adverse times. The church was passionate. Then of course the opposite is true during prosperous times. Look at Christians in China. Their faith is fierce, and their government is extremely oppressive. Now look at Americans. We are wealthy and our faith is lacking.

This leads me to the following...Trials and tribulations are a blessing - not a punishment from the Lord, but a reminder that He is our Father and the only one who can deliver us from the sin of this world.