Chasing Grace

Yes, Yes, Yes!

JJ — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:03:34 +0000

Go here. Watch the videos. Be amazed! (via Metafilter)

Church and Therapy

JJ — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:45:04 +0000

So, I did go to the Presbyterian church on Sunday. It was a lovely service but not for me. Aside from the hymns it was so quiet during the service that you could hear a pin drop. I need a congregation that’s a little rougher around the edges, I think. I’m looking for celebration. A little shouting for the Lord. The local Presbyterians do a lot of community outreach and charity though, which I love. The Reverend was terrific as well. Really liked her. I just think I need to do a bit more looking before I settle on any one place.

Next week it’s either the local Baptist church or the local Assembly of God.

On a completely different note I went to see my therapist today. At one point he looked at me and said, “we have a lot to work on.” Great. I’m officially nuts.

Abraham Everywhere

JJ — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:50:05 +0000

Lately I’ve been noticing Abraham everywhere. I’m re-reading Genesis and I just got a book out from the library about Abraham and his importance to Christians, Jews and Muslims. Now it seems like everywhere I turn I am seeing or hearing something about him. And in the oddest places too. On TV, on the radio, out of the mouths of strangers. Abraham’s in the air for some reason. I am wondering if there is a lesson in his story I am supposed to be learning.

Ouch

JJ — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:49:38 +0000

I bought my dog a new Nylabone today. I accidentally grabbed the puppy bone instead of the regular one but figured it couldn’t hurt him so I went ahead and let him have it this evening after his walk. It wasn’t until just a few minutes ago that I noticed that the packaging says the bone should not be consumed. It’s OK though. He didn’t consume any of it. He gnawed it down into razor sharp tidbits and then deposited them strategically throughout the apartment. The bottom of my foot looks like someone went at it with a cheesegrater.

Well, I Decided

JJ — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:01:35 +0000

I am going to the local Presbyterian church tomorrow morning. If I don’t feel it then next week I’ll try one of the other local churches. It feels a little strange to shop around for a congregation like I’m looking for a new pair of shoes. On the other hand, it seems like a pretty big deal so I might as well make sure it’s a good fit.

All I really want is to be with a group of worsipers who seem as excited about the Lord as I am. Wish me luck!

Posting from The Journal

JJ — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:44:27 +0000

I’m just testing out how posting from The Journal works.

PresbyBaptiPiscoLutheTarian

JJ — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:51:49 +0000

One of the most intimidating moments of my teenage years was the first five minutes of the first lunch period on the first day of high school. I vividly remember standing at the edge of the cafeteria, tray in hand, desperately searching for somewhere, anywhere to sit. I barely knew anyone there and the few friends I did have were scheduled into a different lunch period (we had three.) So there I was, a slightly chubby, majorly awkward orchestra nerd scanning the room for a group of kids who looked a bit like me–or at least looked like they wouldn’t pour pizza grease into my violin case. Surely, I thought, there have to be kids here with whom I have something in common but how can I tell who they might be just from looking? I’m surprised I didn’t faint into a heap and end up eating my lunch with the school nurse. Eventually a friendly young woman named Nancy waved me over to her table and I made a lovely bunch of new friends. But those first five minutes? Terrifying.

I am facing a similar situation now. I am looking for a church.

I’m newly saved, thank the Lord, and really excited about it. I crave fellowship and want to shout and sing and clap about how happy I am to have found my way home. And I’m doing that, I’m doing that, but I’m tired of doing it alone in my apartment when I could be sharing my joy with others.

The problem is I don’t really know any other Christians. Well, that’s not quite true. My mother (a Baptist) is saved and my stepmother (a Lutheran) is as well but their churches aren’t close enough to be practical for me. There are plenty of churches that are close enough but that brings up the big issue: what denomination am I?

Ideologically and politically, I’m probably closest to liberal Episcopalians or other liberal denominations/groups like liberal Quakers and Unitarian Universalists. There are also Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics nearby not to mention other various non-denominational groups. But I don’t even know if I’m Protestant or not yet! All I know is that I’ve been saved.

I feel so lost without someone to guide me. I’m praying about it and I know that eventually the Lord will lead me to the right church but it’s all a little overwhelming. My plan right now is simply to pick one and go. Maybe I’ll start with the closest (a Presbyterian church up the road from me) or maybe I’ll toss a dart at a map. I don’t know.

All I know is that right now I’m standing at the edge of the group with my tray in my hand and hoping that a friendly face will wave me over.

Verse of the Day for Sun 22 Feb 2009

JJ — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:22:23 +0000

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
— 1 John 4:8 (New International Version)

I’m at the beginning of my walk with the Lord, newly saved, a baby Christian. I’m just now starting to really read the bible.¹ I find myself drawn to the New Testament and especially to verses that focus on God’s love–probably because I need it so desperately right now and am so incredibly grateful for it.

1. I was part of a church when I was a kid and have over the years occasionally dipped into the Bible but I always gave up on reading it all the way through. Now I hunger for it. I’m in the process of writing up a post explaining my history and telling a little about how I came home to the Lord.

What I Need to Do Every Day

JJ — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:16:27 +0000

Love God, love people, change the world.

Faith I Can Sink My Teeth Into

JJ — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:00:25 +0000

A quote from Jon Acuff’s brilliant and hilarious Stuff Christians Like blog:

Love is a dangerous idea. Grace is a dangerous idea. Forgiveness is the kind of idea that will mess your life up, for the better, but there’s nothing safe about loving your enemy. That’s what I want for my life. Let’s not be safe. Let’s be real and raw and alive.

That’s the kind of faith I can sink my teeth into.