What Is Happening On The Sonny Side
Well, I have to guess that no one from Eastwood or anywhere else is reading, “What’s happening On The Sonny Side.” Or maybe you are afraid to comment about your struggles. Or maybe you don’t worship or attend Bible study when away from home.
Just last night (Wednesday) Jackie and I picked Matt up at the Birmingham airport. His plan arrived at 5:40 PM. That is just an hour and twenty minutes before Bible study. What did we do? Did we HAVE to rush to find a place to go to Bible study? Did we HAVE to go to Bible study? No, but we chose to and we didn’t rush to find a place. I found a place close by that we could get to without rushing. Guess what? We didn’t attend that congregation. We realized that we could be down the road and much closer to home if we drove for forty five minutes heading north. So, we drove to Cullman and stopped at the East Cullman church of Christ with three minutes to spare.
I don’t feel like a legalist about doing what I did. I feel grateful that God allowed us time to meet with the Saints on Wednesday evening. A mentor of mine use to talk about getting older and losing health to where he can’t attend worship or Bible study. I too fear that time. I love to meet with God’s people.
Honestly the Bible class we attend was not interesting at all. The teacher talked too much about himself and his children. Not enough Bible instruction. I did think, “Would I have been better off to just have missed Bible study and gotten home earlier? ” For me the answer to that question is easy. I am glad that I made preparations to be in Bible study. I am glad that I chose to be with God’s people, even though they were not of the local congregation that I usually attend. This morning I feel good that my wife and son know exactly where my heart is and maybe most of all God knows that I belong to him regardless of where I am. And the devil, he too knows who I belong too.
Why do you not attend worship and Bible class? I do not judge you or think that I am more spiritual than you. I do wish you would follow my example as I follow Christ.
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April 5th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
I agree with what you said. When we are away from Eastwood we try and find a congregation that is close by. It is always great to be with fellow Christians. And sometimes you observe what other congregations are doing to help their home congregation grow in number and in their faith. Some of the smaller congregations seem to be more friendlier than the larger congregations. It always makes me feel better to come back home to Eastwood. I must say that your past couple of lessons have been just great. It makes you think more of what we can do as Christians. I don’t say this enough but, keep up the good sermons and keep pushing us as Christians to do better to work harder. All of us as Christians should look at ourselves and say what can we do to make Eastwood grow in our work. First, and foremost we have to follow and believe what the Bible says. Then and only then will we grow. Keep up the good work.
April 7th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Legalism…I find this “label” being bantered about quite a bit today. I find it very interesting that those who would brand you a legalist are also those who would cheerfully skip the assembly because they are away from home traveling. Why would christians not desire to be with other christians when given an opportunity to do so? Were the apostles and the other disciples being “legalists” when they sought out the congregations of christians when they traveled. I’ll guess they weren’t. Here’s the impression I get. The proclaimers of legalism are also those who feel as if God’s Word is a trap that binds them (if they obey). One might ask why they believe it to be a snare rather then venue to freedom. God gives us opportunities to assemble to study His Word and to worship Him. If these are the people (in these assemblies) that God has graced with eternal life, then if nothing else it gives us an opportunity get to know our fellow saints early. I don’t do this because I am an unwilling servant. I do this because God has made His desires known (through His Word), and for me to assemble with the saints pleases God. Our brethren need to remember, when God calls on His people to assemble, more than anything, God is waiting for me. Who am I to disappoint God when He has so particularly cared for me.