What Should the Church Look Like?

Acts 2:42-47

I stumbled upon a wonderful church this summer. The people there have been so welcoming to this strange, white, missionary lady who struggles to talk with them. They greet me each week with “Dios le bendiga” (God bless you), hugs, the traditional Mexican kiss on the cheek and smiles. They are always happy to help and they make the effort to include me. They have prayed with me and for me. The personal care they have shown me and others is teaching me a lot about how The Church is supposed to be.

Each week, at the beginning of the service, our children’s director calls all the children up to the front for prayer. They all kneel down at the altar (which is really sweet to watch) and the children’s workers come up and stand behind them. At that point, several people from the congregation also come up, lay hands on the little ones and someone leads in prayer. Deut. 11:19 says, “Teach them (the ways of the Lord) to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” What a beautiful foundation to lay in the lives of the children.

Following the children’s prayer time, anyone celebrating a birthday during the week is asked to come forward. We then sing a Spanish birthday song and EVERYONE in the church lines up to greet the one celebrating and then we pray for them. They also do this special, line-up greeting when there is a baby dedication, anniversary or other note-worthy event in someone’s life. The Bible tells us that when one part of the body of Christ is rejoicing, we should rejoice with them. (1 Cor. 12:26)

This past Sunday was especially touching. Once a month, the church stays after the morning service until 6:00pm. They have a time of prayer, worship, and fasting together. The idea is wonderful and I genuinely like the people in my church and wanted to join in with them, but this event was more difficult for me to accept. The morning service is usually 2 to 2 1/2 hours long and after that, my mind is tired from trying to understand Spanish and I’m hungry; so even though it is a good thing, at first, it was not something I was particularly excited about doing. I had to pray about this one. However, I felt like it was important to go and as the day drew nearer, God changed my heart and I was beginning to feel excited about it.

After the morning service ended and it was time to begin the afternoon session, we went inside and started by having a lesson on Daniel and Jeremiah. My pastor’s wife taught the session, putting an emphasis on prayer, repentance and intercession for the lost. Following the teaching time, we spent time praying at the altar, responding as the Holy Spirit led. God’s presence was felt in a gentle, yet powerful way.

Later in the afternoon, we had a refreshing time of worship. We sang many songs that I did not know, but I could still sense the joy these beautiful people were bringing to God. They raised their hands in worship and sang with all their hearts. Their clapping was almost on beat and while they sang with gusto, though a bit off-key; they were truly worshipping God. The outside world began to slip away as we focused on God and giving Him the praise He deserves.

As it was time to leave, I could not help but think how blessed I am to have found this church. God knew I needed to learn from them and see “church” in a different light. I have so much more to learn; but for now, I am thankful knowing that God has me in a solid group of believers who want His will to happen in their lives and to see His kingdom purpose come to be in this world.

Now that’s what the Church should look like!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:12

Many people have been sharing lists of what they are thankful for and since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought I would do the same. We really are so blessed by God and what a great time to sit down and remember the many things He has done for us and given us. This list is not complete, but these are the things that come to mind right now.

I am grateful for a forgiving God. He not only puts up with me, but He actually LOVES me as I am. At the same time, He also loves me so much that He doesn’t want me to stay the way that I am. He gently leads me forward toward better character and deeper devotion to Him.

I am grateful for my family. They are far away right now, but I love them very much! God has blessed me with Godly parents who have taught me all about God and life. They listen to me, pray for me, and encourage me to do what God leads me to do. My brother, Andrew, was a great help in toughening me up in my younger years, but now, I consider him my friend, resource for all things technical and protector of my well-being. My sister-in-law, Holly, is also my dear friend and sister. I greatly admire her because she is an amazing mom, loving wife, super teacher, late night movie-watcher friend and so much more! And, then, my nephews! As an Auntie, I am entitled to say that they are the smartest, most handsome, delightful little guys that I have ever known!

I am also grateful for my faithful prayer warriors, encouragers, and financial supporters. God is using you to make a difference in my life, as well as, many people here in Mexico. Your comments on Facebook and emails mean so m uch to me and I can feel your prayers and know that God is answering them. And, I cou ld not continue to work in Mexico if it were not for your financial help. It can’t be said often enough that I thank God for all of you!

Here in Mexico, I am thankful for the many wonderful people God has put in my life. I am blessed to have good leadership over me and a team of missionaries who inspire me, pray with and for me, and who let me run questions by them. They have rescued me in the night, given me rides, fed me, and given me the freedom to find out how God wants me to serve here in Oaxaca.

At OCS, I am blessed to work with or be around a large community of Christians. They are all unique in the ways they minister here in Mexico and I love the variety of ministries and the special people who do the ministering! This includes, but is not limited to, my friend and co-worker, Sarah. She is an amazing person who has helped me more than I can say. She is wise beyond her years, carries a heavy load and does a good job of it, and she always has time for others. She has helped me with Spanish, given cultural and practical living advice, and listens to my many ramblings during the days. I praise God for Sarah!

I am also very thankful for my church. I stand out like a sore thumb, but they have bent over backwards to include me and make me feel welcome. The pastor and his wife have reached out to me EVERY week and the congregation is kind to me, even while trying to figure out what to do with this white girl who struggles to speak Spanish! They are an extension of the Body of Christ and it is evident in the way they treat each other. I am learning from their example!

I am getting long-winded, so I’ll wrap up my thankfulness list with some brief and slightly random everyday things that I thank God for: good health and a body that works the way it should, clothes and a choice of what to wear, food, a great place to live, hot water, clean water, electricity, a beautiful backyard and garden, sunny days, flowers, a bed to sleep in, books and the ability to read, and finally, music.

What are you thankful for today?

Where is Jesus?

Oaxaca has many beautiful Catholic churches. They are works of art—grand and ornately decorated with gold, flowers, intricate carvings and paintings. The church doors are almost always open here. People come to offer prayers, light candles or leave flowers at the feet of the saints or Mary. I often enter these churches, as well, but it is not for the same reason. I come to pray for the people of Oaxaca.

A couple weeks ago, I went in to one of the main churches, located in the Zocalo. (The town square) As I quietly walked around praying and looking at the different statues, a question came to my mind. “Where is Jesus?” It actually took a minute to “find” Him because His statue was much smaller and lower than the main grouping of statues in the center of the building. Mary was the principal figure in the middle, and then there were angels, a couple of saints, and finally, Jesus.

It gave me a renewed understanding about the way the people of Mexico think about God. Mary is the primary focus of religion here and the saints hold a divine position, as well. Jesus is considered God’s Only Son and they would agree that He died on the cross for our sins. However, from the artwork in the church, that seems to be where the message ends.

There are so many other rituals added in and so much guilt, that the freedom and grace of Christ is overlooked. Instead, prayers must be offered, candles lit, good deeds done or you will be subjected to the wrath of God. They are searching for a way to earn God’s favor, but they can never be sure that they have it, until they meet the loving, forgiving Jesus.

Please will you join me in praying for the people of Oaxaca? Jesus said that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself. (John 12:32) Please pray that Jesus will be exalted through those of us who do have a personal relationship with Him and that God will open the eyes of those who are blinded by traditions that direct their focus away from Jesus. Instead of Mary, angels and the saints being the center of attention, let’s pray that the people of Oaxaca find Jesus.