Why I love my church

Tomorrow is the start of my first full week at the new position. Last Monday and Tuesday were holidays. I am excited to experience Monday devotional for the first time. What a cool way to start out the work week. Everyone in the office joins together for a time of devotion!

Church today was fun. I was there from 9 am until 3 pm, yet it didn't feel too long.

The message was excellent. It was something I have been thinking about a lot lately - "A house divided."

I see so much division in the world, but I don't see people working at unity. To me, it appears that this lack of unity is the source of many problems - within the US, within the church, within families... We live in a world so strongly focused on division, we forget how successful we can be if we work together.

Of course there are the basic divisions between political parties. Those are necessary and will always exist. They should! But recently we have taken things too far in our division. People seem to believe "It's my way or NO way." Intolerance. Being so deeply planted in their own stance, they can't consider the possibility of another point of view. It feels unsafe to even take a peek at why "the opposition" may believe the way they do. We can't put themselves in another person's shoes. No empathy. A lack of general humanity.

Where is it getting us?

I see more racial division than I have experienced in my lifetime. It makes me really sad. Guns, police, homosexuality, immigration are all hot buttons. Meanwhile, education is a mess and health care is dysfunctional. Some are pro-immigration as long as the immigrants are not trying to enter the US. Churches don't have each other's back, even within the same religion.

That is the only political rant you will ever hear from me. I don't care what side you fall on any of these issues. Because it's not about taking sides. That's the bottom line. Our division makes us weak and ineffective.

Today's message addressed division at a familial level, societal level, within churches, countries, and the world. We, Alas de Aguilas, are praying about these different levels. But what are we DOING about it? Sometimes prayer is not enough. Sometimes we have to take action.

We learned about loving each other with patience. It was really stuff we can take home and implement. I love messages like that!

Last week at the retreat Pastor Paysen announced that he will lead a new class of discipleship. He said it is going to be tough and ongoing. I showed up today excited to learn. I got the workbook and enjoyed the first class. But I did notice that some of my friends were missing.

When class was over we all went upstairs to the church. My friends were all up there. I asked why they weren't in my class. They asked why I wasn't in their class! Turned out they were in the class that I have been taking on Saturdays. At that moment Pastor Paysen asked why I was in his class, not in Pastora Ruth's. I explained I didn't know they were meeting. He told me I belong with them. He said the discipleship class is too basic for me. I was shocked!

As a fairly new Christian, I always feel like I am behind others. I was baptized and called to be a missionary a year later! My insecure part thinks I should still be working on a secure base. But both Pastora Ruth and Pastor Paysen said they want me to be in the advanced class! I am really honored, now that I am done feeling intimidated. I am also excited to be in the smaller group. I look forward to growing closer to the people I am studying with. The fellowship will be nice.

To study under Pastora Ruth is always a blessing. Pastor Paysen is a great teacher. He is super knowledgeable. But to me, Pastora Ruth is the ultimate person to study under. SO, I am really excited!!!

I still plan to work through the discipleship workbook on my own. Pastora Ruth said I can always meet with Pastor Paysen and review it with him. Sounds like a great idea. I'll continue working on my strong base in Christianity, and learn with the advanced class at the same time! I love my church. (Insert big smile here.)