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Archive for the ‘Fellowship’ Category

” Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.- Jesus (Mark 10:29b-30)

Gathered at a friend’s home with those I have known over the years and some I just met, singing without reservation, enjoying without concern, visiting with so many having different last names but the same father (God) – this is one of the “sweet spots” of following Christ!

It’s a lovely peaceful privilege reserved for those who have committed fully to Christ.

I am reminded of the book I read by A.J.Jacobs on his attempt to live the Bible. He started out a skeptical agnostic and ended a reverent agnostic – his primary hindrance was a decision not to commit. He mentioned time and again how he wanted to be caught up in peace that he saw in believers, but each time he came close he pulled back, afraid of letting go and losing control, and in the end it all eluded him. He was touched but he moved on.

Ah, but when you feel safe in the arms of Christ you can let go and let God do what he wants. You can sing with all your heart and not be afraid of what will happen. You can pray and rest without fear of what God may ask of you – you can because you know God will always do right by you. You know you are loved and accepted by the only one that truly matters.

There is peace in commitment!

Prayer: Jesus, I let go of my life unto you and your care. Amen.
Sound Bite: Let go and Let God

– fritz@langgang.com

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For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. ” – 1st Corinthians 10:17

This weeks’ Church offertory lead to an epiphany – making that 15″ journey from head to heart!

Our choir director gave the men and women in the sanctuary different words to sing, like a round. The men sang their part then the women sang theirs then both sang their different parts together and it was wonderful!

It wasn’t a show I watched but an event – and I was part of it, reminded Church is not a show to watch but a participation to share!

The realization went further!

Why the liturgy with its printed prayers, times of sitting, rising, kneeling, eating, singing songs we can actually sing? – not for a love of ritual but because Church is not a show to watch but a participation to share. We may detour throughout the service, each having our own part as the Holy Spirit leads, but then we return and continue together.

I participate in a shared fellowship – I sing, I pray, I kneel, I eat, I make the sign of the cross – participating with my body as well as my soul and spirit. There is a place for the “I” in the voluntarily participation with the “We”! I belong.

There is a reason the Eucharist is also called “Communion” – we commune with Jesus and his body, a shared participation.

– fritz

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People in suits and others in blue jeans, black people, white people, some rich, some poor, some well groomed and others not – all moving forward in line, together, kneeling at the altar, taking communion, arising to sing, pray, praise, and receive the benediction.

The formal service over, it’s out to the foyer to visit, have a hug, enjoy over a cup of coffee (maybe a donut), but eye-to-eye contact, interaction, caring.

Jesus is the great equalizer.

This must have been part of what the apostle, Paul, meant when he pinned the words,

“Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ … ” – Colossians 3:9-11 (MESSAGE)

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