Got Fruit ?

In the shower, while not singing out loud, I was recalling Sunday’s service. It was an unusual one because there wasn’t a traditional message, instead our pastor opting to share with the congregation the experiences he and 6 other missionaries had almost 2 weeks earlier. What stood out from Sunday besides the different service, was a guest of one of the deacons.

The guest seemed a little apprehensive, maybe feeling a bit out of place not knowing many folks or the “routine”; a discomforting situation I think that many can relate to be it the first day on a new job, or in this case visiting a potentially new church home(optimism on my part for our guest). Throughout the opening part of praise and worship time memories of my own feelings of awkwardness from when I first started going back to church flipped through my mind. Memories of how much easier it would be to not return, to avoid that calling placed on my heart; not wanting I suppose to face God, knowing that to do so meant faults, deficiencies and truths about the condition of my heart being revealed. Having been through that initial struggle, I sympathized with our guest and during the meet and greet portion of the service, I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to make sure that I introduced myself and greeted our guest (not touchy feely by default). To what end it served I don’t know, I hope to see our guest again this Sunday.

This afternoon I received a Facebook invite from a high school classmate. Three years ago,maybe even two, I’d without a doubt have deleted the invite without so much as a second glance. Today though was different, I didn’t feel as though I was reacting from a carnal need to be liked or wanted, but rather to accept someone’s attempt to reach out to me; someone saying “Hey, I care and was thinking about you and just wanted to let you know.”. Thanks “JH”.

E. Barrett wrote a piece today yesterday [more link love for R3 ] that kind of parallels these same thoughts of mine. No… I don’t believe it’s that the “universe is conspiring” as presumed new ager Neal Walsch would have you believe, rather God just doing what He does.

Hebrews 3:13(NIV)
13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3:13(KJV)
13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Grace and peace be with you.