Church

Church-Over the past 30+ years, there is one thing that has been constant in
my life. That is attending church. The first year or so after l became a
born-again Christian, I didn't attend church because I didn't think it was
possible. However, once I got started attending church, I have rarely missed
a service. There have been a few times that I have missed services but only
when I have no choice. There are several reasons why attending church is so
important to me.

The primary reason that I attend church is to hear from God. I assume that
the pastor, or whoever is speaking, has taken time to seek God first and so
is speaking about what God wants him to speak about. In fact, I believe that
it is God, not the pastor, speaking to me. Something that I have done for
years is to memorize several interesting points that the pastor makes to
write down once I get an opportunity to use my computer. Admittedly, I don't
always remember them all but , what it does, is help me remember the sermon.

Secondly, I go to church to hear the word of God. The Bible is the word of
God. So, if the speaker is not referring to the Bible frequently, I can't
help feeling that something is not right. I am at church to hear God's
thoughts. Which are in the Bible. I am not at church to listen to the
speaker's personal opinions-no matter how good.

Thirdly, I attend church to learn. While I do spend a lot of time reading
and studying the Bible and I seem to always be learning something new, it is
also important to me to attend church because, chances are, the speaker will
have a fresh insight, or several, that I never thought of before.

The atmosphere in church is totally different from that in Long-term Care.
In this place, the atmosphere is rather gloomy with the focus on different
people with their aches and pains. But, at church, the atmosphere is much
more joyful with the focus on God, at least it should be, and not on people
and their problems. That is another reason that I like to go to church. I
sometimes think of it as an oasis in my desert!

This thought came to me just recently. Church helps me to see the bigger
picture. Life in Long-term Care gives one a pretty limited picture of what the world is all about. So it is good to be with people who live lives outside Long-term Care and to listen to conversations other than the usual topics of conversation in this place. More than that, though. Church gives the bigger picture of God's plan for the entire world, not just my individual life.

One of the most important aspects of church for me is that it is a source of encouragement for me.  I don't lead an easy life and I value anything that encourages me. After a church service, I always feel better able to face what I have to face. That is why I am in church as often as possible.

Another thing I like about going to church is that it gives me a chance to see other people than nurses and seniors. Because of my communication difficulties, I don't interact a lot with other people but still nice just to be around and to watch other people. I especially enjoy watching the little kids.

Certainly not the primary reason I attend church but church does give an me opportunity to get out and away from the tedium of Long-term Care for a little while. Anytime I can do that is a definite bonus!

Upon reflection, I have concluded that I could survive without attending church. As long as I have a means of reading the Bible and the Holy Spirit is with me. But I am sure glad that I don't have to!