As much as it can hurt I want to fearlessly continue appearing in church. When certain bonds of relationships go sour it complicates things so it is a hindering challenge to turn the eyes away from things they don’t want to see, to focus the mind from thoughts it doesn’t need to think & to protect the heart from pain that it doesn’t want to feel. Most times it takes a colossal amount of courage to will ones self beyond the worrisome anxieties that burden the spirit & takes one down to the depths. One of the worst feelings in life is losing those whom you love, learning to go on without them or helplessly witnessing them be destroyed. It is often a severe distraction but its understanding that my presence in worship is about God & cultivating the center of concentration around the testimony of Jesus to see to it that I may live my life like Him. Though the conscience may drift here & there wondering who may or may not be seen, an occasional what is it that, a random when will it be, some why’s, then where do I go from here & how can I be more of service? The only importance of any thought is whether or not it is obedience to Christ. It is the obedience of heart that brings us together in the house of God & knowing that someone within the masses is encouraged by you being there. No matter what you believe about yourself there are people who believe in you.
Some may have an idea of your struggle but nobody can truly know except you & God. Ones strength in weakness is hope. I no longer hold expectations of anything, I anticipate something & I am grateful for everything. The very fact that you’re just alive, breathing, able bodied & dedicated through participation despite condition means fathoms to others. How do I know this? I made it to service a couple Sunday’s ago Lord forgive me. I am without excuse but it was the 1st time since the New Year. When I arrived; there were some special faces that I was happy to see & I will say this much Mrs. Weaver you have a very strong light & energy about you. I fellowshipped with my brother’s & D I’m forever thankful for your understanding, patience & wisdom. I shared a bit of bliss by “His,” grace with my sisters & T.J. we’ll keep praying until all 3 come true. I returned to my favorite spot to sit down & on the way I touched the shoulder of my preacher Dr. Ben Barnett both out of an act of faith but also to show my face. Lol if you didn’t know then now the gig is up. You are an anointed leader empowered by the Holy Spirit so I believe in the redemption & salvation found in the omnipotent company of Jesus. With just that one touch I am restored.
The service began & I could feel a bit of uneasiness as things seemed a bit incomplete inside. There were somehow some components of my heart missing. Some loved ones not present. For a second among the many members of this body, encouraged from seeing me, I felt all alone. I began to engage in the service, sending my praises, clapping my hands, lifting my voice, pushing the thoughts to the back of my brain & started to focus my undivided attention on the good Lord. Shortly thereafter I felt a little tug on the hood of my jacket I turned around to find a beautiful soul standing there before me. Solitarily her presence was the one of the most revitalizing encounters of the morning. In that moment I was filled with contentment & my spirit was instantly exalted. We were both in service unaccompanied but all of a sudden I didn’t feel as individually separated as before. Even though the rest of the members weren’t there it was ok. It was sufficient enough to see just that one person connected to those other omitted fractions of compassion & we stood alone together. I hope you know how much I appreciated you being there & how grateful I am for the extent of your kindness. Although some things did not get accomplished let us not be discouraged or disappointed for they are in the makings.
Gods will was fulfilled by the delivery of an entirely excellent service! From the music ministry, communion message, contributions & sermon it was a blessing to have the opportunity to receive “His,” love given. Many great victories are yet to be achieved. Life is full of its ups & downs, good & bad but a matter of how you choose to respond to things. I certainly cherish the people I have in my life as well as those who have come & gone with the season. You particularly were the 1st person I met when I began this spiritual journey long ago at First Faith Fellowship. I never knew that we would go from place to place until we found a permanent location to call home nor did I know that I would eventually be baptized into a family of disciples & consider AMCC to be my own. Things that were subject to change have. Although life is very much so different one thing is for sure no matter how inconceivably impossible the happenings of life may seem or be. I’m grateful that you’re still there. By your faith alone many have been encouraged, by your prayers many will be healed & by your bravery many will be saved.
I may be a sinner but I do not delight in my wickedness & the church is an infirmary for broken hearts, burdened minds & troubled souls. We all might stumble but we don’t fall down. If you don’t have a place of worship to call your refuge won’t you come visit us Sundays 10:00a.m. at 569 Ezzard St. Atlanta, Ga. I know some of us aren’t comfortable or as social & enjoy having church within the privacy of our own temple. There’s nothing wrong with that, there is a God within you already at work but one cannot experience, obtain or reciprocate the power of participation in the shadow of absence. Unpleasant situations help us to become stronger beings, we need each other to grow spiritually & God is surely always with us but His voice speaks the most distinctively to us when we find ourselves alone in the silence. You can still receive your daily bread, give back or get involved at the click of a button via AMCC website @ www.theamcc.com Just go see for yourself. One day I hope to see everyone I know in the kingdom. Until then count your blessings, love, forgive & pray my friends.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
1 Thess 3:7 we were encouraged about you because of your faith… keep fighting.