Sunday dinner

When I was growing up Sunday dinner was often the high point of the week.  I haven't kept up with that tradition in our home.  Sadly, in our home there are pretty "slim pickins" on Sundays.  But today I had a feast that satisfies better than any meal my mother could have ever prepared.

First we were given a refreshing drink through singing worship.  I think we all came to church thirsty for God after a week of severe trial.  Singing "My Savior My God"  reminded us that though we do not know the reasons for life's trials, we do know that there stands at God's right hand One who is our Savior; and the God who was, and the God who is, is the God who's always "gonna be."  The joyful praise of Psalm 150 and bowing down at His feet both prepared me for the rest of the banquet.   

Following the singing we were served several appetizers.  We were led to the cross through the Lord's Supper.  How sweet that was for me as once again I could remember my Savior who's broken body and poured out blood paid the penalty for my sin. Thank you, thank you Lord.

Then we had a bit of an Acts 12 experience.   We saw and heard a brother stand and give testimony of his "prison-like deliverance".  We all had been praying fervently for this brother, his wife and family all week, and much to our surprise he shows up at our door of worship.  He wanted to be where he knew his fellow believers were.  He wanted to testify of God's gracious and powerful activity in his life and in the lives of his family and friends.  WOW.

But that wasn't all.  Not even close!! The good food kept coming.  Next we had the privilege of praying for 19 of our people who leave for Mexico on a missions trip this week.  We heard testimony of how God provided a way for two more men to go on the trip at the last minute.  The sound of a dozen or more prayers being offered up at the same time sounded sweeter to me than a family's happy chatter at a holiday meal.

The next "course" was the welcoming of new members.   Adding new members to the body of Christ is like eating our vegetables.  Without them the church weakens, shrivels and dies.   Welcome Amy and Sue and Marjie (and you men).  We happily add a leaf to our family table for you. 

Then we were given the word of God.  I need more time to chew on the main course.   But one thing I know for sure:  by God's grace and with the help of the Holy Spirit I want my love to "abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment" and I want to bear fruits of righteousness brought about through the righteousness of Christ.  I brought a doggie bag home for continued feasting on that meat.  

After the message we had dessert.  I love dessert.  We witnessed four baptisms.  That is the icing and the cake for church life.  Does it get any better?

But for me  there was more.  The morning began and ended with a conversation that had the potential to be difficult and divisive.  Due to the kindness of  God poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit each one began and concluded with prayer and a warm embrace.   God poured out His blessing of love and truth, understanding,  and forgiveness.  Rather than spoil my appetite for worship, the first conversation just whetted my appetite.  And the conversation that I had after worship makes me look forward to the feast that will be waiting for me next week.  

God has fed me.  I pray that the strength I receive from such a feeding will be used to bring Him glory in my life, in my home, in my neighborhood, in my care group and in my relationship with you my sisters.  

This morning's experience makes me think of Colossians 3:12-17.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."