Sunday, April 9, 2023

Easter and Beauty in Faith

 

It's been a minute since I last wrote. The words have quietly been stirring. And on Easter Sunday that quiet little voice says it's time to write.  

Sometime last year I noticed a shift on what appealed to me, from everything that I watched to what I wanted to read or listen to was geared to kindness, hope and the gospel.  And I would get a small quiet nudge here and there about the need to deepen my relationship with Christ. I ordered myself a study application bible and started reading it from the beginning. I'm ashamed to say I have never read the entire bible. This particular one explains what was written and it's so helpful.  I knew I needed and wanted to strengthen my Christian faith and relationship with our Lord.  Truth be told, I've been a lukewarm Christian most of my life.   

Rod and I were going to church shop when he moved down, then Covid happened and life as we all knew it stopped.  And as we emerged back into life, we started church shopping last December and attended several different ones.  None really felt like we synced until the morning we attended the Venture Church.  I had looked them up and liked what they had written about welcoming new members.  For the first time, I was excited, really excited to attend.  And true to their word, it was and is a welcoming place.  Pastor Scott's sermons are amazing.  He talks about life today, the bible and delivers a message that resonates in ways to be a better Christian.  Rod is equally impressed and we both have found our new church family. It was time.  

As I read the bible, and as we attend the services, I can sense there is a purpose and plan that will unfold. I'm not exactly sure what is in store, but it will be beautiful.  Maybe it's just going to be my stories and that my writing that will touch someone somewhere.  All I know is I am a child of God who has received his mercy and grace when I certainly didn't deserve it.  Let me share a personal encounter.  Remember the movie "Ghost"?  One afternoon, I was driving, alone in my car when the song Unchained Melodies came on the radio. And I remember thinking back to the movie and wondering if the  evil black shapes that took bad souls to hell were real and was there really a beautiful white light to go to heaven? And then the most peaceful beautiful feeling overcame me and I knew... I KNEW I was in the presence of our Creator.  I can't describe the feeling, but it was the most awe inspiring feeling I have ever known. And I kept that amazing moment to myself, cherished it and rarely shared it.  It was so beautiful that I wanted to keep it to myself.  Weird.  So today, I am sharing. Our Creator is real. God wants a personal relationship with you and me.  I've felt his guiding hand helping me along this road we call life.  And as my faith deepens, it colors my world in ways that resonate in this girl's heart and soul.  

If you are reading this and need a church home, please consider the Venture Church or begin searching for the Church that makes you feel like you are home.  Order a study application bible, trust me it's the best and begin  your journey towards a closer relationship with our Lord.

Wishing you a blessed Easter. 

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.