Raising Our Family in Church

My mother and father raised our family in a Christian home and in the church, and when Bob and I married in 1977,  we knew we wanted to do the same.   Each week we looked forward to Sunday, to fellowship, worship and experience life together with other fellow believers. I can’t begin to tell you all the happy times,  good memories and life-long friends that our family has made through belonging to a church, and serving alongside others.    All the Christmas pageants we were a part of, where our three sons were either lambs, wise men, kings or shepherds, and our daughter an angel.  All the youth mission trips, youth leader meetings, youth camps, children’s choirs, adult choirs, musicals, serving in the nursery, teaching Sunday School, etc. etc. etc.     Bob and I are so thankful as we now watch our son’s and daughter-in-laws begin to plant their lives and families into church, as well as our daughter Abbey, serving, using her gifts, and loving her youth group at our present church, Destiny Worship Center. We are looking forward in a few weeks, to our granddaughter and grandson’s baby dedication.  As I stand there on that special day I will take a deep breath of gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord for my family, for HIS love, mercy and faithfulness…..and how the circle of life continues….and pray we will always keep Christ in the middle of that Circle.

I ran across this article by Greg Laurie, a Christian Post Contributor, entitled “Why Going to Church Is Important, Part l” and found it worthy of re-blogging.

By Greg Laurie | Christian Post Contributor

Some people claim to be Christians but don’t attend church. But if you really love God, you will love His people and long to be with them.

“Well, I haven’t found a church I like yet, and I work and Sunday is my only day off!” The Bible indeed commands us to go to church, and-even more-to be a functioning part of it.

Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I like the way the New Living Translation puts it: “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.”

The Bible does not say: Don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves together unless Sunday is your only day off…or unless you want to run in a triathlon…or unless it’s a great beach day, in which case you are excused, because you just don’t need fellowship as much as other Christians do.

Yes, if you love God, you will love His people and long to be with them. If you don’t really love God, you won’t love His people. Some will say “I’m so over the church; people are critical and judgmental. It’s so full of hypocrites!” My response to that is: There is always room for one more!

Understand, I am not justifying hypocrisy of any kind, but honestly, we have all been hypocritical at times. But that is not a reason to not attend church. The church has its flaws because people are in it. However, Jesus both started and loves the church. He died for it.

Being in fellowship is a proof that you are indeed a child of God. It says in 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Studies show that if you don’t go to church for a month, the odds are almost 2 to 1 that you won’t go for more than a year. Being a vital and active part of the church is something we pass on to our kids. A study once disclosed that

•If both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful in attendance.
•If only Dad attends regularly, 55% remain faithful.
•If only Mom attends regularly, 15% remain faithful.
•If neither attend regularly, only 6% remain faithful.

What legacy will you leave your kids? Are you committed to demonstrating to them that going to church is important?

David and Shannon are married!!!

This past Saturday my middle son, David, married Shannon Lindsay. Shannon first came into our lives about five years ago. We love her dearly and are so excited to have another beautiful daughter-in-law. (that makes three!) Bob was so honored that they asked him to marry them, as nine bridesmaids and nine groomsmen witnessed the vows. There was standing room only as the breeze, music and beautiful bay view all surrounded us. So many friends, family and the presence of God were there as we celebrated this special day.

My oldest son, Paul and youngest son, Kevin were among the nine groomsmen. They all looked so handsome. My brother Blake, and four nephews were the ushers. I loved it when David walked me down the aisle and gave me a kiss on the cheek and said “Love you Momma”. He always says “Love you Momma”.

Bob was so good to us all, and rented a three bedroom penthouse in Baytowne Wharf for all to be together. The groomsmen used that as their headquarters, to come eat, visit and dress for the wedding.

I was so impressed with Shannon and all the detail that she put into the wedding and the reception. Her southern theme was truly charming. I can’t wait to upload more pictures as soon as they come in. Her family and all the people Shannon worked with hosted a beautiful wedding. We are truly blessed to come together with the Lindsay family and begin a new chapter.