What To Wear...

Recently, I read about someone's shock at seeing shorts and V*ctoria's S*cret sweatshirt sported at an evening wedding! My husband and I talk about this quite often--except we talk about it in regard to church. The question is so pertinent even to that arena: What do you wear to a wedding?

It seems to me that out of respect for the occasion, people would wear their best. (If that's shorts and a sweatshirt, it may be time to do some shopping!) It's sad to me that many people these days would dress up more for a wedding or funeral than they do for church. Why do they dress up for these occasions? Out of respect. {Key word.}

My question is: Why is everyone galloping full-speed-ahead toward casual, "come as you are" at church, when we are meeting with the King of kings? Would one wear shorts and a sweatshirt to meet the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Canada, or the Queen of England?

Of course, we all know and quote, "the Lord looketh on the heart" (I Samuel 16:7), and obviously that's true. Those who come to church with the "proper look and attire" but are proud and arrogant inside make me sick (Matthew 23:27)--Jesus didn't like it either!

It's also true that we should continually cultivate a love relationship with Christ. Someone will say, "Well, I just think I should be comfortable with the Lord, because it's about relationship; not religion." True, one should always comfortable around their loved one. Yet, at home and in intimate times, isn't the attire different than when one goes to the office?

Isn't there something to be said about one's attitude showing through what one wears (Matthew 22:11-12)? Can we honestly say that a casual approach to church led to a greater respect for God in recent years?

Please, no eggs or tomatoes... It's just food for thought!

Ladies' Spring Tea

A few weeks ago our church ladies had fun having tea together at the Darjeeling Tea Room, St. Marys, Ontario. Here are our photo memories...

Then Understood I

"When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I..." (Psa 73:16-17)

Sometimes I, like the Psalmist, do not understand why people who do not love and serve God as I do, continue to prosper--sometimes even more than I prosper! Why does it seem that they have it all together? That they have no troubles?

Asaph says when he went to the house of God, then he understood! This is so true! When I spend time with my spiritual family, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am comforted and I see things much more clearly than before. God uses the fellowship of other believers to strengthen and encourage me.

Last night was an amazing evening at our church! The spontaneous singing and testimonies went on and on until 9:00! We didn't even have any preaching, but some of the testimonies were just as encouraging and uplifting--even convicting!

Asaph must have had the same experience in the house of God. His conclusion close to the end of his Psalm says:

"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (Psa 73:24-26)

His time in church made him realize once again that God was his strength and his everything! He realized that all that mattered was: he had God!

I can also experience this every day when I come into the sanctuary of His presence, reading His Word, praying, and spending time in the quiet, seeking to hear His voice in my heart.

Many times I do not understand the stuff of life. I am discouraged. I get angry. I become confused. I even question God. But when I go to the sanctuary, then understand I!