I am coming to your church this Sunday

Thomas  Weaver of  Resurgence expresses  very  well  the  thoughts of  a  non Christian visiting  a  church. It would  be  good  if  church  leaders kept  these  things  in   mind when  they  open  their  church  doors on

Sunday morning.

 

Okay I’m not a Christian, but I’ve finally made the decision to come to your church this Sunday. Don’t expect much from me though. If something comes up I might not, but right now I’m planning on it. I feel like I need to go, but I’m not sure why. I want to tell you a few things about myself before you meet me.

1. I’m not going to understand religious language or phrases so be aware of that when we talk. I don’t understand slain in the spirit, God is moving in me, covered in the blood, I need to die to self, you just need to be in the Word, what you need is a new life, etc. If we have conversation filled with religious talk, I’m probably not going to understand half of the words...and maybe think you’re a little crazy.

2. When you ask me how I’m doing, know that I don’t trust you. I’m probably going to lie and tell you I’m fine. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you; it’s just that I come from some pain and am not sure if I trust you yet. How about you tell me your story first? If I like you and get the vibe that you’re not trying to capture my soul or anything, I’ll tell you mine.

3. I’ve got pretty rough language and I can be bitter and angry about some things. If I sense in you a mindset of superiority, I’m out. If you are just waiting for your turn to talk instead of truly listening to me, I’m not going to be interested. Don’t expect me to be exactly like you.

4. Don’t make a big deal of introducing me to everyone you know. I understand a couple of people, but please; don’t set up a welcoming line. I’m just there to check it out; I need a bit of space.

5. I’m going to be looking for genuine interest in me. I don’t want to feel like your personal salvation project or be a notch on your “I saved one” belt. If this Jesus is who you say he is, then I’m looking forward to seeing him in you. That’s how it works, right?

6. I’m going to have questions. I need truth, not your preferences or your religion, so can you just tell me what the Bible says?


7. I need to feel welcomed. Is there a time limit or something on my visit before I’m supposed to feel unwelcomed? I mean, I’ve been to other churches and there seemed to be a push for me to make up my mind or something. How long until I’m unwelcomed?

Thanks for hearing me out. I’m pretty sure I’m going to come this Sunday. But I might not.
_____________________________

On  May 15th  Bro.  Sunil Joy shared  in  our  church.
Sunil is  a  missionary to  rural youth.

Here  are  some  photos from  the service

Sunil and  his  wife  Ritu are  not  Christians ,  but  they  have  started  taking  an  interest  in the  Gospel and  right  now   they  are  attending  a  Bible  camp. Do  pray  that  they  may find  the  truth.

Indu Aunty is  almost crippled  due  to  arthritis ,  but  she  attends church  faithfully.

Praying  for  various needs  at the  end  of  the  service.

For  the  next  2  Sundays  I  will  be  sharing 

in  the  Sunday  service, as  Pastor

is  away.

Tomorrow I  will  be  sharing  from

Phillipians 3;1

"Rejoice  in the Lord  always."

Sonia  and  Abner are leaving   early

tomorrow  morning.

We  had   lovely 3  weeks together

and  they  flew  by  so  fast.

Obstacles

I clicked  these  photos while  I  was

caught  in  a  traffic  jam sometime  ago.

(I liked  the  penguins   painted

on the  side  of  an  air conditioned  car

so I covertly took  a  photo

with my cell  phone)

It  was  the  cooler  season.

You  will  notice  people  wearing  pull overs.

The man   on  the  motorcycle  has a gun

slung  over  his  shoulder.

He  is  probably  a private  security guard.

Guards  who  own  a  licenced gun

are  better  paid   than  the unarmed ones.

Traffic   is  pretty  chaotic  around  town.

The  city  has  been  given  a  grant  by  the  World  Bank

to  lay   down  sewage  pipes and  underground

drainage system which  they have  to

finish before  the  monsoons  set in.

They  are  doing  it  in  a  haphazard

disorganized  manner.

Digging  up  roads, causing  traffic  disruptions,

dusty environment and  commuting  dangers.

The  dug  up  roads  are  not  repaired   properly,

Its dangerous to  move  over them.

Everybody  is   complaining   about  the  dust

all  this  is  kicking  up.

Throat and  lung infections

and   allergies  have  increased.

Many  people  have  complained  that  they  don 't  like

to step  out  of  their  homes

unless  they  have to  on 

important  business.

Morning  walkers  are  refraining

from  their  daily  exercise.

Everybody is  very  angry about  this.

I  too  avoid  passing  through  the  dug  up  areas.

Till  now  they  have  not  come

to  our  vicinity but

one  day  they will-

then  the  fun  will  begin LOL!

Well life is  full  of  its daily

obstacles, troubles  and  trials.

One  can 't  escape  from  them.

Last evening  we  were without  electricity  for 4  hours.

Between 7pm to  11 pm...

with  the darkness,  mosquitoes and heat

to  keep us company.

But  we  were better  off than  some  areas  which  did  not  have  power the  whole  day

and  water too.

You  just cannot  complain.

Complaining   will  make  you   sicker

than  you  probably  are.

Just  make  the  best   of  what you  have.

Since   the  past  few  days  I 've  been

having  dizzy  spells with  heaviness  in  my  head.

Could  be  a  spondylitus

or  middle  ear problem.

I  am  also  allergic  to

temperature  changes.

I  have  to  take  medication  and  lie  down

for  more  than  an  hour.

My  hands,arms  and  knees  also  get

inflamed and  I  have  to  take  painkillers.

Sonia 's  company  is  a   real

boost  and  help.

They are  leaving  on Sunday  morning

and  we  will  miss  them.

Anyway we have  much  to  be thankful  to  God  for.

Saint  Paul  in

Phillipians  3:1  says

"Finally  my  brothers

rejoice  in  the  Lord".

I  found this  quote  from Resurgence

really helpful.

I  will  reproduce  the  whole  article  later on.

By making the choice to rejoice in the Lord in the midst of unpleasant circumstances, we will guard ourselves against fear, doubt, double-mindedness, and the discouragement that comes from opposition.

Take a minute to listen to  John  Maxwell talking   about  obstacles