My Family!

 

I can't express how much I love my family. AND yesterday was one of the rare opportunities that we get to share time together. NO, we were NOT ALL THERE, We were missing Jordan, Christian, Ayla, Keegan, Riley, Maverick, and Kelley. Maybe we will get to try to take a COMPLETE family photo when we celebrate our GRADUATES in a few weeks. 

We are a close family and I often describe our family as "THE LOUD FAMILY" because we have a reputation of being, let's just say "BUSY" or "ACTIVE." That is true from the youngest to the oldest. But, I would also say we are a loving and caring family and we deeply love and care for each other. 

What is your reputation? How would people describe you or YOUR family? What traits would they think about when they see you?

Churches are like people, they also have reputations. Being here at South Memorial I am starting to learn about this group of followers. I am in the early stages of understanding their REPUTATION. So, far I have seen a group that KNOWS how to love others. They have firmly embraced Stephanie and I. When our family visited church yesterday, they were very open, friendly, and welcoming.

I really think having KINDNESS and a WELCOMING HEART, is a good sign for the type of Church South Memorial has been and will be in the future. 

Today, I was reading in the book of Colossians. Really, it is a book I have not spent much time in. I do have some favorite verses from this short book, but I have not spent much time reflecting on it's passages. 

One thing I found out that was kind of interesting, PAUL never visited here and he did not start this church as he did so many others. He was in prison when he HEARD about this church and its reputation. 

Here is what he said in the opening chapter:

"For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people, which comes from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News." (Colossians 1:4-5, NLT)

"You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ's faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you  will grow as you learn to know God better and better." (Colossians 1:7-10, NLT)

I could repeat Paul's thoughts about the church at Colosse when I think our new church home. I have seen this church's love for others. That love is given by the Holy Spirit and I have not stopped praying for them since I became aware of them and their love for Christ. But, I think Paul is also telling this church, they have more growing to do and they have more fruit to bear. I think that is TRUE OF ALL OF US!

We are NEVER DONE growing and even though this church is 114ish years old, they are not done blooming and spreading the gospel message. We need to look at our own lives, the lives of our families,  and the life of our Church family, reflect on our REPUTATION. What we are known for and then we need to grow in the areas we are weak. How can we grow and become better servants of Christ or how can we get to KNOW GOD BETTER AND BETTER? Great questions to ponder today!