Esther, Ruth, and Mary...

Okay so I am slacking... I have continued my quest to visit every church in Flagstaff but I have been hesitating on writing about the following experience.  I wanted to do it Gods way and with God's heart because for the first time I will have to use a little correction...eek!

Let me start from the beginning

I had planned on going to the Presbyterian church yet again on February 6th but again I got sidetracked. I was running a little late, had not prepared and was struggling to decide if I was going to go to another church today or spend the morning at my home church.  (I miss Canyon Chapel and now see why God called me there in the first place.  Through Pastor Rich Taylor's ministry I have truly come to understand the power of God's Grace and Mercy in my life.)

To continue I must mention one detail, anyone who lives in Flagstaff knows how blessed a church is to have an actual building.  If you drive down any given street on a Sunday morning you will find several sandwich boards announcing a church service in a school, shopping center, or warehouse.  I knew that God was working because as I was driving down the street that I thought the Presbyterian church was on and I passed one of these sandwich boards.  The church service started at 10:30.  Perfect. It was already after 10am and I was late for both Presbyterian and Canyon services so I decided to attend this church.  (I have decided not to name this church because I want this to be a lesson for the Body of Christ as a whole and do not wish to pick on any one church.)

I sat in the parking lot praying for God's wisdom in what to pray for as I do every Sunday when I noticed a car pull up.  As the occupants stepped out I noticed that the women were very conservatively dressed, long shirts and long sleeve shirts. Great.  What have I gotten myself into.  Well at least I was wearing a skirt today, a little to short, but my dark stockings might be enough to avoid stares and total judgement.  I had never been to a church like this.  God please help me!

Again I for those of you who are reading this that may not know me I have a strong faith, have attended church for my entire life and am confident both in my faith and my relationship with God.  So for me to fear walking into a church of fellow Christians is very unusual for me. 

As I stepped into the building I noticed that church service had already started.  Hmmm the sandwich board did not advertise two services?   I sat toward the back like I usually do and began to pray.  A few minutes later service was over and I was approached by a man with a very strong personality.  I felt very defensive as I was questioned about my faith, why I came alone, and how I had heard of the church.  I must say that I was thrown off by this questioning and soon found out that this "Elder of the Church" was the dominate force, even more so than the Pastor himself!  When I questioned the time on the sandwich board outside, he informed me that they have a communion service before their regular service that is only for members of the church.  They do not encourage visitors to attend this service and therefore do not advertise it.

Lord, what have you gotten me into!

The "regular" service started on time with a few well known hymns, a recitation of the books of the Bible, scripture and some memorized prayer.  Next a young man was chosen this week to deliver a message of "Pure and undefiled Religion."  He was referencing James 1:27:

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Okay so don't get me wrong, I am all about doing things God's way, but religion is man made and therefore incapable of being pure and undefiled.  We are incapable of perfection, that is why there was a need for our perfect savior Jesus Christ.

So perhaps I should not judge a church I have only attended once, perhaps they actually have a problem with a lot of widows and orphans in their church and a need to ensure that these women are taken care of.  Also I applaud their attempt to be unstained by the world. My struggle here is that the that during the entire sermon the word LOVE once.  Yes I was keeping track.  What is the point of taking care of the needy if we are not doing it in love?  What is the point of remaining unstained if we are not reaching out in love to minister to those who are in need?  

James continues on in 2:8 to say

"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well."  

Let us not forget that we should do all things for the glory of God and with the grace and mercy that he has given us and not out of a sense of duty.

Okay why did I title this Post Esther, Ruth, and Mary...

Well, needless to say after the sermon there was a question and answer session about the sermon.  (I have since discovered this is the normal practice of this church.)

And if you know me and the strong line of women I come from, then you know that I had some words to say.  Fortunately the Holy Spirit nudged me to keep my mouth shut and that this was not the time.  Luckily I listened because I found out later that women are not allowed to speak during service. Reference 1 Corinthians 14:34.   Trust me had the Holy Spirit allowed it I would have said something but I have the feeling that at this time it would not have been well received.

The truth is that I believe that even though I am a woman God can use me!  Just like he used Esther, Ruth, Mary, Rahab, and Deborah.  Imagine what would have happened to the Jewish nation had Esther not stood up to the King or if Deborah was not allowed to serve as a Judge of Israel!

Please Pray...

Pray for this church, that they would fully receive the grace of our father and seek a genuine relationship with him rather that a pure and undefiled religion.

Also pray for me because week before last I took a week off and attended my home church and was refreshed and ready to get back out there but need continual prayer for wisdom as I write my next post and visit a new church next week.  Thank you everyone who have encouraged me to continue.