More than just an appearance

To be honest, it has been a tough few days to focus. Lots going on this week. We have our niece coming in tomorrow to stay with us for the week. We are headed to the cabin after Kyle gets finished on Thursday with his EOG's and once we get there, unpack, settle in for a few - we are headed to see Kenny Chesney in Greenville, SC. Shame he is not coming to Charlotte NC this year - not sure why but we are going to him this year and we are all pretty excited about it. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday we will be at the cabin and enjoying some rest and downtime together. There is one major highlight on Sunday and that is getting up early, hitting bojangles and then hitting NewSpring Church in Anderson SC. Can't wait to hear Pastor Perry preach and experience such an awesome church. What makes this special is that we will have our niece with us and she does not know Jesus. Carol and I won't have to serve anywhere and Kyle will be undercover as he goes into the children's ministry to collect info on how they do things - he will be grilled on what he liked, what was fun and what is different than his normal Sunday church experience. We always come back fired up...... but even at such a huge church with lots of people around... its easy to get lost and blend into the crowd. Its easy to just make an appearance and then go home - unfazed and mostly unchanged.
Tomorrow, Rocky River Church will be holding its Sunday services at Frank Liske park - which is a local church here in the area. We are having pizza the hour before the band kicks it in and Pastor Jimmy shares what God has placed on his heart. It is always a great day spent in the park, hearing some awesome music led by a great worship pastor - Darren Libby- and hearing about Jesus. The best part of the experience will be the baptism that will take place. It is a public expression of our trust and faith in Jesus for our lives. We are publicly announcing that we are His and have put our lives in Gods hands. It is such an experience and I have been thinking and praying about this for over a week now. I do know a few close and special people that will be baptised and I have already told them - no promises on me not having a tear.
Church is more than just an appearance on Sundays. It is more than getting in your seating section and saying good morning to the normal folks and then going home or out to eat afterwards. When we really meet Jesus - when He fully comes into our lives and church becomes a place for change, for conviction and for growth in our lives - when it becomes uncomfortable at times and you enjoy a laugh and you struggle through a tear .... you know Gods Word is alive in your life. When you get to a place where other people salvation means a LOT to you and you are willing to do whatever it takes to reach them for Jesus. You care about reaching that teenager or 3rd grader who just lost a parent or who is struggling with some things.
Church is more than just an appearance .... when you meet Jesus - He changes everything.
I am praying for our niece .... a new direction in life that has Jesus in it. I am praying for those who will be publicly professing their lives to Jesus tomorrow. No more hiding, no more excuses, no more being fake, no more pretending..... its time to nail this thing down. Your appearance means nothing on Sunday mornings if Gods Word is not alive in your life, alive in your decisions, alive in how you're living and alive in your example.
If you continue to do what you have always done - you will continue to get what you have always gotten.

Appearance is what is on the outside..... God cares about what is on inside. I am pretty stoked for the next week ahead ....... a little God's glory at a time.
lrbatema@gmail.com

Lonnie~