I truly believe that Christians benefit from gathering together.  I don’t mean gathering as in a group text or FaceTime, but side-by-side and face-to-face gatherings.  Why?  Well, first, it is God’s plan for The Church, and I believe that since God is the creator of this universe, then He knows best how to navigate life in it…in every aspect.  Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Second, since turning 50, I have been reflecting more on life (maybe this is normal when you realize you are half a century old!)  Thanks to my Mom, I have regularly gathered with Christ-followers since I was a young girl.  I can truly say that I would not be who I am or where I am today if gathering with other believers had not been a part of my life. Have there been times when relationships and ministry have been messy and hard?  Absolutely!  But the worship, impact, memories, and all I have learned in church life far outweigh the difficult times.

To do something meaningful and fun, I am planning to share 50 teachings, special memories, and/or events that have occurred in my 50 years of church life.  I plan to share one a day for 50 days!  Maybe this will inspire some of you as well to reflect on your own life change and memories in church life and to share them on this site.  Or, if you are not currently gathering with others, maybe it will inspire you to re-consider and pray about connecting with a local church (there are many great churches and I believe God will direct you when you seek to connect).  My hope is that this blog in some way encourages and blesses many!  I look forward to sharing with you for the next 50 days…

(Photo by Alfred Twj on Unsplash)

1. While growing up, I would stand next to my Nana almost every Sunday and listen to her sing the old hymns with such heart-felt love and conviction.  These are such sweet, dear memories and I didn’t realize at the time how precious those moments of worshipping God side-by-side were.
2. I’ve learned that Jesus loves me and that He willingly became the sacrifice for my sins giving me right standing in my relationship with God. This is definitely good news!
3. I met other wonderful single Moms at church during a season (11 years!) of singleness. These ladies became some of my best friends and our children grew up together.  We studied the Word together; served in church together; cried together; helped each other; and grew together.  We truly shared a special bond/sisterhood.
4. My daughter, Brittney, started going blind in one eye around the age of 7. Along with friends from church, we prayed for her eyesight for several months.  God restored her sight, and I will never forget the day at the doctor’s office when he repeated tests and just sat down and shook his head in disbelief as he said that she had sight in her eye!
5. Attending Vacation Bible School as a child was the best! I can remember having different groups at one VBS with moderate-level art classes (taught by my Aunt LaDonna) and even a sign language learning group.
6. In church, I’ve learned the importance of loving others.
7. I led a women’s small group for several years and met a lady through my group who later introduced me to my husband…she is now my sister-in-love!
8. I learned what it meant to do a community outreach…to just go out and love on the community in small ways together.
9. I remember watching my Mom practice and sing in the choir. Even with the challenges of a special needs child, she was at church almost every time the doors were open.
10. I can remember many thriving ministries that were birthed in the church where I grew up. A trucking ministry; a prison ministry; a Jewish believers church; a Hispanic church; and, a large Christmas production/musical just to name the ones I recall. Such great fruit!
11. I am still learning that God sees me through the righteousness of Jesus and that He loves me unconditionally. This is so hard for me to wrap my heart around at times.  I am understanding more and more that my acts of service are a result of my love for Him, not to earn anything from Him.
12. As I think about those that we have worshipped with who have passed away through the years, I am so thankful for the hope that we have in seeing one another again. We will celebrate and worship our God in an atmosphere we can’t even imagine!
13. I cherish the wonderful, often insightful conversations my step-daughter and I have had on our Sunday morning commutes to church together.
14. Watching my husband study scripture to teach is awesome. He diligently seeks to rightly discern the word of God. Listening to him preach and teach is something I enjoy, and I always learn from him.
15. I’ve learned that gathering together can be fun and full of life.
16. I remember Sunday’s when my special needs brother would sneak out of children’s church during dismissal, and we would frantically look for him and find him playing the church’s drums or playing on the church’s playground!
17. As a young girl in church on Sunday nights, my Nana would bring a plastic bag with peanut butter cracker sandwiches that she had made for me to snack on, because back then, Sunday night services could go on for hours!
18. I learned that praising and worshipping God in song together is powerful, refreshing, and precious.
19. My childhood Pastor was one of the most loving, humble men I have ever met, and I am so thankful for all the years learning from him and his wife.
20. I smile even now when I think of hearing my Uncle Donnie, who was an ordained minister, preach a sermon, or play the guitar and sing.
21. I have served as a towel holder, organization aide, and non-slip protector during several Baptisms and being a part of this special time NEVER grows old or routine. It is always precious, amazing, and a time of celebration!
22. I am growing more and more in the love of Jesus: I am absorbing teachings on God’s unconditional love for me and learning more about sharing love with others.
23. I remember serving as a teenager in the Nursery with my Mom. Tending to all the babies together was sweet mother/daughter time (also crazy mother/daughter time too)!
24. A precious memory is my daughter hiding behind the church podium with a microphone at the age of five reciting each book of the Bible.  She was standing in the same spot where I just stood last week to speak as we came together to honor and celebrate my Dad’s life.
25. Being a part of and sometimes leading a small group has truly been one of the biggest blessings of my life. It’s where I have grown spiritually through study and discussion; where I have formed awesome relationships; and, where I have been encouraged most during the various seasons of life.
26. I remember a special singing group in our church growing up called the Crusaders. I used to love to hear them sing and my uncles were part of the group as well.  They would travel and made their own album.
27. Witnessing my 12 year old daughter standing in church praying so earnestly for someone battling an alcohol addiction was amazing…I know God was pouring love into that person’s heart at that moment.
28. I attended a class at church that challenged us to read the New Testament four times in a year. It was so amazing how His Word would speak to me through each reading and how different parts of scripture would stand out each time.  It was truly a time of learning and growing.
29. I have learned the importance of training leaders in ministry.  In order for there to be growth in a group of believers, leadership has to expand.  One person can never do it all.  (Acts 6:1-4)
30. I’ve learned the importance of studying the Word and listening to/reading teachings from different ministers/teachers. Sometimes, we can get caught up in what one person teaches or a group of people teach, but it is always important to read and study what the Bible says.
31. There was a period of a year in which I needed spiritual and emotional refreshing after working in ministry for several years.  My time at a church that was considered an “oasis” for ministry leaders/staff was encouraging, renewing, and precious.
32. Growing up as a young girl and teenager, several members of my family went to church to worship together and then we would gather at my Nana’s house. Sometimes she would cook a big meal complete with homemade ice cream, but most Sunday’s we ate ham sandwiches on toasted bread and homemade spaghetti.  They were the best sandwiches in the world to us…Sunday’s were about worship and family.
33. Through the seasons of life, we move and/or change the local church we attend, but so many friendships remain. I was recently reminded of this during the passing of my Dad…those that sent messages, texts, cards, etc. were from every stage of my life and it was precious.  We are on a journey meeting those we will one day occupy Heaven with!
34. I remember attending youth group as a teenager in our youth minister’s (husband/wife team) home each week. It was a great time as we learned, laughed, prayed, and took trips together.  I’m sure things were hard and messy at times as well, but I can only remember the over-all value that it brought to my life.
35. I’ve realized the importance of messages/sermons that focus on God and the gospel, rather than on “me” (i.e., success, happiness, financial increase, etc.). The assembly of the church has been a weekly reminder that life’s focus is on God and His saving gospel, not on me and what I feel like I need.
36. It has been so inspiring to see family and friends who at one time had no interest in church…now they are in love with Jesus, growing in knowledge, and are serving in His church!
37. Watching my daughter serve so diligently in the tech/sound area in both children and adult services for years was inspiring.
38. My Great-grandmother was an Evangelist. I enjoy hearing about her from others who knew her during her preaching days.
39. The generosity that I have often witnessed towards myself and others in church has been such a blessing.
40. I have learned more about serving others in church than anywhere else. Serving as part of a ministry team; loving and caring for our families; encouraging each other; meeting needs; cooking a meal; picking up a piece of trash in the church parking lot…these are all ways we serve.
41. Worshipping and serving together tears down barriers…denominations, politics, race, age…the things that often seem to divide us no longer matter in His presence.
42. I have learned that when you are not active in church, it is easier to not make it a priority and to miss attending.
43. I have realized that people in church will let you down and/or hurt you…we are fallible. These are times when we need to try to keep our focus on God, seek and allow healing, and not let the circumstances embitter us to The Church.
44. It is awesome how hearing certain worship songs or hymns will take me back in memory to different time periods in church.
45. I was on staff at a church where we often recounted a “list” of our funniest church moments…some great, some awkward, and some hilarious! They always made us laugh or brought a smile to our face.
46. Some of the most precious moments are when our church staff and members would disperse throughout the auditorium (could be weekday mornings, evenings, or on Saturdays) to pray for an hour together while worship music played in the background. It was powerful, unifying, changing, and refreshing.
47. There have been times that my soul was crying out or longing for clarity or direction, or when I simply could not grasp a passage of scripture. Then the Holy Spirit would speak through the Pastor during service or through a friend exactly what I needed.  I love His attention to us!
48. I absolutely love hearing my husband sing beside me during worship service!
49. I’ve seen the beauty of corporate worship…nothing can substitute for us gathering together to worship, fellowship, learn, and grow in Him. There are things that happen in corporate worship that cannot happen alone.
50. We need and benefit greatly from His Church!