Actually the steeple in this photo does not belong to this church as you can see. Two very different churches on the outside- I believe one is either a presbyterian/ or baptist (I can't remeber as we drove by for me to get this shot) and the other you may all recognize as Lutheran- the red door might give it away. You know in all my church hopping history- I never really asked or even still know why a Lutheran door is red (But I bet Jennifer can give us the answer). I did not grow up in a church but any given Sunday you could probably find me in a pew somewhere- I used to visit a Baptist church with my grandparents- a methodist church with one of my best friends in high school- or the bus would come and pick me up to attend the First Church of Nazarene-
The love of my life and I were married in his home church which is presbyterian- it is now
our home church. We were married there- our daughter was baptized there- we celebrated her 1st birthday in TPC and it certainly is our home away from home. It is a place where I feel peace and comfort- it is where I am happy to go to and see our daughter raised in a wonderful environment- it is a place of friends and family- of grace and wisdom- and a place I long to be.
The red door does always make me think: What is the meaning of it?!?
I suppose if I had to guess I would say it was the blood that Jesus shed for our sins.... am I right?
In recent articles it is heart breaking to know that Christianity is dying out of our nation- a large number of our college students and our high school students believe that there really is nothing to believe in- I could name some of the ridiculous things they choose to follow but really I choose not to give credit to any one but God- the truth is: there is a difference in what Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists etc. practice but the common denominator is God-Jesus and the Trinity. We are much more alike than we are different. We need to come together as one, unite in love and direct all others who are lost to Christ. Show them love and compassion like no other and mirror our maker so that others may see Him through us. I don't know about you but church is a vessel that makes my faith so much stronger- it is a support system!! I love the fact that each one is made in its own image but all are to glorify God just like people. What makes a church- the steeple- the red doors- the stainglassed windows- the preacher? No. It is the congregation of imperfect people all united to be perfected in Christ. What we do need to realize is that the differences between non-christian and christian are large on scale and we, as christian need to be the image of Christ so that others may be led to Him. Does attending church make me a better person? No. Will God love me more if I attend faithfully every Sunday? No of course not. It does however prepare me deeply for the days to come- in every thought process and every action.
Well, I must say goodnight but I will leave you with my favorite verse: Matthew 16:26 For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul?
xoxo
Actually the steeple in this photo does not belong to this church as you can see. Two very different churches on the outside- I believe one is either a presbyterian/ or baptist (I can't remeber as we drove by for me to get this shot) and the other you may all recognize as Lutheran- the red door might give it away. You know in all my church hopping history- I never really asked or even still know why a Lutheran door is red (But I bet Jennifer can give us the answer). I did not grow up in a church but any given Sunday you could probably find me in a pew somewhere- I used to visit a Baptist church with my grandparents- a methodist church with one of my best friends in high school- or the bus would come and pick me up to attend the First Church of Nazarene-
The love of my life and I were married in his home church which is presbyterian- it is now our home church. We were married there- our daughter was baptized there- we celebrated her 1st birthday in TPC and it certainly is our home away from home. It is a place where I feel peace and comfort- it is where I am happy to go to and see our daughter raised in a wonderful environment- it is a place of friends and family- of grace and wisdom- and a place I long to be.
The red door does always make me think: What is the meaning of it?!?
I suppose if I had to guess I would say it was the blood that Jesus shed for our sins.... am I right?
In recent articles it is heart breaking to know that Christianity is dying out of our nation- a large number of our college students and our high school students believe that there really is nothing to believe in- I could name some of the ridiculous things they choose to follow but really I choose not to give credit to any one but God- the truth is: there is a difference in what Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists etc. practice but the common denominator is God-Jesus and the Trinity. We are much more alike than we are different. We need to come together as one, unite in love and direct all others who are lost to Christ. Show them love and compassion like no other and mirror our maker so that others may see Him through us. I don't know about you but church is a vessel that makes my faith so much stronger- it is a support system!! I love the fact that each one is made in its own image but all are to glorify God just like people. What makes a church- the steeple- the red doors- the stainglassed windows- the preacher? No. It is the congregation of imperfect people all united to be perfected in Christ. What we do need to realize is that the differences between non-christian and christian are large on scale and we, as christian need to be the image of Christ so that others may be led to Him. Does attending church make me a better person? No. Will God love me more if I attend faithfully every Sunday? No of course not. It does however prepare me deeply for the days to come- in every thought process and every action.
Well, I must say goodnight but I will leave you with my favorite verse: Matthew 16:26 For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul?
xoxo
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