Church...

My husband and a friend of his were talking about church and his friend feels like he does not belong there. Not yet anyways. It inspired me to write this post because I know all to well how this person is feeling.

When you first turn to Jesus and begin to read your bible, you might start wondering why God picked you. I know I did. Why? Because I am a sinner. We all are. I read straight out from the bible that we are not to have tattoos on our bodies. I am covered with tattoos! I read in the bible that I was not to have sex before I was married. I failed at that as well. I pretty much felt like I failed at everything! According to the old testament, I would have been stoned to death! It is not a good feeling when you realize how bad you have lived your life in God's eyes but it is needed in order to grow in your new found faith. Which brings me to church.

My husband And I knew we needed church in our lives so I ended up emailing the Pastor who had married us the year before. He remembered us and we had a meeting with him and he invited us to his church. Even though I wanted to go to church, I was intimidated by it. My husband had to work that Sunday so I knew I would be going by myself for my first time. I also didn't feel like I would belong. I felt like I'd be judged for the tattoos and knowing all of the sins I had done it just made me feel like church maybe wasn't for me. It made me feel like I was an hypocrite. But God loves me and He loves you. You belong to church more than you know. I am not saying you need to go to church in order to be saved but for me, as a new Christian, church as been my go to. Specially in the middle of a crisis. It is uplifting, motivating. Its been life changing. It is nothing like what I remembered from going to a Catholic church. People who go to church all have the same goal. To worship and praise our God. To give Him the Glory that He deserves. To learn scriptures and how they can apply to your own life. To hear the word of God. To meet others who share their love for Jesus. To help each other grow their faith. And so much more. That is how it is suppose to be anyways. Not all churches are good though so be careful. A good church will never make you feel like you don't belong. They will not judge you because a good church knows we are all sinners. A good church will make you feel welcomed and loved and will help you grow spiritually. A good church will give glory to God.

As Jesus said in Mark 2:17"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Jesus came on earth for us. He came on earth for the sinners to offer us a chance at eternal life. So you belong in church just as much as the next person. God bless,

Nancy xo