Unity

What has God been saying to you lately? I'm sure that it's more than one thing, but is there a reoccurring theme, maybe? I'd have to say that in what the Lord has been showing me, Unity is what has been standing out. It's been in the teachings at church, in the conversations with the boys on the way home from Friday School where classes are held at the Baptist church, in the chatter of women at the monthly First Friday meeting (a time for women to get together and work of projects and chatter), in the exchange of thoughts at our Growth Group bible study. It's been all around me.

It's really making me think about the prejudices and assumptions I have; ones I've had since I was little and ones I've acquired from hurts and heartaches received throughout life. And while analyzing this, I then came to ponder what sort of prejudices and assumptions I was instilling in my boys... and to take it further, how have I helped create or have been responsible for any others' prejudices? Have I caused offense that has made someone put up a wall and hold a grudge toward a certain "type" of person? Have I given "Christians" a bad name in someone's eyes? Have I contributed to someones prejudices by listening to gossip or even doing it myself?

Hmmm... I'd have to answer yes to all of the above. And that needs to change. With the conviction from the Holy Spirit and the power of Christ, I can change. I can also help change the views my children already have. To be able to do that, I need to be knowledgeable of the Word. Not just knowledgeable of the Word, but steeped in It, full of It, and with a personal relationship to It.

That's where the power to change comes from, the relationship. And the only way to have a relationship grow is to invest time into it. Let's all take a look at our relationship to our Father. Have we been spending enough time with Him to really say we have a relationship with Him? If not,well... just do it, as Nike would say. Read the Word, think about it, talk about it, study it. Let's get steeped in the Word, able to squelch the flaming arrows of the enemy and stand for Unity within the Church. Let's be the beautiful Bride of Christ, shining God's glory into the dark world!

I want the world to look at the us, the Church and say, "Wow, they have something that's different, that's better than what I have, something I want." Let's not give them the excuse of "yeah... look at that. Look at how they treat one another. They're no better than anyone else. In fact, they're worse! Why would I want to be like that?"

Let's find the common ground with our brothers and sisters that don't fellowship in the same place or in the same way that we do. Let's choose not to divide over the stuff that isn't about our salvation. Let's just get along, starting in our homes. I'm willing to give it a shot. What about you?

Can you say "soap box?!" Guess I can get off now!

Did I mention that baseball season has begun?!

Just in case any of you were wondering, baseball season is here. And even though I can say that I "know" what that means, I guess I forget the reality of it until it actually hits. I have Nathanael's game schedule in front of me, with some guestimated practice dates inserted (2 games plus 2 practices per week). I also have a practice schedule for Mikael for the next 3 weeks (4-5 practices per week with optional Sunday batting practice). We'll be getting Mikael's full schedule this Saturday at his 4th practice of the week. I'm also looking at the regular weekly schedule that's in place -Women's Bible Study on Wednesday morning, Growth Group on Thursday night, Friday School on Friday morning, Church and Mini-Church on Sunday morning- and then thinking of adding regular stuff in like dentist appointments, grocery shopping, field trips, etc. So, what I'm saying is that even with Charles and I each coaching a team of our own last year, our lives definitely didn't seem this busy! I suppose I'll get used to the schedule in time (something every night of the week with some nights double or triple booked, and Saturday games or practices, or both, from now until May 30th,) but for now it sure seems daunting!

Yet, even with all this, I'd still sign them up for baseball again. Nathanael seems to finally be getting into a groove, bringing it all together and getting some confidence. Mikael is super excited to be able to show all his skills to his new coach, and proud that now he's not afraid to be hit by a pitch (he took a wild pitch on his hip this evening while we were at the batting cages)! They're both getting to know some kids and make good value judgments as to what kind of friends they want. So, even though we're all going separate directions most of the time, and my head's already spinning from the schedule, I'm glad we're doing this.

But, you can still pray for my sanity! I'm absolutely certain that there will be days that I'll need it!