The meeting, churches in the Terre Haute area

Well I haven't been able to post this because I have been extremely busy with a new job and candy sale.
I had the privilege of seeing a couple of High school friends. I am just so proud of them and their service to the Lord. I think of Laura. I know in high school many just thought she was the rich kid, and never amounted to much. I was so proud of what she has done with her life. She has a raised a handsome young man. She does an excellent job in her Sunday school class, Sami has been in there, she has enjoyed it. And working with the Master club. Seeing all those trophies and ribbons made me proud that I knew her. She has really became an awesome Christian, one I wish I had time to get to know over again.

Then there was Lisa, what a beautiful family she has. She is just getting settled in her new church, but I know she has a heart for souls. You can just see it in her smile. I listened to a sermon her husband preached. And wow, is all I could say. the thing that got me the most is when he was talking about not everyone is in the same spiritual place, That we are growing at different rates.

I so can't wait to met up with Lori. We keep missing each other in passing. I have heard what a wonderful work Her and her husband is doing in Rantoul. I have been candy selling there a few times and the people are so receptive, they have even asked us if we are from their church. That states alot about a church.

When we went to the church in Jasonville, the teens were so friendly. They treated my daughter like she was welcome and apart of their group. It reminded me years ago when I first started going to church. Lisa and Lori always asked me to sit with them. They really welcomed me in. I think that is what helped me to stick.

Their pastor, Jerry Ross preached an awesome message. I am praying for their spring push. I hope they blow the 501 goal out of the water. I admit after leaving there that Sunday, a huge part of me wanted to move back to the Terre Haute area. I would if I didn't already know that I was exactly where God wants me to be.

On Wednesday night we went to Bible Baptist. I don't know what it is about that church but they are so cute. I really like Pastor Parker. He reminds me of a cute little leprechaun. You just want to squeeze him, but I am sure I would get in trouble. You can tell the passion for souls and lives and families are in his heart. Wow!!!
I admire both of these pastors because they both had to deal with the ridicule of John Price from the pulpit, and they both were there to pick up the pieces of many church members lives when Price shattered them. keep on keeping on.

So what do we do?

So apparently 20/20 did a big episode on the IFB church, sex cover up. Does this surprise anyone? Well let's see. There is the Catholic church, the Mormons, the Jehovah Witness, the Methodist, the Presbyterian church, The church of God, Southern Baptist and now the IFB. What do they all have in common? Sinners.
 As a recovering victim of this I am not so happy about the publicity. Why? Well this is brought about by the wicked media that would like to do nothing but hurt the church. To hurt God. That doesn't make me happy. It hurts me because parents are too stupid to believe their children. It hurts me because people still put pastors on a pedestal. It hurts me because sinners will use this as an excuse not to come to Christ. It hurts me because another child has been hurt.

So what do we do? Do we stop going to church? Do we stop trusting in God? Do we stop having faith? What we do as Christians, members and parents is protect our children, our church our Christ. When an accusation has been made. We investigate, we question, we love, we punish, we protect. We teach our children that not everyone is a predator, but we don't be surprise either. All men are sinners, thus can and will be tempted to do horrible things.

Just because we go to church with someone. They are our daughter's and sons best friends parents, doesn't exclude them from sin or from harming us. People it is just plain common sense. We choose, do we let Satan have the victory, or do we let Christ.

Many know my circumstances, I am not going to repeat it. I will say that when I left the church my life was destroyed. But when I returned, God my Father patched me up and repaired the mess. I look at my daughters and my marriage. I see how they were then, and now. I would not change it for the world. My family has a heart for the bus ministry. My husband and I has a lead on a family interested in church. All I can think of is maybe a few more souls added to God's family. What a blessing.

I am thankful that when I did return, I was listened too and believed. You know, that is how a church should function. Unfortunately it doesn't, people are hurt. Lives are wrecked. Then the media boasts of the horror of religion. That my friend is not right. The infallibility of a pastor is not biblical and should never be construed as that. What we must realize is the same thing we accepted when we got saved.

Romans 3:23

For ALL HAVE sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Once we get saved, it doesn't take that away. We must all be aware of this in our dealings with everyone we meet, associate with, go to church with, and sit under. That is what we must do.

Rachel

I so thank God for this young lady. She is a true blessing. Tonight after church she came home and started cleaning house. Her only request is we didn't interrupt her.
Through the last year I have seen so much spiritual growth. She is regularly having devotions and good ones from her conversation about them. She is initiating spiritual subjects. She tells me what she is getting out of the sermons. She is trying to challenge herself to be a better person, a better Christian. She is learning to truly trust in God.
She isn't perfect, but she is a good girl. I don't deserve her. She is turning into the lady I have prayed for. That makes me very thankful to a merciful Father. Thank you God.
Yours truly, Cathy