17 Mar, 2011

Dragging to Church

You might call this alleged street racer a rebel without a car.

PHorse and buggyolice in Ashland, Ohio, say they have charged an Amish man with driving left of center after he clipped a motorist during a horse-and-buggy race.  Law enforcement officials say Jacob Raber was the man behind the reins when a horse carriage struck a car on Route 758 on Sunday, Fox 8 News reports.
Raber was reportedly racing another horse and buggy to a nearby church when he attempted to make a pass.  But when the horse-powered vehicle crossed the center line, it clipped an oncoming car, according to investigators.

Raber reportedly suffered scratches and cuts in the accident. His three passengers and the motorist escaped unharmed.

Story courtesy of AOLnews.com.  Picture courtesy of google.com

Hebrews 10:22-25 (New Living Translation)
….let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.   Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

What does today’s Scripture Story teach us about dragging to church?
Because of God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice for us, we can be in the very presence of God.  In the Old Testament (before Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross), only the High Priests could enter the Holy of Holies and that was just once a year.  Each Sunday, you have an opportunity to join other brothers and sisters in Christ to worship the Lord.  When you meet regularly, you can show acts of kindness and love to those in your church family. 

 

How can we connect today’s God’s Story scripture to our lives?
You may have heard others say this before.  I was drugged growing up.  Every Sunday and Wednesday night my parents drugged me to church.  I have lots of fond memories.  I don’t know many like Cedar Grove Church.  It was built before the Civil War.  It was a one-room building and until a few years ago didn’t even have indoor plumbing – we had to use an outhouse. 

But I was proud to be from Cedar Grove.  We were a family.  Although small in number, we were big on missions.  We had huge hearts and helped each other.  I learned songs that I still sing today.  And each time I go back ‘home,’ I’m welcomed with open arms and loved by those who mentored, taught, and helped shape me into who I am today.

I can tell you that shaping was not only spiritual, but physical as I was spoiled by home-made macaroni and cheese, no bake cookies, jellies, pumpkin rolls, pretzel salads, and more!  Even though I don’t get back often to visit Cedar Grove, the foundation of what I learned and how I was loved makes a difference to this day.

I’m glad I was drugged.  For me, church is a very important part of my life.  But worshipping and encouraging fellow believers is even more important.  I can’t just show up.  I can’t just sit in my pew.  I have to be active in obeying the teachings of the scripture. 

How can we connect today’s story, God’s Story scripture, and our story to others?
I’m glad the Amish guy in the news article was heading to church.  I don’t advocate speeding, either with horse power or motorized horse power, but I 100% support and believe in the gathering of Christians meeting together regularly.

1. Encourage your friends to attend church with you this week if they don’t have a church they attend.
2. At church, look around and see those who might need a helping hand or a word of encouragement.  The scripture today says to think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  How can you help someone? 
3. Talk about what God is doing in your church with your non believing friends.  Mention things that are going on.  List people by name so they get to ‘know them’ before they even attend. 
4. Make going to church a top priority.  Just obey all traffic laws on your way.

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