Sunday, November 16, 2008

"I like your religion...."

I'm so sorry for those of you that read my post on my "www.faith-love-patience.blogspot.com" blog a couple days ago. I signed out of my last post with..."now, I'm going to post something on my missions blog."

Well, to tell you honestly, I did type something up for this blog, but then felt that I wasn't suppose to post it. It's still in my draft folder though and perhaps sometime I'll feel led to post it.

Anyway, after getting home from our evening church service I just had to sit and post something that I find very amusing, yet sad all at the same time.

At one of my chiropractic appointments in the beginning of this year I met a very interesting person. As I was sitting in the waiting room, one of my chiropractor's patients comes walking by me and of course, I give her a smile. The lady stopped, and in a waiting room full of people says to me, "I like your religion!"

I was thinking, What?!?!!? You like my religion?!?!"

I must have given her a confused look (I honestly had NO IDEA what she was talking about), because she then began to explain to me that she used to be part of my religion, wore skirts all the time, etc. I continued to smile but I wasn't able to reply, except for a breif "thank you", before I was called back to my room.

I tried to sum everything up to the best of my knowledge as I tried to figure out the lady who had just talked with me had said. I came up with the following points:
if you smile, have long hair, and/or wear a skirt you are placed in the "religious" category.

OK, I can handle being "different" and I'm pleased to know that I'm a "religious" person. I still wonder what denomination or group she believed I was a part of. I wish I had had the time to ask her why she left her "religion".

That story above was just a side note of what I'm going to share with you, which has to do with my Sunday evening church service.

There is a lady who visits our church once in a blue moon (about 3 or so times a year). Well, as you know, I always enjoy greeting and meeting visitors. During the few times this lady visits we always strike up conversations - ranging from all sorts of topics, and tonight's conversation was no exception.

Before I go on you must realize three things.

1.I was homeschooled all my life.

2. This lady works in a very large city.

3. We attend a smaller church - it's a KJV Bible-believing, Baptist church, and we have about 20-30 families which attend on a regular basis - the majority homeschool.

I suppose that many people out in the world consider homeschoolers, "unsocialized" and see us as those who have never "seen the world", so to speak. Sigh. I don't think we'll ever convince them that we are very social people.

Anyway, the thing that I found very amusing tonight was that the lady I talked with believes that "we children" (hey, I'm in my 20's but I guess that doesn't make much difference) that attend small churches (not to mention we also homeschool) have no idea of what it's like in the "real world"!!!! EXCUSE ME!

She also believes that we don't have any type of relationship with Christ - that we small baptist churches are just a "religion" and that in the next four years, we'll really see a change in the church.

I didn't care to start discussing all that at that moment, plus for the fact I was the pianist for the service and needed to head to the piano, but I could have talked with her for a much longer period if I had had time.

So in case you are wondering....

No, I have not always attended a small, family friendly, KJV Baptist church all my life. We used to attend a large church. I also was involved with the youth group and no our family didn't always sit together for Sunday worship.

No, I have not always worn skirts/dresses.

No, I have not always had long hair.

No, I'm not an unsocialized church goer or homeschool grad.

Yes, I know what the "real world" is like, but I do not care to go join in their secular circles.

Yes, I was homeschooled from K-12 and have never regretted it!

Yes, I'm a happy person, filled with lots of smiles.

Yes, I am a born-again child of the God and I have a personal relationship with HIM.

Yes, I'm proud to be a Baptist.

and yes, I'm off to bed now!

Have a great week everyone!

Remember....


The Gospel According to You


There's a sweet old story translated for men,

But writ in the long, long ago

The Gospel according to Mark, Luke, and John

Of Christ and His mission below.



You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day,

By deeds that you do, by words that you say.

Men read what you write, whether faithless or true.

Say, what is the gospel according to you?



Men read and admire the gospel of Christ,

With its love so unfailing and true;

But what do they say, and what do they think

Of the gospel according to you?



'Tis a wonderful story, that gospel of love,

As it shines in the Christ-life divine,

And oh, that its truth might be told again

In the story of your life and mine!



Unselfish mirrors in every scene,

Love blossoms on every sod,

And back from its vision the heart comes to tell

The wonderful goodness of God.



You are writing each day a letter to men;

Take care that the writing is true.

'Til the only gospel some men will read,

That gospel according to you.


--Author Unknown

4 comments:

Kathy said...

Heather,
Thank you so much for your prayers for my mom. It means so much to me to know that others are praying for her. She doesn't have much support at home where she lives. I wish I could be at her appointment, but I know that God has placed me where I am for His purpose. I'll be praying for you as well.

Isn't it funny what the world's reaction is to those who want to live and dress according to His standards? I believe that the love of God & joy that radiates out of Christians can be a source of conviction to those who don't have that same joy. I do have to admit, I love being peculiar.

Have a wonderful week and thank you again!

Kristen Michelle said...

I've heard that people think that. I am, of course, not inclined to agree with any of that, although right now, we, personally are not involved with social things. I do NOT believe that we "small church goers" have no relationship with Christ. Only God and the individual know that. Sometimes, I wonder if perhaps these people who say these things are jealous of us. =\ But, that's a whole other thing. So anyway.

Btw, I've been homeschooled from K-10th and am still going at it. I plan to finish 12th grade homeschooling, too, and absolutely DO NOT regret any of it! =P

Nina in Portugal said...

Amen Heather!! Well said!

Kathy said...

Heather,
Today is the 20th, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you as you go through your surgery. Thanks again for your prayers, my mom's appointment went well and she is fine. Praise the Lord for His goodness!