We’ve spent the last week in Pasadena, California, and had a wonderful time. Now we are ready to get back home and begin work and ministry again.
We got to do a lot of fun things. We visited the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. What a great experience and a great view–the same one we all saw when President Reagan’s body was flown back to California.
We saw the Tournament of Roses Parade, visited a botanical garden and world renowned library (I like it), and went to a little ball game.
One of the impressionable parts of the trip was a time to worship with God’s people at a local church.
When you are out of town the question is “where do we go to church?”
We did what most people today do. We went to Google and typed “Los Angeles Church,” “Pasadena Church,” and “Glendale Church.” Each search returned the same first option, ERock Church of Los Angeles. It was the most intriguing in the search results and actually relatively close to where we were.
ERock is also known as Eagle Rock Baptist Church on Colorado Boulevard.
We met the pastor and enjoyed our time of worship. Here’s what we learned.
First, God’s people are God’s people. This church really was “red and yellow black and white,” and they were precious people. They were just like us. They needed to meet God, they needed hope for everyday living, and they needed the fellowship of other children of God.
Second, God inhabits the praises of His people. Though we didn’t know all the songs, we did worship Him through music. We joyfully joined in the Lord’s Supper, and we heard a message from God’s Word which was well done. The pastor obviously studied and spent time with God. We participated in the offering and knew God was with us.
Finally, God’s Spirit is active and moving in the lives of people. These people were engaged in worship. They have big plans for the coming year. They wanted to be there and it showed.
It doesn’t matter where you live or what your ethnicity is. Your past really doesn’t matter, and it probably doesn’t matter where you go to church. What does matter is our seeking to follow and obey our Lord–the One who died to save us and the One who is coming again to present his bride without spot or blemish.
May we be found faithful.
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7 Responses
Glad y’all are home! Glad you were able to spend some time in the “Golden State,” the place my wife and I were blessed to serve for 8 years and where He graced us with our oldest child. But most of all, glad that the same Jesus we serve in SE Louisiana is “alive and well” at ERBC and many other places in California. Yes, a “state of darkness,” is California. But where the darkness is most extreme, then the more obvious is the light. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2, HCSB)
I came to appreciate Californians. They were very nice and friendly–except on the freeways!
Every Living creature is made up of cells. Every cell has Light. When every Cell is Lit, it is without blemish, variable intensity. As long as existing cells are not working together as one, there is room for darkness. More cells also make more pockets of darkness. The sphere of each light is “relative” to their individual strength. There is a synergy to Romans 12: 4&5 that produces (Light) Church out of Romans 12:1-3 that results in Romans 12:21 LIGHT without spot or blemish, Church. It is not a new concept. The cooperative program is one approach.
The story this past football season of Auburn is interesting. Those who have eyes to see, may.
Blessings
Good insights about church.
So glad you go to go!! Also glad you may no reference whatsoever to the Little Old Lady – wouldn’t want people thinking you were talking about the lovely Miss Martha. 🙂 That “it probably doesn’t matter where you go” thing is something I’ve had to meditate on and come to grips with as I’ve dealt with hundreds of other Christian blogger friends and seen that the foundational truths are really the same (when they are the same) and that generally it’s the grey matter that gets us all tangled up.
We need to see the church as one, but even then God will lead us where He wants us to go. I’m not going to do anything to make Martha mad!
😉