Camp Meetings & Revival

I love my church. When I moved to where I live now 5 years ago I knew getting into church was a must. The embers of my faith had been stirred to a small flicker and in order for the flames of faith to take over, I knew having a church home with accountability was a must for my life. Within two weeks of living here I did find a church home and a week after my first visit I joined. And for the most part I have loved every minute. I have rededicated my life to the Lord in my church, I was married by one of the pastors of my church, I gave my life over to ministry (this one!) at my church, and dedicated my daughter to the Lord at my church. Many milestones worth remembering have happened at my church.

My husband and I did attend another church for a while. I loved that church too! It had a different feel, a different style, but the truth of the Gospel was still taught. The only reason we did not continue at this church was their Sunday School approach. They didn't have SS. They had life groups, which are great but do to my husbands work schedule we never could get plugged in. But at that church we made great memories, good friendships and had our hearts transformed.

During our Sunday's at church #2, I still attended #1 on Wednesdays, so I never left the original church 100%. But now we are 100% back at church #1 and have been for over a year. And what a year it has been!

Our church completed construction on the church growth plan. We have an amazing worship center, the children's area is mind blowing, and our Chapel. Oh my goodness! If the Chapel had been completed when I was getting married, I would have been married at our church. It is so lovely, and the stain glass depicting the story of Christ, wow, just, it leaves you speechless.

My husband and I are not Sunday evening church attenders. I used to be, but we have an almost 8 month old. And before now, if I did not have her in her nursery getting ready for bed at 7:00, no one slept well. But that has been improving & changing. Now in the past 8 months we have gone to one or two services at night, and dealt with the consequences because it was important to us. One of those times was the Dedication Service of the new buildings for the Lord's work. We wanted to be apart of that great service. Our pastors and leaders did a great job setting forth a plan and purpose to bring glory to God with the buildings we have.

Something else to not, my husband and I do not attend service together. I am apart of a Ladies class that meets during 1st service, and my husband works with the high school youth, and they meet during 2nd service. We wish we could but each of us loves where we have been connected and plugged in. But the sweet thing is, my husband always meets me at my class after 1st service. And yesterday, he greeted me with a smile and a message. "We will be attending church morning and night all month long in August."

I was caught off guard but, I said okay. I love attending church, and really, is there a better way to spend a Sunday evening? I asked why, out of curiosity.

Our church for the month of August is having an emphasis that they are calling "August Camp Meeting." The focus will be on salvation and spiritual renewal. The idea invokes the memories of Camp Meeting Services, held outdoors. Our Assistant Pastor lead both services yesterday as his father & mother (our Pastor & his wife) were away at a conference. I love our AP, he is a great man and I have learned so much under his instruction these past 5 years. We as a congregation yesterday got a history lesson on the 1st & 2nd Great Awakenings. If you have listened to the paragons of faith in our modern times they have called for a Great Revival, a 3rd Great Awakening to save this country from the course of destruction it is heading towards. That is what the month of August is about at our church. A renewing of our faith, a refreshing of the Holy Spirit within each of us so that we can be crusaders for Christ and for the faith and change our community. One church cannot change the world. But one church can change a community. And one community can set the example for others. Change, real change, happens, one step at a time.

I am excited to see what happens. We went ahead as a family last night and attended church. To start the next month off right, with clean hearts, examined hearts, our church took part in the Lords Supper, or Holy Communion. I had not partaken of the Lords Super since before my daughter was born so it was good for my heart. Preceding the Lords Super our AP preached on the Blood of Jesus. Oh how precious the Blood of the Lamb is. Last night, neigh, yesterday was a great day for us. We are excited to see the work of the Lord in our home, our family, our church and our community.

This song was sung last night during our worship. Please take a minute and listen. It truly gets your heart in the right mood to serve, to love, to live, to honor the Blood of the Lamb.

End of the Beginning, David Phelps