Can we get serious for a moment?

Ah! Sunday, glorious Sunday.
We headed off to church in the family van, all cleaned up and ready to worship with our very special church family (seriously, they are very special!)

I have to say, however, I'm not one who believes that you must look "churched up" in order to come to church.
On the contrary.
I'm not sure what you believe to be true about coming to church, but the fact is, God receives us just as we are.
Right where we're at in our lives.
Dressed up or messed up, ready or not.

It's a fact indeed. The bible says, in Romans 5:6-8, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

If you look at that passage carefully and thoughtfully, you may well discover why I don't think outward appearance or inward readiness is necessary to come to church or to come to Christ. 1Samuel 16:7 reads, "For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, (B) but the LORD looks on the heart."
If you've felt God's call on your heart but have also felt that you are not "ready", not "churched up" enough in fine clothes, not worthy due to shame or sins that "couldn't possibly be forgiven", then consider the words of the Bible above.
They are not man's perspective.
They are God's perspective.

And while we're at it, "What's with the red letters?" you ask. It's more like what's IN the red letters. DCTalk recorded a beautiful song about the most important red letters of all, but the short answer is...LOVE!
There is incredible love in the red letters. Try this. Reread the scripture passage above and simply insert YOUR name in place of the words in red, and you will catch a glimpse of the love God has for you.


And so it is on my heart today to share this...
Come as you are!
He is ready to meet you just as you are, right where you're at.
I've said this in the past and it's so worth repeating. If there are 100 steps that stand between you and the God who loves you and desires your heart, He will descend 99 of those steps to meet you, if you will simply turn to face Him, taking only just one step toward Him.

Incredible change, hope, peace, forgiveness, grace, security and love await you.

Toni