Find Your Faith

It's Sunday morning, and I just got cleaned up here at home for 10:30 church service.  The history of my faith journey is muddled; the future of my faith journey...also muddled.  I grew up attending a Catholic church - Sunday school lessons, communion, etc...  It didn't stick, and I'm not exactly sure why.  I didn't enjoy church; I suppose that's not unlike many other young people growing up.

In college I was enrolled at a Lutheran church; in fact my ex-wife and I were married in the campus chapel.   And soon after we were married, we attempted to visit a few churches to see if a faith journey for both of us at that time would be a good fit.  The effort didn't last very long.  After several years of marriage, my ex-wife began attending a Wesleyan church after several years into our marriage, and the organization and the services really clicked for her.  The became a member and was baptized.  Unfortunately, there wasn't so much of a click for me.  In short, it was just too much for me, I think looking back on it now.  I do have regrets, though, that I wasn't more supportive of her journey.

Amber was a member of a Methodist church in Reynolds when we met, and we were married in the church.  Through our marriage sessions with Pastor Paul (Newhall), I became somewhat interested in exploring the possibilities of a journey, and I really appreciated the down home and genuine personality of Paul.  I eventually became a member of the church, I attend services fairly regularly, and I try to help out when/where I can.

I'm not, though, necessarily "all-in".  I often have conflicts with church services since I frequently umpire or officiate on Sunday mornings.  I'm often asked to contribute to the church in other ways, and teaching and coaching responsibilities often prohibit me from those things.  I do serve as a service liturgist now and then, and I am a member of a committee that meets a few times a year.

I often struggle with many things and am challenged to consider what I believe and don't believe.  I was worried about that.  In fact, it was something that initially kept me from becoming a member.  Paul, though, basically told me to feel comfortable starting a journey with doubts and uncertainties, because it's only through those things that we take the time to explore the world and our place in it.

I enjoy service.  It's a positive place, and I get the opportunity to listen to Paul's sermon which always gets me thinking.  The world slows down for me in our little rural church in Reynolds, which is a good thing.  Have a great Sunday.

JBiz