Grace and Peace

This morning I went to the church we have been picking up the Angel Food at with my friend A. We sat with her Grandmother and Aunt. It was a different experience. The room is an octagonal dome. They have a stage on one side, chairs set up on the others, and a balcony with seating as well. A had told me the first hour was singing, but I was not expecting a keyboardist, a drummer with a full drum set, a guitar player, a bassist and 5 backup singers!

I was expecting hymn-type singing and wooden pews and an altar. Church. Right? Not here! There were no rear-numbing wooden anythings. There was no organ. There was no altar or candles.

There was a huge TV screen they had the lyrics to the songs running on. It was like Christian Rock 'N Roll Karaoke hour. There were microphones, and music stands. The Pastor had a little over the ear headset microphone so there was no excuse for not hearing him. The cameraman followed him well, so there was no excuse for not being able to see. They posted the scripture on the projector, too, so there was no excuse as not knowing where we are or what we're talking about.

Honestly, you won't need half of it. The music was lively and moving. The Pastor was skilled in keeping you awake. He was energetic and engaging. He preached his sermon as though lecturing a group of college students, pacing back and forth, asking questions and expecting responses. If he didn't get a response, he would stop, put his hand to his ear, and say, "Hello?" Obediently, someone would shout, "Amen!" Pastor Walt would kindly reply, "Thank you, Jesus."

He began discussing current issues, and related Bible teaching to today's events. He discussed most of America being in bondage and "stuck in Egypt," because we are a society in debt. He discussed how we need to "move ourselves out of Egypt." I have never heard a Pastor talk about credit cards and interest rates before. This man was able to stand up there and discuss credit cards and pour out what the Bible says and how it relates...and he made it make sense!

In all honestly, currently I can not recall all of what he spoke about. I know he was running through the book of Acts. He would call out the chapter and verse, and then read it, and discuss it as it pertained in the Bible, and how it pertains to today.

When I was younger, I remember going to Sunday School at the Lutheran Church. I remember sitting in the room with all the other children my age. I remember singing "This Little Light of Mine," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hand." I remember making a "me-sized" picture of myself. I remember being a shepherd in the Christmas play. I remember a new Pastor who came in while I was in Elementary or Middle School who did a Mystery interactive youth group kind of thing. I remember making Christmas tree ornaments, and a "Christmas Tree" out of a Reader's Digest magazine. I remember a bunch of crazy, undisciplined kids running around and a poor woman standing in the front trying to control them and not succeeding. I remember going to Catholic Church with Grandma and Grandpa. I remember getting palms there. I remember not understanding any of it! I liked the songs and the stained glass windows. I remember feeling like I didn't quite belong there, and wanting to. I remember asking questions and not understanding the answers, or not getting answers at all.

Over the years, I have explored several paths. I have on some level looked into the paths of Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans, Druids, Asatru and a few others. Maybe my exploration is coming full circle. I seem to be back where I started, but my eyes are seeing a different light. I don't know that I consider any of them "more right" than any other, but maybe more "right now" is a good way to put it. I firmly believe all Gods are One, and all Goddesses are One (for those who believe in a female deity). I believe as we don't all speak and understand English, or Spanish, or French, God does not speak to us all the same. God speaks to us in ways we will understand the messages. As humans, we're not always receptive to everything coming in. Some days we don't hear what we should. Some days we prefer blue, some days we prefer green. I think this is how I'm being spoken to most loudly, and hearing, right now. A and I are going back next week.