Big Church vs. Smaller Church AAAHHHHHH!

We haven't been to church in a few weeks. I know, I know... we usually go to a BIG church, you know the kind, 3000 members and you never see the same people twice. I have just not wanted to deal with it lately. It was too much hassle for a Sunday morning and church shouldn't be a hassle.

When it's hard to find a parking place that's not a half a mile away, and trying to get the kids into their Sunday School room has become stressful, it's time to reevaluate. So we are searching for a smaller community of believers. Don't get me wrong, the BIG church has it's merit, I loved the preacher, and they offer SO many classes, 101 classes, regular Bible Study classes, how to study the Bible classes, how to be a leader classes and so forth, and don't let me leave out Starbucks(yes, that's right) but I wasn't really connecting with anyone.

So anyway, I found a new church to visit right around the corner from us and they have a great web site(big plus) so we took the plunge. Now keep in mind I have not been in a few weeks, so I was needing some serious joyful worship time. It was so different and I LOVED IT! Their music was so much more joyful and expressive.Very uplifting! I was feeling the Spirit so strong I shead some tears. The preacher was talking to people in the congragation and calling people by name. He was down on our level where we could see him. It just felf better.

Plus, the people were Soo much more friendly- because they know each other and knew we were new faces. And because they knew we were newcomers, they helped us out so much. Even found us in the sanctuary to let us know the kids were ok. That totally won us over. No more Big Church for me.

They say that the big church is what people are gravitating towards, but I'm not so sure. Maybe the younger generation. But for me, I was raised with a small country church that I went to with my Gandmother, any just about everybody there were relatives, so I like the kinship of the small church. The only drawback- they know when you don't show up on Sunday. LOL!

Character Makeover

I don't normally RAVE about the books I have read. But since I have started walking a different path and I am trying to improve myself to be the BEST Christian I can possibly be, I have found a book that has helped me do just that.

"Character Makeover", "40 Days with a Life Coach to Create the Best You" by Katie Brazelton and Shelly Leith. Let me just say that every person I know should read this. It's amazing. It's a great tool for women's groups and Bible study groups. Katie also wrote "Pathways to Purpose" and "Praying for Purpose", which I intend on reading soon.

She sets the book up as life coaching sessions at her house or strolling by the lake with a cup of coffee and just chatting. But the point to this is to build your character by examining your Humility, Confidence, Courage, Self Control, Patience and a few other aspects. It give a section for journaling and some self exercises to help dig down deeper. It amazed me what I found out about myself. I put a few pieces to the puzzle together an I had a few "Ah-ha" moments. (I love those)

I'm a changed woman. Thank You Katie and Shelly for helping me truly understand what God wants our character to be like. The kindness, generous-ness, forgiving-ness, humbleness and courageousness and most important, God-Centeredness instead of self-centeredness, that Christianity is based on.

I would highly recommend this read to anyone. Even if your not in the self-help frame of mind, it's always a good time to work on your character.

I'm Done

Today is the day!Something that I have been TRYING to do for a long time(get back into those size 8's) is just too much to KEEP TRYING for. I'm Done, I am no longer trying to get back into my size 6/8's unless we book a cruise for next summer. I'm done. I will be the average size American woman 10/12 and be CONTENT.

That is something that is very hard for me to do, since it's been part of me for so long now....baby weight! ARGH! after 40 it doesn't go away unless you commit to an hour and a half in the gym 4 days a week. So... so long Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. It's been inspiring, but that is about all. All that "good intention" has gotten me no where, so I an simply going to quit fighting it. Now, I will not be eating Twinkies for dinner, but I'm going to let it go, eat healthy and just not worry about it.

That is a load off my shoulders! YEAAAA!!! I feel so much better now that the pressure is off. WOW, you should try this.