Quarry Church

I have been so blessed to have found a church to attend. Anyone who has ever had to go "church-shopping" knows that it's not always the most fun process. It can be a stressful and drawn out process. But I was kinda fortunate..I checked out a few others before this one when I first moved here, but really this was probably only like the third or fourth church that I went to. They have a really talented worship team. I've noticed that whatever songs they play the lyrics usually fit well with the message. I enjoy that. I feel like it kind of brings things together well. They have a really cool family ministry, and every week almost they announce some specific way(s) that people can volunteer or give of their time or money to those in need.

During the past few weeks we have been going through a series on transformation. (At first I was super excited because I thought it was going to be a lot about the Holy Spirit..which turned out to be only kind of for the first message.) Still, it has still been a really sweet series.

We've talked about how God is not after a superficial change in our hearts. He's about restoration and new life. In order for that to happen, there first has to be a death.
The second week, Pastor Michael talked about heat and pressure, and how God uses those things to change us and shape us into the people we need to be. Too often during times in life when things get uncomfortable we pray that the Lord would take us out of the situation. That He would make things just a little easier for us. This has been very true of me lately..My response to life during the past 2 months or so has been to crawl into a hole and try to hide and just wait for it to pass.. Jeremiah 18:4 has encouraged me a lot. Also 2 Corinthians 12:8-9. I know 2 Cor. 12:9 well, but I often forget about v. 8--Paul had pleaded with the Lord to take away the messenger of Satan. Of course God's grace is (more than) sufficient to bring us through our weaknesses! I am able to stand up and make changes in my life, and to be changed, through God's grace.
The third week was about keeping the goal above a "to-do" list. (Unfortunately I don't know what else was said because I was sick and had to leave in the middle. Oops..)
Today was about the role of the church. The bottom line is that Jesus is serious when He asks things of us. He's not suggesting that we share the Gospel or give of our resources and time. He is serious and intentional about telling us to do so. We are Christ's ambassadors. So not only are our sins forgiven and we are given new life, but we also are called to live intentionally where we have been placed, and to use the specific gifts we have been given in Christ. (2 Cor 5:17-20) So we are transformed and get to be a part of transforming others.

This series has been so good for me in general. There have been multiple times where I have been convicted of very specific things that need to change in my heart and life. I'm thankful for the encouragement of being reminded of so much that is offered to me in the Lord, and of how much I am known and loved. And during a time that I am learning a lot and having to change a lot, I am also encouraged to know that I don't have to get sucked under by it all. It's ok to stand up and open my eyes a little bit. It still may not be a fun process, but always, always, always a good process.