Okay, so this title is a bit ridiculous, but perfect for the posting nonetheless. Here's why. If I'm honest with myself, it has definitely been a hard transition moving here. Here not being Washington, or Olympia. Here being away from my church family. Of course Capital Christian Center will always have this huge place in my heart. And to be honest, I have conceded defeat and accepted the fact that I'm away...on my own. And although no one wants to simply survive...but people want to be able to say that their thriving; I have without a doubt just been surviving life. Leaving Capital Christian Center without much notice, and without direction really beat me down. Just as I surrendered and was excited about being in full-time ministry, it was taken right out from underneathe me. But isn't that how God works? At least that's how he does in my life. He never lets me get too comfortable. I strongly believe that God will one day call me back to Idaho, but right now, God is taking me on a journey. And tonight was yet another pit stop.
I asked my roommate if he would like to go to church with me tonight at City Church in Belltowne. Both of us working retail leaves us with very little chance to attend church Sunday mornings. He agreed; and we were off. I went into today with great expectancy. It reminded me of my previous life. A life where I was excited and energized to go to church...to be poured into...to experience an unbelieveable annointing. We got there with a few minutes to spare before prayer. Of course, looking for a church that is going to "replace" another is somewhat ludacris. And City Church does not replace any other church. But it definitely brought new life to me. It gave me such a breath of fresh air. That Holy Spirit annointing that I had been hungering for.
Tonight, Judah spoke on Job 14:7-9 and 2 Corinthians 2:14-15. It was simply amazing. The title of the message was either "The Scent of Grace" or "This Bud's For You". Whichever title you prefer. In his own comedic way, he talked about the scent of the church. What would others say it was? "Have you tried Adherence...by Jesus?" He then related Corinth to some of the undenaible similarities to America. Pastor Judah really challenged the YPers to spread the scent of Christ. We are not victims...we are victors. Paul references in 2 Corinthians a common practice done in biblical times. Romans would return from a raid of some sort and would carry out an impromptu victory parade. They would take their captives and they would parade down the streets with them. There would be no announcement to let the people know that a parade was starting, but they would carry incense with them, and when the people smelled it; they would flock to the streets...to the smell of victory. For some, this was a smell of victory; and for others a scent of defeat. The fragrance was not diffused if they returned home defeated. If we are to carry out the scent of the Church, we need to live victorious lives! So many people in our culture live dissensitized. Be a Mary Kay provider...take God's message...God's grace...God's scent to your community.
I left inspired tonight. I left enriched. So many visions of the future...of hope were stirred within me. If I can't worship in the House in Idaho...I'll settle for Judaho.
