By: Alastair Vance
When I was visiting my brother I attended his church NewSpring as I always do when I am there and I honestly just love it. As those who have been with me a while know I have struggled with my faith for some time. Well at one of the services I found that faith. There was one service where we were asked to write down who we needed to forgive and just let go onto a paint stick. Then we broke it to release all that hurt, anger, and whatever. I did that and was able to let go of a lot of hurt and really feel better about me.
Coming home this weekend I thought well, dang! I am not going to get to go to church but the good about NewSpring is that they have online services as well. So I thought I would begin a new series where each Monday I will share with you a recap of the service. I am going to embed last week’s service and while I would love for you all to watch I realize that many have your own churches. Perry, the pastor, is really great in that when I come away I know what we discussed but I know that these services may not be for everyone. Perry speaks to you in a very real and honest way. He is open about his past and how he came to Christ. Although I should say that in last week’s service (which is embedded below) he said about people who love reading the classics that I am 1 of those 4 people! My sister in-law just looked over at me when he said that and I made a face back.
This week Perry asked 5 questions, each of which, really made me think. The second question “What do you do well” and then what he said after made me realize that when I sell myself short I sell God short as well. I have felt like such a failure lately and just more lost because I have been so behind in everything it seems. So behind that I almost didn’t watch but I a so glad that I did.
My hope is that you will all join in the conversation and that we can all grow together in our faith. I do ask that you please be nice in your comments as I don’t want someone who is just coming to the Lord to be put off by mean comments. This is something that I just feel compelled to share with you all and hope that you embrace it. If you are ever in South Carolina please take some time to visit one of NewSpring’s campuses because I promise you will love it!
Share Your Story:
If you did watch what did you think?
**Two side notes: one is that picture above is really how many people show up to one of several services at NewSpring. Although I didn’t take the photo it is really how the inside looks. Secondly, since I forgot to get a picture my sister in-law is going to this coming and Sunday so I can create a button for the sidebar to make these posts easier to find.
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
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Great idea to do a new weekly series. I’m sure it will open my eyes wider and help me to grow in my faith.
I understand your feelings and I really like this church! I wish that they had a church like this where I live. I believe in Jesus Christ as my savior and I know that I feel that I follow short with my faith, but I always know that my faith is in Jesus and not myself and my failings and that God loves me!
Wow! That’s so cool that you were able to come to that place of forgiveness. And, further, that it gave you a desire to attend a church service, albeit virtually. I pray that God would continue to fold you into His church and provide you with a healthy community with which to worship the Lord.
I just noticed it didn’t embed! I will fix it.
To many people church’s on the radio, TV or online is all they are able to attend- and being online it is a great way to ‘review’ or a way to go back and catch part if you missed it.
I tried to hit but didnt work. I do think this is a great idea. Lately, I make excuses for not attending and this way I can see without having to get ready and be too exhausted before I can even get out the door.
Faith is not always a big leap, sometimes its a lot of little steps forward. You are a lucky person you found this in your soul like a lightbulb moment. Sometimes it seems a lot holding people back is worldly stuff and feeling failure in the heart…that makes you doubt, worry, feel anger or sadness. Like you dont deserve to have that connection. The world it harsh. But we are our worst enemies. I am still trying to find out what I do well. My gift. I am not sure. I used to say mothering, cooking,writing, but most everything is kind of shelved for now. When other things come up in life it does obscure your vision of what you think you are and what you you think ABOUT life and all. Sometimes you are just blank and feel like you dont have gifts to share.