Compare and Contrast

One of the families that I work with is very active in their church, Mclean Bible Church. Which is a non-denominational Christian church. Here they have a full band, choir, and then professional singers. This is a 180 from a Mormon service. And I must say, it was AMAZAING! The dad majored in Tuba performance he is the conductor of the band, then his wife works in disability services and performs the flute, she majored in flute performance. I know why Mormon's don't have a band, etc. But still! If we are supposed to invite the spirit through music, I think we can still do it with a little oopmh! Now the Sermon. The overall subject was bringing up America, all the points he made was exactly what we believe in. BUT, there were some small but key difference:

#1: Where we learn to be like Christ: Pastor Solomon went through this long list of activities at church, But he completely left out the home. You can go to church and do all you want, but if there no charity at home then what's the point?

#2: How to share the message: Local people have heard of Mclean Bible. They have little things on the radio called "not a sermon just a thought" which are very point blank. While talking to the radio people they asked "why don't you do it like the Mormons and be warm and fuzzy?" He said that his job was not be to make us feel better, but to share the Gospel. Mclean Bible, in the past (I don't know about now) has been Anti- Mormon. I couldn't help but chuckle!
They just started a program called being "on the front line" what is this program? Why they go outside! They talk to people, they are MISSIONARIES! I couldn't help but laugh! We've been doing this from the beginning of the church and Mclean Bible, who, like all churchs, claims to be the true church, just started this.

And I liked how the service was just an hour and 15min. What caught me off guard was the style of praying they would just say "let us pray" and in to the prayer they went. The first time I was confused till I saw that people near me had their eyes closes. I need a warning so I can prep, you know? What was distracting was the during the prayer is when the band would come on and off. How can THEY pray if their walking and getting situated. While strategically this  the time, spiritually, it's the last time.

The thing that has always drawn me in. Is how they do so much for people with disabilities. The head pastor's daughter has disabilities. Since this they have all kinds of accommodations set up camps, lectures, Sunday School classes, and then the biggest and possibly best is what is called Jill's house . It's a "hotel" for children with disabilities. Parent's can leave their children here for up to 4 days. To just get a brake from all the constant needs. Fully staffed with a sensory room and all. While I may not support the church's gospel, I fully support (and even recommended) the services they provide for children with disabilities.

It was very interesting to see while I didn't disagree with some of the little things, which can add up to be big. In the overall message and thought, all Christians come together.

Called to Serve

Today I said good bye to Elder Hills.

We had a beautiful meeting with the Stake President for his setting apart. As a father of four and has sent 4 missionaries he was very aware of how we were all feeling about Elder Hills leaving. While we rejoice with him on his call and desire to serve the Lord in Tempe, Arizona we are sadden to see him leave. He asked us to call David, Elder until he is set apart 2 years from now, as this will be his name. He will no longer be known as David to the world.

The most ingenious thing that the Stake President did is that we had an opening prayer but not a closing. He said the closing will be given in 2 years when he has returned and he has been released, then we will have a closing prayer. Isn't that cleaver!

Elder Hills leaves for the MTC (Missionary Training Center) tomorrow. Apparently that have changed it even more. It used to be that parents could check in their child then go to an orientation with them and then say good bye. Then I heard you say good bye when checking in. NOW you park in the parking lot and 2 other missionaries immediately come up and grab the luggage and say "Welcome Elder (or Sister)" and promptly take them to check in. Good thing I'm not going, or I might make a scene. :-D

While I felt it was not my call to serve as a full time Mission seeing my brother prepare and WANT to serve has been inspiring, and heart warming. It has kindled the light I once had to serve to the best of my ability while not being a missionary. While this light went very much down with getting married and moving, I know it is time to start caring those pass along cards again. I hope we all have the desire to serve, not necessarily in a churchie way, but as a kind person. To take time to help the grandma load her car, or offer to help a mom with 4 children in the grocery store line, or even just a little smile.  


We have all been Called To Serve in this life, our callings are individually tailored to us as individuals, as such we are all expected to act on this service so that we can be all we can be, and make each other the best we can be.