Reflections

"As Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew.  They were throwing a net into the lake because they were fishermen.  Jesus said, ' come and follow me, and I will make you fish for people'.  So Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed them. --Matthew 4: 18-20

 Simon and Andrew were simply just going fishing for fish, and instead where directed to gather their things and follow Jesus to be made into fisherman of people.  There are no qualifications to be a follower of Jesus.  Simon and Andrew were uneducated fishermen. They were simple men.  Jesus did also not ask them for their skill, for he was going to redefine the meaning of fishermen to them.  Though we think that asking someone to come to church, or sharing a bible story with a random person is what we must do because we are Christian.  It can be much simpler than that.  It can be a simple act as carrying someone's grocery's to the car, or sharing a high five with someone that passed a test.  Being a friend to someone that may not have many friends, or handing a homeless man a piece of bread.  The actions of a Christian are so broad and has many varieties that open doors so that anyone has the ability to show their Christian love.

Christian love is something that I feel moving around my church family.  I have a connection with each person and a home feeling is always there.  Today at church, it felt more like a family then it has in a while.  I love my church, and that is why I drive home every Sunday for church.  St. Stephens is a very loving church and it is always been my home, it is a family.  But for someone reason today, it was even more family like.  


Something that is not common at other churches (at least ones I have gone to).  When its time for the children's sermon all young disciples go up.  The Timothy's and Ruth's (the younger children) along with the Naomi's and Paul's (the youth group).  It is fantastic to see so many children of God.  I stopped going up last year, only because I decided that now in my 2nd year of college, it was time to let someone else be there.  Each time the youth, children gather they recite this bible verse.  It is a connection that has been made with the youth and the young people.  It is fantastic for everyone to come together to grow together in the name of the Lord Jesus  "For whatever you do in word or deed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  --Colossians 3:17