Practicing What is Preached

I woke up thinking about what an amazing church I am blessed to be a part of. This little gem sits out in the middle of knowwhere. The congregation is "small" by todays standards, but her impact is nothing of the sort. This church is fillled with the most dynamic, amazing, intellligent, loving, passionate, people. These people are filled with charisma and the joy of the Lord; they do not spend their lives sitting on their hands, hiding their faith, only to bring out on Sunday. Of the major core of this church, almost everyone is involved in passionate ministry. Love isn't something they whip out on Sunday, they walk in it. Repentence isn't something they only do when hitting rock bottom, no these folks are walking in repentence. It's a lifestyle. Joy isn't something they fain only when in their little social clicks, no their joy is pouring out, overflowing, and I gotta tell ya, it's contagious. They aren't interested in stratigies and demographics and they are not worrisome,they WALK in faith and reliance on God; that is their lifestyle too! They do not form comittiees and have meetings about how they can "be relivant" and try to look like the world in order not to offend the world. No, these folks are simply tapped into the true vine of Christ, our living God. The Lord God almighty, the God of this church is very relivant. He is setting capitives free, he is feeding the hungry, he is teaching, he is loving, he is empowering, he is there and it is HIS impact that makes this church so attractive to those around them. While the numbers are only around 100, this church is impacting the world, with the freedom from the bondages of what the world has to offer, and the natural biproduct of that is overwhelming joy, love and peace. This chruch is full of God's spirit. This isn't a church where people go to FEEL holy or like they are fullfilling some obligation to God or to anyone else. These people aren't hiding away from the world either, scared to death of sin entering in or trying to live in some islolated, secluded church click. There is no need to quarantine themselves. The are tapped into the power of the Lord, and they are not walking in fear, but in power! Yet, none of them would boast. There is not a hint of arrogance , but teachable humility and willing hearts. I feel so blessed to be influence by these vibrant, real, servantminded people! I am relatively new to them, yet they welcomed us with open arms and sincere hearts, and adopted us into their family. They even know all my dirt and I've never once felt jugded. I've felt loved and forgiven and feel grateful to be accepted, warts and all. I feel inspired to be all I can be for the Lord. In short, I feel blessed by God to be accepted into the folds of these wonderful, dynamic and joyfull people. I praise God for forming this little treasure that has such a big impact. I feel like this is the church I've always been looking for. I just know the the Lord heart swells with joy when he looks upon the beauty of people who are listening to him and practicing what is preached.