tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32101429.post115492390523329315..comments2023-10-24T10:13:19.334-05:00Comments on The Adventures of Mommy Missionary: Why Bother With Church?Mommy Missionaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181846130612614265noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32101429.post-1155095883579382912006-08-08T22:58:00.000-05:002006-08-08T22:58:00.000-05:00Well, SarahJean! Congratulations! How could you h...Well, SarahJean! Congratulations! How could you have possibly squeezed in a pregnancy with all that's been going on in your life the past few months! Great News!Mommy Missionaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181846130612614265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32101429.post-1155095639435995622006-08-08T22:53:00.000-05:002006-08-08T22:53:00.000-05:00I think Joyce has an interesting take. I was thin...I think Joyce has an interesting take. I was thinking about the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5. When He says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit" he is talking about a spiritual neediness. That we need God's help, hope, forgiveness and teaching. So, I think when you talk about being hungry for church it goes along with that - and it's not at all selfish!<BR/><BR/>A little further along in Matthew 5, he also says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness". It is that intense desire and need for Christ. And guess what else it says about those who hunger and thirst, they will be filled!<BR/><BR/>If we didn't feel hypocritical at times, we wouldn't be being honest with ourselves. And I always try to remember that there is someone who does not want us in church! Why is it that we can all be out the door by 8:00 a.m. on a weekday, but havoc and chaos always accompany a Sunday morning. <BR/><BR/>So, stay hungry and be filled!Mommy Missionaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181846130612614265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32101429.post-1155061980761621032006-08-08T13:33:00.000-05:002006-08-08T13:33:00.000-05:00Michelle,Your writing is so appreciated! What a g...Michelle,<BR/>Your writing is so appreciated! What a great idea you had. I often struggle with seeing my kids (plural - I'm pregnant!) as a hinderance to my ministry - which is know is so messed up, especially since I'm in the stage of parenting where my Naomi is too young to make any spiritual decisions. God keeps reminding me that even the dealing with a screaming kid is with love and consistancy is laying the groundwork for how we relate in the future. Since I'm new to this whole pastor's wife thing, I feel like the whole church is staring at me to see how I'm going to handle Naomi, especially during church activities. I think I put the pressure on myself more than anybody. It's hard to raise kids before an audience of one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32101429.post-1154983682969953802006-08-07T15:48:00.000-05:002006-08-07T15:48:00.000-05:00Hi Michelle,I too wonder why bother? Some Sundays...Hi Michelle,<BR/>I too wonder why bother? Some Sundays are such a battle to get my son and husband out the door. And there are times when my husband and I argue so much that I feel like a hypocrite being in church. Not exactly the kind of example I want my son to see. Yet I long to be with Jesus, to be in His presence with other believers, to receive His mercy and grace, and to let Him know how much I love him. I am so hungry for His word, so hungry for relationship/connection that I simply cannot give in to the spirit of division. Maybe in my neediness I am being selfish. But oh, how I long to sit at His feet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32101429.post-1154968721558850622006-08-07T11:38:00.000-05:002006-08-07T11:38:00.000-05:00Sorry - because I'm new at this I accidentally era...Sorry - because I'm new at this I accidentally erased this comment from Tina! But I got it back and here it is:<BR/> Hi--Tina here, another "missionary mommy" from SD. I feel the exact same way much of the time. My son rarely sits still for more than 15 minutes (or less!), so anytime I "go" to Bible study, church, etc, I spend the vast majority of the time with him in the hallways or the nursery (where I can't hear anything that's going with the adults.) Sometimes I try to let him run around near where the adults are so I can catch glimpses of what is being said, but then he inevitably screeches or bangs a door or cries and I have to rush away to keep the noise level down. Very frustrating!<BR/>Like you said, I agree that we need to also focus on what we can "give," while at church. My son and I make sure we go back to the sanctuary during greeting time to give hugs and shake hands. Before and after church activities, we mingle with people. Sometimes I keep him in the nursery and let him run around until prayer time, sneak back to the sanctuary long enough to say a quick prayer, and then back to the nursery. (We have a time during the service when people in the congregation may take turns praying for each other out loud. This is one of my favorite parts of the service.)<BR/>I also try packing some of his favorite foods for him to munch on when there is something I really want to participate in; sometimes that helps to keep him quiet, even if he is still wiggly!<BR/><BR/>--<BR/>Posted by TC to The Adventures of Mommy Missionary at 8/07/2006 09:05:06 AMMommy Missionaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181846130612614265noreply@blogger.com