The Christian family is the greatest!

Maybe this belongs under the pain section, but . . .

My tribute is really to the Christian family.  If you pay attention to a lot of the miscellaneous posts on the website and in this blog, you know I have been fighting pain issues for several years, all related to arthritis in my back or the result of messing in my back doing surgery and upsetting some unspecified / unidentified nerves.  As a result I spent almost three years on narcotic pain killers before finding a doctor who at least suggested a possible solution, without ever identifying the real cause of the pain.  So, this past December I underwent a second back surgery.

The jury is still out.  I am still on pain killers, but I have hopes.  My recovery has been slow.  I am now 7 1/2 weeks after surgery.  Last Thursday was the first day I was out of  the house, except for one doctor's visit shortly after surgery and to walk, which I started doing during week five.

So I either got better or just got tired of  being home.  On Thursday I went to the book store and used a gift card received for my 60th birthday.  On Friday I went to the Christian bookstore where my daughter works to review her window design and mural painting work.  Saturday I made it to Bible study for the first time since mid-October and Sunday went to Church for the first time also since mid-October. 

Both were nice.  The guys at Bible study were certainly excited to see me, as were a few people at church on Sunday.  However, I went to the 8:15 am service and left immediately afterwards, so did not see many people. 

I made it out on short trips to doctors Monday and Tuesday, one mine and one my wife's. Then last night my trip was to church.  My wife and I ran past two different drug stores to get all of my meds, then ate out for the first time in about 15 weeks, then to the mid-week service.

It was really fulfilling to be in church.  Almost everyone there stopped by to wish me well or inquire as to my status.  I was filled with delight and joy and wonderment at the loving nature of my church family.  I am reminded as to how connected all of us in the family of God actually exist.  We are one body and should care for each other.  Last night I felt that caring.

There are those in the Christian world today who directly or indirectly prompt a modern day spiritual version of Christianity that is disconnected from an organized church.  They float in some form, just off the radar screen.  Barna classifies them as Revolutionaries.  Others speak of the emerging church.  Not all of these people exist in a totally non-group environment, but many come close.  Those who exist in a group have a very small group. 

Now small groups are needed -- that is where our true intimacy (did I spell that right?) exists, the benefit of the larger church body (even if it is only 50-75-100) is found in the diversity of gifts brought to the church and the different forms of love and caring this diversity brings.  The church body is a necessary element of our Christian existence.  If we do not belong to and regularly participate in a church environment, we are missing out on the gifts and blessings brought to us by the Holy Spirit. 

I felt all of those blessings last night.  What a wonderful experieince.  Thank you Lord Jesus. 

If you aren't regularly attending church, start this week.

Jim A