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With all the negative topics about church and faith, I thought it might be nice to remember all the good things that can be found in your church. I'll start with some of my favorite memories.

1. Growing up, I loved all the fellowship meals we had together. Whether it be dinner-on-the-grounds or going for pizza after Sunday night service, it was always a big treat. That's one of the ways I felt close to my church family.

2. I absolutely loved (and still do) the mommas who spent so much time with the youth. They raised me, along with my parents, and gave me wonderful examples of women who have servant-like hearts and are full of love and kindness and fun! They even, on occasion, called me out when I was doing wrong. Not in a judgmental way, but in a way that even then, I knew they loved me and only wanted good for me. I didn't always listen to them, but I can look back now and see how much love and courage it took for them step up and hold me accountable. Again, the key word is LOVE.

3. When I was pregnant and going through a divorce, my church wrapped it's sweet arms around me and helped me so much. There was an elderly couple who were like my grandparents. They prayed with me and always checked on me. When I would leave their house, I would sometimes find $20 stuck in my purse that wasn't there before. They didn't have much but gave everything. I want to be like them one day.

4. Service projects and mission trips have taught me so much. One, that we as Americans have it so easy. I heard today on the radio how some churches were suing the Superbowl Producers about their right to broadcast the game on big screen tv's. Yeah, I'm sure that is what Jesus would do. (shakes head) People who have nothing but Hope in Christ have such joy and kindness and gentleness. Every day they live life more like Christ than I ever have. They know that life on this planet is not all there is. It really puts things into perspective when you go to Africa or Central America and live and worship with them. My church has led me to places that I never thought I would go and do things I never thought I could.

I hope others have some good things/memories of their life in church.
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Good idea, mondomama.

When I was 9, I was in a children's church program that was awesome. We had little pews and a preacher that taught us on our level. Then we'd go to a class where we'd sing songs like "Father Abraham" and "I Am a Promise". We'd also watch a puppet show that made us laugh but had a moral lesson in it. I went to the preacher on my 10th birthday, told him what I understood & accepted the gift of Jesus as my Savior. We moved from there a year later, but that was a very very special time for me.

When I was 14-15, I sang in a youth ensemble at church. We took a week & visited churches all over Alabama & shared our music with them. We stayed in the homes of those church members. It was cool to feel connected to people I'd never met. I've heard it described as "my spirit bears witness with their spirit". That is a good description since we all have the same Spirit. Wink

I loved my youth minister & his wife - so so sweet - and the other youth. I've always wondered that if that youth minister and his wife had stayed at our church if I would have ended up in so much trouble later. Smiler
I always remember my grandparents who were huge Christian influences on my life--my childhood wasn't the best but they always taught that Jesus can give you peace in any situation. Now that I'm an adult and my boyfriend recently became a pastor I appreciate their Christian teachings and upbringing even more. They along with the older members of their church always brought the kids little treats each Sunday--cookies, candy, or just stuff like that. Everytime I hear Amazing Grace it just makes me miss my grandparents more but we'll see each other again one day Smiler
I can relate to all of these (except you blues, sorry) I remember the good old fashioned revivals too, the ones that went on until the weee hours of the morning.

& Vacation Bible School was the best!!

& my Grandma always had plenty of tangerine lifesavers for Sunday Service!!

& after church - Dinner @ Granny's!!!!!!!

Man I miss those days!!
Alright, hope y'all don't mind, but I'm going to tell a couple more from later on in life, first one I've told on her before.

One Christmas we were really broke. Our kids would have candy in their stockings & a couple of Dollar store gifts under the tree, but that was it. It was kinda tough, but we knew other people didn't even have that & we had each other. Someone in my church (never found out who) dropped money by our house in an envelope. We were completely overwhelmed and touched by their kindness. It was a wonderful Christmas and taught me a valuable lesson.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the coast, so many reached out & helped those in need. A group from my church went to South Mississippi. You will never meet sweeter people than in South MS. We did all we could in one week to help those too old or just unable to clear their homes of trees. I toted logs as big as me to the side of the road to be picked up. You would have too. Good people there...they blessed me so much. Did you know that two of the poorest states, AL and MS, give the greatest percentage of their income to charity? You know you can't out-give God. It was a beautiful thing how the churches responded. God is good.

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