A New Home

Well, after a couple of months of seeking God and an even longer time of frustration and feeling like the children of Israel in the wilderness, we have officially joined the Sugarland Vineyard. I didn't realize how discontented and frustrated I had become until I heard Bert Waggoner, the Senior Pastor explaining what the Vineyard teaches about a few different topics, and realizing, "Wait a minute, that's what I've thought all along, I just didn't realize anyone else did." The main word I would use to describe what I have experienced and learned so far is Balance. You can experience the Spirit of God moving in praise and worship, but at the same time, feel free to worship however you are led to without having your name put on a list for not raising your hands.
A lot of churches will give lip service to the concept that attitudes of the heart are more important than outward observances, but then they turn around and make it known that there are certain things you should or should not be doing if you want to be really spiritual. At the Vineyard I feel free to be myself without having to wear my Church Face all the time. If I've had a hard day, I feel free to say so, instead of being afraid of the Positive Confession Police. I have had friends recently who I knew were going through something, but they thought it so important to appear to be a Strong Christian that they would just not speak to anyone for fear of people finding out they're human. I appreciate the fact that the leadership at the Vineyard is as comfortable with a systematic study of theology as they are with healing and the fact that we still hear from God today.
I do miss all of our friends at the other church, and hope they understand that we didn't intend to sneak off into the night, we've just been trying to follow where God has been leading, and most of the time we haven't known where we were going until we got there. I do pray blessings on everyone at our former home and thank the leadership there for how much we learned and grew during our time under their authority, and hope to be back to visit at some point. I still enjoy Shabbat services at Congregation Beth Messiah as often as I can, but on Sundays, look for me at the Vineyard.