A most important relationship

I have a friend who is very special to me. This friend holds me in high esteem and has high expectations of me. I’m pretty sure he prays for me as well.

He is constantly encouraging me to do more or better because he believes I can. He’s a life coach in the way that friends should be. He is tolerant and pretty patient, but doesn’t suffer foolish behaviors for long. He has welcomed me onto committees and urged me to activities that he knew were challenging and would grow me. He looks ahead, not back, and I never have to tolerate reminders of my less impressive moments.

He is my pastor, and his name is Bill Cox. He pastors the flocks that attend the Ritzville Foursquare Church and the Odessa Foursquare Church.

He is a noble fellow who unabashedly loves God Almighty, Yahweh, Jehovah, and Jesus (they are all the same God). My life is improved by his presence in it.

Every Sunday as I enter my church, I anticipate a joyful hour or two, which will include teachings from Scripture. Pastor Bill is anointed, and I never leave our church service without having been touched by something he’s spoken to that day. One of the ways God speaks to believers is though His pastors. He certainly speaks to me through Pastor Bill, and at times not all that comfortably.

When Mark and I first moved to Ritzville, my fear was that we would not find a church that filled our needs.

Foolish me. Faithful God wasn’t about to leave us in the lurch. The first church we attended was the Ritzville Foursquare, and we knew after that first service that it was where we belonged.

My church provides me with a local family that supports and encourages me. Churches are known for that. I have made friends through my church who enhance the quality of my life. The most important facets of my life are shared by them. I trust them. They are the Assembly that God speaks of in the Bible. Other churches offer the same.

One of the most memorable changes resulting from my conversion many years ago was that suddenly everything made sense. The why’s like “Why am I here?” “Why do some very bright people believe in a living God?”

“Why are some people always happy?” And, the real biggie, “What happens after we die?” have been answered clearly in the Bible.

Never has an allegation or story of the Bible been disproved or altered. Truth is truth and doesn’t change.

If your life doesn’t include what I’ve described above, why not try attending a church or two and see if you don’t find the right ‘fit’ for you. Even if you think that for some reason you won’t fit in, give it a try. You will be surprised. We all were outsiders at one time. We all have sin-filled pasts and wish we could go back and do better. We don’t have to fret over that, though. God forgives us if we apologize to him. You needn’t feel abandoned and lonely, that your life is without direction, or guilty for your past anymore.

If you are a firm non-believer, what have you to lose by attending a few times? Nobody will hog-tie you to a pew and doors remain unlocked during the service. You may exercise your free will and leave at any time. Learn a little about our Bible, our Savior, and the future we are promised. You may find that what you are seeking is attainable through Jesus, not science or the world. You may find answers you’ve been searching for all your life.

I went to church today. Mark and I do so most every Sunday (unless there’s a tournament, which sounds really pathetic in this context). I left my home excited to be meeting up with my church family, praising our wonderful God together, hearing a message custom designed for our congregation. And like every Sunday, I came home at peace, assured, edified, and joyful. Can you make that claim?

There are other wonderful pastors residing in and pastoring at excellent local churches: Steve Schofstoll of the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Lind, Pastor Ryo Olson of Ritzville Nazarene Church, Reverend John Hunsberger of Trinity Methodist Church, Father Kenny St. Hilaire of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Reverend Judith Rinehart-Nelson of the Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ, Pastor Bob Kenyon of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Rick McComb of Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Rod Dennis of Lind Community Church, Pastor Richard Lee of New Hope Center. The churches and pastors are in no particular order.

Never discount the value of the wives and one husband of these pastors. They are equally valuable as they busily engage in their church’s activities and community needs.

Give God a chance. You will be eternally glad that you did.