When did you know your church was the right fit for you?

I’ve been looking for a new church home for most of the year. Where I live, there are hundreds of churches. The task of where to start was a bit daunting. So I have to say I sat quite a few Sundays out. I watched television broadcasts and even attended church “online.” Neither was quite the same as going to a physical church.

To jumpstart my search, I decided to go back to my roots a bit. The first church I ever joined was an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Methodists are very orderly and it many cases very traditional. I wasn’t sure if this was what I wanted in a church home after spending a number of years attending a non-denominational church. I can say every AME church I’ve visited, there is a sense of comfort in knowing the order of service.

There has been a church I’ve attended three Sunday’s in a row now and I’m already feeling at home. There are few things I really like:

The pastor is female. That’s definitely different for me.
She is a bible-teaching pastor. A pastor who studies is important.
The congregation is really friendly. I’ve visited churches where even the ushers weren’t very welcoming.
The church is about growth and serving the community. I really don’t enjoy churches who seem to collect money only for the building fund.

Last Sunday as I was leaving, the pastor asked me my name. Today, we actually talked. Her reaching out and and today’s sermon on “Lukewarm Religion” (Revelations 3:14-22) were big for me. So, it appears I may be getting close to the end of my search.

I’m definitely not a pew sitter. I’ve always worked in the church whether in Sunday School or Women’s Ministry, so I’m looking to get back on track after a year of intense transitions.

When did you know your church was the right fit for you?

The Friends We Keep Blog Tour

www.randomhouse.com As usual, I’m behind on book reviews. I did want to post the books for this blog tour because they will make wonderful additions to your reading and bible study time. Kay Arthur is included in this tour - one of my favorite bible study teachers. Check out some of her titles below.

The Friends We Keep: A Woman’s Quest for the Soul of Friendship
by Sara Zacharias Davis

During a particularly painful time in her life, Sarah Zacharias Davis learned how delightful–and wounding–women can be in friendship. She saw how some friendships end badly, others die slow deaths, and how a chance acquaintance can become that enduring friend you need.

The Friends We Keep is Sarah’s thoughtful account of her own story and the stories of other women about navigating friendship. Her revealing discoveries tackle the questions every woman asks: Read more

Introducing Naima Johnston

Naima Johnston Today, I want to introduce one of my writing partners. We met via Kendra Norman-Bellamy’s Writers Hut group.

I have had a chance to read Naima’s memoirs and was really touched by her candor and her testimony. While she is a writer, she is also a recording artist.

Take a listen We Have Come! below. I know you are going to like it, so join Naima’s mailing list at www.naimajohnston.com and spread the word.

The Playlist | The Big Picture by Da’ T.R.U.T.H

I didn’t grow-up going to church and came to know Jesus as my Savior in my mid-twenties. so I’m pretty open when it comes to gospel and contemporary Christian music. I definitely seek quality. Being a product of the hip-hop generation, I have been looking for quality “holy” hip-hop music.In recent years, artists like Canton Jones and the Cross Movement have really impressed me.

This weekend, I purchased my first album from an artist on the Cross Movement Record label. I don’t normally talk about music on this blog, but The Big Picture by Da ‘T.R.U.T.H. is well-worth letting folks know about. This is one to add to your playlist. Great arrangements and well-written, scripture based lyrics.

Here’s a bit of a listen below.