sundy best ..

i used to 'love' church, in my own way, best i knew how
i really didn't know anything else
besides, everyone else was in error
we were the faithful remnant ..

`|`

one day i visited a long-ago-seen goodfriend
the morning after i arrived, he said he was headed to AA, and, hesitantly, asked if i wanted to go
absolutely
never been, and i was most interested in it (specially since it was always treated poorly by us religious) ..
besides, i wanted to go with my friend as support

well, to cut to the quick, i was stunned
excitedly so
it was  wonderful

later, we went for breakfast
i sat speechless for a while, under the guise of a full mouth
in reality, i was stunned
i loved it
i kept thinking " this is what church should be like " ..

what with
"hi, i'm owen, and i'm an alcoholic"
think, " hi, i'm owen, and i'm a sinner "

what with the must-be teenage girl that said when she woke that morning she coudn't wait to get to AA
.. ? ... ? really ??

it absolutely stank of church-should-be-like-this
the pungence of that smell wouldnt wash off me for days ..

`|`

i almost gave up hope of ever finding an AA-type church
where people were real to who they are, and can't wait to get in there

very occasionally, like 2 times maybe, in the last decade, i've run across one

today i had the distinct pleasure of being in such a place once more
it has been 2 moths, i think

i just can't get the smell off me ..
or the feel
the music will not leave me alone
the dude next to me and i, exchanging smiles as the guitar riffed ..
the pianist drew a standing ovation at the 'offertory' - a massive spine-tingling rendition of a compendium of hymns, all in the theme of praise to God
and the dude just back from vietnam belting bluesy 'you gotta serve somebody' a la dylan, with a brilliant vocal backup, and an applausable guitar solo

the message still hot inside

and Godspirit danced through the aisles and into the gaps between the pews
excited
thrilled to be there with Godpeople celebrating the anniversary of the ascension

`|`

the message out of Acts 1
"Men of Galilee, why are you standing there staring up to heaven?" !
time to go, time to make disciples, time to move on

and the one-liner that i wrote down
" we are to be caring about those we are witnessing to
caring for those we are witnessing to " ..

`|`

i am blessed today

thank you, Jesus