Church and Squash

My experiences at church today were quite different. I don't know if I can fully describe what it is like going from a church that you love and adore, filled with people that love, adore, and care deeply about, to starting from scratch. Where do you start to look for what you had? Do you look for what you had? Cause you aren't going to find it, except at the church you were at. Where do you begin? Where do your inhibitions keep you from going? All questions that you have to answer at some point. Questions that I have to ask myself. If you have every had to start over, you will know how much this process sucks. But here are some observations about today.

This morning the ECU (Evangelical Christian Union) met a bunch of freshers and took students to different churches, depending on what you wanted to go to. I chose to go to Belmont Chapel. I think some one said it has Baptist background. It was something that I was very comfortable in. They sang songs that I knew. I learned a couple of new ones. (Songs are something that I connect with in the service, so it is a big point on the list.) The pastor spoke about what the church was focusing on. Deepening our spiritual lives, our love for others, and focus for other seekers. Something that you don't get in a lot of churches on your first day. Afterwards, Grace, an Irish girl I talked with quite a bit on the way to church, and I wondered around, but no one talked to us. No one took the initiative. So we just kind of followed a couple of 2nd & 3rd years back to campus. So it's what I love about a service, but not what I want in fellowship.

This evening I went to The River Dream Centre. This is a charismatic, pentacostal church, something I didn't full realize until I got there. But people that I met on Wednesday at Nooma asked me if I wanted to go. I really like these people, they are amazing. So I went. I was uncomfortable during most of the service. I have not been around people like this very often. Their emphasis on the Spirit is overwhelming at times, not that the Spirit isn't important-the Spirit is a very important part of the Trinity. But there is also a beautiful freeness of body that they have when they praise God. (That sounds really bad. It's not. They feel the freedom to raise their hands, dance, bow down, etc.) It was a struggle to follow the message because of the leading of the Spirit on the pastor. There were some things that I didn't agree with. And I knew one song, out of a lot. But they were easy to catch onto. Here is the kicker. Because I came with friends, I went upstairs and had treats with everyone. Almost everyone came up to me and talked to me. Asked me questions, introduced themselves, etc. It was great. They are great people. I even have a Shakespeare buddy now. Wonderful, caring people. I loved that!

So what do I do with these seemingly opposites? How do I find what I am looking for? How do I get the things I loved from both sides? Was I being too critical of The River Dream Center? How do I expect the Spirit to work through me and teach me if I am constantly looking for the things that are wrong and building a wall around myself? Why is it so difficult for me to raise my hands in praise and dance in the aisles? How do I make myself at home in these places? How do I find a place where I am fed, but also able to serve others and care for a church when I am so new? How do I let go of inhibitions? I guess that I keep praying that God will let me know so I can follow what God wants.

Okay, short note on Squash. This is an event every year that allows fresher to see what kind of societies there are and what they do. Now contrary to NWC you have to pay to be part of these societies. The money goes toward food, activities, and the free stuff that you get. Most of them are very cheap. I think that the minimum is 5 pounds. There are things from Chocolate Society to Water Skiing Society to Officer Training Society. Everything. But the great thing is that they give away free stuff! Businesses come in and give away free stuff. So you walk around and get stuff. And if there are some societies that you want to join you do it there. Now the reason it is called the Squash is that there are hundreds of people crammed into rooms that are meant for maybe 60. It was good though. Hot, but good.