An Up-Cycled #DailyWhiteBoard

If you don't follow me on Facebook then you might not know about the #DailyWhiteBoard message I share (almost daily, lol). Some ask how I choose the verse or quote of the day, it's different each day. 

• Ways a verse or quote is selected:​​​

*share a verse related to a thought weighing on heart
*share a verse that I woke up thinking about 
*share the verse-of-the-day from my Bible app
*share the verse from one of the devotionals I like to use

God's direction this past Friday as I woke up...thinking of the friends and family who have told me, "God couldn't love me because..." Or "the church would fall in" when I've invited them to church. I thought this myself in the past or I went to church on Saturday evenings because it was what I was "supposed" to do with no expectations, unless you count the church not falling in.

Guess what, the church never fell in and when I opened my mind and heart to hear the message the priest, pastor, or speaker shared...I ALWAYS learned something and left with something I could apply to my life. BUT when my eyes, ears, heart, and mind aren't open to hear, then it's impossible to experience or accept God's love.

A lesson I learned as an adult, the church is actually the people, not the building. I probably heard this countless times as a child but I missed it. Keeping this in mind, if you are reading this and feel like the person who believes God can't love you or accept you, please let me encourage you. God loves YOU! I pray you take this step of faith today.

The first and often more difficult step is to talk to God. You've been told to "pray" since you were a little boy or girl. To walk into a church was hard to do after my sister's kidnapping  because I didn't want people talking to me but this ended up being the easiest step I made. The most challenging was to pray and talk to God, to share my heart's thoughts, thankfulness, and requests.  When you step out and talk to God, you've made the most difficult step and you can do this right where you are, right now. What are you waiting for?

When you are ready to attend church, whether it be a mass, service, worship service, Bible Study, or whatever outreach might be an invitation in...go with an open heart and mind. The one inviting you, your friend or family, is still standing so...God loves you enough to send this person to share His love and invite you to a place of acceptance and love.  It's scary and a bold step, yet it's worth facing your fears. God's is where you are, don't worry about walking through the church doors today...start with a conversation and prayer.

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What was the first event you attended at a church, voluntarily?
Was it a church service, an event, or other?