Shekinah and a Walmart Meltdown
Traveling from Ukraine to NC went very well. I didn't sleep on any of my flights, but the flights themselves were good and customs was a breeze! I arrived late night a week ago, and was greeted by dear friends. The days that followed really are a blur, I was so jet lagged last week. It wasn't until Friday that I felt my brain land. I did brave up and went to Wal-Mart-- only the first few moments brought me to tears, but then I blended right in, spending money on things like a cell phone number and shampoo. It is hard to explain to people the overwhelming feelings one gets when going to a place that offers so much. The fact that you have everything at your fingertips, including "out of season" veggies, is really a wondrous thing, that I think too many people take for granted.
Speaking of taking things for granted, I had a moment at church yesterday. People wonder about Shekinah glory, that moment of God meeting you where you are, and you enter real worship with him-- well Sunday that was my experience. I sat alone on a pew, looking at the wooden cross that hung high behind the pulpit and with the sun beamed through the stained glass which was shinning brightly behind the cross. I began to tear up... I just had such expectations of worship, my heart was seeking God through thanksgiving. And as the choir of bells began to play, I wept. I wept because I felt the overwhelming presence of God. And as those around me entered worship by chatting with their neighbors and reading their bulletins, I thought about how people take for granted the American church. The freedom to worship and the means to have a beautiful sanctuary. So many places in the world are restricted as to how and where they can hold worship services. And many places don't have the means to worship in a facility that encourages you to think about the cross. I just encourage you Americans, to not take for granted your church. Remember it isn't about what is going on around you, or if the service is contemporary or not... it is about our hearts. If our hearts are coming before God in humility and awe of all He is and all he has done, and if we have expectancy in our hearts, God will be present and worship will happen. I am blessed that I worshiped this past Sunday, and it had nothing to do with anything around me, and had everything to do with how great my God is! So take the time to be thankful for what you have, and don't let church become a mundane event in your life.
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So I am in NC till the end of February. I have a few speaking engagements but still have a pretty free schedule! So call me, email me, and come see me! I have been asked about if I'd would be interested in speaking to some classrooms about Human Trafficking, and I would love to! So if you are a teacher and would like your students to be informed about this international topic, feel free to contact me! I can do prevention information with any age group!
*Also, please remember to donate this month! I still need money to live on while I am here! Please don't think that by being in the US I magically have money for gas and food;) And I love all you friends who live across the US but again, I don't magically have money for gas, so please don't be offended if I don't drive out to see you! Love you all, and you are all welcomed to come to Shelby anytime!
* If anyone is wondering what you can do for me for Christmas, I could really use some giftcards! I need to purchase things to take back with me, like craft supplies and clothes, so that would be a great way to bless me and my family this holiday season!
* My mom and brother arrive Dec. 2nd in Shelby, so please be praying for them as they transition back to state life as well! And pray for my brother as he embarks on his new journey in life and starts his Police training!
May God bless you all, and as we enter this holiday season may your hearts be full of thanksgiving and awe of the one who gave it all!
<3 Chelsey
Speaking of taking things for granted, I had a moment at church yesterday. People wonder about Shekinah glory, that moment of God meeting you where you are, and you enter real worship with him-- well Sunday that was my experience. I sat alone on a pew, looking at the wooden cross that hung high behind the pulpit and with the sun beamed through the stained glass which was shinning brightly behind the cross. I began to tear up... I just had such expectations of worship, my heart was seeking God through thanksgiving. And as the choir of bells began to play, I wept. I wept because I felt the overwhelming presence of God. And as those around me entered worship by chatting with their neighbors and reading their bulletins, I thought about how people take for granted the American church. The freedom to worship and the means to have a beautiful sanctuary. So many places in the world are restricted as to how and where they can hold worship services. And many places don't have the means to worship in a facility that encourages you to think about the cross. I just encourage you Americans, to not take for granted your church. Remember it isn't about what is going on around you, or if the service is contemporary or not... it is about our hearts. If our hearts are coming before God in humility and awe of all He is and all he has done, and if we have expectancy in our hearts, God will be present and worship will happen. I am blessed that I worshiped this past Sunday, and it had nothing to do with anything around me, and had everything to do with how great my God is! So take the time to be thankful for what you have, and don't let church become a mundane event in your life.
******************************
So I am in NC till the end of February. I have a few speaking engagements but still have a pretty free schedule! So call me, email me, and come see me! I have been asked about if I'd would be interested in speaking to some classrooms about Human Trafficking, and I would love to! So if you are a teacher and would like your students to be informed about this international topic, feel free to contact me! I can do prevention information with any age group!
*Also, please remember to donate this month! I still need money to live on while I am here! Please don't think that by being in the US I magically have money for gas and food;) And I love all you friends who live across the US but again, I don't magically have money for gas, so please don't be offended if I don't drive out to see you! Love you all, and you are all welcomed to come to Shelby anytime!
* If anyone is wondering what you can do for me for Christmas, I could really use some giftcards! I need to purchase things to take back with me, like craft supplies and clothes, so that would be a great way to bless me and my family this holiday season!
* My mom and brother arrive Dec. 2nd in Shelby, so please be praying for them as they transition back to state life as well! And pray for my brother as he embarks on his new journey in life and starts his Police training!
May God bless you all, and as we enter this holiday season may your hearts be full of thanksgiving and awe of the one who gave it all!
<3 Chelsey
Thank you Chelsey! A trip back to reality and what worship really means to me! There are times I don't realize how fortunate to have a warm place to worship, comfortable seats to sit in, let alone the beautiful surroundings. I get distracted by the musicians, people around me, I let daily cares take the place of a of true worship on Sunday mornings. I needed to hear of your experience, and from a different perspective. I need to have more of a heart of worship daily and not just Sunday in the pew!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.