GA 219-Day 8

Today was an emotional roller coaster for me. It started out with a phone call from my father letting me know that $300 was spent out of my bank account at a couple of drugstores. This was a surprise to me since I haven't used my debit card or checkbook since I left Indiana 8 days ago. Somehow, somewhere along the way someone has stolen my debit card number and taken the liberty upon themselves to spend my money. Thankfully my bank is working it all out and I will get my money back, but none the less it is frustrating and scary... That was the beginning of my day and as it continued I began to realize something in our denomination. While we as Presbyterians love to point out that we can agree to disagree, I would hope that we can agree on this...Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. I realized today that so many times we get caught up in the agenda's we bring to the table that we forget whose church it really is. We forget that the Holy Spirit is present among us, moving in us, working through us, and dwelling among us. We forget that our amendments are not ours, that our motions are not ours, that our new ideas are not ours, but that they belong to God. We forget that the things we say and do we should remember that ALL THINGS...I'll say it again ALL things work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28). I have been amazed at the ability of Presbyterians to fight with their words in ways that are sneaky and sometimes down right mean. I have been saddened by the lack of trust we have had in the Holy Spirit to guide us and direct us. But I have been impressed with our ability to come together and worship God in all things no matter what the outcome. I would hope that as we press on in the future we will be more aware of how God can work in situations even when we do not agree with the situation we are in. But that we trust God's kairos (God's timing), knowing that our will is not the will to be done...but God's will, will be done. I sat in the worship service with my fellow YAAD's and as we sang hymns I could not help but cry (there ya go Chris I cried...but not at the mic) for I have been overwhelmed by the movement of the Holy Spirit this week, this day, and I am thankful and humbled by my experience here at the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Church is moving in the 21st century and there are still things to be decided tomorrow and I would hope and pray that as we move in to the final day and a half of plenary sessions that we remember just who is the head of the church, Jesus Christ, the one who came, who died, who rose again, and who dwells in us through the power of the Holy Spirit renewing our hearts and minds while transforming the church and the world as we know it. Thanks be to God for the things that are flowing forth from this place in this time. Now it is time to rest by body and mind.
Peace be with you,
KP


Photo Caption=Even Jesus loves Presbyterians ;D