Starving...

Recently i had an epiphany...not just a tiny little light bulb epiphany, this was more like a tornado warning siren. the grab-a-pillow-and-head-for-cover type epiphany. i've been taking small steps toward stupid. i've been starving and didn't realize it. starving...not so literal in the i-haven't-enough-to-eat context because, hello, i think i'd realize that a lot quicker. no, no, i've been starving spiritually. i let this happen, and because it was just a little at a time i didn't even know it until recently. i can't tell you how long it's been since i have looked forward to church. i had allowed myself to become content in the monatany of church "just because". i've accepted ignorance & slowly ignored things that i know aren't right. i've begun to just go to church. right now church just feels like a place to sit on sunday...this bothers me, i've never felt this way about church! i know i'm called to be INVOLVED. i know this, this is when God teaches me the most things. i guees i've been lucky that i've always attended a church i can give to as well as learn from. a church, no matter how cliche this will sound, that provided a family. a church that is focused on ministry, missions, & really discipling.
lately though i have felt severly alienated from church...which has only led me to let myself become alienated from God as well. and i gotta tell ya, that's a sucky feeling! i'm at one of the first churches that the more i try to involve myself the less welcome & less useful i feel.
so i'm sure you're asking what brought this mind boggling starvation epiphany on? what finally made me aware of how far off track i'd gotten...well, i'll tell you; i started listening to this guy and his podcast. he's like 29 and a pastor at this amazing church in montgomery, AL.
my sis-in-law was actually the one that "introduced" me to these sermons...and i must admit i was a little hesitant to just sit and listen to a preacher preach...but DUDE! this guy is so in love with God it's ridiculous. his sermons are so full of scripture and gut wrenching truth. i mean i listened to all of two pod casts and i was hooked! he had me thirsty for more...thirsty to research the verses he used. and, for once, not because said scripture was twisted to support some obsure southern baptsist truism. i was moved! i was enthralled! i was totally loving the Bible again! I'm eager to "go to church" again...albeit, podcast church. i only wish i were close enough to attend The Church at Brookhills. Or at least could find a church near by with the same love, vigor, & dedication to God & growing disciples. A new and reviving thirst is back. i'm excited to see what God has down this path for me! i'm motivated & refreshed again! i'm eager to see what path & purpose God is going to direct me to now...

so i know i'm not the only one struggling. i know i have a few friends that have met a stagnant in thier spiritual life and it's you guys that i really want to encourage. download just 2 or 3 of these podcasts & if your world isn't rocked, then i'm...well i'll be at a loss for words!

here are a few suggestions:

Free as Sons - 12/21/08
Adoption: The Heart of the Easter Story - 4/8/07
Baptism: Identification With the New Covenant - 3/22/09
Baptism: More Than Just a Symbol - 8/6/06
The Gospel & Womanhood - 5/11/08
The Gospel & Manhood - 6/15/08