Why Do I Go To Church?

This blog may not be perfectly theologically sound.

I am just sharing my heart with you

 in all its imperfection.

Do I attend church because I am "religious?"

No.  I am not "religious."  I am a Christian.

I would much prefer that you call me a

"Jesus freak" (I am!) 

than call me "religious."

I believe that religion is man's attempt to

reach God,

while Christianity is God miraculously reaching

down to man.

I go to Fielder Church every Sunday because

I want to obey the Bible's command:

"Let us not neglect meeting together, 

as some have made a habit,

 but let us encourage one another..."

Hebrews 10:25

From this verse we find out that the building on

Fielder Road is not the "church."

The church is the body of believers who unite

in that building.

We unite to worship!!!

We unite to study and learn!!!

We unite to pray for and encourage one another!!!

We unite to inhale the gospel, 

so that we may exhale the gospel to a dying world.

We unite to learn how to serve.

The person who said that organized religion (church)

is for the weak was exactly right.

We know we are weak and in desperate need

of the strength only Jesus can give.

Do I believe going to church makes one a Christian?

No.  Definitely not.

The saying so often quoted is true:

"Going to church doesn't make one a Christian

any more than standing in a garage makes one a car."

But we meet to find strength in our weakness.

In meeting with fellow believers on Sunday morning

I have developed loving relationships.

I serve by singing in the choir,

and feel uplifted and blessed by doing so every week!

I feel like the entire choir is my "family."

I love my "small group" (formerly known as

Sunday School class) and feel like they

are yet another part of my "family."

It is exciting to me that so many believers gather

at Fielder Church that I get to ride a 

bus from the parking lot to the building!

I love the diversity of people I meet in the halls!
I love the spirit of excitement!

Everyone is welcome at Fielder Church.

Of course, I hope I exhibit that 

my whole life is built upon Jesus.

I cannot imagine not going to church on Sunday.

I am not legalistic about attendance, however.

I often miss when I am traveling.

But...it is my way of life.

It is an integral part of my week.

Yes, it is my habit.

But this is one habit I hope never to break.

"It is my eager expectation and hope that I 
will not be at all ashamed,
but with full courage now as always
Christ will be glorified in my body,
whether I live or whether I die.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Phillipians 1:20-21
Linda Jane Lynn Stovall version

An Embarrassing Admission

I have myself convinced that I am not a big worrier.

About big things, maybe I'm not.

You know I travel all over creation alone

with absolutely no fear.

And I spend no time worrying about being snuffed

out by chemical warfare.

I can't believe I'm admitting this, but

 I am a terrible "awfulizer" about small stuff.

That is my cousin Sarah's word for imagining the absolute worst outcome in any situation.

I think I can prove it to you.

We got home from Maui Saturday.

On Sunday night, I realized that one of my

dental crowns had come off, 

and I was chewing upon it!

A most unsettling situation.

Let's see what I can do with it!

My first thought when I saw how little tooth was

left for the crown to cover was...

ROOT CANAL.

So...if I'm going to have a root canal do I go

over to West Fort Worth where the lady endodontist

has moved who was willing to give me a

knock-out drug when doing my previous

root canals?

If I do that, someone will have to take me because 

I certainly can't drive myself.

But I'm afraid I will have a panic attack like I 

have had before if I let my regular dentist

try to do it.

So should I get a new endodontist?

What if they're not into knockout drops?

Well, maybe just maybe I won't have to have a

root canal.

But if I don't, the dentist will surely have to grind

on the tooth at least some to "clean it up."

So, will he have to deaden it?

Otherwise, that grinding is going to send me

into orbit, I'm just sure.

So maybe I'll take my iPod to listen to and,

oh yeah...I'll use the laughing gas!

That should get me through.

And what makes me think he can use that old

crown again?

I don't know what I'll do about chewing

while the lab gets a new one made.

I'm scared to death some of that minimal shell

of a tooth will break off before I even get to his office.

Much less for days while I wait.

 I'm already starving!

And, I am still suffering from jet lag.

This morning (Monday) is the only day I can 

sleep late this week.

Do I really have to get up at the crack so I can

call the dentist's office and make sure I get in?

****************************

As it turns out, his office doesn't open until 11:00

on Monday.

I slept in a bit and still got an appointment for 2:30.

It took about 15 minutes for him to 

cement the same old crown right back on

that shell of a tooth.

No root canal, no grinding, no laughing gas.

Heck, I even forgot my iPod.

Didn't need it.


The sign I'm making here is "shaka" or
"hang loose!"
Not when it comes to dental matters.

Mimi and Meme in Maui!

The Mimi of the title is yours truly.

The Meme is my friend Becky Leffler.

We were widowed within 3 months of each other,

7 years ago,

and our husbands were friends and business associates.

Becky had been to Maui several times before.

I had only been once--for a one day excursion from

a cruise ship which stopped at 3 Hawaiian islands

on our way from Los Angeles to Tokyo.

We took a taxi from the airport...getting close.

And this is where we stayed...The Westin Ka'anapali!

Here I am on my balcony...just dig that background...

and

Becky at our first meal at Pailolo on the beach!

So...Linda Jane Lynn Stovall, sunset photographer,

had a different view tonight!

We had breakfast each morning at "Auntie's Kitchen."

(Becky and I wanted to rename it--something

more islandy and exotic.)

But the food was wonderful!

Then we were off to the beach!

Here are my toes feeling Hawaiian sand

for the very first time!

Becky knew to rent an umbrella and chaises!

Our beautiful view...to the left...

and to our right!

Our first dining experience, if we had to choose,

would be our favorite!

We took the shuttle to Lahaina to

I bought myself the most beautiful lei!

We had calamari strips and coconut shrimp

for appetizers,

then 2 lobster tails each!

I have never tasted anything better in my long life!

I guess I should be proud of myself that I didn't

take any pictures--you know, too sophisticated or

whatever, but that's not it.

I was so busy eating I forgot!

Besides, Becky's family would call it

"Griswoldy!"

(Mine, too, probably!)

Back at the Westin...

Sunset view from the lobby:

But of course there are flowers everywhere!

"Are you girls waiting for a bus?"

"Well, yes, as a matter of fact we are!"

And here's where we are going,
thanks to advice from my friend Beth Blacklock!

This was so much fun!

We "just" had appetizers!

 Fabulous appetizers!

The "magic" piano was played by Annabelle,

the resident ghost.

Then we saw two amazing sleight-of-hand artists.

If you go to Maui, don't miss Warren and Annabelle's!

Okay, I'm afraid you're yawning by now.

But just a brief glance at our luau--

the Feast at Lele.

It was fun, and contrary to the empty look of

Becky's appetizer plate, it was a true feast!

Again, the elegant Ms. Stovall did not take pics
of the FIVE (5) courses. 

(Darn!)

WOW, did we have a WOW ending to our WOW trip.

We went to see 'Ulalena, a cirque/broadway type show.

It was very good, but...

 Do you see that sign to the right of this photo?

Following 'Ulalena, there is an Elvis impersonator.

Now I'm not a big Elvis fan, but Becky is!

So we're waiting for our Uber outside the theatre,

and I see this guy going in.

So I ask, "Are you Elvis?"

He said he was, called us lovely ladies, and conversed 

with us to the point of

inviting us to stay for his show as his guests!
We stood the Uber up!

We were seated front row center! 

(At this point I'm considerably more an Elvis fan.)

His show was a major production--wonderful 

musicians, several costume changes, spectacular!

He sang to us.

And threw Becky a teddy bear when he sang...

Teddy Bear!

And as our parting shot we shared a 

Maui version of a banana split!

We are two very grateful girls.

To God be all the Glory for us being able to see

one of the most beautiful spots He created

on this earth.

And we are also always thankful for our husbands,

who were taken too soon but who

provided for us.