The first thing you notice when you walk into River of God Community Church is the warm and relaxed atmosphere. There is always a friendly person to greet you and hand you a bulletin. Next, you see right away a counter where literature is displayed about the church and opportunities for serving and receiving. You will see a very pleasant array of coffee and snacks provided. People will be moving around, mingling and sharing. As you move on to the place of the service, you might hear music. It is beautiful music. Even if the band is still practicing, my foot is already tapping and my heart is ready to worship. In fact, it is the worship aspect that drew me to the church. I knew that I would be able to sing which isn’t so unusual, but I also wanted to be able to dance along to the songs, in worship. My voice is not especially good, so it is important for me to find a way of expressing my joy and love to the Lord in another way. This church gives me the freedom to do that. I was so hungry for the worship dance and the longer praise songs when I came to the River a year ago. I think the first six months, I was just soaking up the music, worship and praise. I felt comfortable going to the back where there is lots of room or even going to the front to dance. Now I had not been a “front lover” before. But the comfort level is such that I was able, even from the start, to let go and dance even in the front row. I must admit that as the months went on, I became more and more able to forget myself and just focus on Jesus. It is very hard when you have felt judged in the past. At the River, there is so much opportunity to grow. I have always considered myself a “Mary” as in the story where Jesus tells Mary it is O.K. to sit at His feet even though her sister Martha is serving the food and needs help. I just never felt very good in those areas. But at the River, I have had opportunity to help serve homeless people, work with very young children, help in the office, and be on the prayer team with a new type of prayer, at least for me. I don’t consider myself very good at any of these things and that’s why it is such a great thing to do. I was able to learn some new skills and help without upsetting the apple cart, so to speak. Also, the opportunity came to do some tambourine dancing which was more up my alley, so that brings great joy, as did all of the lessons in being a Martha.

      I am able to be a Mary, by taking ISOM, an excellent Bible Study. Since I love to read and do research, this is a lot of fun. Also, I found a great book on a table, free for the taking, which became my second favorite Christian non-fiction book ever. Such insights and things about church history. Wow! 

Along with the Bible Study, is the opportunity to practice the Spiritual Gifts.  I knew all about them before, things like healing, prophecy, miracles, etc.  Pastor Jon encourages us, as Spirit Filled Believers, to practice using these gifts.  What a wonderful and challenging thing this has become for me.  I picture Jesus watching me with His hands out as if I was learning to walk, encouraging me.  "But Lord, this is so serious." 

            This is just a sketch of my first year at the River of God Community Church. If it sounds exciting, why not come and get your feet wet. Out of Romeo, a river flows, The River Of God.