Sunday, February 24, 2008

Exploring Churches (I promise every blog won't be titled in the adventure theme)

I am drinking Peppermint Tea and Eating Girl Scouts cookies - from Claire's Hotel Kitchen Cafe. If your in Denver, CO stop by and I will serve you some =).

First is my first support progress update:

Raised in Monthly Commitments: $825.00 or 38.77 percent
Left to Raise: 1303.00 or 61.23%
Raised in Cash Commitment: $495 or 14.77 percent
Left to Raise: $2857 or 85.23 percent

I still have a way to go. I encourage you if you are planning to give to give soon. If you look at the right of the screen I have some ways you can give online. The sooner my support is turned in the sooner I am able to begin with Convoy of Hope! Second if you haven't prayed about supporting me I ask that you will pray about it. As I have stated before if God says No then leave it at that - but please still support me with your prayers! If he says Yes than ask him how you should support me. For all of you who have supported me thus far I give you a big THANK YOU!!!!


Second is Some Thoughts -

I went to a new church today. Actually every Sunday I have been going to a new church. Its funny because when I moved to Orange County for college four or so years ago almost immediately I decided that Rock Harbor was the church that I would call home for my college years. It just clicked. In Englewood it has been more difficult. I have enjoyed almost every church service I have gone too, but there has been no instant clicking. This could be that during college that my friends all attended church with me, so I had instant community or fellowship at church. Now I am looking not only for a church service, but a community, a place where I fit and this takes longer. It also takes intentionality not only on my part but also the Congregation of the church I choose to attend.

I remembered today that the wonderful thing about God is that there are so many different ways to worship and honor him. I serve a God that can be worshipped through rock music, hymns, silence, serving others, and so many other ways. Each congregation is unique. Even though each Christian and Congregation is unique God can be (and is) exalted and praised. Through Christ all Christians have a common bond no matter how different we may appear. As imperfect people we often allow these differences to come between us and create tension instead of letting the common bond of Christ bring us closer and unite us.

This whole exploring churches has made me examine how I treat church visitors. I realized how important it is to be intentional and step out of my comfort zone to make someone feel welcomed and more comfortable. I have some personality traits such as quietness and shyness that will make (and have made) this more difficult for me than for other people, but not impossible. It is important to stop and talk to people especially visitors and to welcome them into the church. Lay members of a church often see this as a pastors responsibility, but really it is the whole congregations responsibility to take care of not only each other, but those who are new and visiting. It is the people who attend the church that make up the congregation and support the church. The lay people are crucial to the failure or success of a church.

I was going to write some reflections from the sermon I heard today because it was relevant to life, but I think I will jot down some notes and save it for some future blogging material. :) Oh The Suspense...

Leave a Comment or Write me an Email. I love hearing from everyone.

Live in His Love and Be Blessed!

Claire Balch

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Mountain Adventures 02/10/08

For one reason or another for the last several years I have wanted to snowboard the Colorado Mountains. Yesterday was my first Saturday off and so I decided to fulfill this dream. Friday after work I headed over to a local sports store and rented a board and boots (mine got left at home). I asked about road conditions and where to go. The local answer is "Really anywhere is good" and then a list of places. Hate to break it to the locals, but that doesn't really help someone who knows nothing. A cost anaylsis along with the challenge of slopes and snow conditions would of been helpful. Fortunately for this California girl the internet holds some answers. So Saturday morning at 7:30am I headed up to Copper Mountain in my Ford Mustang (which is much better for braving LA freeways than Colorado mountains).

Its a little nerve racking heading up to unexplored (unexplored by me) mountain passes to a ski resort I have never seen of or heard of until the day before. I knew that if I made it to Copper Moutain and got to strap my feet into a snowboard the risk would be well worth it. I believe that many of us let the unknown stop us from experiencing life and all that it may hold. The thing is we never know what God will do when we take a step into the unexplored. Many times we stop short of experiencing all God can do because of our own fears.

Finnally at 11:00am I made it to the slopes (I learned that I need to leave much earlier to avoid the mountain rush). It was clear, sunny and beautiful. My snowboard and myself spent the day shredding down the mountain slopes. There were times that I would stop to rest and take in the scenery. If I waited for all the other skiers and boarders to leave the area I would find myself in the company of towering trees and snowcapped mountains and stillness. It made me stop and think "WOW my God created all of this, what a big and amazing and creative God I serve". God often uses his creation to make me slow down and to show himself to me.

It is a good thing that I was in the company of such a beautiful place to remind me of who God was because when I realized I lost my cell phone somewhere on the mountain I needed a good reason to not let it ruin my day. I decided to continue snowboarding and to worry about where my cell phone might be after the lifts closed. I did send several prayers to God about helping me find my cell phone. At 4:00pm I went and put in a report with lost and found. In the middle of giving this report a man walked up and turned in my phone. This was my little miracle. It made my day that much better. After finding my phone, a good meal at little restaurant at the resort and a nonfat vanilla latte I headed home. Content and very happy that I decided to embark on this adventure.

My only regret is that I forgot to take a picture so that I could share a little more of this adventure with you. =)