The Spiritual Journey

Why Pray?

People pray so they can communicate with God.  Prayer has been found to be of great value in the healing process (by a Duke Medical School study).  Prayer works on our fears and anxieties.  Through prayer we learn how close God is to us and how much his presence touches the lives of his children.  Some prayers are formal (like those we might hear or pray in Church) and others may be more like our conversation with a friend.

What if I don't feel close to God?

Everyone of us has that feeling that we are far removed from God.  Sometimes it happens on Monday morning, just a day removed from an exciting celebration of worship.  As we journey through the Bible we hear over and over again God's promise of being close to us and with us.  Sometimes there are obvious signs and sometimes not.  Sometimes one has to count on what they know instead of what they feel.

What does it mean to be a Disciple?

The Disciple simply means a person who follows Jesus.  It means putting yourself under His guidance and his teaching.  The Spiritual Journey is much like climbing a high mountain.  Jesus is our guide.  He knows the way to the Father and he will guide us up that mountain until we reach the summit.

There is much talk in the Church about bearing fruit--what does that mean?

Disciples of Christ live in gratitude for the grace we have through Jesus Christ who died on the Cross for everyone.  In gratitude, Disciples of Christ, bear fruit by living out their faith among other persons in the world.  We give our time (time on our precious calendar), our talents (click on Spiritual Gifts), our gifts (offerings).  As John Claypool calls it--"our date book and our checkbook become dedicated to God.

What is "Baptism?"

Christians come to the covenant of God by way of baptism. Baptism involves the presence of God, God's grace, faithful witnesses, water, and the commitment of the person baptized and the commitment of those present in worship.  It is our way of saying to a person... infant or adult "welcome to the family of God."  However Baptism is only the first step in the Journey of faith. We are called to live out our baptism as a faithful witness to God as we worship and build his Kingdom.

What is "Communion?"

In the Upper Room, on the night of the Passover, Jesus took common bread and a common cup of wine and he made them more than common.  He made them "the body and blood of Christ."  This is the "New Covenant" given us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.  We come together and celebrate.  We do so by remembering that night and what Jesus did.  However, it is not just some past event, it is a renewal of that covenant every time we break the bread and drink the cup.

What does it mean to be "saved?"

It means to realize that we are going in the wrong direction in our lives and that we cannot find peace and joy on our own.  It means recognizing that Jesus is not just a person who lived a long time ago, but the Lord of my every day life.  When a person is saved they are made right with God through confession and asking Jesus to come into their heart in a very personal way.  Then we make a commitment to follow him as a Disciple.

If you wish to speak with our pastor, please call (251)943-4393 (in an Emergency call 609-5817).
If you wish to send email click on this link   lance@lancemoore.net