Half-Way

My journey continues with a visit to Grace Vineyard in Arlington, TX. I sought a Vineyard church out on the suggestion of my sister. During a recent visit to Boston, I had attended a Vineyard church with her and enjoyed the fellowship. I was pleasantly surprised that Arlington had a Vineyard church and headed out with my high heels on.

My first encounter was with a man named Mark. (There were several Marks in this congregation; I looked for Matthew, Luke and John but never found them). The coffee was great and the people were friendly. But it was the worship and message that struck a chord in my soul.

Vineyard is known for its music. Vineyard musicians are prolific in lyrical talent and harmony. This worship band was no exception. Why they are not recording, I'm not sure; however, their talent and heartfelt worship set the atmosphere for the message. Bob Oliver is the senior pastor at this church. It is an intimate gathering and I was fortunate to meet several of the pastors before service. The worship set was lengthier than I am used to; no three songs and announcements here. In fact, I had the distinct impression that the worship was fluid.

The message was titled Half-Way and taken from Genesis 11: 31-32. The essence of the message was that Terah, Abram's father, journeyed half-way with God and then stopped. Gave up. Died in Haran. Not the lead in to the unveiling of the talk I was expecting. Then, it got personal. Don't you love it when God gets personal? Or maybe you don't. Maybe God steps on your toes a little too much so you keep Him at a distance. Or maybe you don't believe God gets personal. Maybe for you, He is distant.

The question that the message held was, "Where is your Haran?" Terah gave up at Haran. He didn't go on with Abram. And he died there. Understand, according to the message, leaving Ur was a big deal. Leaving a tribe in that culture went against all social and cultural norms. It wrenched the society he was living in. Yet, he left with his family to follow God. Then, at Haran, he gave up. The text does not give us answers as to why. The message suggested a few things: too busy, too comfortable, compromise, or maybe a shift from fearless faith to crisis.

When I posted last week's post on blindedness, I had no idea the very next week I would post on eyes wide open. But, that's what Ephesians 1:18 says. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." (NASB) Pastor went on, "See again the journey in front of you."

See the journey in front of you. No matter what you're facing, God reigns, He's in control. He has not forgotten you or forsaken you. He's waiting for you - and me - to take the next step. Will you walk with Him into a destiny that will move His eternal purposes?

You can visit Vineyard at 611 N. 109th St. Arlington, TX. The website is http://www.gvcf.org and their blog gives information concerning events and happenings http://www.gvcf.org/in-the-street/.

This was a great visit - beyond the norm. Warm and friendly with solid biblical teaching in an atmosphere of reverent, relevant worship. Thank you, Vineyard.