There's really no other way to put it

I just got home from going to Life Church to check it out. I'd heard mixed reports about it, and i know some of the people who go there and are in the worship team and i wanna'd to form my own opinion of it.

My first impressions were 'um... flash much??' By the time i was actually in the auditorium i was realising how, for this church, first impressions are everything. In the foyer they have a massive screen showing whats going on in the main church. To tell you the truth, i thought it was a cd playing but then realised 'nope, its actually the music team.' Didn't help that the leader that night was the main singer from parachute band.

So, there was all this hype and loud music, flash lights and camera's everywhere. But despite all this, i was surprised to find myself bored at it all. I couldn't find God in this place. I mean, He was there and alive in people, but i couldn't personally connect with Him. It wasn't that i was over whelmed by it all, i'm not to sure what it was. All i know is that i was bored!!

I could go on for awhile about how i found that church, but i won't. Instead i wanna talk about how much it made me think about several things.

The first was about how people rely so much on loud music, hype and others praising God around them to connect with God. I wanna know what would happen if one sunday they walked in and all there was was a single guitar and singer on stage. Instead of the 5 singers, two key boardists, 3 guitars, one bass and a drummer that they had. Take away the hype, the professionalism of it all... whats left?? Hearts longing for God or a bunch of teenagers 'looking for an experiance'. I'm not saying that their aren't people there who are genuinely after God's heart, but its just so commercial and 'uniform'!! I wanna'd to know where the freedom and (no pun intended) liberty was to praise God as you will.

It then made me realise how if i took away the 'hype' in my life, what would be left? I remind myself everyday about how God 'isn't an experiance' but i think we all get caught up in the whole 'emotions' side of a relationship with God. What if i stripped myself of all emotion, except my love for God, and just worshiped Him. How amazingly beautiful would that be??

The second was about how much i love me church. Liberty is an *insert undescribable word here* type of church. The freedom and love in God just amazes me everytime i go. I love just standing there and watching others praise Him in their own ways. Whether it be dancing, singing, flag waving, laughing or crying, the freedom is there for the taking. No one will judge you for how you praise God. Nothing is to wacky, to 'out there' or to strange to praise God with.

And the people?? Man!! The blow my mind sometimes. Just their passiona and desire to bring glory to God. Not for their sake, but for His.

I love you guys so unbelievably much. You've brought life to my (spiritual) bones. You've taught me to let go of everything i'd previously been taught, and to just step out as who I am. I love you. There's really no other way to put it.

God bless
Chloe