Thoughts From a First-Timer
Oct/088
Not everyone reads the comments on a blog, but I wanted to be sure you didn't miss this one.
Rhonda left this as a comment on my blog. ACC, you need to hear these unfiltered thoughts of a first-time guest.
This was my first experience with Mike and the good people of ACC and I must say, “WOWâ€!!!!
I had been searching for a good church in my area and while online I looked at ACC’s website–definitely caught my attention.
Signed up for Ground Floor but after reading blogs and listening to some past sermons, I couldn’t wait! I had to get there before Nov 2. I am sure glad I did.
What a refreshing inner peace to know that there are still men of God out there that will preach the truth without any sugar-coating.
You see, I am a ‘wayward child’, so to speak, who is trying to find my way back to God. I had been dealing with feelings for a bit in my search for a church and had many invitations to go to others, after going through ACC’s website time and time again, something just kept pulling me there.
So I just want to say, “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!
For your message of truth, for your warm welcome to your church on Sunday and for the opportunity to see it all in action.
Keep it up, ACC! We're in this to win the world. That's not a bumper sticker slogan, either. I'm dead serious. When I look at the firepower we have at ACC, there's no doubt in my mind that we're going to do it.
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3:27 pm on October 29th, 2008
OK, NOW I'm embarrassed….
3:28 pm on October 29th, 2008
LOL and even MORE so now that I spelled it wrong!
3:39 pm on October 29th, 2008
Don't be embarrassed for leaving one of the best comments ever on this blog!
3:46 pm on October 29th, 2008
Just speaking from my heart ( I'm learning more and more how to listen to it). I truly DO feel blessed to have been led to ACC!!!
7:59 pm on October 30th, 2008
I had been looking for a church for quite awhile. I would go to a different one every Sunday. And every Sunday I would leave thinking " oh well I'll try another one next Sunday." I was looking for a church to help me learn about and get closer to GOD…a church that taught the word of GOD and really meant it.
The sermons that I heard at the other churches that I attended….they were ok…but they did not impact me in anyway…nor did they seem to have much of an effect on quite a large portion of their congregation….
they acted as though they may as well have been sitting in the middle of Wal-Mart. And please do not misunderstand me….all of those churches
and the people in them were very gracious and kind and well meaning churches…they just did not seem to present much of a message….at least not for me. I left the same way I came in… which was empty and still searching.
And then I found ACC. I knew long before the service was even over that I had found the church I was looking for. And do you know how I knew ? Because not even 15 minutes into the sermon I had tears in my eyes and knew for the first time in my life that I needed and wanted GOD much more than I even realized. GOD was all over that room….all over that room….in the message…in the way it was written…and very much so in the way it was presented. I knew because when the sermon was over I wished it had just begun. I knew because I didn't leave there the same way I came in. I left wanting more…I left looking forward to next Sunday.
I left with a thousand questions….and a thousand thoughts about GOD.
I left….and went and bought……… a bible.
I think that you should walk out of a church changed in some way…
even the smallest way…and feeling as though GOD was present.
I have no doubt that it takes hard work and many hours of service to write and preach a sermon that is presented in such a way that it teaches
a lasting message that people understand and learn from…and at the same time captures their attention and holds it the entire service.
That takes hard work and caring. And that is what ACC does.
Every Sunday it is GOD's work in this church…HIS hand is guiding
every word…HIS hand is turning every page….every sermon…
every Sunday…it's GOD's presentation….HE just has Mike preach it.
You can tell by the reaction of the cogregation how GOD is working
in a church. It is more than obvious just by watching the people.
They aren't talking…or making out their grocery lists…..or checking their
cell phones..or day dreaming. They are quiet…..and focused……and
attentive…and hungry for more…more of GOD's word.
And I see that all over ACC….in every chair…every Sunday.
GOD bless all of you……..
9:25 pm on October 30th, 2008
Rhonda's and Tracy's comments focused on what a blessing the church has been to them and I pray that this continues. But one of the great things about Christianity is that blessing is always mutual. Your comments and encouragement and praise are a blessing to us too. New people and new Christians have always been such a positive source of blessing and encouragement in my life. It keeps me from letting the good news get stale in my own life. It pumps new life into me. Thanks so much for your comments here that come from your hearts.
7:44 am on October 31st, 2008
You hit the nail on the head Tracy!! I didn't want it to end either and came away 'hungry' for more! Can't wait for Sunday to roll around again.
I 'hunted up' the Bible I had packed away, (trying to ignore God), my computer desk is now filled with it and all kinds of stuff just trying to dig deeper and learn more. I find myself praying all the time throughout the day.
I am a home health nurse and all the time I'm in my car now I am praying and listening to and singing praise and worship songs– just can't get enough! I think I'm doing 'more' now, as a 'waywayrd child trying to find her way back home' than I did when I thought I was being a 'good Christian'.
Thanks so much for your comment-you'll never know how much it helped me
5:51 pm on October 31st, 2008
Thank you Dave,
Please just keep me in your prayers–I have a long way to go and I know it won't be easy –but I am more determined than ever to get back on the path to God