Not An Out Of Body Experience

I usually don't like to do "dramatic" posts (those of you who know me well may be snickering by now), but today being Easter Sunday, I thought it might be okay.

Our family did not go to church today. I know what you're thinking:
"Gasp! The Haskells didn't go to church on EASTER Sunday?? What in the world has come over them?"

Since there have been so many, many questions about "what has come over us lately," I wanted to address them....here....now....for all who wish to know and feel as though they need an explanation.

I am not, nor will I ever be, embarrassed of my Jesus. He is, after all, the reason we humans celebrates Easter. He didn't create the Easter Bunny, didn't promote eggs--or the hiding of them, and he certainly doesn't care if we eat our weight in chocolate bunnies.
Instead, he walked this earth as a man, died on the cross as payment for our sins, and then rose 3 days later from the grave.
Plain and simple.

That all being said, John and I have chosen somewhat of a different route in our spiritual lives. We view the "church", not as a building, but as a group of believers.
The BODY is the church.
We are called as Christ-followers to join together and do the Father's Will here on earth. There are many different opinions as to how this works.

John and I know these statements to be the truth:
1. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit exist (the Trinity)
2. God has a Will for our lives, but we have a choice as to whether or not we give our lives to Him and submit to that Will
3. There is more to the Body than just meeting in a building once a week

We have made decisions lately that have thuroughly confused and frustrated those that we love and respect. This is sort of my way of explaining without offering up a full explanation--for we feel that if we are doing what the Father says, then there's no need for an explanation.

We chose to step away from the church--as in the building. We are still part of the Body of Christ, and that includes meeting with other Christ followers in homes, eating places, and social gatherings. The one and only thing we have given up for the time being is the Sunday morning service. We are finding more and more ways to become a part of outreach ministries, touching those less fortunate than us, and sharing the love of the Savior with them.
We are listening better than ever to the Holy Spirit. After all, we trust Him with our very lives. If the Holy Spirit nudges us to jump, we ask, "how high?"
John and I just want to walk in the Will for our lives. By stepping out/stepping back, we aren't trying to isolate ourselves. Instead, we are desiring to hear more clearly.

This is not an "out of Body experience"...
...we are not leaving the Body of Christ just because we've left a building for 1 1/2hrs on Sunday mornings.
Instead, we look forward to working more closely with other Christ-followers. We want to serve our purpose in the Body, and we LOVE being around fellow believers, and we should not ever feel divided because of buildings/locations.

That is it folks, as simply put as possible.
Please keep us in your prayers as we seek His face and His Will for our earthly lives.
Trust that we hear from Him, and that what we are doing right now--although it might seem stupid, wrong, or frustrating--is going to make us stronger.

Mel