I LOVE THE LORD... HE IS MY LORD...

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As I shared on my post yesterday, I am so thankful for connections God makes for us in the body of Christ. I am loving our Sunday morning series, led by different women telling their "God Journeys" as they look in the rear view mirror of their lives.

Cindy has been on quite a journey to "Know the ONE who is my LORD". I'm so thankful that she shared her story as she looked "in the rear view mirror of her life" and was able to let us see her thought proccesses and her heart.

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Cindy grew up in a Mennonite family in Lancaster County, PA. They loved the LORD and really focused on wanting "to do the right thing". It was a sheltered life with only dresses, no haircults, no make-up, and her only jewelry was a watch. She was not expected to go to college, but instead marry. As many young people do during their teen years, she began to have questions.

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Cindy was a hard worker who got a job as food service coordinator at a camp for children right out of high school. She did that for 5 years. Then, she chose to pursue her passion - animals. She headed for school and practicums to become a veterinary technician. She was not exactly on the marriage track!

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At the laundromat, one day, someone invited her to a Bible study. With her background, she was interested. Over time, she realized that the Bible study was focused on her. At first she was defensive as they pushed her to question what she believed. Yet, with each new Bible study she began to realize she was excited to actually get into the Bible and read what it had to say.

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The Bible studies covered topics like:

• The Bible is God's word.


• Discipleship: what it means to be a disciple.


• What is sin? When it got to this topic, the studies became very intrusive as she was told to articulate / list her sins.

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What she found was a group of christians who had the FORM AND FUNCTION of the church down to where that was their focus with no flexibility. They were controlling, insisting that she attend all functions of the church even if they were scheduleded at a time of her work or school. There was no emphasis on FREEDOM IN CHRIST.

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Cindy, stressed that she saw so many of the "right things" in this group:

• spirituality


• focus on "do the right thing"


• sense of community

Yet, "new converts" were assigned an accountability partner to keep them on the straight and narrow. Instead of it being about "asking advice" it was about "asking permission". Each member was counseled on how to set up their budget for tithing and special contributions. One woman who gave $100,000 eventually cooperated with the TV show "20/20" and their investigation of the International churches of Christ. These groups who were growing rapidly around the world have mostly disbanded today. Yet, many people with good hearts, who were sucked into this kind of mind control have struggled.

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For Cindy and her fiance, Brian, they prayed, telling God that they wanted Him to be LORD of their lives. They asked Him to connect them to a body of believers who valued the form and function of the early church, yet daily experienced the amazing FREEDOM IN CHRIST that comes with it. God answered their prayer and led them to Pitman church of Christ, who are a Bible based, LORD loving group of Jesus followers who are transparent, friendly, and FREE!!!
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Thank You God, for loving us enough to listen to our hearts. Thank You for being our LORD and our GOD.

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