I did something that I don’t know that I’ve ever done before. I walked to church. Now that I think about it, I don’t know how this worked as a kid. We were expected to walk to school, which was further away, but always drove to church. Of course, we were always running late and there were five kids to herd to church, versus the fact that we all trickled off to school at different times, so I guess piling into the car was a necessity. Then as an adult I have yet to live somewhere with an ol’ country church with the white picket fence just around the corner. At least until now…

It’s probably difficult for some to understand why walking to church is even worth writing about. I guess the best analogy is that it’s like going on a first date and meeting someone new. I’ve written about this on my other blog, Jacob’s Ladder, but I’m out church shopping again and so all this business is about making changes in my life. Anyway, I was really excited and anxious about going to a new place and meeting new people and wondering if I’d like the music, If I could relate to the teaching, etc., etc., etc. Add to that it was a sunny and blistery morning and it’s been my experience that windy days can effect humans like a bolt of electricity. So the windy day in combination with the anxiety of going to a new church kind’a got the creative juices flowing.

As the church itself, Citylights Community Church, I was pleasantly pleased with the music (although they could have had a few more songs in a row and fewer announcement interruptions, for my taste, but that’s probably just me). I was also impressed with their attention to quality presentation (translation: good video running in the background on the projection screen during the talking points, and songs), friendliness of the greeters and their dedication to making a difference in Long Beach. I was impressed and encouraged. I have at least one other church that I want to visit before I’ll be comfortable making a choice (their website was down this morning, thus, I didn’t go there because I didn’t know when and where they met…. word to the wise, don’t let your site go down!!). Oh yeah, as new as the Citylights church is they have child-care and list three home fellowships. And, they’re within walking distance of my apartment!!! JBB

music: Daily Giz Wiz 206: Roadmaster VR Wireless Backup Camera from the album “Daily GizWiz” by Dick DeBartolo with Leo Laporte