I'm going to write today what I intended to write last Sunday from the Siebers' residence, because the fact that I was at their house on a Sunday underscored the key point underlying the point that I was planning on making.  In other words, I was at their house and not at church.  I miss having a church like ubc.  This is a lament, not a whine, I promise.  I grew up going to church, albeit not always willingly.  Oftentimes, I wouldn't want to go, and my mom would force me to go, so I'd put on shorts to rebel.  She would tell me that I couldn't go to church in shorts.  I agreed with her, and suggested that I stay home.  So, she reluctantly let me wear shorts, and I gained some kind of victory there.  It's funny that I did this, because when I look back, I loved going to church as a kid.  I got to see all my friends and play in the gym and win at Bible drill.  By the time we got into the eighth grade, Mark and I and others were already starting to emerge as leaders among our church peers, and I was certainly super-involved.  Then came college, and I needed a break from church.  This break lasted until the second semester of my sophomore year, when I started going to ubc.  Over the years, I got pretty involved there, too.  I loved to get there early (most mornings) and to stay late.  Now, here's the key, I made my non-church plans around my church plans.  I wouldn't go out of town for the weekend, unless I could be back by Sunday morning.  I once drove non-stop by myself from Florida to make it back just in time for church (I almost died that morning by sleeping at the wheel).  And this is what I miss...Having something in a church that I am committed to enough to put it ahead of other things, not just out of obligation, but because I look forward to it.

Well, we went to Bel Air Presbyterian last night, and we really liked it.  Granted, it was different from their normal service, but I got a good initial vibe, which has me rooting for the church the next time we go.  Here's hoping...