Lost in Faith

I wanted to send a note about how great yesterday service was. My husband and I enjoyed it very much and as a result are looking into joining a home group within the community. I also wanted to let you know how much Shoal Creek has meant to us over the last few months we’ve been attending. At our previous church we attended for almost two full years but never once was invited to join a group, we didn’t know anyone in the community and never felt like we belonged or were accepted there. We’ve attended Shoal Creek for just a few months and already we’ve had folks talk to us, invite us to groups and basically just make us feel welcome in a very comfortable way. That’s something we love the most about SC is how comfortable we both feel, even in the midst of teaching that sometimes hits pretty close to home. Also, we both love the realness in your messages. The way you are just a guy and not afraid to say things that are hard or might be seen as uncomfortable or ungodly topics. I also want to thank you personally for effecting my husbands life more in just these short few months than any other godly influence has been able to in his life so far. I’ve seen him do and say things I would have never thought possible (he was so into the food drive he could barely stand it!). Thank you again for being willing to step out and be the light in the darkness that so many of us need. We both look forward to getting more involved with the SC community and coming to church each week.

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I was lost and lonely and now I am found and surrounded. The church adopted me and my two sons for Christmas and gave us something to celebrate. This year has been very difficult for me learning how to provide for my two young sons without any support from their father. This church inspires me and makes me feel close to God. I can’t imagine having to go through all this without God carrying me through. Thank everyone for all that you do. Each service speaks directly to what I need to hear that week and I look foward to my Sunday’s more than anything else. I also am looking for a group as soon as I get a schedule of when they meet and I have to see about childcare. God Bless all of you.

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“Roy, I couldn’t get up in Church today because I had so many thoughts running through my head. I thought I would write you my thoughts. Before SCCC I was frustrated with religious ritual and not really “getting it” or understanding Jesus’ message and meaning. I was just going through the motions and I was really getting tired of it and giving up. Sue and Jennifer introduced us to you and your Church and I’m so thankful. I’ve learned so much. It’s like my eyes, ears and my heart are open and “meaning” keeps pouring in. I’ve learned more about life, love, relationships, men, marriage, the different roles I play and why I do the things I do and how it all fits into God’s plan. You understate the value of the Sunday morning service. We anxiously await your profound message every week (and even the not-so-profound) because you are just a joy to listen to. I’ve joined a 6am bible study and I love that group but it’s your translation and interpretation that I value most.”

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I wanted to thank you and your church for everything you have done for me. It is quite bizarre how I came to know Shoal Creek. My life was on a downward spiral. I was trapped in an angry, loveless, Godless marriage. I tried to save my marriage but unfortunately it takes two to work on a marriage and soon the papers were filed. Now if we backed up to my childhood I came from that perfect little family with church every Sunday and youth trips every summer. I was definitely a quote on quote ‘Bible Thumper’. I got married when I was 19 and didn’t think that marrying a non-Christian would break down all the good God had done in my life. So as I sit outside the court room waiting for the judge to call me in to finalize my divorce I hung my head. I had hit my lowest point. I had been depressed, angry and all around mad for years. I couldn’t help but cry as I thought ‘what else is going to hit me?!’ Then the woman next to me asked if she could pray for me. She held my hand and we bowed our heads and asked the Lord to give me strength. At that moment I felt His presence as if His hands were embracing ours. She told me that I could find strength and guidance through God and told me about Shoal Creek. Of course I didn’t feel that I could face God at that point in my life. I felt that I had failed Him. Sure I found a loophole: “But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace” (1 Cor. 7:15). The problem was it wasn’t bringing me peace. Finally I met a man who encouraged me to seek counseling and encouraged me to go to church. We then attended Shoal Creek. Every service was speaking to me and I couldn’t believe how much I missed having God in my life. I knew that I needed Him more then I ever had before. Jerry and I have been coming to Shoal Creek ever since and I have found my faith again after 7 years of ignoring God’s call. The next step in my life is to be baptized. I want my sins washed away and am so grateful that Christ has provided me that in His death and resurrection. Thank you again for all you have done in my life.