This is a full confessional, so allow me the space to be real and transparent. Since mid-December my family has been put through “the ringer”. Walking pneumonia took all of us out for several weeks, I am sure you can recall a time when a sickness worked its way from one family member to the next, that was a nasty few weeks. In that time, there was family fall out, which has continued to cause problems because there is unresolved conflict. Then came another illness that took us out, Mono—pure exhaustion, which then lead to more sinus and coughing sicknesses. Then came some weird undiscovered sickness that my youngest got with a fever of 103…I don’t want to say we are finally on the mend and on the road to recovery out of fear of “jinxing” ourselves…but I sincerely pray that we are finally reaching the end to this truly awful winter cold/flu season. When I say my family has been through a lot in the last few months, I truly mean it. All of these things compiled so heavily on me, that it has caused some depression, and for whatever reason, I chose to isolate myself from the world. My family has been to church very few times since the beginning of this year, most of those reasons were from sickness, and some of them from frustration and depression. This season, has been the hardest season of my life—and you know what I feel most, and what I feel so convicted by? Not being at church, not being with my people, not worshiping God through song, not hearing all the sermons in person…. I have greatly, deeply missed my church family. Outside of sickness or a family vacation, there really aren’t any good reasons to miss church. It is VITAL to be there, not just for your benefit but also your family, and also for all the other people at church. WE NEED EACH OTHER!!! I can’t wait to be back at church with my people!
So, I guess you might be wondering why I say all that? Well, it is because of the conviction of this passage of scripture in Philippians 1:7-8:
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”
Paul was writing this while in prison. Isolated from his friends and family who walk beside him in Christ. He was in a place where he was truly in a deep longing and desire to be with his people. Now, I am not writing this to you from prison, I am not bound to my house, besides the endless weeks of sickness, I could have gotten myself to church. I did not have Paul’s excuse. However, I have found myself in this same place. My heart misses you all. I have felt the love and tender care from many friends who have reached out to me, prayed with me, listened to my heart. Let me tell you, Emmanuel Church is filled with some really great people. Living in community with fellow believers is one of the most important gifts God has given us as believers. We need each other, to care for each other when we are hurt, to encourage us when we are down, to just listen to the burdens that fall on our heart at times. It is for our benefit in the perseverance and endurance in our walk with Christ, to have one another. This lesson, I have learned, and now I am here confessing this to all of you. The Jentzen’s will be back in action SOON VERY SOON. We love our church family, and I hope you do too!
So, I guess you might be wondering why I say all that? Well, it is because of the conviction of this passage of scripture in Philippians 1:7-8:
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”
Paul was writing this while in prison. Isolated from his friends and family who walk beside him in Christ. He was in a place where he was truly in a deep longing and desire to be with his people. Now, I am not writing this to you from prison, I am not bound to my house, besides the endless weeks of sickness, I could have gotten myself to church. I did not have Paul’s excuse. However, I have found myself in this same place. My heart misses you all. I have felt the love and tender care from many friends who have reached out to me, prayed with me, listened to my heart. Let me tell you, Emmanuel Church is filled with some really great people. Living in community with fellow believers is one of the most important gifts God has given us as believers. We need each other, to care for each other when we are hurt, to encourage us when we are down, to just listen to the burdens that fall on our heart at times. It is for our benefit in the perseverance and endurance in our walk with Christ, to have one another. This lesson, I have learned, and now I am here confessing this to all of you. The Jentzen’s will be back in action SOON VERY SOON. We love our church family, and I hope you do too!