What do you look for?

I am curious.  What are the most important things families look for when it comes to being a part of a church?  It is very easy for me to assume that certain things are important but I want to hear it from you.  Fill me in!  Thanks!
~JK

What do you look for?

Out of the Overflow

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,

 he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.

 Even though I walk
       through the darkest valley,
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.

 Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.


When I was a kid, the church we went to had a huge tapestry in the foyer.  Depicted on it was a pasture with nearly a hundred shades of green. Etched around the edges was this psalm of David.  Passing by this every Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday night numbed me to it's beauty and the power it's words have for life.  I can't say that I have ever heard a sermon preached on it. I don't think it was ever one of my required memory verses. I have recently come back to this neglected verse and it has become a source of strength for me.


God is always doing one better.  It is not enough for God that he provides physical nourishment with green pastures - he restores my soul. The journey he is taking me on wanders deeper than beside quiet waters - he guides me in paths of righteousness. The darkest evils are ignored when we realize his presence is greater, his rod and staff mightier and his comfort so assuring that we can feast at his table right in front of our enemies. When God anoints with oil...

He 

keeps 

pouring

and

pouring

and 

pouring. 

Abiding in him, love and goodness follow.


This is where I want to serve from.  What would happen in my family if I lived in the 23rd Psalm. How would the ministry God has given me be affected if it is out of the overflow of what he is doing in my life? If I were walking in paths of righteousness for HIS namesake instead of mine, what would look different?

The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want ... but to follow.

~JK

Out of the Overflow