\u201cLook at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I\u2019ll come right in and sit down to supper with you<\/strong><\/em>\u2026\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Revelation 3:20<\/strong><\/span> (The Message)<\/p>\n We attend a downtown church that has been in place 140 years. We have wonderful programs for the people of the \u201cchurch family<\/em>,\u201d as well as many activities for all segments of the community. Children eagerly run in on Tuesday evenings to meet with their tutors who have prepared specific lessons for their academic growth. On Thursdays and Fridays young moms with infants in arms and toddlers in hand come for mornings of fun, practical advice and spiritual encouragements while their children are lovingly cared for. Each weekend a variety of worship services are offered.<\/p>\n While the church now owns several buildings fit for almost any use, faithful people sacrificially erected the current \u201csanctuary building<\/em>\u201d in the late 1800\u2019s.\u00a0 But years later a growing congregation sacrificed in another way. When they realized that the space they loved was no longer sufficient for growth, they unanimously voted to \u201cimplode<\/em>\u201d the stone building with its beautiful steeple. When the new and larger building was complete, huge and beautiful oak doors led from the street into the sanctuary.<\/p>\n But today those same oak doors\u2014designed for welcome\u2014often become a barrier instead of an entrance. Street people with their backpacks and homeless teens roam the streets regularly pass those doors. One young girl said to a friendly parishioner when he invited her to come in, \u201cOh, I could never come through those doors. That building looks like it\u2019s for good people<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n We extend ourselves to people of all backgrounds and stations of life. And yet there are those big oak doors. I wonder if there are \u201coak doors<\/em>\u201d in my life?\u00a0 Attitudes or actions that keep people at arm\u2019s length from me? I don\u2019t know if the oak doors will be\u2014or need to be\u2014removed in our church building, but I am responsible to make sure my heart\u2019s doors remain open for conversation and relationship.<\/p>\n by Marilyn Ehle<\/a> \u2022 Send Jesus to the\u00a0Door<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 by Gail Rodgers<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0When You Open the\u00a0Door<\/b><\/a><\/strong> \u2013\u00a0 by Bill Bright<\/p>\n \u2022 He\u2019s Still Knocking<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 by Marilyn Ehle<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL:<\/strong>\u00a0FOLLOW THIS LINK<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Us On:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0Twitter\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0\u2022\u00a0\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<\/a> \u2022\u00a0Pinterest<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\nWe are people committed to being faithful followers of Jesus<\/strong>.<\/h4>\n
Used by Permission<\/p>\n\nFURTHER READING<\/span><\/h3>\n