Putting faith into action returns good feelings

I read a sentence this evening that was quoted from a novel and gave me something to ponder.

The quote was: "Every church is the same: control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling." I can't imagine where the author picked up that idea unless it was from the Puritans of the 17th Century!

As I read articles about the various churches in our area, I get the impression that "good feelings" are encouraged. Some churches have groups for every imaginable purpose - groups that promote study as well as physical activities. In addition, members and friends of the church are invited to participate in activities that benefit the larger community.

In our small Beach Community Church this morning, a young boy brought a concern for UNICEF - collecting money to help alleviate children's diseases. He placed some containers near the door and was amazed at the amount of money he was able to collect. He must have had good feelings that people were concerned enough to contribute ... and no doubt, will feel even better when he turns over his collected money to be forwarded to the agency whose sole purpose is to help children.

One woman stood and spoke of the great need to offer support to foster children and foster parents - promoting a Christmas party during which the children earned "dollars" by playing games, and then being able to take those "dollars" and buy gifts from the gift shop, not for themselves, but for their foster parents...to experience the joy of being able to give.

Another spoke of a program designed to benefit others. Another thanked the congregation for contributions given to help a woman with medical expenses. A container was in the entrance to the church where contributions of food could be placed to assist needy people to just survive. Other contributions were brought in response to an appeal earlier for strained baby foods. The volunteer in charge of the "Trunk or Treat" program for children announced that lots of cakes, candies, etc., had been donated for the activity scheduled for that afternoon.

If there was any "control" it was that we sang the same hymns and read the same prayers, there was no hint that there was a goal to "destroy, obliterate every good feeling," in fact, the mood was just the opposite.

I would welcome that author to come to our church, and to many others churches in the area, to discover the joy of putting our faith into action as we reach out to touch the lives of others - actions not designed for self-aggrandizement, but, as a residual effect, do bring good feelings.