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Key Bible Verse: They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer (Acts 2:42).Bonus Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

I have a dream of being part of a Christian community where you can be honest about your doubts and fears without being met with worn-out clichés or empty platitudes;

• a place that recognizes faith as a time-laded growth process, not the product of an "instant-pudding" altar prayer;
• a place where you can get help today but be challenged to grow so you're better prepared to face tomorrow; a place of intimacy, where you can know and be known;
• a place where it is hard not to find God; a place where finding God is as corporate as it is personal;
• a place where you belong whether you're single, married, divorced, widowed, young, old, rich, poor, smart, dull, thin, fat, beautiful, or ugly;
• a place where you can find meaningful service, where you commit to something bigger than yourself;
• a place that needs you;
• a place of safety;
• a place off-limits to witches, demons, and the walking dead—the safest place in the world.

We could call it church.

—Ed Gungor in Religiously Transmitted Diseases

My Response: The something bigger than myself that I'm committed to is …

Thought to Apply: My burden is borne by the others; when I falter and fail, the faith of the church comes to my aid.—DIETRICH BONHOEFFER (German pastor & theologian)

Adapted from Religiously Transmitted Diseases (Nelson Ignite, 2006) by permission.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

In my community, Lord, help me to be a functioning part of Your body as You intend.

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