We all go on vacations for various reasons. The prime reason for many is to take a break from the daily grind of everyday life. A couple of weeks ago we took a short vacation trip to Redding, California with a primary reason of visiting a church, Bethel, that is known for its worship music. As a family we have always enjoyed their worship music so we wanted to experience worship there. We learned that many people travel to Redding to experience Worship at Bethel Church. Matter of fact, I was speaking with a local at an Indian restaurant and mentioning we were in town to visit Bethel he said, “That does not surprise me.” He shared many come to visit that church.
Of course, we also enjoyed the amazing nature of Redding and Sacramento while we were there. One of the most pleasant nature experiences was the Turtle Bay Exploration Park and the Sundial Bridge pictured above. The Sacramento River runs through it. Also in Sacramento near the hotel we stayed there was a wonderful park with a pond we walked around. We are not big into shopping so it is the nature sights that move us.
We went to Bethel Church and found they have a prayer chapel that we enjoyed going to each morning for personal prayer and devotion time in the mornings. We attended two services, one Friday evening was a live stream to their college center where we were; as the main church was having a retreat for church members only. We were a little disappointed, but not with the worship music and the teaching that night was by visiting Pastor Erwin McManus from Mosaic Church in Hollywood. He gave a powerful message encouraging how Christians should be the church in their daily life. He pointed out how Christians should be there best in life in their career and their best in interactions with others.
On Sunday we attended worship at the main church campus. The worship music was very inspiring and pointed to Christ. Then the sermon that day by Pastor Eric Johnson presented an important reminder that the Christian life is not seeking blessings but to follow Christ as a servant. He used the apostle Peter as an example of servanthood. Peter was not perfect and we are not perfect. God used Peter for great things and we can do great things.
With all the bad news of the Corona virus as we left for California, the nature of California and the worship and teaching at Bethel refreshed our spirits. This vacation gave us a new look at how to do a vacation. As we look across the country there are other vacations we are looking forward to visit and listen to pastors we want to hear as part of the vacation experience.
Reflection:
Some go on vacations for history, some go for fun, some go for cultural events, and our recent vacation was for visiting a church my wife and I wanted to visit. What are aspects of a vacation that you look for when you go on a vacation?
