The Lindberg Family

I worshipped at Lindberg Road Church of Christ in Anderson, IN on Sunday, and it was phenominal. I would like to give you a little of the backstory.

We moved back to Anderson in 1993. The Unsinkable and her brother wanted to attend Anderson Christian School for the last 3 months of the school season. Their Aunt Dana was a teacher there and they had gone with her to visit the school back when Dean and I were out of town on a business trip. The move was unexpected, so in order to make it positive experience for the kids, we agreed to ACS. ACS was housed in the Lindberg Rd church building.

Our family had never worshipped at Lindberg, but one day I asked Dean if we could check it out. I was very unhappy where we were currently attending and needed to try another church. If you have ever felt dead inside and just disconnected, then you'll know what I am talking about.

We walked in and were greated by many friendly people. Good so far. We sat in the front area. Good so far. We sang familiar songs and the accapella singing was beautiful. Good so far. Bruce B. got up and gave a short devotional for the communion. I was blown away! I was so touched by what he said, by his sincerity and open heart. I just cried. More than good so far. Then came the preacher... Don. I remember listening to his words and feeling something I hadn't felt...EVER! I felt like I had just stuck my dry soul "bucket" under a waterfall of "living" water and it the most refreshing experience I had ever had. He spoke right to my heart. He challenged me to live like Jesus. To act like Jesus. To treat others the way Jesus would. The whole time he spoke, he redirected me to Jesus. It was a sermon aimed straight at me.

When I walked out, I went straight up to him with tears in my eyes and asked, "Is it like this EVERY time?" He smiled and with tears in his eyes, hugged me, and said, "Yes, EVERY time." That was the beginning of a four and a half year long love affair with Jesus and Lindberg Rd. Don was right. It was like that almost every time we got together. I had been a christian since I was 13, but I felt like a new christian from the moment I set foot in that building. It was the time of great growth for me and for my family.

I learned so much there. I learned to study, dig deep in scripture, I learned to love, accept, forgive, and rise to the challenges Don set before me. He spoke as if when he opened his mouth, God spoke. He wanted to be as transparent as possible, so that you didn't see him, you saw God. He never preached; he taught. He never condemned; he challenged. He never pointed a finger at you; he always pointed it at himself. I was really blessed to be where I was at the time I was there.

Now ten years have gone by. Don moved to Atlanta with his family and has been preaching at North Atlanta Church of Christ all this time. I have moved, my kids have married, and I have divorced. Life has certainly taken us in different directions... but one thing hasn't changed... my love for the Lord and Lindberg Rd. It is still there. The people that I have worshipped with are still there. Randy Wood (the preacher) has been there for 10 years and is still a phenominal preacher. He spoke this Sunday on marriage and protecting your marriage. He was very, very good. Even though I am not married, I really was convicted by his thoughts and I knew that God was teaching me through Randy. God had things he wanted me to hear, things He wanted me to think about, and things He wanted me to change. It's amazing how a sermon geared towards a certain group of people can impact someone from a different group. That is the power of God and his Holy Spirit and I suppose a willing/soft heart has to be part of the equation as well.

I spent most of the singing time just wipping tears from my eyes. I was sitting next to my dear friend, Judy. She sings alto as well and I have always loved singing next to her. My children were sitting behind me with all of the Griles. (Too many were sitting in the pew and I came in late.... yes, I was out talking.) I can remember sitting there all those years ago as if it was yesterday. I could picture Don up front preaching and convicting me to live a holy life. Convicting me, challenging me, getting me into the word... studying to make sure I knew what I believed and why. I looked across the auditorium and saw people, friends,co-workers from the school, all singing praises. It was a fantastic moment of connection, love, and loss.

I miss them.

So, I want to ask you, do you have a church home? Do you have a church family that means as much to you as your own family? If not... I would like to invite you to visit your local church. Find one that preaches truth from God's word. If you are local, then I invite you to worship with me. Contact me and I will let you know where and when. We are a loving family of believers, and we would love to have you join us in worship. There is something about connecting with God, with others, and having your bucket filled with crisp, clear, clean living water. Jesus Christ.