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I grew up not going to church.  Before age 23 – I may have been to church 10 times…that’s including weddings.

So, when I met (then future) wife Colleen, she was the person who first motivated me to attend church.  Colleen grew up Catholic, so as we edged closer to marriage, I enrolled in the Catholic RCIA program – which is Sunday school for adults.

For me, that was the beginning.  We met a very cool lady named Jean Ripplinger and she was a great teacher.  Definitely Called to be a leader – I wish I could tell Jean how much she has meant to Colleen and I.  The thing Colleen and I remember about Jean is a tip she gave.  She said she will many times wake-up in the middle of the night from a dream or just thinking about someone.  She used to ignore it and call it a coincidence.  But then realized it was a call for help – so she began praying for those when this happened.  I know it sounds like of simple, but it was a real revelation to me – and one that I still think about at least once a week.

We bounced around Catholic churches for a few years, it was OK, but we never seemed to make the connection we were looking for.  Once Sunday – on a trip home from visiting Colleen’s family – we decided to look for a new church.  We were ready for a change.  We landed at a Methodist church and although I’m fairly certain this is not the life-long church for us, it’s a good fit for us right now.  We enjoy the company and many friends.

I like the idea of church – but I prefer to think “church” is more about ALL the people of God and not just one denomination.  I think church and religion happens to us each and every day – the smile we give the person we pass on the sidewalk.  The good thought we have about the person who is under the weather.  And most of all, the conversation we have with God.

It’s all good.