We've been going to a couple different churches while in Virginia--one is the church I grew up in, and the other is a Lutheran church that gives us a nice reminder of the liturgical church we were a part of for so long and got married in while in Texas.

It's been nice to return to the liturgical church. The corporate prayer and calls to repentance each week are real blessings for us. Additionally, being able to take the Lord's Supper regularly calls and reminds us to actively be a part of the body of Christ. Not an avid drinker, I oddly enough crave the sip of wine each week. The bittersweet tang that the wine brings about is a fitting symbol to the bitterness of the sacrifice of Christ, overcome with the sweetness of His salvation. We all would fare well by taking part in the Lord's Supper often.

At the other church we attended, I was uncomfortably struck by the ending of the worship service as they sent us out with "...and may God keep you safe this week..." Keep us safe? Should that really be our prayer? Looking at Christ's life and example, are we shown a God who intends for us to live comfortablly and cautiously?

I can't help but recall one of my favorite exchanges from C.S. Lewis' characters--Lucy and the Beaver family in The Lion, the With, and the Wardrobe:

"Is Aslan quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."

"That you will dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver. "If there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or just plain silly."

"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."