THE MEETING IN CHARLOTTE

On the way to Charlotte.

We all came together like family. Here are the photos of these wonderful people. I will be fortunate to remember everyone’s names, and get them in order. I am hoping Anne can help me.

I think that, when we assume our celestial glory, God will impart to us new, more glorious names. Our names in this life, suit this life. They will do for now. They are true, but lacking. Names have meaning. Our names in the next life will sparkle with even newer life.  

Here are some members of the body of Christ.

Anne and Tony Joiner. 

Tony and his new baby, Mattie.

Mattie loves all things Zender.

Tony and his wife Theresa.

Anne and Tom, who drove up from South Carolina.

Philip Garrison, of Charlotte.

Another Charlotte guy and longtime correspondent I'd never met: Jamie Craft.

Jamie and his girlfriend Christina.

With Tony and Philip.

With Jamie and Christina.

Tracy and Jack, who drove up from Columbia, SC.

Steven Tilley.

Gathering of the body of Christ.

These meetings are beneficial in multiple ways. When a visitor is unsure about the new teaching and environment, it helps them to see how normal everyone is. Some of the friends of those attending this meeting accused their loved ones of going to a cult convention. (I am a dangerous cult leader, you know.) We joked about that. We joked about when we would be sacrificing the chickens, and handling the snakes.

How does one describe members of the body of Christ? We are abnormal in our normalcy. We are fairly typical human beings, saved by an amazing grace. Liberation makes people normal. Spiritual freedom makes people relax into sweet grooves. It is the fear and bondage of religion that makes people afraid their friends will be handling snakes and drinking the proverbial Kool Aid. Religious people fear everything. They are hung-up, and stuck-up. They can’t escape their own righteousness. They’re unable to consider that real faith is not to be found in their organized, fake-truth camps. Mostly, they fear freedom. They can’t imagine how anyone unbound to the religious systems of humans can find real truth beyond those walls.  

It is only outside those walls that real truth exists.

Jamie Craft asked me, in the middle of the meeting: “Martin, how are you doing?” I can’t thank him enough for this question, and for his care of me. Everyone here knew what I’d been through the past six months. The very question made me cry. Truly, the love, acceptance, grace, and commitment of these fellow members of Christ’s body soothed the soul of one so recently tormented by opposite things. The clash of the contrast is what so quickly produced the tears. Tony’s wife Theresa, the gracious host of this gathering of saints, later told Anne: “I am so happy we were able to provide this kind of fellowship for Martin.”

Exactly right, sister.  I am always happy to know people benefit from my presence and teaching, but truly, the greatest benefit is mine.

For me, it is the gift of life.    

Postscript: I’m returning to Faith tomorrow night, when I will teach at 7 p.m. on my book, How to Be Free From Sin While Smoking a Cigarette. You can watch this live at www.thepottershousefellowship.com: Tuesday, February 12, 7 p.m. Eastern time. Stop back to Zenderville tomorrow for my account of—and photos from—the Faith gathering.

All I can say is: Amazing Faith.

© 2013 by Martin Zender