I went to church again today.  If you know me, the most shocking thing in that opening salvo was that I said “again”, which would imply that I had been to church previously.

Yep, it’s true.  Yours truly may have maybe, sorta, kinda, possibly, on-the-off-chance found alleged spiritual enlightenment.

When it comes to religion and church going, I’m jaded.  I grew up attending a radical fire-and-brimstone Baptist grade school.  Everything had consequences … and those consequences always involved hell.  Listen to rock-n-roll … you’re going to hell.  Watch TV = hell.  Swear = hell.  Movies = eternal damnation.  Apparently, burgeoning eight-year olds were only allowed to sit around in reverent silence and read the bible.

Needless to say, I was having no part of that by the time I got old enough to make decisions for myself.  And so I made a conscious decision to avoid church like the plague.

Years later when I realized not all churches featured deranged participants speaking in tongues and hurling themselves at the church altar, did I decide to give it another chance.

I got invited to visit Grace Church by a student in my fitness class.  Turns out she was wife of the pastor of said church.  And because I was so caught off guard when she asked me, I couldn’t come up with an excuse fast enough.  (I can only alphabetize my CDs so many times, you know.)

The pastor and his wife not only met me when I walked in, but sat by me during the service to make sure I felt welcome.  Chances of being smited by lightening are infinitely less if you’re sitting by the pastor of the church, I’ve decided.  The sermon was on “self-absorbed people.”  After the senior preacher had yammered on for ten minutes, I decided to stop blogging about myself, put down my iPad and listen to what he had to say.

And while it wasn’t anything particularly awe inspiring, it did pique my interest enough to go back today.  The thing about this particular church is that there’s a good vibe, good juju, in the building.  That’s important to me, especially when I’m trying to gauge the true essence of the people there.

Highlights of going to church: 1) I didn’t turn in to a pillar of salt this week.  2) I have become increasing aware of how much I take God’s name in vain and 3) I saw quite a few people I knew.  They said, “What are you doing here?” to which I loudly responded in complete disbelief, “What am I doing here?!  What are YOU doing here?!?”  (He who is loudest WINS!)

I’m not saying that I’m turning over a new leaf of anything, but it has been a nice little addition to my routine.  For now.  It may eventually revolutionize my world … or not.  In the meantime, though … it’s good material for my blog.  And Lord knows I need it.