Today I attended a church I have never visited before. It is called The River. They meet 10:30 Sunday Mornings, at 1842 Keystone Court in Redding. It has such a nice feel to it. I loved being there. I felt very welcome. They have a wonderful sense of family.

I had a purpose for going to The River today. I have been trying to meet Brandon & Kristen Buchanan and Brent & Tam Hodge for awhile. The “Buchanan Bunch” actually live right here in Redding, The River is their church home. The “Hodge Clan” is from Grand Point, Oregon. The Hodge Clan had travelled down to do Worship with Brandon and Kristen. The Hodge Clan includes Brent, Tam, Kass their daughter, she played guitar and sang and Kota, their son he played the drums. It was amazing!

Pictured- Kass, Kota (kind of), Tam, Kristen, Brent and Brandon. Here is the list of songs that were sung:

-Great Humble King
-Holy is the Lord
-I Will Overcome
-Lead Me On (A Hodge Clan Original)
-Wonderful You (Written my Kristen and Brandon)
-Unrelenting Love (Written by Tam through a Conversation she had with God)
-I’m so Glad (Solo with Kristen, Brandon playing the guitar)

When you hear these amazing artists play, harmonize and worship together it is hard to believe that they have only been together a few times in the last couple months. When Tam sang Unrelenting Love it brought tears to my eyes. Kristen sang I’m So Glad at the very end of the service and it gave me goosebumps.

Now following this was an amazing message by Pastor Brian Nickens. Since this was my first time attending The River I had no idea what to expect. I was seriously not disappointed by His message. His heart for the Lord was so evident when he prayed before starting. Then spoke a message on Psalm 16. Line by Line, Verse by Verse. I love this form of message because it gives me an opportunity to really sink into the word as we are intended to do.

I don’t normally attend The River; I am a partner at a different church. I also am a prayer volunteer for a Global Church. I would seriously recommend The River to any Christian that wants to hear Amazing Worship and Biblically sound messages. If you attend a big church and feel lost in it….Try The River. It is a wonderfully intimate setting. Some people may think I am crazy for telling them to go to a church I don’t normally attend. I personally agree with Craig Groeschel when he says…

Satan Loves for churches to COMPETE against each other….God Loves for churches to COMPLETE one another. I will be back at the River. I know this from the bottom of my heart. I heard God speak to me there. I listened to His human angels worship him beautifully. Thank You for making me feel so Welcomed!

Tonight we attended our Church’s Christmas Eves Eve Celebration.  By we I am referring to Craig, Myself, Ryan and I.  Ryan was worried that the floor would open up and suck him in.  I am glad to report that there was no structural damage to the church and Ryan is still with us. 

We are a pretty casual church.  So it was surprising when the Christmas Choir came out in beautiful white robes.

I love our Christmas service.  I love to sing the songs.  I love to hear the stories.  I love to see the people that I have become closer to this year. 

Last Friday, Craig and I were suppose to go to an informal potluck.  That was the night that Craig came home and had been laid off.  Tonight we were informed that we had been missed.  I was surprised that anybody noticed we weren’t there.  Then when I explained why we had not come to this person, he stood there and prayed over us.  It was great!  As most of you know Craig hardly ever goes to church with me.  I see the Lord working in him.  Recently he said he wanted to start attending Saturday night services with me.  I am patiently waiting for that to start.   Sorry rambled off the subject.

After a Family Story was told and a Prayer was said.  The Choir came back out and the Children’s Choir joined them for a wonderful rendition of Silent Night. 

I so Love the Lord.  I am so filled with Happiness that He loves me enough to become human and sacrifice himself for me and you.  I am praying that you all have a safe and blessed CHRISTmas.