Haggai and the Church

"Then...the people with them listened, 

really listened, 

to the voice of their GOD.  

When GOD sent the prophet Haggai to them,

they paid attention to him.  

In listening to Haggai, they honored GOD." 

Haggai 1:12

It seems that the prophet Haggai was commissioned by God to encourage the people to rebuild the temple after their return from captivity.  This must have been a daunting task but the key verse I cited to begin with is so wonderful - that the people listened, really  listened and did it.  Wow, tons of room for improvement for me in this area.

This rebuilt temple must have been a much simpler design than the original.  I reflected on the churches I've been a part of and their design.  We had simple churches.  Not long ago I took some pictures of the three churches here in Abbotsford that have been such an important part of my life:

This is the church my family attended when we first moved to Abbotsford more than fifty years ago.  This building, although the front was improved much later, was almost completed when we arrived.  The small wooden building which housed the congregation at that time was off to one side of this property.  This is also the church where Al and I were married 44 years ago.

The South Abbotsford Church:

Al and I attended here for twelve years with our children when we moved to Abbotsford from the Surrey/Delta area in 1979.  This building was made a number of years after we left but the location remains the same.

Northview Church where we've attended since 1991.

Back to Haggai:

"Yes, get to work!  For I am with you. 

The GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is speaking! 

Put into action the word I covenanted with you when you left Egypt. 

I'm living and breathing among you right now.  

Don't be timid. 

Don't hold back."

Haggai 2:5