Popcorn Chocolate Soup     Huddled together in a warm basement, the Spirit of God was there, too. As I looked around the room, I felt such deep love in my heart for these other women -- women of all avenues of life -- the business world, teachers, teens, moms at home…godly women. We didn't even all know each other. We were all different in some way.   But it didn't even matter.   There was such a common bond it left me speechless. I knew it was "God's doing."   This is the way "church" should be. This is sweet fellowship.   Last Thursday night a group of us women got together for a Bible study. More specifically, the James: Mercy Triumphs! study by Beth Moore. We all invited friends. We had no idea who would come. But God put a group of us together -- a group that hopefully will grow each week that we meet together.   A common bond, a common fellowship.   Was it that way for the followers of Jesus years ago? In Acts 1, they had just left the Mount of Olives. Jesus had just left this earth. I can't imagine what they were feeling: heartache, hope, shock, unexplainable joy.   When they got back to Jerusalem, what was there to do? Everywhere they went reminded them of their Lord. What would they do without His earthly presence? Oh, precious Jesus!   I guess it just seemed fitting to fill the upper room and pray…   They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:14   Did they feel that day as I did last Thursday night -- In a room together…stuffy with warm bodies, yet full of the fragrance of Christ? I am certain they did. As they prayed together, it made them feel better! They cried together. They pondered Scripture together. They laughed at old memories together. They were just…together.   What did they pray about? What did they confess…unbelief? Doubt? What did they ask for? Jesus' return? Protection?   We are not much different, you know, from the new Christians of Jesus' day -- the believers in the Son of God. Jesus resurrection was fresh in their memories…His resurrection is fresh on our minds.   What a beautiful thing God has given us in each other.   Are you a believer? Do you have a church home? Do you enjoy sweet fellowship? Can you be yourself around your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? How do you feel about just being together?   As I am writing I am watching 7 year old Elijah cut up tiny pieces of chocolate to put into his bowl of warm popcorn. He thought this up all by himself a long time ago. His hands are filthy with chocolate by the time he finishes cutting. But then, when he pours the chocolate pieces into his popcorn bowl and shakes the bowl around, the chocolate melts into what Elijah calls "Popcorn Chocolate Soup."   I think some churches today could do with a little "chocolate coating and shaking up," don't you? I have been in churches before where the sweet fellowship just wasn't there. There was no soup mixture of believers and the sweet Spirit necessary to bond us together into that unity of love.   …And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity… Colossians 3:14   Do you know that kind of love?   I can't wait until next Thursday night. I can't wait to sit on the floor at the feet of my sisters in Christ -- to hear their struggles, to share their smiles and laughter…   …to be myself and feel totally accepted……to learn and grow with them as we look into the Word together…   …to support and encourage them……since we're all in this life together, you know.   That's God's plan.   Popcorn Chocolate Soup.   Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3   Copyright © 2012. Faith Matters by Lygia Lovelace. All rights reserved. KenLovelaceMinistries.com