** continued posts on our trip to DC this past June**
In a city known for its significant part in forming and directing a nation, the very architecture of the buildings proclaims the relative importance of the role of those buildings and their contents. Special thought was given to the style of architecture, the setup of the buildings, and what their structure would proclaim.
Nate had asked Scott if there was anything in particular he'd like to see in DC. I was taken a little by surprise when he answered that he'd really like to see a lot of the churches and cathedrals and religious influences on the town. I wasn't
entirely surprised, mind you, but of all the things to do in our nation's Capital, I didn't think that would be tops on the list. Boy, though, I was glad that it was!
Let me preface these next thoughts with a realization: In asking myself "What makes a church?", I am quick to recognize that the church is less a building or place than it is simply the gathering of a group of people who have devoted their lives to Christ. A church building can take on many appearances and still "house" the Body of Christ (the people who are believers).
I've seen many healthy gatherings of Christ-followers meet to worship the Lord in High School gymnasiums, movie theaters, in public parks, in individuals' homes, in refurbished warehouses, in shopping centers, and in buildings that are more easily and traditionally identified as 'churches'.
I've also witnessed religious gatherings (in very
capital R Religious buildings) which actually do very little to exalt God or proclaim the Gospel that Christ came to be a substitutionary sacrifice and pay the penalty of sin so that believers could be made right with God and have relationship with Him. The building doesn't make the gathering a Church, necessarily. It's the gathering that makes the Church.
That being said, however, I really came to appreciate the intent of the architecture of the many church buildings we passed by as we wandered around DC. Mostly, these buildings contributed to the understanding that meeting to worship God is an important, intentional, reverent, wonderful thing, and that God is majestic, great, glorious, and powerful, yet He desires fellowship with us. Can I share some pictures?
gorgeous.
purposeful.
Our last intentional stop was at the
National Cathedral. The building itself, its
gothic architecture, boldly proclaims that the God whom the building was originally intended to represent is one of Glory, Majesty, and Awe.
(even though, sadly, today the building houses more of a mish-mash of religious hodgepodge that may or may not have anything to do with the God of the Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ.)We visited the Cathedral at dusk. While we didn't get to go inside because of the time of day, we enjoyed walking around and observing the amazing structures, the lush garden nearby, and sitting under some very large tree canopies while talking about and reflecting upon spiritual matters and Theology.
The arches and towers point Upward.
The windows are artistic and majestic.
The very stones-- the rocks-- in their careful placement and purposeful design, cry out that there is a Majestic God who created beauty, detail, order, and that He alone is worthy of our worship, praise, and devotion.
It reminds me that we too are created for worship. Believers, who by Grace have been saved through Faith, have specific purpose and design for our lives, from our Creator, to reflect His glory.
Monday is the day! Most of you will be reading this on Monday, so expect forthcoming news of baby Abby's arrival! 
