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Category: Out of Church Christians |
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Counsel in my own soul |
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Posted by:
becomingme (Posted: 06/23/2009 7:11pm)
RRight now maybe I'm venting but anyway I'm bothere by the fact that no matter what I'm always alone even in a relationship I still feel alone. I'd choose someone being therefor me and helping me through things over someone buying me things everyday. I really think it's hard if you're around people that can help others but they can't figure you out. I don't understand. I mean maybe I'm jealous and that's really bad if I am but my sisters have always had someone to turn to which is my mom. My friend is always ready to help others but gets impatient with me and I just have to learn to lean more on God and be there for myself more. It's really rough and tiring and quite difficult when I'm just doing everything on my own.
Right now I'm thinking of just being homeless for a while or saving up first because I don't want o be around my family and I don't want to be around people who ruly don't understand how to nurture and motivate me. I want to be able to help others but it's hard when no one is really tryng to help me...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 22
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Like Breathing Under Water |
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Posted by:
kathryn88 (Posted: 06/18/2009 11:16pm)
Here goes... my first Blog. And not just here--anywhere.
I have chosen to post this blog under Out of Church Christian for two reasons. 1: I haven't attended a church regularly in over 6 months, so I'd say I'm 'Out of Church'. And 2: I have no clue what it means to be an 'Out of Church' Christian. I'm learning as I go along. But that's for another entry altogether.
I want to begin this first blog by addressing something that I think many people encountered on their way to becoming ChristianBlog members: The Christianity waiver, complete with space for initials. Many of us here, I think, had at least a moment's hesitation when reading the prerequisites (for lack of a better word) for Christianity. As a life-long believer, it has been a long and rough course traveled to where I stand today. Or better yet, where I swim today. I have discovered in these years of faith, or sometimes doubt disguised in the garb of religiosity, that I am swimming rather than walking in faith. What I mean is this: when I think about swimming, the first thing that comes to mind is the inability to breath under water....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by ptl2008)
- Total Views: 60
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Going straight to the source |
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Posted by:
archromat (Posted: 04/23/2009 6:20am)
It's interesting to follow your own train of thought. It's not quite as interesting trying to rebuild the tracks from the old train of thought. So the only thing that can be done is to build a new set of tracks, but not try to put them where the old ones were.
I stopped attending mass several years ago. That's about the time I had my own Bible, so I decided that over the course of a few months, I'd read it and see everything for myself.
Now with the Bible comes legends like, "They say if you study it for 100 years, you've only scratched the surface." That's nice legend, but that's all it is, legend.
It ended up being a lot more brutal than I expected. Hearing about seven brothers getting tortured in the Apocrypha... hearing about the rape of a half-sister... the punishment a boy got for covering his father when he lying down drunk and naked.
More brutal? Isn't that sort of what you get with the government? And why do I find passages of Christ that disagree with what a lot of Christians believe?
"Have you not read that God said, 'I am the God...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 1 Comment (by girlforgod)
- Total Views: 91
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Hi new here |
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Posted by:
hungry (Posted: 04/20/2009 3:59am)
Hey ..My name is Randy ...like I said I am new here..probably the oldest also..More or less not in church anywhere ...been saved about 30 yrs..seen a lot of nonsense in lots of churches...been through two splits I'm not sure if there are any "good"churches left on the planet .What do you think and what do you consider to be a good "church"?I think that the gospel is watered down,nobody really teaches holiness unless it is legalistic,,too many people have their own agendas in church too many pastors are puppets because they fear for their jobs,,,everyone wants to be people friendly instead of Holy Spirit friendly. There are too many country clubs and not enough alters. Nobody preaches about hell or sin or repentance or holiness like I said. There I feel better..Yes I guess you could say I am very old school and I am sorry if that offends anyone but I am really seeking after the real deal in a church and haven't found anything close....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 4 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by goodnews)
- Total Views: 76
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Do You Know What Time It is?? |
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Posted by:
rhennyah (Posted: 04/15/2009 8:54pm)
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
I'm not aware of many people who DON'T know that bible verse. We sing it, as well as quote it and yet...
It amazes me, how much emphasis we put upon 'being on time or the timing of something in progress' in the natural realm; and yet, how we appear to disregard or dismiss the spiritual importance it has in our walk...with God. I don't say this to be demeaning, nor in a critical tone, but rather, to raise a flag to gather around. A flag that calls us from 'going our own ways' and in 'our own timing'...on the battlefield we share, in common cause and commitment to our Father's Kingdom.
Let's look to the scriptures to see the 'relevancy of the timing of things'...in the Spirit:
~The application of the blood & the midnight 'Passover' in Egypt (Exodus 11:4-10 & 12:1-13)
~Joshua's marching instructions around Jericho, from God (Joshua 6:1-5)
~David told by God that his son (not him) would 'build the temple' (II Samuel 7:17)
~Joseph warned to 'flee into Egypt', because Herod sought to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:13)
~Christ's acknowledgment...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 4 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by rhennyah)
- Total Views: 92
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Church vs. Fellowship |
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Posted by:
heart4god (Posted: 03/01/2009 12:00pm)
First, I will start off by saying that I believe that there is a difference between church and fellowship. Church being the body of Christ and fellowhip being the gathering of believers together for edification. I have not been a member of any particular ministry or "church" for about three years now (I will use the term church to refer to weekly fellowship). I came to christ as a teenager and fell deeply in love with Him. Through college I sought after him sincerely. My only desire was to know Him better and do His will. I began studying the word and attending church every chance I could get. I couldn't get enough of the Word. I cut out as many secular influences as possible such as television and music so that I could hear God's voice clearly. I was amazed by how much I had grown and how clearly I was hearing from the Lord. I loved worshipping him and felt honored to be called His child. I started a bible study in my dorm so that I could fellowship with other Christian students and share what I'd learned. I couldn't wait to get back home to my home...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 4 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by bobh2003)
- Total Views: 112
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Feeling scared for others |
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Posted by:
godssheep (Posted: 12/11/2008 10:59pm)
I've been walking with the Lord now for 12years and have become secure and sure of Christianity and my salvation. But when I look at the lives of my friends and their walk and their lack of knowledge( "For my people perish for a lack of Knowledge" and their lack of faith ("When I return will I find faith here on earth" I feel very fearful for them. Sometimes thinking that what if he was to come back today as in 12/12/2008 and they are not ready to go back with him. Cause hell is real and it is a dark, lonely place but above all, God is real and his love is like nothing else and to leave this life with out it is scary to me. Sometimes I want to cry for them and I do, as I Lord did and his reason being the same, (Jesus weap) cause without God we are nothing."And Jesus is the only way to God." I know so many that don't understand that don't get it and I truly feel sorrow for them. What should I do? Sometimes I just want to shack them and say WACK UP!!!!...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by godssheep)
- Total Views: 135
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How Christian? |
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Posted by:
wwjdreally (Posted: 12/05/2008 12:10pm)
Who would Jesus hang out with if he returned today? Would he go to your church? Would he refuse to accept people who don't "look like we do?" Would you be willing to hang out with the people he would hang out with? Are today's Christians the same as the Pharisees 2000 years ago? Has today's Church become the great Beast? Do you say, "I'll pray for you?" and then not really do it? Do you pray over your meals in a very public way to show the world how godly you are? Are you angry because I didn't capitalize the "h" in all of the "he's?" Can you answer these questions honestly? Do these questions make you want to attack me? Ask yourself many questions often. If you think you have the answers, then do you allow yourself and God the honor of the question? Maybe we should provide the example and let God do the saving....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 132
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Another Manic Sunday: More Church as Usual |
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Posted by:
bereanjim (Posted: 11/16/2008 9:25pm)
"Church as usual" is becoming more than just a catch phrase; it is becoming the way of church - in general.
This is my first attempt at blogging, although I have thought about it for a few months. I ask, in advance, for forgiveness for rambling instead of writing - my heart is grieved.
I have been searching for a church home to worship and fellowship for a while now. We, my family and I, moved to a new city and are going through the process of finding a church home. We are praying, seeking God, and have been to more than just a few churches with little success and plenty of frustrations. It's not that we have not met some beautiful people of God, it's more to the point that the "sermons" are filled with twists, condemnation, finger pointing, questionable (to be kind) teachings and obvious misappropriation of Scripture. We are originally from a big city with many churches but now live in a small city with fewer options. I now consider myself to be without a church home. However, this could be a good thing.
Not to long ago, in frustration, I stated (to my wife) that if...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 12 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by bereanjim)
- Total Views: 381
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I think im demon possessed i need help please |
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Posted by:
oliver (Posted: 07/27/2008 11:08am)
I left everything behind, my mom, my sister, all my good friends.
I left and out of the blue moved far away 8 hours from where my mom lives,
I started to live with my dad but he was never there I got into doing drugs and just disappearing.
I've been getting the cops called on me.
& I realized last night that this isn't what I wanted its like i lost my memory for the past 2 monts.
the past 2 months I keep getting really demonic dreams and will wake up in sweats I can't eat or anything.
I don't know where to go to,
Im keeping this to myself but I want someone's opinioun what i should do.
I wanted to try to go to church but i get this really scared uncompfortable feeling. I have insomia again
i struggled with that sence i was young.
I feel like as if my soul is getting taken over with something wrong something I can feel beneath my skin.
Its werid I can feel it too and everytime i try to sleep i can't control my body sometimes i can't make myself wake up
and its this disturbing voice...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 12 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by philruby)
- Total Views: 890
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Another day |
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Posted by:
mistletoe (Posted: 04/12/2008 10:29pm)
work today was hard and boring at the same time. I seem to be in the position I think a lot of Christians find themselves. Balance between work and church. I have not been to church in months. The reason is my job. We rotate days off. It is suppose to be four on two off. So that places weeks in the mix where I can not make it to church.
I understand that I can be a Christian and believe in God and not go to church. There is no doubt in my mind that there are people out there who are very set in their faith and able to stand in the world with out being in church. I met this wonderful lady who does not go to church. She and her husband both live very good and faith filled lives. I, however, feel I need church to help me threw things. I need a good church that will support me in my walk.
My walk with God is sometimes not so stable. I slip and back slide like every one else. Church helps me a lot. Yet here I am working again. Not making much money either....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by welshman)
- Total Views: 942
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Not out yet |
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Posted by:
echo44 (Posted: 02/17/2008 8:41pm)
My first blog, I'm not out of a church but I feel I will soon, I hope to think that I jump church or just am never happy, But I just don't feel comfortable there, I will go until God leads me to another, I don't take leaving God his love and eternal life at all. But there are things and people that don't sit right, maybe I am just picky and not easily pleased. But I always put in church and end up having trouble, what I would like to do is attend church and just be one of the people, and get myself straight with out worrying about anything else just enjoy church and work on myself. I hope that makes sense to you. Oh I have to put more words in so if anyone does make sense of this or can advise help please do so. And a thought if anyone would like a accountabliy partner find one, I'm looking for one but I think that is a good idea, if its not new or new its cool....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 4 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by ptl2008)
- Total Views: 441
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Out of Church |
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Posted by:
allforhim (Posted: 12/08/2007 8:20am)
We have been a part of our last church for a little over a year and, now, once again find ourselves without a home church. I guess people might consider us church hoppers and that has a very negative connation to it. But, sadly, maybe the truth. But we are not hopping churches because we don't like the music, nor the sermon, nor the people, that we aren't comfortable enough, etc. We have simply been looking for Truth, a church that lives by the Word of God and not by man's way. So, people may not look at us right, but we are okay with that. It has caused us to rethink church and what we really want. Are we looking for a church we can get something out of or are we looking at the church as something we are? For the church is really only the believers that are in the church and if we diss the church we are in actuality dissing ourselves. The church in America, admittedly has many problems but are we being a part of solution or adding to the problems? Now, we won't support a "church" that actually goes against the Word of...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by allforhim)
- Total Views: 2336
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How Will We Be Fed? |
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Posted by:
gloryenoch (Posted: 11/23/2007 11:53am)
Recently, I was asked a lot of questions by a person who believes in "sola scriptura". What was evident from the chatlog was:
-asking questions without waiting for the answer
-refusing to define her terms
-claiming that she had superior knowledge of the topic
-cornering me into a black and white "yes" or "no" answer
-repeating the same question in various ways
-taking control of the questions instead of engaging in dialog
-rephrasing questions that still had the same answer
-demanding that I quote scripture and verse
As a result of not having my answers "received", I started to feel very tense and became defensive, then angry, and then fired up and then I felt like the Spirit was just taking control. It was an awful experience, I started to wonder what I was being threatened with as some of these questions were extremely personal and infringed upon all of my devotional beliefs and experiences. She was in territory that belonged to me. In my boundaries. And I wanted her out. Whenever someone is in my personal life, I interpret it to mean that I'm being threatened. And I'm still on edge wondering if this is the case.
I passed...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by patty)
- Total Views: 576
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Looking for an answer |
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Posted by:
jjmp13 (Posted: 10/15/2007 9:35pm)
Soo this is my first blog... I've been doing alot of soul searchin lately. My life these past years have been completly out of control. I do my best to stay positive through these challenges I face but some how just keep getting dragged into a sinful life. I know I need God to help me, and I always attempt to start acting as if I were a child of God, and I always get dragged back down. It's very hard to keep faith in my life at this moment, due to some of the struggles I have encountered over the years. My mother was always their for me telling me of God's awesome power, and I always believed it to be true, and listened to it whole heartedly. Recently in my life my mom had yet another mental breakdown, leaving her with so little, and myself with no way of helping her or myself, Before this my brother who is 13 months younger than I am starting acting strange, claiming the word of God in a freightening manner. I wanted to see what it was that made my brother so into learning about the word, and preaching about it....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 4 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by perkblog)
- Total Views: 708
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A child and God |
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Posted by:
sonseeker (Posted: 06/26/2007 1:11am)
Since my daughter and grandchildren came to live with us I have been trying to keep their Christian faith going.
Whether their mother is here or not it is mamie (French for Nanny) who has to 'say the people', that is their expression for saying their prayers.
I feel it is important for the children to remember their father and other family relatives in England and when their mother is working away they think about her. I make a point of taking the time when they are ready for bed and get them focused.
It is a time when they ask God for forgiveness for anything they have done which is wrong; they have to say sorry for doing a particular thing. I tell them that they have been forgiven but it is important to say they are sorry as it shows them that those things are not acceptable. They also want reassurance that their mummy is not going to disappear, as they have not long left their father behind in England. They ask God to look after her; we have found that they are worried that they are at times scared that when they at school she will leave...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 451
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Wellie boot or duck weather |
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Posted by:
sonseeker (Posted: 06/23/2007 2:37pm)
June is not bursting out all over; official!
This week we have had the famous Burgundy thunderstorm season all in one hit! We are fortunate to live in a village surrounded by forest, overlooking fields of Charolais cattle and the Burgundy canal. This, however, means that when the storms arrive they go around again and again and we lose electricity, television, telephone and computer connections. This happened to me twice yesterday just as I was enjoying a very interesting discussion on the forum. C'est la vie!
Our grandchildren are enjoying the wet weather though and my daughter says they both managed to get through three sets of clothes today! Firstly they went out in old clothes, wellington boots and raincoats on a treasure hunt to see what they could find around the village and go 'puddle stomping,' a past time much enjoyed by their mother and aunt as children. Then they changed and spent some time riding their bikes and scooters through the puddles, fun for them but passersby... ...? Lastly we visited some stables to book a week's introductory riding lessons for my granddaughter. the look of wonder on her face was a picture to behold as she watched...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 418
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The rough and the smooth |
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Posted by:
sonseeker (Posted: 06/22/2007 5:24am)
Having retired and moved abroad we were living a quiet lifestyle in a village in rural France. We had view of fields and forest, wonderful neighbours who took good care of us; even though they spoke no English and we mangled the French language.
Last year my husband was taken ill and we realised our house was too far away from commerce as I was not allowed to drive at that time due to my stroke. We waited and waited, looking at various houses but none really seemed to be right. Then, accidently we found a house 25 minutes from our old one. It is 4 minutes from commerce and 10 minutes from the TGV station that allows us and our family to travel between England easily. It also means we keep the same doctor, pharmacy and bank where we are known.
This year our younger daughter told us she and her husband were separating; with no where else to go she and her two children of 6 and 3 have moved to live with us. Our old house would never have accommodated us all. With the children at school and our daughter working on hotel boats things seemed bright....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 1 Comment (by thepastorswife)
- Total Views: 604
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The shoes that are often uncomfortable |
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Posted by:
sonseeker (Posted: 06/21/2007 11:49am)
I have been wearing in my new shoes for a little while now but sometimes they feel a little uncomfortable.
I couldn't say they fit well all the time as I work my way through the books that are designed to instruct me on the path I have chosen.
As with any new shoes sometimes they rub and leave a blister, sometimes you hobble because they feel a bit tight or they just don't seem to fit quite right. This is the breaking in process.
I feel there is so much to take in although I have so many people willing to answer, what some may call, silly questions. I suppose it is because what the Quakers believe sometimes goes against that which I was brought up to believe. As many young people of my generation I didn't argue, go against my parents' guidance or try to explore anything other than what I was told.
It is only now that I am thinking for myself and exploring my own feelings and faith.
Sometimes it is uncomfortable, when I hit upon something that is painful or hard to comprehend but I am not phased by it I continue stumbling and put...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 410
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These shoes are made for walking |
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Posted by:
sonseeker (Posted: 06/20/2007 11:54am)
I have had a few days of feeling exhausted and have been resting. That is what Chronic Fatigue Syndrome does for you.
It has however given me the perfect opportunity to read the books sent to me and I am becoming more and more convinced that Quakerism strongly reflects my own feelings and opinions. Oh happy joy!
It is like putting on comfy slippers or a well fitting coat.This isn't a coat of many colours but a coat that protects and warms.
Each chapter and verse opens my eyes and gives me such pleasure, relief, reassurance and content.
I am not under the illusion that I will understand instantly everything that covers the Society of Friends but I am starting to understand where my faith lies and feeling more at ease with myself.
I am sure that I am becoming more someone who is happier with themselves and is 'finding themselves' as was the saying at one time; but I cannot explain it any other way....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 419
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New shoes |
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Posted by:
sonseeker (Posted: 06/16/2007 3:13am)
There is nothing like a lovely, shiny, new pair of comfy shoes!
When they fit well you can walk for miles without any discomfort. But they need to be kept clean and need repairing regularly to make sure they stay in good condition.
It is like that with our faith. When we find a worship group that we feel comfortable with we learn about our relationship with God. But that faith has to be nurtured and kept in good condition.
With faith nurturing a foundling faith we need to read the bible, question facts that we don't understand and listen to the answers.
I am aquiring the knowledge that I need to fully understand the life and death of our Saviour. But, like the new shoes, it needs to be done slowly. Not often can you put on a pair of shoes and quickly run a marathon, you have to take it gently, so with the knowledge of faith, we need time to absorb and be inspired.
My new shoes are waiting for me and I am wearing them with pride. Leading me toward the truth and I intend to keep them in good condition....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 471
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I just want CHURCH! |
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Posted by:
allforhim (Posted: 06/15/2007 3:36pm)
Okay, I am really just tired. I am tired of all these churches; cell church, seeker friendly church, emergent church, traditional, baptist, methodist, calvinist fundamentalist, armenian, etc., etc. Where is just church? Where are the believers who don't feel like they have some "new" thing, some better thing, read this book read that one? I am a calvinist, I follow Martin Luther. I want to have a church of One Book! The inerrant Word of God! Not watered down, not added to to fit our means, just the Bible, the Holy Spirit and fellow believers, followers of Jesus who is the same Jesus who saved Paul, Peter, James and everyone else who has believed on Him! Why do we make things so hard, so confusing? All we need is His Word! All our answers are in there and man cannot add anything good to them. These are from the Word of God: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 19 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by christian101)
- Total Views: 2310
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Speeding up my walk |
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Posted by:
sonseeker (Posted: 06/14/2007 12:54am)
I received a surprise package yesterday from someone I met on the net.
She is a christian lady from the Society of Friends. I have been drawn toward the Friends as I have found I am more in contact with God doing meditation and trying to connect that way.
The books she sent were basic but very informative.
I have found that caring for my grandchildren while their mother works away very tiring. I am aware they are just children aged 6 and 3 and very boisterous, but it can take its toll. My grandson especially, aged 3, just doesn't listen and getting him to concentrate is soooooo difficult. My granddaughter is a bit better but she too can be trying!
I try to get them focused at night before they go to sleep by saying prayers. They are now putting in their own requests for people which is excellent. It also help them remember family they have left behind when moving to live with us.
It is hard being parents to these little people when we thought our days of bringing up children was over but with God's help we will manage and help raise the children as good,...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 417
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Putting God in a Box |
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Posted by:
allforhim (Posted: 06/12/2007 5:37pm)
Lately a lot has been striking me about the church and about us as Christians. We who are supposed to be the hands and feet of Christ. We whom are called to go out and make disciples are sitting in our "churches" getting fatter, more prosperous, hanging with the Christian crowd and putting our 10% in the plate. Think of all the money that is put into building churches, having "programs", paying the staff, and whatever else the "church" sees fit to do with it. How much is used to actually feed the hungry, help the poor and spread the gospel. Oh, but we give to Missions. What about being a missionary? What about skipping all the above and using the money strictly to further the gospel and helping those in need? What would the church look like today? What would America look like today? We've boxed God in, so we can be entertained, be comfortable, feel good because we've put in our 10% in and go home to our beautiful homes and turn on the TV. As most of you know we have been in financial hardship for a few months now, I am not complaining, I am truly...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 10 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by jamuel)
- Total Views: 1065
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Starting on my walk |
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Posted by:
sonseeker (Posted: 06/12/2007 2:39pm)
I was brought up as a member of the Church of England, was confirmed and stayed in that church for many years.
I felt that it was not really happy with the church as I couldn't associate my faith with the baubles and riches of the Church of England. I met a lady minister from the Methodist church and I started attending regularly. I became a steward in the church, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir as well as attending other groups.
My husband also joined the church and was confirmed along with one daughter and the other regularly sang in the choir and as a soloist. We had a very active life in church.
I had a stroke in 2000 and a change of minister was the turning point for me. The minister visited me at home and couldn't wait to leave when he realised I was disabled. He then cut me dead in church and eventually I stopped going, only entering the church when my daughter married there in 2002.
We moved to France and although we have found a United Reform Church here it is all in French. I am feeling happier in personal contact with...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments (view first comment - view last comment)** - Total Views: 729
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Overcoming Spiritual Apathy |
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Posted by:
musickal (Posted: 06/06/2007 7:44pm)
I am a nearly lifelong Christian who has recently begun to experience a profound sense of apathy toward religious activities. I have been an active Church member, leader and Bible teacher. My faith has always been the most important thing in my life. However, several very difficult life events during the past 4 years have left me in a state of spiritual shock and numbness. I am not happy about my current state of apathy, but am have been unable to rouse myself out of this condition. I am hoping to find assistance from believers anywhere and everywhere in how to "snap out of it". What causes such apathy? And what can I do about it? Much of what I have read about this condition either labels it as sinful backsliding (an inherently unhelpful approach) or otherwise describes it as some sort of spiritual depression. These materials are long on description and short on solutions to the problem. Thank you for any and all advice....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 502
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The Unchurched |
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Posted by:
christcentered (Posted: 06/05/2007 6:03pm)
What does this mean, Out of church Christians? I will tell you what i believe it means.
For the first three-hundred years of its existence the church met primarily in the homes of its members, not in specially designed buildings. Romans 16:5 (as well as 1 Co 16:19) speaks of the church that met in the house of Aquila and Priscilla. When Paul wrote to Philemon he also addressed his letter to Archippus and to the church in his house (v. 2). Likewise, when he wrote his greetings in Col 4 he mentions the church which met in the house of Nympha (v. 15). When Paul taught the newly formed churches, he did so from "house to house" (Ac 20:20). There is an allusion to a church in Jason's house in Ac 16:5-6, in Lydia's house in Ac 16:40, and in Mary's house in Ac 12:12. In 2 John there is a warning to the church not to receive false teachers into their house (v. 10). Contrary to popular belief, this is not referring to individual Christians who might have unbelievers in their homes for social and evangelistic purposes; rather it is a warning to the church not to allow...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 442
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Hold On |
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Posted by:
christcentered (Posted: 06/05/2007 4:51pm)
He Canrayer for you.
He's able. I know that he can do it. He said it and he will bring you through it. I know that he can. Hold on my Brothers and Sisters your change is gonna come. He is able to bring you joy. He is able. I am filled with joy for you. Just let God see you through it . He will help you make your way. Keep believing and hold on tight, he sees your plight. He knows your comings and your goings both day and night. He is able. He can do it. Sing praises to the Father. surrender all to him, give your life to him,words from Jesus, who through the Father strengthens and refreshes us. OH, hold on change is coming.
Jesus, I pray that each of us have a closer walk with thee. To honor thee. To believe that it is you who rescues us all. I give to you my life. Jesus, I humbly come that I may be renewed, Holy Spirit led and fed us. Thank you for your life Jesus, your word, your teachings and example that I may know how to reach you. In the Mighty name...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 2268
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Be at rest ... |
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Posted by:
hungre4god (Posted: 03/30/2007 8:16am)
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him... Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation."
Things are tough now, but I will still praise my God and stick them out, and be as faithful as I can to the One who is never faithless.
This last week or so, I have been about rebuilding and a relearning. Perhaps I was becoming proud, perhaps I was trusting too much on things that are not God. For whatever reason I feel so much like I am relearning things I should have known:
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone."
So obvious - and yet I wonder how much I have been trying to find rest in things, people, other than God - and I have to say, alot.
Four times over this week did I hear the phrase, "come back to God." In one context it was in getting up early to start the day praying to God, spending time with Him, starting the day with Him on my mind - Find rest, O my soul, in God alone. I wonder how much...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 499
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'Anit-Christ' is now among us! |
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Posted by:
tcgathering (Posted: 03/07/2007 12:00am)
Today on a program called "The Outsiders" I witnessed first hand a story about the horrible "Anti-Christ". A Puerto Rican man claimed that while in jail he had Angels visit him and told him that he was the actual Jesus Christ and that he was the ‘second coming'. Now he has million of followers and has an actual show he uses to broadcast everywhere. This is what he teaches and what his followers believe in.
Since Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins humans can no longer sin in the sight of God. So that stealing, murder, and other forms of sin, that we say are sins, are just crimes against humanity only. So they don't believe in sin therefore they don't believe in going to hell. He believes that gatherings of organized churches is a horrible thing so much that they get tattoos of ‘666' on there arms as a symbol of there own religion. They believe these organized churches are of the devil. You can ‘Google' "Jesus Christ on Earth' and come up with information on this man. He also tells ‘Christians' who protest against him so he could make them upset that he is the...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by janet)
- Total Views: 1822
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New Blogger: Help Getting My Hubby To Church With Us??? |
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Posted by:
colefamily (Posted: 02/08/2007 5:03am)
I am new to blogging and am looking forward to meeting honest, genuine friends, and believers. I am also looking for anything on good religious books or prayer books, quotes, and affirmations. I am trying to get my family back in the holy ways and going to church service and attending youth and adult groups. I need a little help giving my husband a little push to go with me; he is a believer of Christ and God; it's just since he's been back from war he is hesitating going with me. He says he doesn't need to go to church to appreciate Godlike ways. I am interested in getting our whole family back to church on Sundays; and am having trouble getting my husband to come along with us. Any help would be greatly appreciated on this matter. I do enjoy reading others blogs they help me with a lot so far and give great advice. Can't wait to go on a journey with this wonderful site I ran into on the internet! Truly blessed, Niki...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 7 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by livingfragrance)
- Total Views: 1025
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spritually tired.. |
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Posted by:
namalia (Posted: 01/31/2007 7:41am)
I have been really struggling lately ever since I decided to disconnect myself from my church. It has been even harder to focus on God than it was before. Its craziness actually...I cant seem to pray enough or even to read my bible.(I read it for the first time in 3 weeks yesterday)...its pathetic and I know it isnt pleasing to God. But this bible reading is harder than just picking it up for me. I just make excuses like "I dont have the time" and its ridiculous. There should always be time for Jesus. He is my savior and should never be pit on the back burner. Recently(yesterday), I went to Carm.org to go to a chat room. I love the carm site and you can see God in every page and every testimony. I love what He has done with the site. I went into the chatroom and there was an agnostic which is exactly what I didnt need to hear about yesterday. I was struggling and God let me hear an agnostic...who used to be a christian??? why?...he said it just didnt work out for him and Im wondering if I am going to be led to...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by papillionkiller)
- Total Views: 1001
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Church |
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Posted by:
mommyismyname (Posted: 01/31/2007 7:16am)
I have been trying really hard to get us back into our old habits of going to church and praying before meals, at bedtime, and anytime I'm thankful really. It's so hard to just start up again though. When our 5 year old was the only child, we never missed church and we always prayed together. After our 18 month old was born, we didn't frequent church as often as before and we prayed at meals...sometimes. Now, since the premature birth of our 4 month old who still requires special attention combined with the needs of our other two children...going to church is a distant memory and forget about praying together as a family because we're hardly ever all together at once anymore! I realize that we just need to SLOW down. We are committed to soccer, gymnastics, school, work, and all the other activities we're involved in and we seem schedule those things in, and yet GOD fits in whenever we decide to carve out a space for Him. I have decided to re-evaluate my priorities. It is so very important to me that my children grow up knowing and feeling comfortable talking to the Lord. I am going...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 4 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by papag)
- Total Views: 2454
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Church is not a building |
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Posted by:
fortun (Posted: 12/30/2006 2:46pm)
I find myself struggling here like most people. The fact is that as soon as we are not diligently seeking our Father and we put our attention on people we are in trouble.
Our pastors are only men. They will disappoint us, fail us, sin against us. The only place we are to go for comfort is Jesus Christ. If we are falling away or not attending church (fellowshipping with the body of Christ) we should take a look at our intimate time with our Father, not point the finger at those around us, nor things around us. Life is dirty. Life is hard. We were never told it wold be easy.
Please understand this is to encourage not scold in any way. The fact is that the life we have been given was bought with a very high price(the life of an innocent man...the gift of a loving God) If we allow our enemy to steel it away from us who is to blame? Our Walk is hand-in-hand with Jesus Christ and he is the only one who tells us that he has given us everything we need for life. He said he came to give us life in...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 620
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background and mission |
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Posted by:
aprophet (Posted: 12/25/2006 8:31pm)
This is my first time using a blog site. Just placing a short entry into a bit of what I am about. Been a believer for about 30 years. Saved my junior year in college through Navigators on campus. Lived in California for 8 years and am former member of Saddleback Church. Was active in forming small group ministries, missions, fund raising, drama group and others. Moved back to my home state of Michigan in 1991. Became a part of local church here, but also visited almost every denomination searching for more authentic faith.
About 1996 a revelation of God through scripture reading and the Holy Spirit led me to the truth that the Sunday service is not the way Jesus would want things to be. On line I discovered there are other believers who feel the same way and many are involved in house church or out of church or other ministry .
Reading The Open Church by James Rutz and materials from house2house.com have helped confirm what scripture told me, that big changes must occur to strengthen the body. Church is not suppose to be something we attend but shared lives, more of a daily interaction.
Traditional church...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by songbird)
- Total Views: 2118
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Out of church |
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Posted by:
kuihlupis (Posted: 12/08/2006 3:47am)
I am an out of Church Christian, but I still practicing Christianity. I still take Bible studies once a week, talk to people about Jesus and help support a Mission in Thailand, not only by raising funds but help run the administration side of things.
What stops people going to Church? After talking to many people it's the Churches themselves. Some of the comments I get is it's boring, unfriendly, stuck in the past, only after your money, don't seem to do much, not helpful and many more. It's a sad fact that people are leaving the faith, others want to become Christians, but don't want anything to do with Churches. The biggest worry to me is that people are finding some other none Christian faith to believe in. All is not lost only in the West do I see this decline. Take heart many countries Christianity is growing, Churches are growing and being planted in many parts of the world. I know this to be true as I have seen this with my own eyes as I am a missionary. Most of these new Churches are the centre of the community away open with plenty of activates going on...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 1 Comment (by brokenreed)
- Total Views: 3524
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fellowshiping |
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Posted by:
grateful (Posted: 11/21/2006 5:34pm)
Grace and peace believers
It is an honor to great you all in the name of Jesus. I would just like to emphasize the importance of fellowshiping with the saints of God. We as the Body of Christ are just a member of the Body we individually is not The Body of Christ. It is imperative if we are to grow to maturity that we connect with one another. The way we grow is because God by His Holy Spirit has distributed diverse gifts among every believer to bless the church. Secondly, it keeps us humbled and encouraged when we see flaws in each other as well as well as the manifestation of God's grace in some one's life. It is a safe haven for growth when people will pray for and encourage us in our weakness and short comings. The reason a church building is necessary though is not a heaven or hell issue is because it is a place soley sanctified unto the Lord with the express purpose of worshiping, praying, praising, and fellowshiping with out the incorporation of worldliness. For example, sleeping, watching t.v., talking on the telephone, being intimate with your spouse. It is a fair...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 1 Comment (by clayonmyeyes)
- Total Views: 962
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lately |
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Posted by:
charitygallardo (Posted: 11/03/2006 3:23am)
Everyone is sad because i decided to drop the classs on base. but i got all overwhelmed and got upset in class yesterday. and we were just reviewing!! so i think if i go online to UTSA (with my NEW handy-dandy laptop) i will do MUCH better.
i am going to CLEP my way to my CCAF, and in the meantime-i am taking an Arabic course....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 0 Comments - Total Views: 1268
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Going to Church |
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Posted by:
hectorc (Posted: 10/15/2006 2:42pm)
Going to Church
Many people are brought up to associate church as a place believers go to once a week, mostly on Sunday, some on Saturday, or the Sabbath. Reading the New Testament, especially from the epistles on, the term church is used to mean a group of people more than it is used to refer to a building. In all fairness, there are many places that the bible uses the term church as a building too, but mostly it's used to refer to a group of believers.
In Romans 16:4, the writer relates to the church in giving thanks to; in Romans 16:5, as to being greeted. You give thanks to and greet people, not buildings.
As you know, Paul started many of his epistles "To the church of," and then he would follow it with a city. In many places throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of the church as being edified, or built up, strengthened. You send letters or epistles to people that live in cities, and you build up or encourage people, not buildings.
In 1 Cor 14:23, Paul writes, "if the whole church comes together." Now, when have you seen a bunch of buildings gather or...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 7 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by kuihlupis)
- Total Views: 2818
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In But Out |
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Posted by:
jimrich (Posted: 10/08/2006 3:16pm)
Many people who attend church services are out of church. They do not come to worship God; they come to sing, be entertained or because they like the preacher.
We need to hear more about God, less about things that don't relate to Him. We need to worship God not just attend Church. Church should be more than just a service. Christians should encourage each other to live for Him; lift each other up in prayer that is real and let one another know that they care....
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by prasnhym)
- Total Views: 1586
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Out of church |
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Posted by:
otseng (Posted: 09/29/2006 7:28pm)
I've actually been thinking about this newly created category for quite awhile. And as a matter of fact, I was talking with my men's bible study leader about this topic this morning over breakfast.
I wouldn't consider our family "out of church". We still go every Sunday, but I think we go out of sheer habit instead of really wanting to go.
I appreciate the article that John Abela pointed out, THE "OUT-OF-CHURCH" CHRISTIANS. Many of the things in there resonates with me.
"But if you talk to these people you will often find that they have been sitting in church for years and years, and they simply cannot stand to sit and watch the same old game being played any more. The LACK OF GOD is what gets to them - even in our most "Spirit-filled" churches. WHERE IS GOD IN ALL OF OUR ACTIVITY? Surely this is not the way it is supposed to be?"
"A large number of the people who wrote to me mentioned how tired they had become of all the programs, church-growth techniques, building-funds and systems found in today's churches. "Where is God in all of this?" was a common cry. To them, it...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 11 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by alight)
- Total Views: 3883
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For openers |
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Posted by:
forgiven (Posted: 09/23/2006 1:18pm)
This is my first blog. I just want to see how this works. I will say that I have been out of Church for about 7 months now because of my work schedule. I am looking forward to going back to church soon. I used to live in Aurora Colorado. Now I live in Highlands Ranch Colorado. I have been very involved in Church since I started going 9 years ago. I was even an elder in my first Church. I am ashamed of how long I have been out. I miss worship and I miss my fellow Christian brothers and sisters. I thank the Lord that he still loves me.
So why did I start a Christian Blog? I feel it is a good place to admit my faults, shortcomings, or failures in my Christian walk. You can admit things without being judged. It is also a great place to share things you learn in your studies. You can share thoughts you have on the Scriptures. I belong to a sports bloging site also. But I wanted to have a site that might fulfill my need to talk about the Lord. That is all for now. More will come...
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- Category: Out of Church Christians - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by forgiven)
- Total Views: 1117
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