God'sChild - Our church will be praying for you and your husband. You are in a tough situation. Keep believing and holding on... God rewards steadfastness. Pastor G
God'schild, your story makes me think of one of my aunts. Her husband had no interest in church - even though he supported his wife going and wanted his girls to grow up in church. My aunt prayed for him for 40 years before he finally got saved! My cousin (his oldest daughter) said that now he is in church every time the doors are open. Don't give up on your husband, keep praying!! Kaci, that goes for you too.
Then the individual does not have to. No one can force someone to get saved. But that doesn't mean that we should stop praying for them.
I haven't a problem with that as long as it is done anonymously. I have a problem when you get a bunch of folks together to pray that John XXXXX gets saved.
Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I do know your church. It is being modeled after the big mega-churches who took there lead from Peter Drucker & Co. With exception I probably I know all the authors you are reading and following and since you desire to start at this end of the spectrum is fine. You are aware that Jesus also had a few things to say to the Pharisees in His day that weren’t very nice. I believe myself to be in His good company, so long as don’t violate His word. Really? All the churches? That’s enlightening and frightening. There must either be little actual fellowship or much consensus of opinion or both. ...Interesting. Good. Let’s read how one “does church”, the mystical Body of Christ. In other words, you are going to set about re-inventing Jesus Christ to make Him palatable, non-offensive, to accommodate folk who desire to keep their present lifestyle intact. Have I have got it right so far? That’s out of the “Purpose Driven Church” manual, isn’t? But then, what did you find to be the reason why they did them? Surely with such instructions given you you must have seen what God considered abominable in these churches? Though I realize the traditional church has failed in its ability to sustain itself; it has lost its first love so to speak, however, it is for reasons that won’t be corrected by this post modern emergent church concept being engineered by today’s corporate managers who have been invited in by the enemies of cross of Jesus Christ. By embracing it you are going to assist is ushering in a one world church under a one world government. It is sometimes viewed as “new age” church growth movement. Need I say more? Again, I would like to know the reasons God gave you for throwing out “all the stuff churches do”? Just curious. Church structured after the great commission? Where does that speak come from? Everyone knows only sheep beget sheep. Ergo, it is not the Churches business to beget sheep but, as mother, to reveal the intentions of Father. Have you ever investigated the intentions of the Father or do you think redemption is the only thing church is about. If so, I would like to know what your disciple classes achieve, what faith you attempt to mature and what it is you bring one into? Also, what do you mean by “servicing others”. Jesus Christ never serviced anyone… They came to Him for what only He could do for them. He knew what was in the heart of man. He even rebke some who did come to Him. He never evangelized to service others. He took the presence of His Father wherever He went. Is that what you teach? And, Connecting to God….hmmm? I don’t find that in the great commission, either. But where have I read those words before? Let’s see, his was it Bill Hybels or Rick Warren? Alice Bailey, Brian Maclaren, etal, comes also to mind. But perhaps you have real scripture verses for “connecting with God”, and you are convinced your efforts will be rewarded from instituting a vibrant social service program?.....All in the name of Jesus, mind you. Yes. Mightily! However, let’s continue to shed light on what is at stake, where this “one world emergent church” is heading. You mean we can be of a different flavor and still have unity? How can that be? Surely, one of us must yield or be resisted….unless we both can be convinced that what we believe as absolutes is no more than our opinion. But that would necessitate us throwing away our absolutes. Are you willing to do that? …I’m not. Sure you do….as being something Jesus did for everyone and it is now behind us. Everyone say yes to that and let’s move on. Isn’t that the truth of it all? We are all forgiven because of His faithfulness and Blood. However, that’s not us. All we have to be concerned about now are our *“mistakes” we make and you have self-help books and programs to fix all that; to remove any remaining guilt, if there ever was any at the outset. * [some may still call them “sins” but only for awhile longer] Sorry, My God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He changes not and demands to be worshipped in the beauty of holiness. Does you rock band do that or are they simply entertainment for the people? Can the loud “Rolling Stones” music with drums that shatter the senses of the one who truly comes to pour out his/her hurting or loving heart before a Holy God, be something God can bless? Sorry, I think not. I know better. Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein. Jeremiah 6:16 (ASV) You mean as society changes you change? Please don’t bring the Holy Spirit into this as one who blesses what is surely not bless-able. The fruit of this new movement doesn’t reveal the successes as blessed results of Him unless you believe large numbers mean success? Change your perspective to center on the God of the Bible, who doesn’t change, and not the people, who do and I will be a friend; I will be brother.
Why should that bother you? On what basis are you offended? Should people not pray together out of regard for how you feel? Perhaps dialogue is what should take place here and a consensus reached that no one should come under any kind of conviction. Don't want anyone's feelings hurt, you know. Above all, we must all get along together, right?....Maybe have a group hug.
Don't worry Ormly, the last person I would want a hug from is you. The problem I have with a bunch of folks like you, are you can't let it go. I don't wish to buy into your mythology and don't want to be constantly pestered about it. The reason I have a problem with non anonymous prayer is that, despite some best intentions, you folks are going to start interfering with my business and personal life.
Yes, ormly. you're holier than everyone on the forum. feel free to cast stones. Go go. Nice.. he deleted it. for some reason he quoted Kaci's advice and then cross quoted her saying that she likes Cleveland draft house.
I had second thoughts about embarrassing her. Seems you have no compunction about such things, child.
i do not believe she would be embarrassed at all... it's her favorite restaurant, why would anyone be embarrassed by their favorite restaurant? You're weak, Ormly. You're weak and pathetic and lame, its my personal belief that you are honestly so weak in your belief in God that you cannot get by unless you feel superior to others in that area. So go ahead. Sit here and tell us how great your relationship with God is, tell us how you are the favorite son, because every time you do that you prove in my mind and many others how far you are from him.
Which old paths? New Testament paths? Roman Catholic paths? Protestant paths? Paths found in little country churches in the deep south in the 1920's? The God of the Old Testament or the God of the New Testament? As interpreted by whom? The Pope? Rick Warren? Jerry Falwell? Ormly? Holiness as defined by whom? If by holiness, you mean something that must be evidenced by the clothing one wears, or the type of music one sings ...then your god is vain, shallow, and pathetic and doesn't deserve to be worshiped. A true god would not demand such trivial Earthly sacraments.
I feel like this. God wants us to love, reverence, worship and include Him in every part of our lives. Worship is worship. Whether you stand quietly at your seat at home or in church or dance and sing joyfully. As long as you are doing it for HIM, there is no wrong way to worship. Just don't "claim" you do worship and reverence and love Him and include Him in your life just cause you don't want to go to a church. Yes, there are people like that. They just do what is called "lip service" so they won't be "nagged" as they say, and it really isn't a good idea. Besides, they are the ones who works will show the truth. No, you don't HAVE to go to a church to worship, but it is good to go and be with others and get your spirit fed. That's called fellowship. Do you have to look like a million dollars to go to church? I don't think so. Did they look like a million dollars when they listened to Jesus teach? Given the times and the poverty levels, I doubt it. Should you dress respectfully? Yes. I doubt they went to see Jesus naked. And by that I mean that you don't go to church with your tail or chest (women) hanging out. If all you have is a pair of blue jeans and T-shirt, wear it! I can't speak for everyone, but I LOVE my church. It is a smaller church but there is such a peace there. I know that I have my church family as well as my home family.
Depends on the wedding, some are very formal and some are very informal. Some are in churches, some are in judge's offices and some are on the beach.
Ormly, I do agree with you that everything about the new emerging church move is not necessarily good. There is a lot of ear tickling going on. But you can find good and bad in all. To paint everyone with your preconceived ideas only means that you don't want to think that anything other than "how I do it" can be right. Is it possible that you can have a contemporary church that people are challenged to change, to live holy and righteous and not compromise the word of God? I can gaurantee you that I preach the whole word of God and I don't sugar coat it but here is the difference between you and I; a shepherd leads his sheep he doesn't beat them along. Ormly, one thing you've yet to learn is that God is equally mercy and justice, you fall all the way toward justice only. However, I also know that the bible tells us not to get into foolish debates... this conversation with you is a foolish debate. Even Jesus didn't waste much time debating with the Pharisees. Hopefully you get the point. I pray that God opens your eyes to see people through the eyes of his love. Pastor Glen
I agree with you, Pastor G. A pastor I knew once told us, "When and if you find the "perfect" church here on earth, the minute you walk in the door, it won't be perfect anymore."
