I still go to church, do you?

[Caffus]

  :friendstu: ya, Im here for Christain fellowship. Im there for other reasons....He knows.    :Pray:

[Caffus]

The musis at my church is getting more UR...but not the sermon.  It seems many Christian artists are hearing Him.  The sermon was very strange..he talked about how God was involved to have Jesus crucified but then said God is just as much as He is love.  Then he hinted that if Christ is not accepted before death eternal torment is just becuase He gave his Son.   That teaching completely contradicts this verse John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

[twiggy]

This is something that I have been struggling with lately.  I am a freelance illustrator/graphic designer, so Sunday is about the only time I get out of the house.  The thing is, I've never been terribly comfortable in the church I attend; in fact, the only reason I started attending there in the first place is because it's where my husband was going when we got married.  It's just... it seems to me that in the pulpit the pastor talks as if he's seeking God, but outside of the pulpit he says some awfully strange things.  I also feel a sense of bondage when he speaks.  It's not a feeling that says, "Run away, NOW!"  (I've been in a church where I felt that); it's more a feeling that says, "There's something wrong here.  Be careful."

I'm thinking of quitting, since my husband hasn't been going lately anyway due to illness, and I can't in good conscious donate or even do much in the way of volunteering lately.    :dunno2:

[Caffus]

I understand Id like to at least try another church..I actually found a UR believing church recently near me by doing searches on the net. But, my husband seems to like were we are. I'm still praying for them and I believe in time they will come to understanding UR.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: I just saw this thread. I didn't go for over a decade; He took me out one day when I was disgusted over what lie I was hearing and in my mind I said, "Oh, Lord! Where can I go to be fed?", not really expecting an answer. Plain as day, I heard, "On the mountaintop," from Isaiah. I got the message.

      The last couple of years I go when I can (it's 1.5 hours from my home) to a Messianic Jewish church (they believe in Jesus as their savior and Messiah) that shares the building with an Assembly of God church, since their service days don't conflict.

     Aside from the fact I love seeing and participating in what "church" was really like in the first century, the Rabbi is an expert on the book of Isaiah, speaks and teaches the meaning of the Hebrew words and idioms that a western minded audience would not "get". So you CAN be fed here as well, something I haven't found in other churches who primarily give the same salvation or go to hell message every week.

     Add to that, beautiful praise and worship, the Spirit so heavy in there you can feel it, and fellowship afterwards, and it's as good as it gets, IMO. Blessings....

[Jock]

I have been to many churches in my time. A few of them were quite elitist believing that they are the "only ones, the true remnant". Then I hooked up with the home church movement and after that got involved with a pretty extreme group of people. My life was pretty much guided by them and my wife and I lived in fear most of the time.

I won't go into the details but God opened up an opportunity for us to leave. We suffered through the poisonous emails, phone calls and we ended up having to move house. I started having OCD and other health problems and my wife became severely anorexic to the point where I almost lost her.

I just couldn't sit in another church or bible study but I was guilt ridden that I was forsaking the assembly. My mind was quiet one day and the Lord pointed me to the scripture that "where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them".

I realized that me and my wife, plus the Lord is the basic fundamental of the church. I do have some affiliations, TentMaker being one of them. I wouldn't advise anyone to leave their church but God will not punish us for it.

A word to the wise, any person having power over others for whatever reason, had best take care that they use that power in the fear of God, lest he/she/them will be sorely rebuked by the Lord.


Shalom :Peace2:

Jock.

[jabcat]

 :thumbsup:  Jock.  Blessings.

[Caffus]

Glad you got out of there Jock.  :dsunny: My church is open to people who believe differently.  There is a senior minister and a few others who speak there. I know we don't have to go to church for fellowship. We can fellowship here as well. I am pretty sure the senior pastor now firmly believes in UR. He spoke about what chosen and elect mean. That through them all people of the earth will be blessed. He has quoted verses supporting UR and no longer speaks of eternal hell. He also seems more joyful and at ease. He also has said "Jesus the Savoir of the world many times recently. So, I praise God for that!  :banana:

[Jock]

Caffus, I'm glad that you are happy with your church. I think a difficult time is coming to the church, with this whole challenge of "same sex marriage") Many churches may have to fold up or break up. It would be good for a believer to keep very close to the Lord. Hope your church survives.  :2c:


Shalom  :Peace2:

Jock.

[Caffus]

May His will be done. I'm not so happy anymore...he just made it clear that he is not an UR believer. I'm very disappointed  :doh: I don't know what's going on with that church.  :dunno2: But I will keep praying for them.

[Jock]

Hi Caffus. You don't have to make any decisions right now. Find that place of rest where the Lord is, and rest in Him. I was sitting by a highland Loch (Lake) one time and I noticed that when the wind was away, we could see the reflection of all the beauty around. It was like a huge mirror. We even found ourselves whispering to each other it was so quiet there.

We ate our picnic that we had brought and we noticed that the wind had whipped up and immediately the Loch lost it's ability to reflect. It became dark. It's the same with us! Just rest Caffus and allow the Lord to be the good shepherd that He is. Wait on Him. :dsunny:

Shalom

Jock.

[Caffus]

Thanks Jock..my husband and children like this church...I like the music and most of the preaching. Just disappointed today. I do spend alone time with the Lord everyday...I need to. May God bless you and your family

[Lorenzo]

I am an Italian Protestant - though I hate denominationalism - and for those who don't know, Italy is 99% Catholic (though 98% is Catholic only because they were baptized in a Catholic church), so you don't have a wide choice here. Yes, we have some churches such as one or two Pentecostal churches (I'm in Rome, which has 5 milions inhabitants), two Waldensian (Calvinist) churches, two Lutheran churches, one Methodist church and one Baptist church, but they're not many, and often they have just one or two pastors. Perhaps, in a city like Rome we have about twelve Prostestant pastors from many denominations... Anyway, I'm not here to tell you how many pastors are in my city, but rather to answer your question. I am Methodist, but I go to a Waldensian church, because in Italy they are one single Church (The United Waldensian and Methodist Church), but I have no problems partaking an Orthodox liturgy - I have even been an Ancient Greek Chants Reader, an Agnostes - or a Catholic one (though in the Catholic mass there are parts where the congregations has to pray to Mary, and I don't like it, so I generally change them and say "And I ask my dear brothers and sisters to pray for me" instead of "I ask Mary...".

[Eduard]

I am still baptised in the Orthodox church even if I reject much of the extra-biblical things they teach and eternal torment. I've attended Catholic and Protestant service as well.

[Lazarus Short]

I am an Italian Protestant - though I hate denominationalism - and for those who don't know, Italy is 99% Catholic (though 98% is Catholic only because they were baptized in a Catholic church), so you don't have a wide choice here. Yes, we have some churches such as one or two Pentecostal churches (I'm in Rome, which has 5 milions inhabitants), two Waldensian (Calvinist) churches, two Lutheran churches, one Methodist church and one Baptist church, but they're not many, and often they have just one or two pastors. Perhaps, in a city like Rome we have about twelve Prostestant pastors from many denominations... Anyway, I'm not here to tell you how many pastors are in my city, but rather to answer your question. I am Methodist, but I go to a Waldensian church, because in Italy they are one single Church (The United Waldensian and Methodist Church), but I have no problems partaking an Orthodox liturgy - I have even been an Ancient Greek Chants Reader, an Agnostes - or a Catholic one (though in the Catholic mass there are parts where the congregations has to pray to Mary, and I don't like it, so I generally change them and say "And I ask my dear brothers and sisters to pray for me" instead of "I ask Mary...".

Lorenzo, I have read up on the long history and great persecution of the Waldensian Church.  Were they in fact, Apostolic?

[Lorenzo]

I am an Italian Protestant - though I hate denominationalism - and for those who don't know, Italy is 99% Catholic (though 98% is Catholic only because they were baptized in a Catholic church), so you don't have a wide choice here. Yes, we have some churches such as one or two Pentecostal churches (I'm in Rome, which has 5 milions inhabitants), two Waldensian (Calvinist) churches, two Lutheran churches, one Methodist church and one Baptist church, but they're not many, and often they have just one or two pastors. Perhaps, in a city like Rome we have about twelve Prostestant pastors from many denominations... Anyway, I'm not here to tell you how many pastors are in my city, but rather to answer your question. I am Methodist, but I go to a Waldensian church, because in Italy they are one single Church (The United Waldensian and Methodist Church), but I have no problems partaking an Orthodox liturgy - I have even been an Ancient Greek Chants Reader, an Agnostes - or a Catholic one (though in the Catholic mass there are parts where the congregations has to pray to Mary, and I don't like it, so I generally change them and say "And I ask my dear brothers and sisters to pray for me" instead of "I ask Mary...".

Lorenzo, I have read up on the long history and great persecution of the Waldensian Church.  Were they in fact, Apostolic?

Well, when they began preaching, in XII century, they were really wonderful... now, well, they are much "wordlier", so they sometimes use to do things I do not accept. Besides, they believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased, while I do believe they're still working.

[Lazarus Short]

I am an Italian Protestant - though I hate denominationalism - and for those who don't know, Italy is 99% Catholic (though 98% is Catholic only because they were baptized in a Catholic church), so you don't have a wide choice here. Yes, we have some churches such as one or two Pentecostal churches (I'm in Rome, which has 5 milions inhabitants), two Waldensian (Calvinist) churches, two Lutheran churches, one Methodist church and one Baptist church, but they're not many, and often they have just one or two pastors. Perhaps, in a city like Rome we have about twelve Prostestant pastors from many denominations... Anyway, I'm not here to tell you how many pastors are in my city, but rather to answer your question. I am Methodist, but I go to a Waldensian church, because in Italy they are one single Church (The United Waldensian and Methodist Church), but I have no problems partaking an Orthodox liturgy - I have even been an Ancient Greek Chants Reader, an Agnostes - or a Catholic one (though in the Catholic mass there are parts where the congregations has to pray to Mary, and I don't like it, so I generally change them and say "And I ask my dear brothers and sisters to pray for me" instead of "I ask Mary...".

Lorenzo, I have read up on the long history and great persecution of the Waldensian Church.  Were they in fact, Apostolic?

Well, when they began preaching, in XII century, they were really wonderful... now, well, they are much "wordlier", so they sometimes use to do things I do not accept. Besides, they believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased, while I do believe they're still working.

:Chinscratch: The history I have read of them pushes their history much further back in time.  :dunno2:

[Caffus]

I believe that it is the Holy spirit that revels spiritual truths...we cant open anyone's eyes on our own...but we must be willing to do whatever we believe He wills for us to do. The sermon this sunday was all about the doctrine of hell..they wanted to make sure that after the UR type sermon they did no one was confused to what the church officially believes and teaches. It was horrible.  I wrote them a note about the book Raising Hell..I just said there is a good scriptural book on the topic you shared today called Raising Hell. May God bless you.

[Lorenzo]

I am an Italian Protestant - though I hate denominationalism - and for those who don't know, Italy is 99% Catholic (though 98% is Catholic only because they were baptized in a Catholic church), so you don't have a wide choice here. Yes, we have some churches such as one or two Pentecostal churches (I'm in Rome, which has 5 milions inhabitants), two Waldensian (Calvinist) churches, two Lutheran churches, one Methodist church and one Baptist church, but they're not many, and often they have just one or two pastors. Perhaps, in a city like Rome we have about twelve Prostestant pastors from many denominations... Anyway, I'm not here to tell you how many pastors are in my city, but rather to answer your question. I am Methodist, but I go to a Waldensian church, because in Italy they are one single Church (The United Waldensian and Methodist Church), but I have no problems partaking an Orthodox liturgy - I have even been an Ancient Greek Chants Reader, an Agnostes - or a Catholic one (though in the Catholic mass there are parts where the congregations has to pray to Mary, and I don't like it, so I generally change them and say "And I ask my dear brothers and sisters to pray for me" instead of "I ask Mary...".

Lorenzo, I have read up on the long history and great persecution of the Waldensian Church.  Were they in fact, Apostolic?

Well, when they began preaching, in XII century, they were really wonderful... now, well, they are much "wordlier", so they sometimes use to do things I do not accept. Besides, they believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased, while I do believe they're still working.

:Chinscratch: The history I have read of them pushes their history much further back in time.  :dunno2:

Maybe you're right, I'm not quite good at remembering dates. Anyway, according to Wikipedia they appeared in XIIth century (Italian Wikipedia). But you know how Wikipedia works, so... :dunno2:

[lastpost]

We gave something along these lines this morning for Christmas Day Service...

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him...And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was." St. Matt.2: 1-9.

FATHER of all Love, we come to Thee this day with humble hearts, offering our thanks for the great gift of the Christ-Child. May we ever remember that unless we become as little children in obedience and purity, in no wise can we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Grant that many upon the earth may be inspired, as were the wise men of old, to cross the desert of the unknown, and by the Star of Faith find that Holy Place of Grace where Divine Love is manifested before their wondering eyes. May one and all bring their gifts, both great and small, to lay before Thine Altar, so that by this act of personal sacrifice the Christ Teaching may be spread into many lands. Grant that those once strangers to Thy unlimited Love, may go on their way rejoicing, bringing the Christ Message of Goodwill to fellow-pilgrims on the road to Life. Amen.


It is a short and pure Service.

Some who consciously recognise the Christ acting in them, will be able to understand that the wise person, having crossed the desert of misunderstanding, lays aside - surrenders willingly - the physical life of unreality, in order to realise that the King of all is already living in His Kingdom, and that Heaven is within - Christ has always been in His crib, has always been on His Cross, has always been arisen and alive.

The Kingdom of God is not a material place and will not be seen with physical signs - they are an illusion. The Kingdom of God has always been. The Kingdom of God is a reality and that reality in all its beauty comes to this earth in His children and His angels, and His Will is done on earth as it is in Heaven.

That person knows that Christ has returned, and that person begins to let go of the beliefs of the mind to which he has clung out of duty and often out of fear of losing his footing in the only reality he knows. But now that is gone and his life is lived with Christ living in him, even as he wakes, even as he goes to sleep.

His message is that Christ lives in him, not as words or phrases or memorised doctrinal tenets or philosophical realisations or intellectual understandings, but Christ lives in him as the Being who Is and always has Been with the Godhead at all times, where there was no past or no future because He is the great I AM.

And that Being now lives in the person because Christ lives in that person and Christ is in the Father. That person knows now who I AM is, that there is no death because I AM has always been and will always be. The quarrelsome doctrinal concoctions of the mind drop away, seen for the props they were once useful for, and the person lives each and every moment in the present, in the Presence of God the Supreme Being – indeed, he shall never see death because he is now alive forever in Christ.

There is nothing that shall shake him from his joint life in Christ, now they are one, no longer in the sinful land of separation brought on by the devil of the sense-world, that person has overcome such a world because Christ lives in him, now he fears not even to make friends with those living in sinful separation, indeed, his very joy for Christ works in him in His own way, free from the religion of the sense-mind.

Now he calmly offers himself at the crib of humility, and immediately he is given the joy of another burden for He who is the light of men.

The Crib – the making of a human body for the fullness of the Godhead to walk in and teach the little children of the earth – this is but a little miracle for the Lord God Creator of all. But alongside this is that which is a miracle of so gigantic a proportion and from a sphere of humility far beyond the mind of humanity to fathom (because its mind looks at outer truths and clothes them in its various religions which become tradition), the miracle and humility of the Supreme Being – the great I AM – that He should become the Son of Man.

Peace

[Dandelion]

Jesus said He gave His life for the Church, His bride.


Ephesians 5: 25 - 27

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

That can be interpreted different ways, but I go to Church. I believe it was important to Jesus that we come together as the Body of Christ, to support one another, to love one another, to share with each other, to worship together, to remember His sacrifice for us, and that He saves us. 

And that is good enough for me. God supplies all our needs, not the Church.

D.

[Caffus]

Yes, it's God the supplies all our needs and when we truly need support from other Christians, He'll see to it..that we have the support we need....we don't have to meet in some place...that "place" could be here  :declare:

[rosered]

 :dsunny:   :HeartThrob:

[GodIsLove]

Yes, it's God the supplies all our needs and when we truly need support from other Christians, He'll see to it..that we have the support we need....we don't have to meet in some place...that "place" could be here  :declare:

Yup! You all are my fellowship!

I do occasionally go to church for the benefit of my husband and kids. And I can find something in each service to uplift me and inspire me, even if I don't agree 100% with the teachings, God can use those clay pots for His purpose too. :)

[rosered]

 :dsunny: :HeartThrob:

Funny how we are always listening to all the voices  and sometimes they  stick in our heads .

   I was so busy  trying to discern  what was good and evil , I forgot  how to LIVE ..
 
I can honestly say    the LORD is blessing with a new attitude      , loving  all despite   where ever they are at ....  ! I KNOW ITS  JESUS !!

  Greater is He that is in you than is in the World !!


1 John 5


3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.


4For whatever is born of God overcomes the world;


and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.


5Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?...