Ok....so I've been a lurker til now (first post eep!) Here's a brief background...

I was raised in a Born Again Christian household my whole life, but my parents never had a church that we went to. We just kind of prayed together when I was younger (I'm 20 now) and watched John Hagee every week on tv. I went to public high school, and as far as christian upbringing, yes we prayed and believed, but they never really sat down with me and told me why God said to do this or do that, or way we should wait for sex... My parents didn't discuss relationships with me, love, what i should do once I start dating, what God has planned for me...it was just a "Trust and believe in the Lord. Women who have sex outside of marriage are whores..."

Needless to say I never had a church environment, and because I was a very curious and independent child, I just kind of grew up knowing that Christianity was right and I should pray and believe, but didn't really understand. I wanted to have fun, I wanted to be liked by boys, and I didn't see the evil of sex outside of marriage.

Well, college came along and I rebelled against my parents and God after finding out my mother's cancer had come back and she was digressing even though she kept praying and having faith that she would be healed. I made horrible decisions, fell into an influencial "just go with it and have fun" group, and lived at a college whose members of Campus Crusade totalled 16. Out of 2500.  Long story short, I slept with men.

And I regret it, and begged for God's forgiveness, and have finally (after praying a lot and going to church and finding a strong community) begun to really get close again to God. Its in my past and is forgiven. The worry that I have is that, though I am single, when the day comes that I want to get married and settle down with a strong Christian man, I doubt any Christian man would ever marry a person with my past. I've met Christian men who, after finding out, have scoffed and pushed me into the dirt like a whore.

What is your guys opinion of this...would your significant other's past be a primary position for deciding whether the person is worthy enough to be with? If i could I would back in time and never do what I had done for 2 years...but I did...and I moved on from it. I just don't think that any Christian man would ever accept someone who isn't "pure."

Just asking...this was really hard for me to write, but I have no one else to go to.

Hey all,

Well I was able to get my doctor's appointment moved up to today. I didn't find anything out, but there is definitely a lump on my throat, and the doctor seemed a bit concerned. He ordered an ultrasound, so I won't know any details until the results from that come in, which could be a while. Anyway, I'm sure it's probably nothing, but since it's not even a year from having surgery for cancer in the same area where the lump is now, I guess you could say I'm a bit concerned. As for prayers, I just ask that you pray for my family. They have been through such a difficult time, and because cancer has had such a devastating impact on us the past few years, just the remote possibility of it coming back in me likely has them freaking out. So please just pray for their consolation. The worst part is just waiting...

Thanks all!

Peace in Christ,
Michael

Why do we allow ourselves to get caught up in the temporary?

We - myself included - freak out about everything. Road rage, job stress, relationship problems. Anything that can be fretted about, we fret about it. Why, though? Within the context of Christianity, we ultimately have nothing to worry about. So, again, why do we stay anxious?

Because we don't really believe what we say we believe?
Because the things we're faced with on a daily basis end up overshadowing the eternal things?
Because we don't trust God?

I know there have been a few things on confession here in the comm, but I've got an actual question and then two that are more 'Pastor Lenny style'.

Regardless if you think you need to go speak to a Priest in confessional or not (which to me is not different from talking to a pastor in his office about your sins...you probably do that with a Priest too), I think it's clear that Jesus wants us to confess our sins to each other (this principle if mirrored in Leviticus, take that for what you will). One can reference the end of John, but also teachings in Matthew, for example. Jesus does not specifically speak of a strict 'confession', but of you forgiving other's sins...but you are also the 'other person' to someone else, so it would seem to imply this practice.

1) Don't you think that these commands are essential to the Body of Christ, and as such we must be prepared in some way to confess our sins, not just to God but even to a brother? And furthermore, isn't it every member of the Body's responsibility to at the very least listen to the confession of our brethren? I had a discussion with someone who tried to place listening to a confession in the realm of 'spiritual gifts' and that not everyone should be required to do so (in the sense of confess or listen to confession). I disagree with that assessment...it was a command, not, 'Do it if it's suited to you'.

2) In a question more intended to be introspective, what do you think the benefit of telling your sins to a brother or sister is? Why would Jesus prescribe it? Why is or isn't telling it to God alone good enough?

3) A little honesty time here, but do you find it easier to confess to God, or to your brethren? Is there any way that this seems ironic to you?

Alright, this may have been aired before (and do I ask that in every post I make?) but I'm curious, after the previous post.

We seem here to have strong opinions on entertainment, i.e. books, movies, television, music.

Personally, very little of what I watch, read, and listen to is expressly Christian. I've been criticized many times by various people for not liking Christian music and books, as if listening to and reading secular works somehow makes me a bad Christian. Frankly, this attitude angers me. No, I'm not opening myself up to demonic influence by reading Harry Potter or listening to Iron Maiden. I'm not engaging in "paganism" by reading fantasy literature which contains magic. I'm not neglecting the works of faithful Christians in favor of giving money to heathens and atheists simply because I don't choose to listen to their music (yes, people have said exactly that). I'm not a bad Christian because I don't surround myself with pop-Christian entertainment or don't solely patronize Christian bookstores or don't listen to Christian radio stations.

I don't know; it's frustrating and discouraging when Christians tell me time and again not to [read, listen to, watch] this or that for whatever reason. It is especially irritating when they do this, and then turn around and condemn schools and libraries for carrying books they deem immoral, as if they were the divinely-appointed Censors of the World. Why should Christians ever be limited to consuming expressly Christian products that fellow Christians produce? Tom Clancy's character Jack Ryan is a good Christian man, and Clancy himself is a Christian, but because his books are not "Christian literature" should we avoid them and instead pick up a Christian imitation?

I do think that we should censor what we consume, because there are things (including books, music, and movies) that are ungodly in themselves or can otherwise distract us from Christ. Anything can, actually, and we must be on guard against it. But I just don't get the whole "Christian Only!" mindset. Some of the most insightful and inspiring books I have ever read were written by atheists, while some of the most insipid and vacuous books I have ever read were written by Christians. As my own mother once said, "just because something is 'Christian' doesn't mean it's good."

So, what are your thoughts on this? Should Christians limit themselves to Christian entertainment and avoid "secular" works altogether? Does the mere fact that something is not Christian make it unworthy to consume? I don't mean things that are actually anti-Christian here, just things that aren't expressly Christian.

I'm very fascinated by religious trends in America, and am very intrigued by the shift away from some of the older churches towards megachurches (I am an ex-Christian raised Catholic and Presbyterian who now attends a local megachurch. I have no interest in converting back to Christianity but I enjoy the services there) On the one hand, these churches are very successful at bringing people in. Most of the churches near me which fit this category are fairly new (many less than 25 years old), but they have grown at an astonishing rate. I attend a church which opened the doors to its current building in 1999. Now, they are bursting at the seams, and are planning to expand their building. If you want to any service other than the 9am one, you had better get there early or you will have to sit in the overflow seating in the chapel, where you can watch the service via a video link.

On the other hand, these churches seem to be a constant target for criticism. I've heard people say they are too focused on entertainment, they have inaccurate or incomplete teachings, they spend too much money on the various bells and whistles they add to their services, and so on and so forth. I've known some Christians (including folks at some of the churches I grew up in) who view these larger churches as a serious threat. They blame them for "stealing" away their members and for contributing to the decreasing attendance at many older churches.

I'm curious, how many people here attend a megachurch? (for the sake of this discussion, Megachurch=a Protestant church with an average of 2000+ people attending weekend services) If you do attend that type of church, what made you choose it? Have you always attended those sorts of churches or did you switch at some point from another type of church?

If you are a critic of the megachurch movement, what do you see as being the main downfalls of attending a megachurch?

Greetings to all.

For the past several days, I've been experiencing what I can best call "spiritual burn-out", though I am unsure why. I particularly notice it as it relates to my daily devotional and prayer time for which I have had little or no motivation.

Please be praying for me...

thanks

Has anyone in this community taken anything similiar to a nazirite vow? Just curious....If so, how did it work out for you? :o) 

Ok, I've often been thinking about my inward resistances towards God and doing what is right. I've often been reminded to a scripture at Jeremiah 17:9, which says that the heart is wicked. In my german translation it says the heart is rebellious and despondent (in the sense of fearful and cowardly).

I've been thinking about this a lot, and I noticed that sometimes when I want to do what is right such as forgiving someone, subordinating myself to someone, doing something big for someone else etc, my heart doesn't really want it. It feels like a glowing ember in me, it's like my heart gives off heat.

I really think that in the heart there is a part of our spiritual identity. Although I am prone to find myself "situated" in the head, I know that part of my conscious being resides in the heart.

Sometimes I loathe my heart. It really seems to confirm what the bible says, it is rebellious and fearful just at the wrong times. First it is rebellious and challenges something proper like God's authority over us, then it is fearful of praying, singing etc which would bring me in touch with Christ for my redemption. This has been my problem for virtually all my life. My head knows and says and wants me to act and to get close to Christ. But my heart bristles. Its resistance can be really strong sometimes.

It's something where I suppose I can only trust in God to make a change.

Anyone knowing this sort of thing?

Is anyone else annoyed that, within the context of the typical evangelical church service, the word "worship" has been hijacked and redefined as "singing"?

Of the many struggles I have in the spiritual life, I believe perhaps my greatest is that of what I call spiritual melancholy. This is the most common form of darkness for me, and it frequently produces a certain tepidity of soul, where in my heart there is no fire for God, no strength in my desire to please Him. Part of this I believe is the result of my heavy reliance on the “experience” of God. Having lived the sort of life I did for so long, a life of moral decadence and almost indifference to the existence of God, it took a very powerful experience of God’s majesty to truly awaken me from my slumber. In the early months after my conversion God blessed me with certain spiritual consolations that I believe were given to me to nourish me, strengthen me in faith for the times when His consolations would leave me, and I would be required to walk on my own two feet in the dark night of faith. Many people who have certain mystical experiences of God consider them to be some sign of righteousness on their part, or a signal that they have somehow arrived somewhere. I do not see it that way. I regard the experiences that I had early after my conversion as signs of my weakness, and indications of just how far God was willing to go to ensure that I did not abandon my faith this time, that my walk with Him would now be secure.
( Read more... )

Poll #1224629 Dreams
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Concering dreams and visions...

Concerning dreams...

Concerning dreams and visions...

Concerning angelic visitations...

Christ said "Go and make disciples of all nations..."

And this is my reply:
"Here I am, send me."

And this is my reply when an opportunity comes:
"Am I equipped? Am I qualified to explain the Gospel? Will Jack or Jill think less of me because I am a Christian, and I want them to be one as well?"

I know I'm not alone in this one, but I'm wondering if there comes a point when there is a certain confidence in sharing the Gospel? Is sharing the Gospel effectively a "practice makes perfect thing?"  Or is it a certain giftedness?

Let's say it's Sunday, and you're in a different town, without any way of getting around without walking. But there are two churches in walking distance, both of which appear to be acceptable theologically.

Church A, however, is not going to have a sermon today, just music.
Church B is not going to have any hymns at all, just a sermon.

In either case, the music or the sermon is expected to be quite good, and exactly what you think either church music or sermons should be.

Which do you go to?

This is a question about free will and predestination. I believe both coexist; but predestination supercedes free will. The verse that seals how I view it is this:
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Rev. 3:20

We don't open the door and call for him. He has to come and knock. It is us who open the door and let him in. We have the free will to close the door, or not open it at all, I believe; but Jesus has to first come to the door.

This is why evangelism and sharing the gospel are so important.

What are your thoughts?

Hey all, I'm quite certain this is nothing to worry about at all, but nonetheless I wouldn't mind some "just-in-case" prayers. My throat has been sore for a few days, and it feels a bit swollen down just below the Adam's apple. I have a doctor's appointment on July 28. I'm sure this is nothing but a sore throat, but given my throat history, well some prayers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance :)

I could need some prayers.

Last month I was a bit in a buying rush and bought myself a few games. Now I don't have much money left. It isn't that bad, I have enough for myself still, but my mother has turned this in a big issue. She said she's utterly disappointed in me, and today has cried much and told me stuff like once she loved me so much she would have died for me. My dad is being reasonable and I just promised not to buy myself anymore computer games until I have someting leftover at the end of the month.

I can handle being reasoned with, even when things get tough, but I have severe problems handling my mother when she accuses me and cries and tries to make me feel guilty. I've always thought it's my freedom and all that, that I have my own life even when I live with my family.

So I'm in a bit of a predicament. Basically what's happening is that family time is interfering with my church time. Before summer hit, I would attend church every Sunday and every Wednesday night, two days of the week that I thoroughly enjoyed. While my family are all 'church-goers', I'd have to say that I'm the most avid attender of the bunch; missing church for me is a very sad thing. Well, as summer came, things started happening within my family (vacations, camping trips, weekend trips, etc.) that slowly started dragging me away from church. In fact, I haven't been in weeks and was incredibly excited for this Wednesday night, but as it turns out, yesterday my family scheduled a trip to go visit my aunt and uncle who we do not see that often. I argued my bit of not having attended church in what seemed like forever, and they actually looked down on me for wanting to skip out on the family doings. I usually wouldn't do something like that, but our summer has literally been filled with family doings and hardly any church events.

Any advice, friends? I have been trying to keep up with personal devotions because of the lack of church life, but it seems that is my downfall; church is sometimes what motivated me in the past to keep my personal walk with Christ on a higher spiritual level, and now, as you can imagine, no church life = a declining walk.

I would love to have a solution for this, but I don't want to hurt anyone in the process (my family), nor do I want to compromise my relationship with Christ and the amount of time I spend with Him.

Thanks for any advice. Prayers would be helpful, too! :]