ABrokenWing Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Speakng of it, some of them did kinda come up to me while to sy hi whilest I was doing my gcse's. But I'm sure why this one's different. They're nice when you first meet them, but when you're alone they just ignore you. doesn't sound very "Christian Like" of them, andysw. Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 doesn't sound very "Christian Like" of them, andysw. That's what I thought. Some of them only come to church to socialise with friends, not to learn about the bible. Link to post Share on other sites
ABrokenWing Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 That's what I thought. Some of them only come to church to socialise with friends, not to learn about the bible. Personally, I feel if you are at peace with God, it's not a huge deal where you give Him His praises. It doesn't have to be in a church. Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 Personally, I feel if you are at peace with God, it's not a huge deal where you give Him His praises. It doesn't have to be in a church. So basically every sunday you can be your own church? Link to post Share on other sites
ABrokenWing Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 So basically every sunday you can be your own church? How about every day you can be your own church? You don't need a church to talk to God, (IMO of course) I think some ppl lose sight of that and think as long as they show up on Sunday's for their hour with God, they are good to go. Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 How about every day you can be your own church? You don't need a church to talk to God, (IMO of course) I think some ppl lose sight of that and think as long as they show up on Sunday's for their hour with God, they are good to go. Wait, so, you don't always need to go to a church to praise him, and you can be your own church by spending an hour staying home and read the bible? Link to post Share on other sites
ABrokenWing Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 Wait, so, you don't always need to go to a church to praise him, and you can be your own church by spending an hour staying home and read the bible? I really don't think there should be a time restaint on spending time with God. Let me put it this way, I consider myself a Christian. I read spiritual books and readings ( not the Bible ) I feel like I have a alright relationship with God. Would it be better by going to church? I don't know, perhaps. I just didn't like the way my own church did things, and some the things the religion I grew up with do things, so I do my own thing. I go to church on Easter and Christmas, and for other special things, but the rest of the time I thank God for his praises from wherever I am at, my bed, in my car, at my desk, on the comp, etc. I hope that makes sense? Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted December 2, 2007 Author Share Posted December 2, 2007 I really don't think there should be a time restaint on spending time with God. Let me put it this way, I consider myself a Christian. I read spiritual books and readings ( not the Bible ) I feel like I have a alright relationship with God. Would it be better by going to church? I don't know, perhaps. I just didn't like the way my own church did things, and some the things the religion I grew up with do things, so I do my own thing. I go to church on Easter and Christmas, and for other special things, but the rest of the time I thank God for his praises from wherever I am at, my bed, in my car, at my desk, on the comp, etc. I hope that makes sense? I take it as you don't go some place else but your home(?) and read the bible or watch church programmes on tv, am I correct? Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share Posted December 3, 2007 No you don't have to go to church to praise him. But he would like for us to fellowship with others. Maybe a bible study group in your home. But sometimes you need to hear the word. With others? I asked a friend via msn if he would like to attend to a bible studying class witbh me some day, and he said that he doesn't want to get involved in anything religious. I don't really know how I can cope going to a bible class by myself with people who you're unfamiliar with, cus I have a this particular issue/problem in making new friends/aquaintances independantly. Every time when I try to make new friends I end up failing miserably. Link to post Share on other sites
ABrokenWing Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I take it as you don't go some place else but your home(?) and read the bible or watch church programmes on tv, am I correct? I go to church a handful times a year. I pray daily. I don't read the Bible as I should. (though I have tried, I just find it to be confusing ) and no, I don't watch church programs on tv, but will watch religious based movies and shows. Why do you ask? Link to post Share on other sites
Geishawhelk Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 ..... cus I have a this particular issue/problem in making new friends/aquaintances independantly. Every time when I try to make new friends I end up failing miserably. This is now probably a vicious circle, Andy....It's possible you are mentally setting yourself up to fail....You might decide to face the storm, push your shoulders back and think 'bring it on' but in fact, the inner insecurity and doubt is still rampant and it actually makes you believe it's not gonna work. It's also a question, therefore, of what 'Energy' you are transmitting to people. I'm not trying to either imply or suggest it's 'all your fault', but until we can appraise ourselves and decide to boost our own self-esteem by accepting the package, celebrating and applauding it, and shining our uniqueness out for others to enjoy - then we can't expect others to do it for us, or to rejoice on our behalf. BTW, don't get me started on Christian groups. No really, don't. *shudder*.... Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted December 19, 2007 Author Share Posted December 19, 2007 I told my mom weeks ago about my issues with the church. I think they got the idea of my unhappiness with this church. I'm still unsure if my parents let me stop going to that church for good. But I won't count that confessing my problems would let me off the hook. Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted December 30, 2007 Author Share Posted December 30, 2007 Just today, my mom told me that I must go to church no matter what in order to receive from God. I was told that going to church to have God's will is the equavalent of going to a kitchen to have food. Told my parents that it's not the fact that I don't want to go to church, it's because that I'm not happy going to "that" church. What are your thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites
HokeyReligions Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Since the beginning of september I started college and I thought I needed more time with my college work, which was why I began to miss church services to do my work to for achieving the highest grade I could get. It's been two months now and just last sunday I went back to church with my parents. When I went in, I was never noticed or whether I was welcomed, and the people I knew for a long time neglected me, as if they didn't acknowledge my existance. At the end of church service, every one just ignored me, and I was quiet all the way through until I left the building. It was the first time that I felt bad about this since my last couple of visits during summer. So, should I be ashamed about this? This may not seem like a clear and vague statement, but I just wanted to go straight to the point. So, if you want more background information feel free to ask. It was rude of others not to say anything, but I wonder what it was that made you think you had to make the first move? Your parents have probably told friends there that you are in college and I'll bet some of those folks had asked about you and how you are doing/liking school on the Sunday's you missed. Maybe if you were so quiet others thought you didn't want to talk? Next time you go to church, go up to some of the folks and say "Hey - didja miss me?!" and start the conversation yourself. There is no excuse for rudeness, but maybe an explanation is that everyone is so wrapped up in their own lives and obligations around the holidays that they didn't think to say hello. Link to post Share on other sites
HokeyReligions Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 I don't mean to be so blunt......but yes. You should be ashamed of yourself. Going to Church to be noticed or to get attention shouldn't be your motivation at all..... Moose, Moose, Moose - you of all people should know about fellowship! I don't think she wanted to be 'noticed' but she wanted to know that she had been missed from the fellowship! Church is a support structure too, isn't that one of the things God wants us to have? To support each other and grow in fellowship? To not have that feels like rejection and is a poor reflection on the church members. :) Link to post Share on other sites
Moose Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Moose, Moose, Moose - you of all people should know about fellowship! I don't think she wanted to be 'noticed' but she wanted to know that she had been missed from the fellowship!Fellowship with God doesn't involve people. It involves the individual and God only. If the motivation to worship God is first and foremost the reason one attends Church services, you'll be noticed and accepted into the fellowship whether you want to be or not. The OP has had issues with this particular Church, but who doesn't have or have had issues with the Church they attend right now? If they don't, then something is seriously wrong. But to do nothing about it is even worse. andysw, If you're living under your parent's house, and you're not considered an, "adult" you must do what they say. When you do come of age where you're able to legally make your own decisions, I trust you will make the right choices for yourself. Until then, know that God will never abandon you like you feel your Church has. Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted December 31, 2007 Author Share Posted December 31, 2007 Moose, Moose, Moose - you of all people should know about fellowship! I don't think she wanted to be 'noticed' but she wanted to know that she had been missed from the fellowship! Church is a support structure too, isn't that one of the things God wants us to have? To support each other and grow in fellowship? To not have that feels like rejection and is a poor reflection on the church members. :) Why are you referring me as a she? Is this some kind of joke? Link to post Share on other sites
Moose Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Why are you referring me as a she? Is this some kind of joke?No, I don't think she meant it as a joke. I'm sure she didn't mean any offense. Just a mistake...... Link to post Share on other sites
HokeyReligions Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Why are you referring me as a she? Is this some kind of joke? Sorry. My bad! I was trying to put myself in your place and how I might feel. Moose - I think we are just missing each other's understanding of the term. When I think of fellowship, I think of the Bible studies and the churches I have attended, where fellowship means human relationships together in worship of God. A church sanctioned and promoted sharing of fellow believers. I think I see what you are saying also - the relationship is between the person and God - one attends church to worship God and not to socialize or be seen. I agree with that too - I just think that worship can take place in a crowd or alone and that attending Church is to listen to the minister and be guided in one's own understanding - but to also share with others and hear others opinions and garner support and a sharing of beliefs and worship. Especially when one is young and our human desire for inclusion in something as important as how we each worship. I've been to churches where I did not feel welcomed and that gave a feeling of being farther away from God because Church is a social setting too and it's up to church members to also welcome and share. I've been to churches too where the members greet me as though I was a long-lost relative and they are so happy to see/meet me. That leads one to feel more emotionally secure and closer to God - or at least puts one at ease in their individual worship. That said, I don't think the OP should feel ashamed - I think that is sad that he would feel that way in his own church. People talk about peer pressure among students - but there is plenty of peer pressure in other situations too - such as Church. Especially for the young. Link to post Share on other sites
ABrokenWing Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Just today, my mom told me that I must go to church no matter what in order to receive from God. I was told that going to church to have God's will is the equavalent of going to a kitchen to have food. Told my parents that it's not the fact that I don't want to go to church, it's because that I'm not happy going to "that" church. What are your thoughts? Do you think God sends little children to hell who pass away if their parents didn't take them to church? That would be nonsense and so is finding God ONLY in church. Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share Posted January 5, 2008 Do you think God sends little children to hell who pass away if their parents didn't take them to church? That would be nonsense and so is finding God ONLY in church. That wasn't something that I was expecting from an opinion. I was asking that when you ask God for something in prayer (whether it's about asking for motivation, intelligence, confidence, knowledge, etc) you have to go to church to get it. Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share Posted January 5, 2008 Do you think God sends little children to hell who pass away if their parents didn't take them to church? That would be nonsense and so is finding God ONLY in church. Are you a christian? And do you go to a church? Link to post Share on other sites
Author andysw Posted January 7, 2008 Author Share Posted January 7, 2008 (edited) I could not believe it. Last saturday, I was told to go to church to see the Lord. My mom was at it again, trying to get me back to "that" church. It was such a bad night for me, as I started debating my mom about me having issues with the church. My mom reasoned that I "must see the Lord" and that I "haven't been to church for more than a month". I tried ending the argument by answering back "my reasons are stronger". Honestly, I said that just to end the argument and nothing else, as I can't further convince my mom about it. At that time I got so pissed cus I already explained and tried to convince why I didn't like going to that particular church many times before, and the looks of things my mom was very ignorant about it. It's true that I haven't been to church for a long time and I know that it's a sin, but there's not much point going to my parents' church anyways cus my heart won't be present. It's not church if you don't feel it in your heart. I know that all churches are the same (same belief, same people, same fellowship), but I feel that I need to find a church that suits me and that I could grow into the person God made me to be. At the moment I'm really confused. Was deciding on leaving my church for another church a sin? A betrayal? Why should I suffer my lonliness and ignorance at the end of the day? What does God want me to do? How can I receive God's answers if I can't go to church? What are your views and opinions (I need a real christian to answer this)? If you're not a christian nor does go to church, you're more than welcome to answer as well, but I won't take them into action. Edited January 7, 2008 by andysw Link to post Share on other sites
THE THRONE Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Was deciding on leaving my church for another church a sin? No. A betrayal? No. Why should I suffer my lonliness and ignorance at the end of the day? You shouldn't have to. What does God want me to do? He wants you to do two things. Love him with all your heart and love your fellow man as yourself. As far as your "spiritual walk" is concerned you should pray and ask him. How can I receive God's answers if I can't go to church? So you believe the only way to receive his answers is to go to church? What if no church existed for 10,000 miles? What if bibles and church were outlawed/banned? You pray to God and you llok for him instead of looking towards a building. Link to post Share on other sites
disgracian Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 It's true that I haven't been to church for a long time and I know that it's a sin It is? Where does it say that in the Bible? I know that all churches are the same (same belief, same people, same fellowship) Actually churches are very different. Different people, different denominations, different doctrines, different formats, styles, content, emphasis... At the moment I'm really confused. Was deciding on leaving my church for another church a sin? A betrayal? Only if your god is present at this one church and nowhere else. What does God want me to do? How can I receive God's answers if I can't go to church? Try asking him directly. A lot of Christians claim this works. Cheers, D. Link to post Share on other sites
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