How to Build a Modern Church 101

[Eve]

Honestly? I think the Church is doing a good job. Why? because Christ is the Head of the Church and those who are truly touched, really are changed. I love the messages within Sermons and how they have fed my soul - especially over the past two years since I have been listening to Joyce, Joel and many others. I am not distracted by the negative elements much. It is obvious what is of God and what is not.

 

Locally, where I live Church membership has jumped by nearly 20% for adults and the same for clubs for children! This shocked me enormously when I read this in my local paper two weeks ago. Typically British people do not go to Church, lol. There are reports also of worldwide increases from reputable sources. I see this as a sign of the ages as Revelation speaks of there being an increase before all the **** starts to go down..

 

I went off my Church at around the time that Joel Osteen was getting big. I think my Pastor was overly influenced by the mega churches in America and the building changed location and got too big very quickly. This took away much of the community feel it had. The kids club was one of the most popular in the town and many many non christian children went there. It was a real event and I do believe that they could have kept to this smaller model and been ok. Since moving they now have progressed to having a child care business attached to the church instead of the clubs - which has gone well because of the reputation they had from the childrens club. Personally I felt that this was the message at a deeper level being given by The Holy Spirit at this time (to develop businesses) and is being lived out in different forms by different Christians. I hear the spirit and it is my understanding that He stays with us as we try different things and will step in if we veer too far off course.

 

Well, that is my life experience as a Christian - but I seem to be able to audibly hear these messages in supernatural form also. Hence, I do not fear change and think it is important to reach out and take risks. We are loved and protected by God.

 

All in all, on my journey I have found that it is about what you do when you find things lacking which counts and is what truly seperates us from 'the world'. I have been party to miracle upon miracle because I keep my eye on this and try not to get drawn into the bottomless pit of disregard. Well, I have found there to be a bottomless pit and many are quite comfortable there... too many in fact.

 

So, my mantra is that it is all about how we turn to God despite our differences. I would summarise by saying that I think they at my local Church have learned a lot in their reaching out and so have I. They have become very business like but so have I. We have been listening to the same spirit.

 

Right now I hear the spirit saying to step out of the world entirely. I am testing this spirit out because there is something 'secular' I would like to do as well as focusing on my idea to have a business which will also have a charitable aim, which will be to focus on Christian families.

 

So, overall I think that there is a phase where we want to focus on God and can see gaps but it is all about abiding in the spirit and not trying to make it entirely about our own voice. We are covered as we walk and should help out and pray for those who we see lacking within the family of Christ. Often we find that it is something lacking within ourselves which is the real issue, lol.

 

There is a lot of poor quality distraction around, as there always as been - but the key remains to surrender all things to God before stepping out. How we manage our finances is part and parcel of this process. All things become more clearer during prayer and I do pray for Pastors and their families. They go through a lot, what with having so much public attention on them.

 

.. but all in all .. we are a family and I pray for each as such. I am so excited that we are soon to see the eradication of the very roots of evil from the earth and God will be back full time. Finally.

 

 

Take care,

Eve x

Edited May 25, 2013 by Eve

[M30USA]

Eve, good post. But how do you measure "positive change"? You said the church is making such a change on the nation, but how do you measure that? Are we using worldly standards for the promotion and glorification of man, or are we using spiritual standards for the glory of God and his kingdom which, according to Scripture, is not of this world and is yet to be ushered in. I believe positive change would be to prepare people's hearts for the everlasting kingdom, rather than the worlds system which, according to 1 John 2:5, is passing away.

[M30USA]

My view of salvation is that it must be worked out with "fear and trembling". Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I personally read Scripture, I get the impression of God's redeemed as finishing the race exasperated, barely squeezed by, squeezing through the "narrow gate" with every ounce of energy. I do NOT get the impression of happy go lucky folk floating around and living in the worlds system with zero resistance. We are to "count the cost of discipleship", not count the blessings. We will receive crowns in heaven for what we LOST here for the sake of Christ, not for what we GAINED.

[M30USA]

Pureinheart, in answer to your post about me having deep wounds in the area of money, I'm not sure what to say. I have lived a life of criticism and odd looks by people for not pursuing money and status. I have even gotten comments that I should "use my intelligence" for something like a doctor or lawyer or higher status job. My ex wife's family often wondered why I didn't care about money. I have my job, I support my family, yet I have zero desire to engage in vain pursuits. So maybe that's why I come off as wounded in this area.

 

Plus, there's always the element of my Aspergers, where I tend to grasp onto a few select subjects and not see other things.

[Eve]

Eve, good post. But how do you measure "positive change"? You said the church is making such a change on the nation, but how do you measure that? Are we using worldly standards for the promotion and glorification of man, or are we using spiritual standards for the glory of God and his kingdom which, according to Scripture, is not of this world and is yet to be ushered in. I believe positive change would be to prepare people's hearts for the everlasting kingdom, rather than the worlds system which, according to 1 John 2:5, is passing away.

 

I can only speak about individuals and individual changes. I am not sure really that people move in terms of nation states. I don't think this is really true. From what I have seen, mostly those who have nationalistic tendencies tend to want to promote cultural views more than Godly views. So, the real God given changes are not really mine to state, it is more personal than that.. kind of like a eureka moment but which stays in the soul and has a God given purpose. The key factor being the way how the person hears becomes changed. Faith is in the hearing.

 

I have struggled at times with the idea of whether I was promoting man made ideals within my job. I knew God was with me strongly during my time at work and I did impact many people - but within two weeks they were back to their negative ways, unchanged. I don't want to do that anymore. Although I would love to set up a better system for victims of rape. Currently they can't have counselling until their case has been heard in Court and this is a hard thing to see happen to often very distressed people.

 

So, the preparing of peoples hearts I see as depending really on how much the person is willing to actually listen, struggle with and pray about things. I do not think the doorway to understanding is a human one. It is opened internally by God, via the heart. I think it also depends on our proximity to the major and the minor prophets. Some people do not take any notice of any of the prophets and so I don't think their hearts function properly. BTW, I was reading the other day that the heart has been found to send messages to the brain and does not automatically respond to prompts from the brain.. the heart of man is the key.

 

It is not always done in words either. Actions count so much more.

 

I try to be positive though because many people do respond to prompts by The Holy Spirit probably more than they themselves realise.

 

In total I think this is a kind of frustration we maybe all feel at some level. I remember this feeling before I accepted Christ! It's what we do when we are there which counts. For me I have really prayed that my head knowledge become actions. I started off with simple things such as asking God to help me with my cooking, to helping me select the big questions for me to learn about, such as asking God, who I am and asking him why he loves me. God is willing to take us on journeys and sermons are supposed to really reflect the spirit of the journeys we are all on. Hence, I have found that we have set lessons that are being taught by the spirit. At the same time the devil is holding school too and teaching distracting messages.

 

So there is plenty of food here and the teachers are teaching. It is for us to make sure we ask very specific questions of God and listen. Asking for a calling to a vocation is good because that way we can focus yet more on a specific thing but I do believe we can share in appreciations also.. that is a pathway to God. Wisdom is a real spirit. Not sure if she is seperate from The Holy Spirit or part of The Holy Spirit .. h'mm.

 

So, I am not too hard on the Church as the true message is being taught.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[pureinheart]

Pureinheart, in answer to your post about me having deep wounds in the area of money, I'm not sure what to say. I have lived a life of criticism and odd looks by people for not pursuing money and status. I have even gotten comments that I should "use my intelligence" for something like a doctor or lawyer or higher status job. My ex wife's family often wondered why I didn't care about money. I have my job, I support my family, yet I have zero desire to engage in vain pursuits. So maybe that's why I come off as wounded in this area.

 

Plus, there's always the element of my Aspergers, where I tend to grasp onto a few select subjects and not see other things.

 

M30, I'm not sure what to say either, I'm in shock (not kidding) and felt it was best to try to not be so angry online. The first thoughts can not be put on open forum, or even a pm. I cuss a lot when mad. Ok will try to bridle my tongue.

 

How can anyone be this insensitive. I can understand another asking you, given your intelligence levels, "why" especially if they don't know you well, but it didn't take many of your posts to figure out that you choose to live in the manor that you are. Let me clarify the last sentance. Rather than spending time in pursuit of these admirable careers (which IS time consuming AND stressful), you chose to focus your energies and time with God, wife, kids, work, and home maintenance. This IS the correct chain of command per se, priorities.

 

This is the translation that I would have heard (and did, but not due to high intelligence levels). "what's wrong with you?", "you're not good enough", "how stupid can you be?".

 

I internalised things people said also, but had a mouth on me, and if they caught me on a bad day with that sort of insensitivity, my comment was- go screw yourself (with much more colorful language of course), and because of this, those that knew me, murmered behind my back- but I could feel it.

 

This makes a great deal of sense, and thank you for opening up on such a hurtful area. It takes a lot of courage (which is much more admirable than any job IMO).

 

These comments were made by people who knew "they could". They knew you enough to know your level of self control...my dad was the same way. Intelligence usually breeds self control and they took advantage of that. My step mother did with my dad. I remember when my dad was a union rep shortly before going into upper management- someone was arguing with him. One of the upper managers said to the guy who was arguing with my dad- "hey, I overheard you arguing with <insert my dads last name>...you know you'll loose right? He's never wrong". This statement wasn't made as a cut down...my dad was never wrong...like you, if he didn't know (which was rare), he said nothing. You remind me a lot of my dad- I miss my dad.

 

I can understand why this issue is such a concern to you, you have justifiable cause.

 

My suggestion, and it's only a suggestion based on my own personal experience with trauma, all sorts of trauma, is to go before the Throne to see if any of this has shaped you in a negative way, certain feelings concerning people and money. In fact I need to do this.

 

I consider this quite serious, as we speak life or death with the tongue- this is what happened to you.

 

I curse at the root any unclean thing spoken to you or over you and command it to fall to the ground and die and speak healing over your mind, heart, body and soul. I speak life and life more abundant in Jesus name, amen.

 

There could have been a transference of a critical spirit due to this- I say this because I've been there, and still have to fight a critical spirit- I walked in it for a very long time.

Edited May 26, 2013 by pureinheart

[TheFinalWord]

Pureinheart, in answer to your post about me having deep wounds in the area of money, I'm not sure what to say. I have lived a life of criticism and odd looks by people for not pursuing money and status. I have even gotten comments that I should "use my intelligence" for something like a doctor or lawyer or higher status job. My ex wife's family often wondered why I didn't care about money. I have my job, I support my family, yet I have zero desire to engage in vain pursuits. So maybe that's why I come off as wounded in this area.

 

Plus, there's always the element of my Aspergers, where I tend to grasp onto a few select subjects and not see other things.

 

I agree, the love of money is the root of all evil. Money is just a tool; if we recognize every good gift comes from God, it won't be a pre-occupation in life. It's not for me. My pre-occupation is my ministry. Provision seems to come with it. Here's the thing though, there has been more than one time that people have planted seeds of doubt in my vision. That's where John 7:3-8 became my meditation. When people would try to sway me, I stopped arguing and just said "okay thanks". I kept between me and God and sometimes that is best

 

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”

 

I know God has a plan for you M30 Just a matter of time. You have a lot of talents and gifts.

 

The Visual Bible - Gospel of John - YouTube

[pureinheart]

I agree, the love of money is the root of all evil. Money is just a tool; if we recognize every good gift comes from God, it won't be a pre-occupation in life. It's not for me. My pre-occupation is my ministry. Provision seems to come with it. Here's the thing though, there has been more than one time that people have planted seeds of doubt in my vision. That's where John 7:3-8 became my meditation. When people would try to sway me, I stopped arguing and just said "okay thanks". I kept between me and God and sometimes that is best

 

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”

 

I know God has a plan for you M30 Just a matter of time. You have a lot of talents and gifts.

 

The Visual Bible - Gospel of John - YouTube

 

TFW, is that messed up or what! (concerning M30/critisim)

[M30USA]

I agree, the love of money is the root of all evil. Money is just a tool; if we recognize every good gift comes from God, it won't be a pre-occupation in life. It's not for me. My pre-occupation is my ministry. Provision seems to come with it. Here's the thing though, there has been more than one time that people have planted seeds of doubt in my vision. That's where John 7:3-8 became my meditation. When people would try to sway me, I stopped arguing and just said "okay thanks". I kept between me and God and sometimes that is best

 

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”

 

I know God has a plan for you M30 Just a matter of time. You have a lot of talents and gifts.

 

The Visual Bible - Gospel of John - YouTube

 

Thanks, TFW. I just better watch out or I'll get myself killed with my radical views, lol. Seriously...sometimes I get worried by how at-odds my spirit is with the world and its system. As much as I believe it's a blessing, I have found myself on more than one occasion crying its to God WHY have you made me to have such discernment to the point where I'm so troubled by it.

 

One Christian who I feel like I can relate to is the 70s/80s musician, Keith Green. He was so passionate about putting God first that he got many of his personal friends and family frustrated with him. In a recent documentary of him called "The Keith Green Story", one of his good friends recalls with sadness how Keith was so pushy and uncompromising when it came to God. His friend basically said, "Look Keith we're all trying. We can't always live that way. We are doing our best." There was a little bit of a tear in his eye because Keith is dead now, he was killed in a plan crash a while ago, and his frend recalls all these talks with a love for Keith and yet a frustration that Keith was so charged for God that he didn't understand how people could compromise. Keith would write about his agonizing life where he so badly wanted to please God and walk in the spirit yet he routinely found himself unable. Sometimes I think God took him away because he had reached a level where he was ready to go. I really believe that. It was time for him to go.

 

Here is the full documentary "The Keith Green Story":

Edited May 26, 2013 by M30USA

[skydiveaddict]

WHY have you made me to have such discernment to the point where I'm so troubled by it.

 

No offense, but your "discernment" of alien super humans cruising around the universe in space ships is not discernment. It's just the non-sense of Scientology.

[M30USA]

No offense, but your "discernment" of alien super humans cruising around the universe in space ships is not discernment. It's just the non-sense of Scientology.

 

Sorry but you are incorrect. Aliens are not real. Angels are. Go take your little green men and 1950s sci-fi spaceship imagery somewhere else. I've never once said such a thing.

[skydiveaddict]

Sorry but you are incorrect. Aliens are not real. Angels are. Go take your little green men and 1950s sci-fi spaceship imagery somewhere else. I've never once said such a thing.

 

Yea sure. And these angels cruise around in ufo's right? .

 

All anyone needs to do is read any of your posts concerning this topic and it is clear. Why do you Scientologists persist with this silly charade?

[M30USA]

Yea sure. And these angels cruise around in ufo's right? .

 

All anyone needs to do is read any of your posts concerning this topic and it is clear. Why do you Scientologists persist with this silly charade?

 

Define UFO. I've always said that saying they are "ships" is an assumption. What I HAVE said is they are real. I have never claimed to know what their function is. Copy?

[skydiveaddict]

Define UFO. I've always said that saying they are "ships" is an assumption. What I HAVE said is they are real.

 

lol. Enough said. Do you always give yourself this much rope to hang yourself with?

[M30USA]

lol. Enough said. Do you always give yourself this much rope to hang yourself with?

 

Enough rope to draw the line for threadjackers.

 

I will no longer discuss UFOs with a dabbler who has probably spent less than 3 hours researching the subject in his life. I'm making a self improvement in my life and saving my breath and energy. Peace.

[skydiveaddict]

Enough rope to draw the line for threadjackers.

 

Threadjack? I was just asking you to substantiate your divine "discernment."

 

I will no longer discuss UFOs with a dabbler who has probably spent less than 3 hours researching the subject in his life.

 

Then perhaps you could direct me to a university where I could study the science of ufology. I'm guessing there isn't a single one.

 

Or should I just find my nearest accredited Scientology research institute?

Edited May 26, 2013 by skydiveaddict

[pureinheart]

Thanks, TFW. I just better watch out or I'll get myself killed with my radical views, lol. Seriously...sometimes I get worried by how at-odds my spirit is with the world and its system. As much as I believe it's a blessing, I have found myself on more than one occasion crying its to God WHY have you made me to have such discernment to the point where I'm so troubled by it.

 

One Christian who I feel like I can relate to is the 70s/80s musician, Keith Green. He was so passionate about putting God first that he got many of his personal friends and family frustrated with him. In a recent documentary of him called "The Keith Green Story", one of his good friends recalls with sadness how Keith was so pushy and uncompromising when it came to God. His friend basically said, "Look Keith we're all trying. We can't always live that way. We are doing our best." There was a little bit of a tear in his eye because Keith is dead now, he was killed in a plan crash a while ago, and his frend recalls all these talks with a love for Keith and yet a frustration that Keith was so charged for God that he didn't understand how people could compromise. Keith would write about his agonizing life where he so badly wanted to please God and walk in the spirit yet he routinely found himself unable. Sometimes I think God took him away because he had reached a level where he was ready to go. I really believe that. It was time for him to go.

 

Here is the full documentary "The Keith Green Story":

 

Ya, you and me both...mine is more of a political nature. I finally had to reconcile myself to the fact that I can't change anything. I can voice my version of the truth and then have to let it go and let God do the rest- if hearts are going to change, He will have to do it.

 

This is SOOOOO hard to do. The best thing one can do is pray.

 

I love KG...

 

I didn't read the doc yet, but will- in your description, he sounds quite tormented with perfection.

[pureinheart]

Yea sure. And these angels cruise around in ufo's right? .

 

All anyone needs to do is read any of your posts concerning this topic and it is clear. Why do you Scientologists persist with this silly charade?

 

Hey SDA!

 

It's my understanding that the "UFO's" M30 speaks of are Angels ...the world calls them UFO's and I think he uses the term UFO for the purpose of those who understand them as such, to talk on their terms in their understanding and language...he's always made it clear what he means by it though.

 

I'm not sure if you've had a chance to read this entire thread- I don't all of the time with some threads, but M30 is covering some critical ground in a healing process, which is evidenced in page 3 (?).

 

Apologies, I'm feeling a bit protective over him right now, and don't mean to insert myself in a negative way here. Actually, he might need a hug from all of his Brothers and Sisters right now.

 

Hey, I love ya SDA ((((((((((group hugs))))))))))

[pureinheart]

Honestly? I think the Church is doing a good job. Why? because Christ is the Head of the Church and those who are truly touched, really are changed. I love the messages within Sermons and how they have fed my soul - especially over the past two years since I have been listening to Joyce, Joel and many others. I am not distracted by the negative elements much. It is obvious what is of God and what is not.

 

Locally, where I live Church membership has jumped by nearly 20% for adults and the same for clubs for children! This shocked me enormously when I read this in my local paper two weeks ago. Typically British people do not go to Church, lol. There are reports also of worldwide increases from reputable sources. I see this as a sign of the ages as Revelation speaks of there being an increase before all the **** starts to go down..

 

 

 

Take care,

Eve x

 

Eve, your post touched me greatly. Having walked in a critical spirit for so long, yet trying deparately to escape it, it's difficult due to the great division taking place in the US right now.

 

I walk in the stores and smile at people and get nothing but dirty looks- it's weird...so thank you for shifting me in the right direction:)

 

I am a firm believer that just before Jesus cracks the clouds (Rapture) there will be a revival that will take place unlike the world has ever seen. It just falls in line with how God does things- in big ways you know.

 

Could the mega churches be the catalyst for such a revival? Granted there are leaders with wrong hearts in certain areas, but since when has that ever stopped God from using anyone or anything to accomplish His purpose?

 

I've been hearing of the revivals already in the ME and Europe...oh and am also hearing of Russia and China.

 

Eve, it's so easy for me to get caught up in world affairs and the politics of all of it that I loose sight and become discouraged because things aren't perfect, and also fail to see what God is actually doing. Hasn't He always turned everything to His glory?

 

You know, there was a point that my rose colored glasses had to come off and it was devastating, but they're off now- so it's ok, and it's ok to be ok.

 

Having always known that if another persons heart isn't right, that's on them and would like to put this out there- the gifts are without repentance, meaning a person even in severe sin can still operate in their giftings and be used by God.

 

Eve, I'm trying to figure this stuff out and want to be in Gods perfect will (but know I'm not perfect)...seriously, I need to chill and let God be God, and quit trying to figure everything out (exploring possibilities isn't bad though), quit tripping because this is not my world, it's Gods problem, this is not our residency...it isn't even our actual birthplace!

 

Love ya girl, and thank you! :laugh::laugh:

[skydiveaddict]

I'm not sure if you've had a chance to read this entire thread- I don't all of the time with some threads,

 

I did.

 

but M30 is covering some critical ground in a healing process, which is evidenced in page 3 (?).

 

Fair enough PIH. But this "ufo's are angels from heaven" stuff is nothing but Scientology nonsense; healing process or not. We're not doing him any favors by indulging his fantasies about this, regardless of any healing process he might be going through. If anything, it will destroy his healing process. I agree it might "feel" nice for him but it is hardly the christian thing to do.

[Eve]

Could the mega churches be the catalyst for such a revival? Granted there are leaders with wrong hearts in certain areas, but since when has that ever stopped God from using anyone or anything to accomplish His purpose?

 

I've been hearing of the revivals already in the ME and Europe...oh and am also hearing of Russia and China.

 

Eve, it's so easy for me to get caught up in world affairs and the politics of all of it that I loose sight and become discouraged because things aren't perfect, and also fail to see what God is actually doing. Hasn't He always turned everything to His glory?

 

Love ya girl, and thank you! :laugh::laugh:

 

Hey girl I don't know about the mega church thing. I don't even like overly large supermarkets so don't know what to say. The Pastor at my church seemed to think it was the way to go - just before the big economic crash a few years back. He and the elders believed very strongly that there would be a revival and have been helpful during this time towards the congregation, aiding them to start businesses of their own in order to leave secular working environments. Funny when you look at the state of the workforce now.

 

.. I have mused that maybe the dismantling that is going on here in the UK within the civil service, the NHS and not to mention a strange state of malaise that is around has hit a lot of people very badly. In my mind this could be one reason why there has been such a stark rise in Church attendance. According to the news article I was reading in my local paper, the rise in attendance at services during Christmas 2012 was completely unexpected, with just less than 500.000 new attendees and the figures have continued to grow since this time. They did not convert that figure into a statistic, only a general statistical rise of nearly 20% since Christmas. I think they worked it out but dared not print it as it would be too high. Our County is not a big at all with a lot of rural villages, so this figure would be MASSIVE.

 

The Churches where I live focus a lot on serving others and are very united, so community action is the primary focus above evangelising... so this is all quite remarkable. I think people want to have a sense of community again and feel attacked by the government. Even our conservative politician is calling bs on much of the present political happenings. In this respect I can see that many people who are pretty sensible are searching. Is this for Gods call? I hope so. So that is what is going on where I live - but I never thought I would hear off so many people going to Church all over Europe etc, lol.

 

So, interesting times. What it all means, I am not sure. I have mused that maybe this really is the end times proper as prayer now feels different and the answers come so much quicker than previously.

 

Still, I keep my fickle sensors afloat lest I become too self consumed, lol.

 

There seems to be a lot more suffering going on also, more than I can take in.

 

Critical spirit? I don't think there is a satisfactory answer aside from turning faith into action and steady peace. The other side is to be aware of preoccupations, which conflicts whether emotional or physical can bring about. The primary victims are often ones children if we are not careful, so we must be mindful of how we seek and find our answers. Same as with all things but more trecherously so within the faith.

 

Overall, I can take or leave Church but this is more to do with my loner nature than the actual Church settings. Familiarity breeds contempt I always seem to find. Plus people can try and latch onto me because I have a caring aura around me and this has been too much often due to similar responsiblities at work and home.. but will attend when called to.

 

So, TV ministries have worked well for me in the past couple of years in this respect and I have felt greatly supported by key Ministers during this time.

 

 

Take care,

Eve x

Edited May 26, 2013 by Eve

[pureinheart]

Hey girl I don't know about the mega church thing. I don't even like overly large supermarkets so don't know what to say. The Pastor at my church seemed to think it was the way to go - just before the big economic crash a few years back. He and the elders believed very strongly that there would be a revival and have been helpful during this time towards the congregation, aiding them to start businesses of their own in order to leave secular working environments. Funny when you look at the state of the workforce now.

 

 

There seems to be a lot more suffering going on also, more than I can take in.

 

Critical spirit? I don't think there is a satisfactory answer aside from turning faith into action and steady peace. The other side is to be aware of preoccupations, which conflicts whether emotional or physical can bring about. The primary victims are often ones children if we are not careful, so we must be mindful of how we seek and find our answers. Same as with all things but more trecherously so within the faith.

 

Overall, I can take or leave Church but this is more to do with my loner nature than the actual Church settings. Familiarity breeds contempt I always seem to find. Plus people can try and latch onto me because I have a caring aura around me and this has been too much often due to similar responsiblities at work and home.. but will attend when called to.

 

So, TV ministries have worked well for me in the past couple of years in this respect and I have felt greatly supported by key Ministers during this time.

 

 

Take care,

Eve x

 

Ok, a bit of a rant. I faced many difficulties within the organised church, and have communicated most of the issues, except for the main one. Don't really know how to put this- there were times my anointing was like in full force. Many churches that I attended during times of being single turned me off for the simple fact that I'd see the ladies latching on to their mates for fear of them seeing another female. While I understand their fears (BTDT), I just don't want to get caught up in that mess- jealousy was rampant. I just wanted to shake them saying- look, if your man is checking out other women then you'd better love it or leave it.

 

Seriously I can't handle the drama and like you feel most everything- especially heartache and hardship from others and haven't learned how to release it yet. Being a loner and people person, this is quite the dilemma. I love large gatherings, but in a "party" type atmosphere. Like when Joel Osteen comes to town- wow there's nothing like the combinations and concentration of anointings that gets me so caught up in the Spirit. I hate stores, unless they are not crowded because there is confusion in those settings.

 

This brings to mind my Godmother, who loved to go to church, although sure enough after about 2 or 3 weeks, she'd call me crying or very mad concerning what this one or that one did to her. I knew she hadn't fabricated anything because the same had happened to me. The biggest area of attack was Pastors wives. I remember getting dirty looks from them a lot. One time I was laying hands on a young girl, the Lord had a word of knowledge for her- it was right on the money BTW. The Pastors wife and her friends gave me dirty looks, like "I" was stepping on their territory.

 

It was shortly after that incident that I too used tv ministry for feeding and nurturing. It has been quite effective. God maintains fellowship through other means like online, a few friends and family.

 

I can't handle much of the secular world either, that is actually where the "latching" (lol) took place due to an upbeat personality. Being a "giver" in this day and age doesn't help in certain settings either- I found with the lack of the ability to say no drained me and my resources. That's my fault though.

 

In the workplace, and this will sound like a victim mentality, although with bullies, I was a definite target. I found with bullies in particular, and bullies usually have quite the following of people, the only thing most understood was retaliation. At this point they either back down or grow more infuriated. In my last bout with them in a sense they "won" as I had had too many years of the mess- but God made a way:D.

 

There was a definite shift concerning workplace "issues" in the mid 90's.

[pureinheart]

I did.

 

 

 

Fair enough PIH. But this "ufo's are angels from heaven" stuff is nothing but Scientology nonsense; healing process or not. We're not doing him any favors by indulging his fantasies about this, regardless of any healing process he might be going through. If anything, it will destroy his healing process. I agree it might "feel" nice for him but it is hardly the christian thing to do.

 

LOL, I love the term "fair enough" ...my exbf used that term frequently and it reminds me of him...man, that guy was soooo intelligent, and he could express himself so well.

 

I don't quite understand SDA, do you believe the spiritual realm to be heresy?

 

Scientology is a religion and I don't believe they believe that Jesus is God, which would disqualify M30.

 

Now being a scientist is different and bringing the correlation of what the world believes as UFO's and what is actually the angelic realm is beyond cool and answers many questions.

 

The Book of Ezekiel speaks often of things considered UFO's and I think Revelation does too...thinking there are many more, but these are the ones I can think of off hand.

 

SDA, couldn't this be a very real theory? IDK, being involved n the space program opened me up to so many possiblities spiritually...especially in the R and D area...wow, seriously, it was truly fascinating!

[pie2]

One Christian who I feel like I can relate to is the 70s/80s musician, Keith Green. He was so passionate about putting God first that he got many of his personal friends and family frustrated with him. In a recent documentary of him called "The Keith Green Story", one of his good friends recalls with sadness how Keith was so pushy and uncompromising when it came to God. His friend basically said, "Look Keith we're all trying. We can't always live that way. We are doing our best." There was a little bit of a tear in his eye because Keith is dead now, he was killed in a plan crash a while ago, and his frend recalls all these talks with a love for Keith and yet a frustration that Keith was so charged for God that he didn't understand how people could compromise. Keith would write about his agonizing life where he so badly wanted to please God and walk in the spirit yet he routinely found himself unable. Sometimes I think God took him away because he had reached a level where he was ready to go. I really believe that. It was time for him to go.

 

Here is the full documentary "The Keith Green Story":

 

It's strange how we define "being on fire for God". It's changed for me, as I grow. Some people have an intense passion, and it comes out with exuberance. Others seem to have a steady, quiet passion. I imagine that no matter what type of passion you have for God, it serves a purpose, and helps define and fulfill the vast community of believers.

 

The way you've described Keith Green's legacy seems somewhat sad. I admire his headstrong desire to be his best for God, and how he wanted everyone else to want the same. I get sad at the thought that maybe he didn't learn to really understand the perspective of those around him, and denied that he was a lost sinner, just like every other brother and sister, friend and enemy.

 

I wonder what your legacy will be M30? TFW mentioned some of your amazing traits, which I completely agree with. You also have a lot of persistence and I can see how you're intensely passionate for what you believe in. I just wonder what you think about the divisive nature Keith had in how he sometimes approached others?

 

Jesus was definitely divisive in many ways. But Jesus wanted to separate good from evil, in a highly spiritual sense. He didn't shy away from or endlessly persecute those who fall short of perfection.

 

Not sure what your thoughts are on this, M30. I know the anguish of not understanding God's plan for my life, which you say you've experienced as well. I'm sorry for your pain, and I send you a little ((hug))...though I know with "your Asperger's", you probably don't really want one, lol .

[pie2]

IDK, being involved n the space program opened me up to so many possiblities spiritually...especially in the R and D area...wow, seriously, it was truly fascinating!

 

I'm so curious about your time in the space program, pih. It sounds amazing!! . Not sure if you're able to share, but what are some of the spiritual possibilities that you were exposed to there? Any great memories you're able to tell us here?

 

If not, no problem . I bet it was interesting .