winsomebulldog

Well, there's a lot to be said about spiritual discernment. I know it's something Christians are supposed to use and I fully believe it exists. However, I'm always a little bit leery of tying to explain God's motives behind every major event/disaster that happens. I hear that all the time from some of my fellow believers and it has always bothered me. I've lost count of the people I've heard who claimed 9/11 was punishment for America's growing rejection of God. Was it? I don't know. Perhaps that played a role in it and perhaps it wasn't punishment at all, but an event intended to draw people to God in a time of trouble. I certainly believe America has lost it's moral compass and is drifting further and further from God. And I believe that like all sin, there have been and will be consequences for this. But I'm not entirely ready to attribute such a horrific event to mere "punishment." And then there's Katrina. I've got friends who said right from the start that it was God's judgment on New Orleans because it was a "den of iniquity." I hear the same for earthquakes and floods and tornadoes and practically every other tragedy that occurs. I've had Christian friends that would click their tongue and shake their heads whenever anything remotely bad happened to other Christians and declare it was God punishing them for some sin in their life. Honestly, I cannot bring myself to be that judgmental. How is it that people can so easily forget Job? He did nothing wrong. He was not living a sinful, backslidden life. And what about Sodom and Gomorrah? God said the city would be spared if He found just 10 righteous people living within it. Were there not even 10 righteous people in New Orleans? I know there is consequence for sin, be it personal or national. The Bible teaches over and over that we reap what we sow. But it also teaches about the mercy and grace of God. He does not always give us the punishment we deserve. Shoot, He pretty much NEVER gives us the punishment we deserve considering "the wages of sin is death." I just believe that God's mind is so far beyond our understanding that we would be wise to stop constantly trying to read it. I've asked "why" more times than I can remember. Sometimes He gives me an answer and sometimes He doesn't. Ultimately, God is doing what He knows is best. While we, as Christians, should always be sensitive to His guidance and prodding, I also believe we too often rush in to claim understanding when we really have none. I won't declare any tragedy, be it personal or national, a punishment unless and until God Himself tells me as much. Instead, I'll just pray for His guidance and grace. Pray for the victims. And pray for those who so readily cast blame.

Saw this on my local news today. I'm not sure yet what I think of it. Cool or creepy? I have lost a lot of loved ones in my life and have often wondered about ways to memorialize all of them. I'm just not sure this would work for me, even if I could afford it! Make Diamonds From the Remains of Your Loved Ones

I saw this on the news today. Michelle Obama Grilled by Second Grader I'm not trying to be insensitive here. I believe education is important. However, I can't help but wonder why it is that a child whose parents are illegal is being educated by a public school system. I mean, I pay taxes to help fund our local public school and I don't have any children. I find that a little annoying, but hey, we all have to do our part, I suppose. But why on earth is it that a child (however deserving and sweet and innocent she may be) is being afforded the benefit of an education provided by the taxpayers when her own parents don't have to pay any taxes? How is this remotely fair? Why is her family getting a "free" ride on the education train while legal citizens are having to foot the bill? See, this is why illegal immigration is such a huge issue. I have total respect for those who come into this country legally. But I am sick and tired of illegal residents getting the exact same benefits of legal, taxpaying citizens. I know people are desperate for a better life for themselves and their children. But why are we continuing to reward them for breaking the law? Why is anyone who tries to regulate or quell the tide of illegal immigrants called racist and bigoted? This little girl in the report is adorable. Her fear that her mother might somehow be snatched up and shipped off breaks my heart. But none of that changes the fact that her mother is the one in the wrong. Her mother is the one who came sneaking across the border instead of legally applying for entrance into this nation. However much my heart goes out to that child, I am offended at her mother's blatant snubbing of our Immigration Laws and policies. I absolutely do not have sympathy for anyone who enters this country illegally and then whines that they should be given all the same rights and protections of legal citizens. Should they be open to abuse and harm. Of course not. They have human rights just like anyone else. But I do not believe they have CIVIL rights as true citizens do. Except they do, don't they? Without having to do a single thing to earn those rights or to help pay for the management of those rights, they are given them. Someone please explain to me how this is fair or justified.

Sorry, I'm just at the very idea of this. Not that I think it'll really happen, but I find the idea of all of LA sitting around in the dark wildly hilarious.

As to the original post and topic, I think it's very true that Bush would have been ripped to shreds by the MSM. And I assume that Nashville was virtually ignored by Obama because he thought the oil spill was a bigger issue. Whether that's true or not, it seems irrefutable that the MSM generally chooses not to ask any tough questions of Obama, either to the public in general or to his face. He's somehow given a pass on issues that would have riled them up into a frenzy in the past. But, I've gotten used to this where he's concerned and so am not at all surprised by it. What does bother me is that I have seen virtually no coverage of the Nashville flooding on the news. Being someone who was born in Tennessee and whose entire family is from there, this bothers me. I'd like to know why it hasn't gotten the attention that any other disaster would have gotten.

LOL considering your countless posts defending Obama.

Winsomebulldog has it right on the money. Everything Obama has done is obviously geared toward this. And everything he wants to do and is trying to get rushed thru before Nov., because I think he knows a lot of Dems are going to be shown their walking papers. Give a few examples please. Also explain how your examples show that Obama wants to be a dictator. I bet you can't. Seriously? Does the obscenely expensive health care bill ring any bells? And before you ask, the fact that he pushed that through despite the opposition of the majority of the American people (the ones he's supposed to be working for) proves that he thinks he has the right to ignore the wishes of his constituents (subjects?) and do whatever he wants to do. He's decided to force Americans to buy health insurance, whether they can afford it or not. When you take away the free will of the people you have a dictatorship on your hands. Since as a candidate he supported health care reform, and he was elected, why would he not think those that elected him would want health care reform. That is not dictatorship, that is doing what you said you would do during a campaign. It is telling that his approval rating went down when it appeared Health Care Reform would fail, but that since it has passed his ratings have been rising. Well, I suppose the polls would have been his first clue. Also, your approval rating info is a little off. Maybe you'd like to check it here or here or even here. Seems like a pretty steady decline to me. Especially overall. Approval gets lower, disapproval gets higher. Even if you start (as you suggested) at the passage of his health care bill, his ratings are not climbing consistently as you seem to claim. They are, in fact, virtually unchanged. Color it however you like, he flat out ignored what the majority of American people wanted when it came to health care. Health care reform is one thing. I doubt anyone with any sense at all would agree that the system is messy. But forcing everyone to - excuse me - forcing those who are gainfully employed to purchase health coverage is NOT what the American people wanted. That's why 56% of Americans still want the health care law to be repealed. see here He's still ignoring the majority of his constituents. You posted 3 sources. 2/3 show his ratings rising. Only Rasmussen disagrees of those 3. The following chart is from one of the links you provided. Notice even Fox News shows him having a 5 point rating increase. Poll Date Sample Approve Disapprove Spread RCP Average 5/4 - 5/17 -- 48.1 45.9 +2.2 Gallup 5/15 - 5/17 1547 A 46 46 Tie Rasmussen Reports 5/15 - 5/17 1500 LV 45 53 -8 Associated Press/GfK 5/7 - 5/11 1002 A 49 50 -1 NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl 5/6 - 5/10 1000 A 50 44 +6 Pew Research 5/6 - 5/9 994 A 47 42 +5 Ipsos/McClatchy 5/6 - 5/9 1016 A 52 43 +9 FOX News 5/4 - 5/5 900 RV 48 43 +5 You cannot be serious! This is a spread of what, a week? You claimed that his ratings were shooting up since he got the Health Reform Law passed. Take a few minutes and look again. His ratings are virtually identical to the place they were on the day the bill was passed! This is not rising. One point (which is the AVERAGE difference since then) is hardly worth mentioning. Take the AVERAGES over the past months and you'll see he's not going anywhere. Keep trying to make the facts say what you wish they said. It won't change the truth! You do know that this is a chart I got from your link, which you posted to show there was No rise in Obama's approval rating? You're getting really good at utterly avoiding the facts. I posted these links to prove that Obama's ratings weren't soaring upward after he forced through his TRILLION DOLLAR Health Care Reform Bill. You've managed to completely avoid the original point that you asked others to make, which was to prove by example that Obama wanted to be a dictator. When given an example of that you coughed up an argument about how it wasn't an example of him forcing his ideas and will on the nation and claimed as proof that he was becoming more and more popular AFTER the law was passed. And then, when it was pointed out to you that you're taking a week's worth of data and trying to suggest it applies to MONTHS of time, you again ignore the point being made. I assume that means you are unable to offer any serious argument to the example originally set forth. I also must assume that you are unwilling to look at the evidence rationally. You may not like it, but the facts are clear: The MAJORITY of Americans did not and still do not want Obama's grand Health Care Reform Law. In this country, the desire of the MAJORITY is supposed to be what guides our political leaders. Obama's blatant refusal to listen to the people who elected him proves that he doesn't actually care what they want or think. That, in my book, indicates that he likes the thought of having absolute power. And that is precisely what a dictator is. Now, enough with the avoiding the real issue. Please don't pretend that you're not intelligent enough to grasp the point I made with my links to the polls. His approval ratings go up and down (by virtually the same margins) from week to week and day to day. He has gained no significant ground since the bill was passed. As I said earlier (which you so conveniently ignored) one point here or there means nothing in the grand scheme of things. The point I made still stands. His approval ratings are not shooting upwards as you implied. They are, in fact, holding virtually steady.

Winsomebulldog has it right on the money. Everything Obama has done is obviously geared toward this. And everything he wants to do and is trying to get rushed thru before Nov., because I think he knows a lot of Dems are going to be shown their walking papers. Give a few examples please. Also explain how your examples show that Obama wants to be a dictator. I bet you can't. Seriously? Does the obscenely expensive health care bill ring any bells? And before you ask, the fact that he pushed that through despite the opposition of the majority of the American people (the ones he's supposed to be working for) proves that he thinks he has the right to ignore the wishes of his constituents (subjects?) and do whatever he wants to do. He's decided to force Americans to buy health insurance, whether they can afford it or not. When you take away the free will of the people you have a dictatorship on your hands. Since as a candidate he supported health care reform, and he was elected, why would he not think those that elected him would want health care reform. That is not dictatorship, that is doing what you said you would do during a campaign. It is telling that his approval rating went down when it appeared Health Care Reform would fail, but that since it has passed his ratings have been rising. Well, I suppose the polls would have been his first clue. Also, your approval rating info is a little off. Maybe you'd like to check it here or here or even here. Seems like a pretty steady decline to me. Especially overall. Approval gets lower, disapproval gets higher. Even if you start (as you suggested) at the passage of his health care bill, his ratings are not climbing consistently as you seem to claim. They are, in fact, virtually unchanged. Color it however you like, he flat out ignored what the majority of American people wanted when it came to health care. Health care reform is one thing. I doubt anyone with any sense at all would agree that the system is messy. But forcing everyone to - excuse me - forcing those who are gainfully employed to purchase health coverage is NOT what the American people wanted. That's why 56% of Americans still want the health care law to be repealed. see here He's still ignoring the majority of his constituents. You posted 3 sources. 2/3 show his ratings rising. Only Rasmussen disagrees of those 3. The following chart is from one of the links you provided. Notice even Fox News shows him having a 5 point rating increase. Poll Date Sample Approve Disapprove Spread RCP Average 5/4 - 5/17 -- 48.1 45.9 +2.2 Gallup 5/15 - 5/17 1547 A 46 46 Tie Rasmussen Reports 5/15 - 5/17 1500 LV 45 53 -8 Associated Press/GfK 5/7 - 5/11 1002 A 49 50 -1 NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl 5/6 - 5/10 1000 A 50 44 +6 Pew Research 5/6 - 5/9 994 A 47 42 +5 Ipsos/McClatchy 5/6 - 5/9 1016 A 52 43 +9 FOX News 5/4 - 5/5 900 RV 48 43 +5 You cannot be serious! This is a spread of what, a week? You claimed that his ratings were shooting up since he got the Health Reform Law passed. Take a few minutes and look again. His ratings are virtually identical to the place they were on the day the bill was passed! This is not rising. One point (which is the AVERAGE difference since then) is hardly worth mentioning. Take the AVERAGES over the past months and you'll see he's not going anywhere. Keep trying to make the facts say what you wish they said. It won't change the truth!

Winsomebulldog has it right on the money. Everything Obama has done is obviously geared toward this. And everything he wants to do and is trying to get rushed thru before Nov., because I think he knows a lot of Dems are going to be shown their walking papers. Give a few examples please. Also explain how your examples show that Obama wants to be a dictator. I bet you can't. Seriously? Does the obscenely expensive health care bill ring any bells? And before you ask, the fact that he pushed that through despite the opposition of the majority of the American people (the ones he's supposed to be working for) proves that he thinks he has the right to ignore the wishes of his constituents (subjects?) and do whatever he wants to do. He's decided to force Americans to buy health insurance, whether they can afford it or not. When you take away the free will of the people you have a dictatorship on your hands. Since as a candidate he supported health care reform, and he was elected, why would he not think those that elected him would want health care reform. That is not dictatorship, that is doing what you said you would do during a campaign. It is telling that his approval rating went down when it appeared Health Care Reform would fail, but that since it has passed his ratings have been rising. Well, I suppose the polls would have been his first clue. Also, your approval rating info is a little off. Maybe you'd like to check it here or here or even here. Seems like a pretty steady decline to me. Especially overall. Approval gets lower, disapproval gets higher. Even if you start (as you suggested) at the passage of his health care bill, his ratings are not climbing consistently as you seem to claim. They are, in fact, virtually unchanged. Color it however you like, he flat out ignored what the majority of American people wanted when it came to health care. Health care reform is one thing. I doubt anyone with any sense at all would agree that the system is messy. But forcing everyone to - excuse me - forcing those who are gainfully employed to purchase health coverage is NOT what the American people wanted. That's why 56% of Americans still want the health care law to be repealed. see here He's still ignoring the majority of his constituents.

Winsomebulldog has it right on the money. Everything Obama has done is obviously geared toward this. And everything he wants to do and is trying to get rushed thru before Nov., because I think he knows a lot of Dems are going to be shown their walking papers. Give a few examples please. Also explain how your examples show that Obama wants to be a dictator. I bet you can't. Seriously? Does the obscenely expensive health care bill ring any bells? And before you ask, the fact that he pushed that through despite the opposition of the majority of the American people (the ones he's supposed to be working for) proves that he thinks he has the right to ignore the wishes of his constituents (subjects?) and do whatever he wants to do. He's decided to force Americans to buy health insurance, whether they can afford it or not. When you take away the free will of the people you have a dictatorship on your hands.

I'd say the way he and all his cronies have bullied their policies through despite the overwhelming displeasure and disagreement of the America people is all the evidence needed. Not to mention the methods used to sometimes get those policies passed. Midnight votes after telling the opposition to go home? Yeah, that's the way a true democracy works. [sarcasm] And if his actions weren't enough, the pure arrogance of his typical facial expression would pretty much convince me. I've never seen anyone look so blatantly smug about himself. He appears to have fully bought into that whole "hope and change" campaign slogan. But despite what he and others may think, Obama is not Messiah. He and Palosi and the rest of that bunch have been so full of themselves since he won the election that it makes me nauseous. I just pray that he comes back into the real world before he does irreparable damage to this nation.

Thoausands of bee's just hanging out? Is this normal bee behavior? I'm asking because I don't know. Do you work with bee's? Peace, Dave Yes, hubby and I have 2 hives right now and friends who have many, many more. If an established hive gets too full of bees, they'll make a new queen and split off to go make a second hive elsewhere. The bees will cluster in a group around the queen and wait for scouts to go out and hunt up a new location. They'll gather all sorts of places. They are also at the their most gentle during this time, meaning they can be handled pretty easily because they're not defending their hive. Anyway, the scouts will go out and look for a new home and when they find it, they'll come back and get the rest of the hive and off they'll all go. Hives that are swarming don't hang around for long, usually. Here are some shots I've taken of our bees if anyone is interested: Bees

This is typical bee behavior. They were just hanging out while scouts went looking for a good place to set up their new hive. Clearly, they were smart enough to realize that they wanted nothing to do with Obama's White House!

Franklin's stance is not a popular one these days. I'm impressed that he is still willing to take it in spite of backlash that he'll undoubtedly face in the liberal media. Kudos to him for refusing to back down. Praying God opens more hearts and minds to the truth of the Bible!

Hubby and I saw a car the other day with an Obama sticker. We were laughing about how the owner had to be a die-hard supporter to not have taken that thing off by now!

I assume it comes from the notion that a child cannot be saved until they reach the "age of accountability," though I'm not sure exactly where that comes from. I mean, I don't think there's really a scripture for it. But baptism is supposed to be a public profession of your faith, a showing that you have been buried and resurrected with Christ. A child that is too young to understand salvation cannot make that choice. So until they reach an age where they can understand and choose salvation (different for every child) there is no point in baptizing them. At least, that's what I've always heard.

That's what the Confederacy used to think. Yes, and speaking as a child of that defunct effort, I can say that I certainly hope I don't live to see the same thing happen again. I've grown up hearing a lot of jokes about how the South will rise again and the "War of Northern Aggression" (as many Southerners refer to it) and as funny as it can be, there is still a surprising amount of anger beneath all the laughter. I don't think the majority of people are angry about losing slavery. Obviously anyone with a heart knows that was horrific and utterly wrong. But there was a lot more to the war than just that. And Sherman is still a hated name. 145 years after the war ended, and the scars are still there. It could only be vastly worse if it were to happen again. More anger, more death, more hatred that would take centuries to heal. Well, assuming that God waits that long to come back and put an end to the mess we've made of His marvelous creation. It's a shame that so many people in other countries are so desperate that they'd sneak into our country illegally. My heart goes out to them. However, I will never support the idea of granting blanket amnesty to someone who has so little respect for our laws that they would ignore them and enter this country illegally. Do it the right way and I'll be happy to welcome you with open arms!

They're drinking tons of beer and scratching themselves? When we're alone we're too easily distracted by bright colors and shiny things? You DO understand!

Thank you for sharing. This is comforting. CS thanks. i just want to let you know that when I said abusive, I mean abusive. I am not trying to be the holier-than-thou person here. I dont want to get into details, but anyone who has been through sleep deprivation and collective water-only fasts, public humiliation, the listing of your sins on the pulpit during the Sunday service, and the sneaky reporting of everything you do the church leadership will understand what I have been through. So, yes, it is not me being a spoilt brat and finicky with churches. It is me trying to recover from serious hurt. There are tons of books written on Abusive Churches.... and Spiritual Abuse. Just so you see for yourself I am not making things up. Thanks. Nebula: THANKS. You saw right away where I am coming from. It is good to know that I am not losing my mind and also that the process of recovering takes a while. I praise the Lord for His promises. God bless you all and also South and or'el for your comforting words. 2Christ, Sorry for getting off track with Blien and our discussion about going to church. I wanted to concur with what nebula and the others have said. Once you've been hurt by a church, it can take a long time to heal and to be fully restored. It helps tremendously if you can find another church that is walking in the will of the Lord, but sometimes that isn't easy or even possible. In that case, you just continue to seek the Lord, even when you feel that you can't. He knows your heart, He knows what you have endured and what you need. Even if you are in a place spiritually where you cannot bring yourself to utter a prayer, God's Spirit within you will speak to God on your behalf. God will never, ever forsake or leave you! You most certainly are NOT losing your mind, dear one! Just give God time to heal your heart and continue to trust in Him. He will guide you out of the darkness and pain and back into His glorious light! Be encouraged! And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don

Hi winsomebulldog, I have no disagreements with you. But I do have one question. Did you read my first post? I said that I wanted to find a church but so far could find none. I said it was uncomfortable to be without a church I could go to so was considering starting a home church. CSLewis didn't read my post correctly and took it out of context but I didn't bother to point it out to him. Anyway, my issues with the churches here is nothing to do with disagreements on doctrine but the conduct of the believers. I found one time a church that I absolutely loved. It was amazing and I was having a great time in their fellowship except for the congregation being cold to me, since I was probably the youngest person there. Anyway.. one day, one of ladies there called my mom and said "congratulations on your son receiving Christ and coming to OUR church!". It was a penetcostal church I was going to and my whole family is orhtodox. When my mom heard this she freaked out on me and absolutely went balaistic on me. So, not wanting to offend her (Matthew 17:27), I stopped going until I could slowly and easily break it down to hear that the orthodox church is seriously misguided. Yet I would sneak out whenever I could to find another church where there weren't loose lips. Finally one day I moved out of my parents house. When I moved out, I told the LORD "God you know the first thing I'm going to do is find a church and get planted"... and that is what I did.. I looked found a great one near by and started attending it. After the third time going there I got sick to my stomach.. I though.. gosh is there no church that is preaching the word?? What these people were doing is preaching worldly messages and the sermon was only 30 minutes long AND to make matters even worse than that, took took the offering BEFORE the service even started. I was constantly being stalked by these church leaders too so that they can "SAVE" me even though I was already saved. Everyone there seemed to look at me with glossy eyes as if I was despised in their site. So I left. A couple of months ago found another church and thought to myself finally this one ought to be good. Because one of my new friends who is as fervent as me in the Lord was telling me great things about it. When went, I got a very unwelcoming spiritual experience lets say that. This was a charismatic church.. and I was really questioning what they were doing... but I held on and waited to see more. I would notice, issues here and there of pride or immaturity from the church leaders and members but I over looked it because I was desperate to become a church member some place. I came to finally accept them and started to become one of their members. Then one day, the leader of the cell group that I go to approached me on the phone about why I chose not to attend the "encounter" retreat. I didn't want to tell him that things were financially tough for me so I told him the secondary reason for why I was not going. Then he started to lecture me for almost an hour about how if I did not go to the retreat. I couldn't become a member of that church and that I would be a guest. And he welcomed me to leave! All this while I know that in that church I went to some of my friends told me they never went to an encounter. And all just suggested that I go because it would be fun. Not the 12 step process he told me over the phone. I told this to the friend who invited me to that church in the first place and she was shocked. Telling me she coldn't belive how they treated me. So I said, I will not come for about two weeks but I'll come later when I'm not angry. About 2 weeks later I get a text message from one of the church leaders asking me why she hasn't seen me in such a while. So thinking she had good intentions I told her what happened. Then she started to tell me that the cell group leader was in the right and I was in the wrong and that I needed to repent????? Now why on earth would I go to there assembly if the church leaders are this cold to their members? Sorry, Blien, I did miss your first post, I guess. I thought I'd read everything, but obviously I hadn't. I really didn't want to try to make you feel bad. As I said, I certainly know how difficult it can be to find a church home. And you're right to not want to attend a church that is nothing more than a social club, or one where you feel that you cannot trust the leadership. I live out in the middle of nowhere where large churches are pretty much non-existent. There is one, however, but it's just a little too "inclusive" if you know what I mean, so it was never an option for us. I just also know that sometimes we (and I'm including myself in this!) tend to seek some place where we can feel completely and totally content. I just don't think such a place exists, not on this earth. Makes heaven even sweeter, I think. No more seeking and searching and disappointment! I've only recently begun to hear about the so-called home churches. I know very well that's what the early church did and I have absolutely no problem with that. I think it would be much better if we kept our congregations smaller in number. More personal, more intimate (in a purely innocent way of course! ) As much as I miss being part of a choir, I don't see how I'd ever be happy in one of those mega churches that have become so popular these days. There's no way it can be truly personal when there are thousands of people. You can't possibly know everyone. I know God moves and causes His church to grow, but I think once it reaches a point where the congregation becomes so large that it becomes impersonal then it's time for a voluntary split. Anyway, the idea of home church groups is kinda appealing to me. If there ever comes a time when I have to leave my current church, I think I'd like to look around for something like that. Blessings to you, and prayers that God gives you the church home you seek!

There is not one church in all of the metropolis of Toronto that you can worship God? Church is an oppurtunity for us to worship Him, and at the same time love our neighbors and join with other believers in body and spirit. It is SO important. It doesn't matter if you don't agree 100% with the pastor or priest, or with the denomination, it's not about that, it is about coming together as the Body of Christ and partaking of communion and worship together. To read his word together. To pray together. Nobody is perfect. If only perfect people went to church the pews would be empty. Haven't you read this in the Bible? 1 Corinthians 15:30-33 30 And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour? 31 For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you. 32 And what value was there in fighting wild beasts

There is not one church in all of the metropolis of Toronto that you can worship God? Church is an oppurtunity for us to worship Him, and at the same time love our neighbors and join with other believers in body and spirit. It is SO important. It doesn't matter if you don't agree 100% with the pastor or priest, or with the denomination, it's not about that, it is about coming together as the Body of Christ and partaking of communion and worship together. To read his word together. To pray together. Nobody is perfect. If only perfect people went to church the pews would be empty. CS, you and I have disagreed on other issues, but on this one we are in full agreement. I am a fan of podcasts and of course of Worthy, but neither can replace the real, live, physical attendance of a church service where you can join in communal praise, worship and fellowship. I also agree completely with you suggestion that a person does not have to agree 100% with their pastor (priest, whatever) or with the denomination of a church to attend it and indeed to be a member. I love my pastor and his wife dearly. I respect them tremendously. But I do not agree with everything they say. (EX: she believes women should only wear dressed/skirts. They both believe the KJV is the only "right" version of the Bible. I'm not interested in starting any discussions about either of these issues, just stating that they believe these things and I do not. ) Even our pastor will tell you that although our church is called "Baptist" it doesn't really mean anything. He says we identify more with traditional Baptist doctrines and beliefs, but that being a Baptist or Methodist or anything else means nothing in the grand scheme of things. What matters is being a member of THE church, as in the Body of Christ!

And the government wonders why we're concerned about them getting in the middle of health care!