Butler

Me and my friends have braai's. A braai is like your barabaque (hope that is spelled right ) We all get together at one of the guys houses and have a swim, listen to music and maybe have a few drinks. I have a very tight bunch of friends and there are alot of us! If its a nice day we all head for the beach and chill there for the day. Winter is a little different. We spend alot of our time inside watching movies of playing Playstation. A big favourite is the dance mat! Dance dance! Sean

Hey there! Communion is a very serious part of our service. We have it the first Sunday of every month. I believe that the importance of Communion is watered down in todays society. Lots of people see it as "that boring part of the service". How sad. I believe that we are doing almost exactly what the disciples did that supper, just on a bigger scale. I dont believe that we are in fact eating Jesus' flesh and drinking His blood. Instead I believe that the bread and wine is a symbol. God bless Sean

While I respect the view that Easter should be free from rabbits I have to disagree. I was brought up on Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. I was also taught that these things werent important and that the real reason that we celebrate is that Jesus died for our sins and then rose again. I view hasnt been twisted and even though I did the bunny thing, I still understand the full weight of what Jesus did for us. Sean

AMEN! I love it! For ages I have only read "self help" gospel. You know, the ones that will make our lives better and more productive. Its refreshing to read this again. Sean

In this season of my life Im a follower. God has however planted a seed in my heart that has given me the desire to lead a home study group or "home cell". The conditions arent right at the moment but I know that God will make a way. Sean

You make a good point. Im going to have to think about this one. I think I still need to talk to my friends about this one though. They should know that Im struggling. God bless! Sean

I agree that God loves a worshiping heart. Im also sure that God enjoys loud music (He seems to love SHOUTS of praise) but Im beginning to believe that music is a kind of magnet to attract the youth. What ever happened on relying on God. I guess we all have to use our talents that God gave us but Im still not convinced. My question is still this. When did Church start being about bigger and better? Sean

Oh we do that. We actually do that alot. The problem is that my friends believe that the church is going in the right direction. Well some of them at least. Actually it will be interesting to hear what everyone has to say. Sean

While I agree that people can start Churches I know that we are not ready for that one! Another problem is that our Church has this whole "if you arent part of the solution then your part of the problem" thing going. This is fine and all but it makes it hard to approach the leadership cause if I disagree with the direction the church is going I must be part of the problem. Its crazy and to honest Im a little tired. We are having small group tonight so I might as well speak out and see what happen. God be with me. Sean

Ah, rock music. Yeah its a toughy but my rule of thumb is if you hear its wrong just turn it off. There is lots of really good music out there. God bless! Sean

Hey there guys and gals! Well the service last sunday was brilliant and the guest speaker (who was from north africa) was such a blessing! It was just what I needed, except for one thing. We are "upgrading" our Church at the mo and this will mean that a gallery will be built upstairs for more seats and a new sound system will be put in to make things better sounding and of course............louder. Now dont get me wrong, I love lively music and I listen to alot of "ccm" and loud music at home but when it comes to praise and worship I believe in respecting God and while it can be loud and joyful it shouldnt get out of hand. The newest toy that was bought was inteligent lighting. Its the lights that you would see at a large concert or at a club. They spin and shoot all these coulors onto the stage. Impressive but it could not have been more inapropriate. I just dont know anymore. I LOVE loud music but I am struggling to honestly praise God when the front of the Church is lit up like a sycadelic christmas tree. Any thoughts? Sean

Hi there sister! Yeah, I come from a similar Church. We are drummed with the "money" story too. Its sad and I often wonder if its right to continue attending this particular parish. The congregation are told that "if you are faithful God will bless you". That is 100% right! The problem is that when things go wrong people start thinking that God obviously isnt on their side. I have experienced this. The Churches are preaching a one-sided gospel and this has got to stop. Its true that God wants you to have many wonderful things but tons of money isnt always what you need. Hope tomorrow is a better day God bless you! Sean

Im sorry that you are going through this rought time. Knowing that your dad will be with God is such a relief Im sure. The promise that we will be reunited in heaven is something to hold onto. I will be praying. God bless Sean

Hi there brother! Yeah, I lost a brother. Not a blood brother but a friend that held a very special place in my heart. Like I said, my brother. His name was Jason and we started off playing in a band and as we progressed we atarted getting closer. Eventually because he had no family (that wanted him) he started living with us (most of the time). He was loved by all of us and became part of the furniture. We were all doing some seriously wrong stuff (in the band) but when Jason started dating an underaged girl I flipped and left the band. Its at this stage that I came back to Christ and that was the last time I spoke to Jason. He felt that I had abandoned him (and maybe I did) but we just couldnt co-exist in the same room without our differences causing an argument. I saw him once again before he died. It was at a party and he was completely wasted. We stood around in a circle of friends and I said nothing to him. About a month after that I got a knock on my door from 2 of my friends and they told me that Jason was killed on his motorcycle. My whole world crashed. I honestly believed that I could put off meeting with Jason until "tomorrow". Unfortunately "tomorrow" never comes and now he was dead. I have never been a big cry'er but at Jasons funeral I just couldnt stop. Why didnt I talk to him! I know that I was wrong to shut him out. I have (almost) made peace with myself about that. Jason was a good man. He was once a leader in the Church and played in the praise and worship team. He made some bad decisions in his life and went astray. I just know that God looks at the big picture and Jason (while disobediant) was one of Gods special children. He is in heaven right now. Sorry for the long post but to this day I still get very emotional talking about Jason. Friends, if there is anyone that you are at odds with and arent speaking, go to them right now and make up. You never know when will be the last time you get to see them. Sean

Hi there sister! I dont have children nor am I married but I do come from a divorced home. My advise to you is make sure your children are protected during this period. If he has a temper problem and he might take it out on the kids dont let him keep them. Make him a deal. Tell him that if he can prove that his temper is under control after 6 months of supervised visits then you can renegotiate and maybe unsupervised visits can become possible. This is just my humble opinion. I will pray for your situation. I will also pray for your children. Its very hard for everyone going through a divorce but it can be especially hard on kids. GOD BLESS! Sean

I can really sympathise with you on this one. While I havent had them a good friend suffers with them terribly. He had one in the car on the freeway and tried to punch his way out of the car! The can be brought on by large amounts of stress as well as insufficient sleep and a variety of other things. My suggestion would be to take your son to a doctor and if its not medical then a therapist. Lots of people get all upset when I mention therapy but there is nothing wrong with it. I spent many years with my "shrink" and it turned my life around. I will be praying! Sean

I just cant help feeling guilty. Its like a great friend that has never let you down but when things look like they are turning against you you question him. I guess I just dont want to hurt God.

Isnt is strange that no matter how much God blesses us, how much He rewards us or how faithful He is we sometimes still find it hard to have faith enough to believe that He will come through? I for one have witnessed amazing things. My hands were healed when I was young, I have seen manafestations that are quite real and also seen "God hating" friends come around and give their lives. You would think my faith is unshakable. You would be so wrong. Often we have proof and still we doubt (to a degree). Why do you think this is?

It just amazes me. When did parents loose the right to protect their kids from things that were harmful to their faith? The children should have the right to leave the classroom when homosexual material is being taught. Why dont they just set up a homework class for the kids?

I think that people are so desperate for a savior that they will adopt the firts fool that come along. I read up a little about him and what he preaches and I think it goes beyond scary. I think its dangerous. He is preaching that the Church is confused and that the Gospel is false. He even said that the deciples were the most wicked men that ever walked the earth! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS!!!??? I couldnt care less about this idiot but the people he is deceiving are being led straight to hell. It actually maked me so mad!

I think its all got to do with what you can relate to. I like lots of different styles of music, everything from classical to metal. My father on the other hand only likes 60's music. He thinks todays stuff is rubbish and without substance. There are "ccm" songs out there that have touched me more than any hym has. There are powerful songs that have been used by God to speak into my life. Just a thought

I gotta agree with hambergers there. I didnt even know that they were calling it ccm until a short while ago. It actually makes me wuite mad because its taking away from good godly music and making it into something suspicious and wrong. I have rocked out to Christian music and felt the Holy Spirit. The people who moan about the beat are people who prefer hyms. Its understandable that they dont like rock but why not use something like rock and turn it into something holy? Sean