terter

All the items listed are vital and more easily fall into place once we maintain our private worship time (just honoring and praising the Lord for who He is and what He has already done for us).

Learned: A characteristic that is usually a strongpoint can become a weakness. Eliminate more "stinking thinking" by being focused on Him instead of myself.

Of course, a fat person can witness for Christ. I only pasted it into this thread b/c to me it's an example of legalism. After reading a few of the last posts perhaps some discussion/agreement should be on the definition of legalism. According to dictionary.com, legalism is: 1. strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit. 2. Theology. a. the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works. b. the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.

Haven't read the last few posts - but just wanted to insert this from another thread - "Can a fat person be the messenger of the good news of Christ?" The poster seems sincere - there's about 8 paragraphs that supports this question.

Deut 22:5

Whose standards are used for "proper training?"

So the recommendation is for us to get to know them so you can correct them? Correct them according to whose standards? Where's the trust in God to do what God can do? If someone asks your opinion or if God directs you to speak to someone about something, it'll be received well. Otherwise, it's just a religious box. We are focusing on people's outside when God looks at our hearts.

Haven't read all the posts - here are a couple of resources that might help - http://blazinggrace.org/ http://www.christianforums.com/t4050933-ta...-addiction.html

posted: "a prostitute should be loved and taken care of by the women of the church, to raise her up and train her up.... she will change the way she acts and dresses as the Holy Spirit builds her....." YES, why not let the Holy Spirit led them? Believe me the street people who come into the churches don't want to be put into religious boxes. It turns them off. I know a 55 year old motorcyclist who gave his heart to the Lord. The first thing the pastor said was for him to cut his hair, cover up his tatoos, wear a suit to church, etc. A few weeks later he said that he had searched through the Bible for those verses and couldn't find them. The pastor said well if you can't do what I say, you need to find another church. The same for the young people - we pray for the Lord to intervene in their lives, etc. then when they come to church, we LOVINGLY in CHRISTIAN LOVE? criticize them. They get turned off to religion...religious boxes...to churches because of the religious boxes. We've got people from one particular church that won't speak to Christians in the same faith because they go to a different church. Their church members have the same houses, cars, etc. This is what this kind of thinking leads to. Let's get real. That's just pride - that's not what Christianity is about. I'll get off my soapbox now.

As you stated in your posts, the Lord did send them to give you an important message - it's nice to be reminded by others how much the Lord cares about us. What happens sometimes is - we constantly start looking to "them" to satisfy our needs instead of the focus of their message, our Lord. So actually you're both right - you and the pastor. Yes, you're on a quest - you're learning to rely on the Lord more and more - that's a great place to be!

I know some people won't put up a Christmas tree b/c they were used in pagan worship. My question to them: Who made the trees? Who made the trees for our enjoyment? This isn't the first time the enemy has perverted the things of God.

This is what some people are going through - God is stripping away material things, conversations, people (I'm not talking about God being against families), tv, etc. and everything is pointing to Him!

A teen that normally wears tight pants came into church with even a tigher pair of pants on & I thought oh no! Then the Lord immediately put this thought to me IF it was YOUR child, you would be thrilled they were here, no matter what they had on. Learned: My part is to love them and God will make the other changes as He sees fit.

Sport 123, glad to see that you have the will of the Lord as your priority: Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way." Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. One thing that I've learned recently, when we pray, the first thing that seems like the answer may not be the one God has for you. ex. Know a couple who have been praying for a larger home. The first thing that happened was a Christian said he would buy their home and provide a larger home. They thought - wonderful, God is answering our prayer - He's sent a Christian, etc. Yet this "deal" went sour - very sour. Mentioned this situation to a couple of older Christian friends, they say, it happens often. The enemy uses this so we'll doubt. So I'm going through this process too - learning to reply more on the Lord and listening better - recognizing the counterfeits.

Thanks!

The verse that says - make a joyful NOISE - that's something I can do - I've got that covered!

I haven't read all the posts - but whenever someone says Jesus is just a crutch, they evidently have not tried to live a Christian life according to God's Word. Just a few examples - turn the other cheek as many times as it takes, love your fellow man, put God's will above your own 24/7, listening and obeying what God tells you, etc. Any one of those things is a lifetime "project." Chrisitianity isn't for wimps.

The church may follow a particular date but there's nothing wrong with individuals taking communion themselves as a poster above said - once a day.

Don't think our paths have crossed on this website but it takes "A LOT" to apologize even over the internet. I admire you for having the courage to be humble.

Some suffering Christians

here's an url that explains the differences - http://www.lifeofchrist.com/life/genealogy/ Glad to see you studying. There's always a reason we have to just keeping "digging" til we find it. Enjoy!

What does discernment mean? Thanks.

Yes, I've been studying about the feasts and have found it to be very interesting also. There are times when the scriptures left me wondering what could possibly be the purpose of this text? For example, at the sepulchre John 20:7 (KJV) "And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself." Then found the following in the book "Jewish Insights into the New Testament" by Barbara Richmond. She covered numerous subjects but included this explanation of the above verse. (This might not be a word for word

I did a search several months ago "frugal" on dogpile.com and got thousands of ideas. I was amazed.