AmyR

Amen! Love is what our hearts desire. I pray often that Jesus's love will shine through to non-Christians. Have a Blessed Day! Amy

You bring up a good point. Many people claim to be Christian out of what they consider to be the cool thing. However, you can look at their life and typically tell if they are walking with christ or not. But, it is not for us to judge what is in their hearts and can only pray that their hearts are right with God and encourage fellow christians and non-christians. We are part of a worldly place and need God to make it through. Remember that and it will help the un-Godliness of your everyday life not seem so bad. Especially, when you can impact someone elses life for Christ and plant the seeds of his love all over the world in a Fight against Satan. In Christ, Amy

Amen to Church being a privledge!! This was all too real to me this spring and summer, when due to travel, moving, and a job, all done with his guidance. But where people are gathered there is a fellowship that feeds the soul and spirit. Hopefully, people will soon realized that churches aren't the buildings that they are held in but the people that serve and love to serve God. Amy

I'm a graduate student which eats up a lot of time. Gotta love God's humor somedays. A side from that, I enjoy being outside and playing French horn. Amy

Steve, We did not disagree about anything.. It was ment to be a little bit of humor plugged into a previous post Amy

To some it is the most important thing. However, more and more people are realizing that it is what is within a person and their set of moral standards is who they would like to work with. A growing number of people are reaching a point were they are tired of this looks craze and would rather be around someone who just makes them feel good with their personality than eye candy. Being a positive person and how you carry yourself is more important in success than looks. Amy p.s. This does work! I'm proof of that.

Amen to Tess!!! She hit the nail on the head. It is not what is in appearances but what is in the hearts. Wether or not that was the initial intent of the 'money-changers'. How do you know that the people of that church didn't collectively raise the funds for those facilities, making sacrafices in their own lives. S.Warrior, Why not use the gifts and blessings of technology that God has given use to draw people into his family? Are you saying that we should only emphasis on the traditional points of evangelism?? Standing along, they don't seem to be working. Each person is ministered to in a different way. That is the way that God made us so that we are not all identical. What do you consider Chamelean evangelism? Personally, friendship evangelism in the best because it allows for a trust allowing people to speak into your life. It also yields a pillar of strength for when someone does commit their life to Christ. To just preach the gospel, have someone commit their life, and then leave them hanging without anyone that they can trust is the biggest travesty in ministry. You really should take another look at what Tess had to say. She is on the right track and you should not be so quick to discredit her wisdom. Amy

Tess, You are loved here!!!! Do not let the words that a couple of people type discourage you from really enjoying the encouragement of others. Please reconsider and look at it as a time of growth. Whatever you decide, you will be in my prayers. God Bless You Amy

I think it is good to find a balance between going to church for 'fun' and for spiritual feeding. Having more contemporary worship for some people is how they connect with Jesus and God most easily while for others is is the traditional hymns. Finding a mix between the 2 is what brings me closer to God. Hymns have some great words that speak to me but many of the 'newer' songs also feed my soul. Having all of the Hymns in worship drives me nuts!!! However, there is the other matter at hand of church being a sports club of sorts rather than a church. If done properly, a church that has some of the extra ammenities can be just as spiritually sound as the one that does not. The emphasis needs to be on Jesus in the services though rather than on the 'fun'. I went to a church before I moved that had 2 gyms attached to the church. They used these gyms for activites, basketball leagues, volleyball leagues, and etc. But, the emphasis was still on having a relationship with Jesus. The extra ammenities, in my mind, offer a great way for christians and non-christians to gather for encouragement and fellowship. There is a huge possiblity for abuse though and there needs to be a wise group of leaders who decide how these facilities should be used and an emphasis on the word and life that we lead should always be there. We as christians appear isolated to the outside world. If having some of these ammenities such as a bowling alley that doesn't have a bar attached to it, helps bridge the gap between the church and the rest of the community. All the more power to them. Something that just came to my mind on this topic, is that with Blessing comes Responsibility. Amy p.s. I'll disagree with you any day steve, eventhough you are a 'royal' member.

I grew up in central and north central North Dakota. Spent the past 4 years in Fargo, ND going to school and just moved to Ithaca, NY for graduate school. Talk about a fish out of water!! But the water level in my bowl is gradually increasing. Amy p.s. If I hear the "your the first person I've ever meet from ND" line again. I'm going to continue to burst out in hysterical laughter or scream.. which I don't know.

There are a lot of good christian counselors out there but be careful on the same note. Make sure that they are coming from a biblical perspective. Have you ever thought of doing 2 separate sessions as well with the same counselor and then some together? For a close friend of mine, this was what helped save their marriage. God Bless You and we will be praying for you!! Amy

Times seems to go fast even in the good and bad times. I can be bored and have time fly and busier than busy and time will still fly!! Although, staying busy always seems to be more productive. Amy

Steve, You have a point. But a church is its people not its label. Just because a church of a certain denomination is good in one city does not mean that it is good in another. Kudos to Pamjane for exploring churches that feed her spiritually. God Bless you! Amy

I'm a Student. Just finished my Bachelors and am now starting graduate school in chemistry. I know that I'm just a 'little' crazy. It is an abolsute blast (in more ways that one!)!! But God uses our quirks in different ways, right? Amy

Hi Draigon, God Bles you and congrats on rededicating your life. You need to follow God on this matter. He uses us all in different manners. In the end, it is your decision. But, I caution you to becareful. If you go through with as you would put it 'your trouble', make sure that you have some christian mentorship outside of the household, people who aren't your parents. (I think I remember a previous post of yours that said your parents were christians??) Parents love us and are good mentors but it also good to have a mentor type relationship with someone who is a little more neutral. I applaud you for keeping some of your wican relations. However, keep it within a respectful context on both sides when it comes to your beliefs and theirs. Make sure that you also get a solid network of christian friends. That is what saved me from backsliding shortly after I was saved. Because, like you, I still kept my non-christain friendships and hold their friendships dear to me. Keep searching and digging in the word. Prayer is our best tool!! You may not see the answers you want right away but he is always listening and molding our path. God Bless You!! Amy Jer29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me anc come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."