GoodFruit

Actually I was the one who started this thread and now I am starting to regret it considering how off track it has gotten. I simply just wanted to learn a little bit more about the different backgrounds of the regular posters here. One of the reasons I came here to Worthy was to meet Christian people and hopefully new like-minded friends....which requires getting to know about each of you...not just read what your opinion about a topic is. It's all too easy to form a false or negative personal opinion about a person just from the things they post without really knowing anything about them in depth. I'm sorry that my original post has caused a lot of strife among several people here. That was never my intention. I think this debate needs to be put to an official end. Thank you to everyone who answered my original question I asked.

Dr3ams, in reading your various responses, I have to conclude that you have given this a lot of thought and I agree with everything you are saying. I don't know enough about the situation to make any rash comments about your daughter and her future husband's relationship. I don't know the condition of their hearts and their commitment to Christ but God does and that's good enough for me. I will not judge them not knowing the intimate details. Please don't be discouraged, at times there are people here that appear to be overly Pharisitic about things, but you did ask for advice and opinions...and you know what they say about opinions. They mean well though so don't hold it against them.

I would not try to change your daughter’s mind to convince her to find a different bridesmaid. She obviously looks beyond the girl’s religion and sees a person – who she has befriended. Personally I would say to embrace it as an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You never know if God is purposely orchestrating this to bring unbelievers to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe this wedding will be enough to make them question their own beliefs. God certainly works in mysterious ways so therefore I would pray deeply that this wedding is an avenue for the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of unbelievers. How else are they ever going to know about Jesus if we as believers don’t show them the way? As far as your friends thinking that you support Islam I think that is your own pride and ego getting in the way of being a witness of God’s truth to those who so desperately need it. Never be ashamed to proclaim Christ or shirk back in any fashion to feel comfortable and accepted by others. If they can't see this as an opportunity to lead others to Christ, then maybe they should evaluate their Christian beliefs themselves. Apparently the Muslim’s involved in the wedding have no problem with being a part of a Christian ceremony, why should your family and/or friends mind them being a part of it? You never know where it will lead. Pray about it.

Thank you all for your comments, advice and concern for my safety. I work in the law enforcement arena so I know a thing or two about being safe. I guess I have to say that I didn't necessary feel I was in any danger at the time but you are all correct that in today's world it's better not to take chances being alone. I really don't know what that man's mental state was. I hope and pray that the Lord watches over him. In my county we currently have a heroin epidemic so a lot of the "panhandlers" appear to be heroin addicts looking for money for their next fix. Being in my line of work, you learn to identify their traits. This is why I don't give money to them. I don't to be responsible for the next OD we have even if I wouldn't be aware of it firsthand.

What a wonderful kind and gentle spirit you have. God bless you!!

What an awesome story and blessed thing you did. That is kind of how I felt about this man who started to walk towards me, he didn't look like the typical hoodrat, he was an older man maybe 60's-70's, hard to tell, but I kind of felt sorry for him. I just thought to myself after I drove away that maybe he was just hungry and wanted something to eat. My heart started to break for him and I felt selfish for everything that I have in life, and I am by no means rich. One time I was at a gas station pumping gas, and a car came barreling in up to a pump. A girl got out of the vehicle and asked me for some gas money. She had another person in the vehicle with her and the look on her face was desperation. I gave her $2.00 that I had. She continued to ask other people pumping gas too. Then she drove across the street to another gas station as I was leaving. Not sure what her issue was but I hope i did the right thing.

Fast forward 40 years and it's still the same thing. Our local news stations have been doing numerous undercover surveillance reports and whatnot on the panhandler epidemic for the past year or two and just as you say the majority of them are raking in a lot of money and driving away in fancy cars after their shift is over. All tax free income I might add. I don't ever give to any of them and just ignore them when they stand there trying to look helpless. The thing that always makes me wonder is if they are homeless, where do they get the big black markers and nice big piece of perfectly cut cardboard to make their fancy signs? Some of the signs look very well made like a girl with nice handwriting did them up. Just an observation.

Yes, this happens all too often. One day as I pulled up to a stop light at the regular panhandler hangout, no one was there at time but there was a cardboard box with some dry packaged food in it sitting there on the ground that they had left behind.

I personally have never listened to his sermons, but I have read a lot of negative feedback about him for the past few years. I am an avid follower of his father, Dr. Charles Stanley though. They have entirely different preaching styles. Here is a recent opinion article about him. Judge for yourself. Andy Stanley is Dangerous Almost 20 years ago, Andy Stanley—the son of Southern Baptist legend Charles Stanley—emerged as a new generation pastor, a man of rare gifts when it comes to communicating. He eschewed jackets and ties and the more formal trappings of traditional church. In about 2000, he was instrumental in helping develop a leadership entity known as Catalyst. In the midst of all this, Stanley the Younger was in a feud of sorts with Stanley the Elder over the latter’s separation from his wife (Andy’s mother). Over time, the son’s church eclipsed the father’s church in terms of attendees, and today Andy Stanley is one-third of what I call the Evangelical Trifecta: Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, and Stanley. Quite interestingly, Warren is based on the west coast; Hybels holds down the Midwest from Chicago, and Stanley is entrenched on the east coast. In more ways than one, they blanket the country and absolutely control the evangelical narrative. Their books and methologies totally dominate evangelicalism and their church growth techniques are now American dogma. In recent years, Andy Stanley has made waves with his brand of what I’d call Progressive Evangelicalism. His prayers at Obama’s inaugurations, and his willingness to allow Michelle Obama to speak at his North Point Church are part of a troubling trend. He also has absolutely helped mainstream homosexuality within the evangelical church. What gives? Stanley, who comes across as a winsome, easy-going fellow, is really a major change agent. His podcasts, messages, and books are absorbed by many tens of thousands of U.S. pastors. I will tell you clearly that I believe he is described in the book of Jude. Men like Stanley have crept in unawares. In our time. What does this have to do with Israel? Stanley’s rise, and that of his fellow change agents, coincides with a sharp downturn of support for Israel in the churches. It’s one element in an overall larger story, but the bottom line is this: Stanley’s watering-down of Christianity runs parallel to the rise of the so-called Christian Palestinianists. While Stanley himself rarely speaks of Israel, many of his friends and associations are anti-Israel. Often, people answer me by saying: “But Charles Stanley supports Israel!” He does so far as I know, but you do see that’s irrelevant in the context of what Andy Stanley is doing…don’t you? Overall, Andy Stanley wants to fundamentally change what the Evangelical Church is. He, like Warren and Hybels, wants conformity and groupthink. He wants you to think as he thinks. And he thinks in dangerous ways. Late last month, the Southern Baptist Convention’s “Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission” hosted another self-serving conference in Nashville, titled “Onward” (shockingly, the same title as that of the ERLC chief’s new book; it’s about the marketing, stupid). Stanley was invited to speak. Boy, did he. While ERLC President Russell Moore looked on grinning, Andy Stanley said the following: “I would ask preachers and pastors and student pastors in their communications to get the spotlight off the Bible and back on the resurrection.” Get the spotlight off the Bible. Welcome to the Age of Apostasy. Did you hear what he said? Andy Stanley speaks blasphemy and nonsense…and no national leader says a word. Just for a moment, think about the illogical nature of Stanley’s statement: how do we know about the resurrection? Through Scripture. Does anybody call him on this nonsense? No. He grows stronger. Several years ago, Stanley gave an interview in which he openly said that as a college freshman, he embraced his professor’s contention that Genesis 1-11 is a fairy tale. You need to understand this one bit of information undergirds everything he does. It is foundational to his thinking and “ministry.” He is arrogant and powerful. When you have famous national evangelicals with this kind of worldview, you will see a downturn in support for Israel. Stanley has made several outrageous statements about the Bible in the past three years; in short, he wants people to get their focus off the Bible. Can you imagine such? Andy Stanley’s so-called ministry is an outrage. Would that he was held accountable. But he won’t be. This is a key reason (though largely unknown by the rank-and-file) why Israel has fallen out of favor. If you relegate the Bible to myth, why pay attention? Why would Israel’s historical claims to the land be more valid than anyone else’s? Stanley is helping destroy the American Church. In my opinion, he will be a major reason the American Church morphs into the State Church before too many more years pass. He knows exactly what he’s doing. And remember: my views of Stanley aren’t the story here. The story is the unconscionable violence he is willingly doing to Scripture and to the evangelical community. http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/75182/andy-stanley-is-dangerous-opinion/#mvTdwrWHmf3Trwsh.97

I found myself in an uncomfortable situation this weekend. I was getting into my car at a store when I observed an older senior man crossing the street coming towards where I was parked. He appeared to be homeless and was carrying a large plastic bag containing what looked like pop cans for a deposit refund. As he stepped from the roadway into the grass he raised his hand at me as though he was signaling me. I continued to get into my car and (quickly) drive away from him. Moments later, I had an overwhelming sense of shame and conviction as though I should have maybe stopped to see if he needed help or something. I am not beyond helping someone in need and generously donate clothing and goods to thrift missions, food to food pantries, etc., but I seem to avoid people on the street approaching me for help. Usually it doesn’t bother me but this time I felt a sense of guilt about it. Not sure why. What would you have done? Also, how do you feel about people who stand at an intersection with a cardboard “help” sign panhandling? Do you give to them?

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner folks! What you described above is exactly how heretical beliefs take root and false teachers are born. While there are many doctrinal disagreements within the various churches, the main focus should always be to gather together united IN CHRIST to give all glory, praise and honor to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. No one who is IN CHRIST should try to go at it alone without the support of other members of the Body. It keeps us all grounded and accountable to one another so we can do what we are called to do...spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unbelieving world. For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. Ecclesiastes 7:20 NKJV

I was thinking the exact same thing Teditis.

You are correct, I apologize for my error.

Okay, I noticed that everyone seems to be defending your mother. So I'm probably not going to win any brownie points with the women on the forum but I see a bigger problem with the fact that your mother is stepping out of bounds and not allowing your father to have a say in this. By the Word of God, your father is the head of the household not your mother. I certainly would not lie or keep any secrets from either of your parents; however you really should be first speaking to your father about this situation and also having your boyfriend ask him for permission to court you. He needs to discuss this with your mother but his word should ultimately be the final say if you come from a truly Christian home. 16 To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Gen.3:16 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Eph. 5:22-24 18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Col. 3:18 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5 3 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 5:3, 5, 7

Natalie, I feel for your need for a husband but I am suggesting that you not try to make this happen on your terms. I speak from experience. I could have saved myself a boatload of hurt and grief several times in my life if I hadn't tried to take matters into my own hands by seeking out someone to love me. I have been married and divorced, almost married again (engaged), then married and divorced a second time all because I tried to control my own destiny. I learned that I need to fall in love with Jesus first and foremost. No one can take His place. He must be your first true love. I understand that this may be difficult for you to accept, but God may be keeping you for something greater. Every time I attempted to make love happen for me, the Lord kept opening my eyes to the following scripture: 34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. 1 Cor. 7:34-35 NKJV The relationships I had steered me away from focusing on God. I continually put Him on the back burner and gave my attention to my mate. Unless you have a mate who is truly committed to serving the Lord and you are mature in your faith, I would recommend that you seek God first and He may bring someone to you who is just right for you when the time is right...in His eyes. Anytime you bring human reasoning and desire into the equation you are bound to botch things up. Let God be God. He knows what's best for you. I would definitely stay away from the online dating sites, been there done that and you will not find your ideal mate there. I know firsthand. Christian Mingle is actually a bad dating site. They get you to open an account with your credit card and then keep automatically charging your card to renew your subscription. It's nearly impossible to get them to stop and they have virtually no customer service. It is a credit card nightmare. They are not a reputable company at all. They operate several dating sites that are mostly all secular. The bottom line with them is $$$.

How ready are you to go home and be with Jesus, I mean are you eager? Are you longing for it? Are you truly looking forward to it more than anything? Several months ago, I had some thoughts come to me regarding this and I'm not sure why but I wrote them down and saved them in a Word document on my computer. I just came across it again and I still think it is profound. I am posting it for you to read and think about, and comment on if you desire to do so. I’ve been pondering a lot lately the continual moral decline of society and the alarming rate of how fast the decline. It seems like each day is a little darker than the day before. I hear/read comments by people who are supposed believers saying that the church needs to come alive, the church needs to pray for God to take this crisis out of existence, the church needs to be more vocal, the church needs to step up and “do something” to stop the decline before it’s too late. Too late for what? Too late to stop the world from spinning out of control? Too late to stop the many divisions and wars at our doorstep? Too late to keep the freedoms we now enjoy? Too late to continue in the comfortable lifestyle so many Americans have become accustomed to? Too late to try and stop God’s plan from moving forward? That’s what it all boils down to. Now that the Word of God is no longer a far off future event that most folks thought would never happen in their lifetime, it’s like panic has set in and they want to slow it down. Not many seem to really want to leave this sin-stained earth anytime soon; they just want all the bad stuff to go away so they can carry on and enjoy life. Sure heaven seems great to a lot of people – after they are old and have enjoyed a comfortable full life. The fact is, most people don’t want to die, or at the very least die young. They like life! They like life as they know it based on their limited human perception and cannot fathom anything better than life on earth. Heaven can’t be compared to anything in this world and I think it might scare a lot of people deep down. This world is their only reality at this point - their “comfort zone.” They are worried about things in this world declining rapidly and it’s starting to scare them and I believe it is because they are not thinking with the mind of the Spirit. I hear so much about believers desiring a stop to the progressive moral decline and praying for God to have mercy instead of praising God that His words of Truth are being fulfilled on a daily basis now! How awesome it is to be alive to witness the prophecies of the Bible being fulfilled. It simply amazes me (and saddens me) that some believers do not seem to be looking forward to Christ’s return with eagerness and joy but rather fear and worry about losing their comfortable American life as they know it. God’s Word says we are supposed to looking forward and hasten His coming (2 Peter 3:11-12) but you wouldn’t know it by the way some believers are in despair over the speed of His coming soon and praying for God to turn it around, to go back to the “good ole days”. There certainly seems to be a lot of groaning going on but not the kind of groaning we are supposed to be doing. God’s Word says we should groan inwardly while eagerly awaiting our redemption (Romans 8:22-23). A lot of supposed believers don’t seem to be too eager for their redemption but certainly are groaning about their rights being trampled on. I don’t know about you but I seriously have an inner excitement going on inside me right now that I can’t really explain. When I think about Jesus coming back like literally any day now, I have such deep joy like a little kid on Christmas waiting to open gifts. I just have this great eagerness inside me to go home. I feel like such a stranger here anymore, in a strange land that I don’t know. There is nothing on earth that even appeals to me anymore. It’s becoming a very dark and evil place to be. And truth be told I don’t want it to stop because the more it happens the closer I am to going home and I am just so, so eager for that. I am so looking forward to being in the arms of Jesus for eternity I can’t even explain it. So going deeper into thought with this, something about it all came to me. Maybe God is purposely keeping the church silent and not confronting the issues in society. I say this because if the church were truly pro-active and fighting back against all the moral decline and the corruption in government, it would delay God’s intended plans for the nations and the coming of the King of Kings. Many of the end times prophecies that are occurring on a daily basis right now would not be happening at lightning speed if the church was not lukewarm. So the church remaining silent on many of the issues going on around us has really got to be sending Satan into a tailspin. I know that might sound odd, but if you think about it deeper, he knows his time is about up. He really doesn’t want the church silenced because a loud and aggressive church is what prevents our Lord Jesus Christ from returning to bring His justice on earth. The church was never meant to fix the problems of the world and create a perfect utopia. That isn’t the purpose of the church. The church will be removed someday and Christ alone will rule and fix everything that’s wrong. Satan certainly does not want to see the church die because he knows that he too will die right along with all his wickedness he’s brought upon the earth. Satan is utterly powerless against the church and cannot manipulate things to go his way (Matt 16:18) even though it appears as though he’s winning. God’s Word tells us his fate is sealed, there is no changing it. His power is only temporary. So I say that a silent church is not necessarily a bad thing when looking at thing’s from God’s perspective having the mind of the Spirit. The simple fact of the matter is that we are exactly where we should be according to what God’s Word says. The falling away must come first (2 Thess. 2:3) and trying to delay it is foolish. 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV) Do Not Love the World Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Romans 8:25 (NKJV) But if we hope for what we do not see, the we eagerly wait for it with perserverance. 1 Corinthians 1:7, 16:22 (NKJV) …so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! 2 Corinthians 5:2, 8 (NKJV) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Philippians 3:20 (NKJV) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV) …so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 11:13 (NKJV) The Heavenly Hope These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Peter 3:14 (NKJV) Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; John 18:36 (NKJV) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

My personal opinion (everyone's got one) is that the Catholic church is going to one day be the apostate end times "one world" church and the Pope is certainly looking like the False Prophet more and more. JMO

My study bible says that there were three words used in connection with eternal punishment. Sheol or "the grave" is Hebrew and was used in the OT to mean the place of the dead, generally thought to be the place of the dead. (Job 24:19, Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 38:10) Hades is the Greek word for the underworld, the realm of the dead. It is the word used for Sheol in the NT (Matt. 16:18, Rev. 1:18; 20:13-14). Hell, or gehenna, was named after the Valley of the Son of Hinnom near Jerusalem, where children were sacrificed by fire to the pagan gods. This is the place of eternal fire (Matt. 5:22; Mark 9:43; Luke 12:5; James 3:6; Rev. 19:20) prepared for the devil, his angels, and all those who do not believe in God. This is the final and eternal state of the wicked after the resurrection and the Last Judgment. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' Luke 16:22-24 NKJV Apparently, whatever or wherever Hades is, it's hot there!

Apparently, the common denominator is you and possibly that Satan is using you to stir up dissension among believers. I say that because there are several of us who are in agreement with each other on the importance of attending a local church. The last thing Satan wants is for believers to be united and joined together worshipping God and praising our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! You seem to be trying to argue against that, which makes me question the spirit inside of you.

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25 NKJV

I totally agree with you Shiloh. There is a verse in scripture that says not to cease from gathering together, as some had become in the habit of doing. I can't remember where it is at and I will need to take some time to find it, which I don't have right now. I will post it when I get a chance unless someone else here already knows it and posts it. Also, Jesus says where 2 or 3 are gathered together in His name, he is in the midst of them. Matt. 18:20.

Thank you Marilyn for your insight. I should clarify that you are correct and I agree with the bolded part above. But I have to say that the thread regarding Women Pastors had many differing options being floated to the point where I just had to sign off. I couldn't read anymore! I get what you are saying about people seeing things from their tiny perspective or viewing things as an American only. I have often observed that myself in reading the comment boards on various websites. blessings to you too!

I've been in that boat, but I never got to a point where I just quit attending church completely. I stayed in the Lutheran church because I felt that it was better than not going at all and not partaking in communion with the Lord (ie Lord's Supper) which is highly important to me. When I decided to "church shop" I really tried to steer clear of a specific denomination with a prescribed doctrine and set of rules. I first went to an Evangelical Free Church, which is also one of the largest churches in my county (I would guess maybe 1,500 members?). I'm not kidding when I tell you that not one person even noticed me or greeted me - except for the pastor who was in the back of the sanctuary (where i was seated) as he was preparing to walk down the aisle to start the service. Before the service everyone was standing around mingling in their little cliquey groups drinking coffee and eating donuts. I never went back after that. The next church I tried was a non-denominational. I stuck with it pretty regularly for about a year and by the end of that year, no one offered their friendship to me or even tried to get to know me at all. None of them hardly even knew my first name, other than the customary meet n' greet at the start of the service. Again, it seemed to be a bunch of cliquey groups and they were very heavy into children's ministry, which is not a bad thing at all, but I am a single older adult, they had nothing to offer me for my needs. I really liked the pastor, he was refreshing but he became ill and had to resign his position. They had a mish-mash of elders and guest speakers leading the service and it wasn't the same. The icing on the cake came when I joined one of their 6-week video/bible studies they offered. There were about 10 regulars each week and again, none of them really befriended me and I kind of felt excluded. They would all sit next to their friends and I would be sitting in a row by myself. The very last night, I asked the group leader (an elder) if there were any other bible studies or anything that the church had going. He told me not at the moment. He said there there were some small groups that met in people's homes, but he never offered to set me up with any of them or get into contact with them. I decided that this was not a church I needed to be a part of and never went back. Since the start of this year, I have been going to an independent Bible Church that has been in my tiny town of 900 people for the past 125 years. An old white country church! It's a small group, most Sunday's there are maybe 20-25 in attendance and half of them are over 75! But everyone is warm and welcoming and have made an effort to get to know me personally. Everyone is genuine. They are struggling to stay alive but the pastor teaches the truth and not everyone wants to hear the truth! They have started a food pantry for people in my community that I have become involved in. They are also trying to do community outreach to bring in families and people who don't have a church. It is simple worship without a lot of fanfare. Sometimes bigger isn't always better.

Ezra, I completely agree with you on this. I learned the Word of God from diligent study of it on my own, not from what any pastor in church told me. But when I come to forums such as this one (and I have been on others too) and there are many differing opinions and interpretations of scripture, it makes me question if what I believe to be the truth is really the truth at all. Maybe I am wrong about things. Who do you really believe especially when you have 6 or 7 different people debating back and forth with each other as their view being the correct interpretation? It sometimes leads me into confusion about if what I believe is correct and those are the times when I think that maybe being on these forums isn’t such a good idea (personally for me). It’s especially difficult when several of you present very credible arguments but everyone can’t be correct. So who’s right and who’s wrong? We all want to believe that our interpretation of scripture comes from the Spirit but that is clearly not the case or else we would all be of the same mindset and there wouldn’t any differing points of view.

enoob57 thumbs up! When I was kinda researching different churches in my area as far as their core beliefs, I tended to be drawn to the Baptist denominations, although I never did go to one and see if I would like it. I know several people who are Baptist. I know what God says too but I didn’t initially learn it in the church!