Going To Church.

[Catsmeow]

I hope kball wasn't hurt by any remarks here...she is doing what she knows is right...and no one else can make assumptions until you've walked in her shoes....

Love and Blessings

Angel H.

Me, too!

I know it's tough and the last thing the poor girl needs are the guilt trips of someone who's probably never changed a diaper. :x:

In addition, Jesus said, "Wherever two or more are gathered, there I am in the midst.." :a:

Now, isn't it funny He didn't say, "Wherever you are in church, there I am..."

No, He didn't say that...in fact, there was no "church buildings" back then.

There's nothing wrong with going to a church. I do. I love it!

BUT...who are any of us to pridefully compare ourselves to others and insist they're "making excuses"?

To me, self-righteousness is a greater sin..how horrible when people "compare" themselves to others!

What this young mom needed was support and encouragement...I hope she was edified and lifted up during this difficult season of life.

Eventually, her baby will adjust ...these things take time.

[Guest kball]

Endure.

Not an excuse at all. I enjoy going.

We would never make it out of the nursery.

My son will scream until he makes himself vomit.

I love him, but he is very very stubburn.

[Catsmeow]

kball: Don't you worry, Sister...there's plenty of us "Moms" out here who know exactly what you're going through...

Most of the brothers do too...but there's always a few.....what can you do?

[Catsmeow]

We would never make it out of the nursery.

My son will scream until he makes himself vomit.

I love him, but he is very very stubburn.

My husband and I have done a lot of nursery duty and believe me, I've seen this...

We can't care for these babies because it's too hard and stressful for the other babies, not to mention the volunteers who are caring for them.

We have too many diapers to change; too many other children needing attention...and when one child screams incessantly, it's extremely stressful to the volunteers doing the nursery duty.

Most children handle it well...they laugh, coo, play quietly and enjoy the "break from Mom"...but sometimes you get a child who, for whatever reason, struggles with separation and is fearful.

It's just not fair to the child, the parents or the caregivers...to put everyone under that much stress.

Children eventually outgrow "separation anxiety"...but some just need more time to adjust.

I've raised four children, so I know.

[RCruise]

Sister Catsmeow!

Glad to see you stuck around sis! I always enjoy your posts and sincere commitment to serve Jesus (not the church or man :x: ) ooopss! Did I say that???

The crux of this whole thing boils down to Jesus' simple Words that we must "Love Him MORE than ANY other person or thing on this earth including spouses and children and parents. He said to "abide in me" not in the church or others.

The "protestant" church moved away from the domineering politically powerful structure of the Catholic church ages ago yet, she has kept many of her attributes most of which is dominion and control. They use "headcounts" to scale growth and budgets. Many have even hired the "Madison Avenue" type consultants to produce "tickling" advertising. In all the churches I have visited in since 1997, only 1 in about 25 still have alters up front and even fewer have "alter calls". So many people in the Christian circles today like to bash Billy Graham but, last (and every one I have ever seen) crusade I watched him do, he still gave a "come down to the front" alter call at the end.

No, the old fashioned "kneeling bench" up front has given way to fancy carpeted steps and podiums where speakers and bands can easily enter and leave without "stumbling" over some dumb structure that used to be a place where a "contrite and open heart" met Jesus Christ. The Corporate Church is a "Stage Show" more resembling Circus entertainment on it's decorated stage than the true place of outreach it used to be where, where broken hearts were made new, and people met their Savior on their knees.

The following is a devotion from "Love Worth Finding Ministries" and speaks plenty:

October 4

BIBLE MEDITATION:

[RCruise]

Hey Adstar!

Brother it's great to see you still around! Hope all is blessed in your life as always!

Ron

[endure4salvation]

It sure is amazing that I am being attacked personally here.

I thought this was a 'Christian' webboard.

OH, well.

Better luck next time.

[Catsmeow]

Attacking a poor mother with guilt trips is a shame, isn't it?

[Catsmeow]

Cruise, since you ARE a pastor, I feel I can ask you this without any problem.

As you know, I really enjoy church and am church loyal...but why on earth do some people think it's some horrific sin if others don't go?

Isn't that as personal as how much one tithes?

I for one, love tithing...but I can't see putting expectations on others *(You better do thus-n-so or else...)..since each man needs to be fully convinced in his own heart..and it must be a sincere and heart-felt decision, not made from feelings of guilt ...

Your thoughts?

[artsylady]

I am now a regular attender of a church and only have been for about 1 1/2 years.

The 10 years before that I considered myself a Christian who didn't go to church.

Now that I am an active church-goer, I don't look back on the last 12 or so years and say "I wasn't a Christian until I went to church".

I certainly know God was with me and guiding me during the 10 years I didn't attend church.

Christianity is the acceptance of a gift - nothing more.