Going To Church.

October 5, 2003

Well, first of all I have to apologize if I seem stupid, you see, I'm a man, ....yes, it's true...I am!

About the child, does he behave the same way when left with the father? We had this problem with one of our boys but he had to learn to be with me when his mother couldn't be with him. It was little hard for him at first but he eventually adapted so that it wasn't as much of a problem. Anyway, if church is really important to you, that would be my suggestion that you and the father could take turns going to church while the other cared for the child. That being said, I thoroughly agree with most here that what is important is that you worship the Lord in spirit and truth wherever you are. Don't let yourself be put under condemnation for not obeying the legalism of church attendance. As long as your heart is in the right place then you are the temple of God (place of worship). Anyway, he should eventually grow out of it. God bless all you mothers out there!

October 5, 2003

Hi Calamity :il:

I desire to attend a church that holds to the same convictions in their belief as I do. Is that so hard to understand?

No I fully understand. I just took the wording of your statement to mean that you saw the Baptist church to hold the doctrines most similar to your own. When you said "closer to the bible" I thought there may have been a doctrine or two in the Baptist teachings that you where not 100% in agreement with. Can you understand how I came to this misunderstanding? Thanks for clarifying your position with the above Quote and for your understanding of the motivation behind my posts :il:

All Praise The Ancient of Days

I'm not positive exactly what you mean, but I agree that, I don't always make myself clear. I am trying, though.

Catsmeow · October 5, 2003

Now that's an open-minded man! Thx, Idolsmasher...and yes, they do get over it...but some children are more sensitive and take a little longer.

That's a great idea about one staying home while the other goes although I'd want to be with my husband and not going alone, so I'd understand wanting to wait till the child is a bit older.

He's only two...but by three or so, he should be fine.

October 7, 2003

Thank you so much for your comments everyone.

My son throws tantrums with both of us. Not as bad with dad though.. usually.

I don't want to attend to church by myself either, we just moved and I don't no anyone here and have never attended a church here either. I am sure he will grow out of this by the time he is 3.

I just wanted to get others opinions though on what the minister said. Because I personally don't believe you have to attend for the same reason the others that posted don't. But I do believe it makes God happy for us to be with others that worship him also.

Here goes another question though.

When you don't go to church, how do you tithe?

Catsmeow · October 7, 2003

kball: We all have spiritual gifts and mine just happens to be "giving"...I never limit myself to 10%...but then, giving is my "gift" area.

For me, when I was unable to attend church, (when I was caring full time for my terminally ill mother, who couldn't be left alone)...I sent money to my favorite ministries...such as In Touch Ministries by Charles Stanley.

I tend to avoid ministries that beg for money or offer "goodies" in exchange for your "love gift". I look for the real revelation of the Holy Spirit, which includes a ministries trust that the Holy Spirit will move people's hearts to give.

I also personally go above the "tithe" and do "offerings" which is serving charities, food pantries, homeless ministries, leprosy missions, supporting missionaries, etc...

The key is to ask God to move your heart (quicken your heart) when you see something that He wants you to support.

When I ask the Lord to do that...sure enough..He does!

Again, I've noticed that "quickening" always comes from ministries that don't beg and con to get your money.

It's okay for them to advertise. I support the American Leprosy Missions and have for years..They're poor and can't afford pricey advertising but they do a wonderful work.

I don't like other ministries that use clever marketing tactics to get money out of people...

I give what I'm led to give and increase giving as I'm led to. But gimmicks and fancy marketing is for the secular world, not for Christians.

Judy · October 7, 2003

That is so true,catsmeow! I am very turned off by ministries who make the money their central theme. Unfortunately, many televised Christian programs have turned into more theatre than ministry for the Kingdom of God in which ( in my opinion) it all ends in dollar signs$$$. That is so displeasing and dishonoring to our Lord, I believe. I am not suggesting giving to ministries which you feel led to do so is wrong, but I am saying that ministries which seem to make the almighty dollar an ends to a mean should really rethink their strategy. sorry 'bout the sermon

October 7, 2003

Do tithes always have to go to a Christian ministry? What about just showing love and concern and helping others in need. That's also doing the will of God and giving as unto the Lord don't you think?

Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

RCruise · October 8, 2003

WOW!

Some really good replies and support for sister kball! Idolsmasher, very profound last post there about helping others. There is not one place in the NT about tithing or the "Law" of tithing. Many will try to twist much on Paul's writings about giving and supplying the saints (including his own needs at times) and turn it "Legalistic".

Jesus said it best:

Matt

October 8, 2003

Oh My....Haven't been here for awhile but popped in to see what everyone was up to.

Just happened to catch my eye...First Thing!

Cruise.....ya caught my eye talkin' bout tithes. I have never been comfortable about being put in a box and trained to give my Tithes and Offerings....each one in a different format. Such as....put the tithes in an envelope, write your name on it so you are sure to get counted and be able to take it off your income tax. And the offering for any whim that fits the mood.

Now please don't think me harsh, but...I had a Pastor ask me to be sure and separate my tithes from my offerings. I asked why. He said because he has to take the 10% out of the tithes money to pay his "superiors?" Upper church members I reckon. Guess I'm still not a real good christian because I never would. I did not feel the Lord ever impressed upon me to do it that way. I gave an offering when led to do so. I let them decide what was tithes and what was offerings...after all, it was usually well above what they say is the amount to give....10% tithes and another 5% for offering...i dunno. I never could figure it out.

I am a giver, but not because some man stands behind a pulpit and brow beats me into giving. I give because I love to give.

The Lord has always provided for my needs and He has always provided someone who needs more than I do.

Yes I reckon I really am a Prodigal Daughter, haven't made it home yet but am still on the path.

God Bless

RCruise · October 9, 2003

Hi Prodigaldaughter!

Please don't get me wrong because we must take into account the "Whole Word of God" when balancing the "message". It is written that "the workman is worthy of his hire" and that is true. Jesus sent the first 70 disciples out, He told them to neither take extra clothes nor money. Now many will use this narrated act and the aforementioned verse to pound on guilt to get people to "pay". In Truth, it was a lesson in Faith for the disciples to learn to Trust that God will provide for them on the mission field.

So, when I come to your town, just lease me a limo, pay for my room at the Ritz, run an open account for all my meals and give as you are led to according to the Word....a few hundred thou will do.

Ok Ok... just kidding! Jesus nor Paul never said supply outlandish lifestyles for "men of God" or themselves. I am reminded of Fred Price last year when he was preaching on his televised sermons in that huge converted College in LA (converted with a few hundred million dollars!). He was telling his congregation how blessed he was that they had bought him a new Rolls Royce a few years back. He went on to say how he (that week) visited a Bentley dealer (Rolls Royce cost the church approx. $250,000 - The Bentley was retailing for $350,000) He went on to say how much he looooved that Bentley but...., just couldn't quite afford it (Price makes six figures annually in his church and ministry). Within a week or two, Price was thanking his congregation for buying him that new Bentley and how he passed the Rolls down to his wife.

Now, if anyone is even slightly familiar with the area of that church, within 10 blocks any direction you can find homeless including women and children. Kind of Ironic eh?