What Church do You Attend?

[WayneB]

But I had to say something because the assumption you make is wrong.

Sister Cats, what assumption? Who was your post directed at? I couldn't tell. I was in agreement with you and posted the Scripture to support your supposition. Maybe I missed a post. Regardless, I think it is awesome that the ladies are taking care of you. Bless you sister.

Sorry, I was referring to the poster who was talking about the "perfect church"...(waitingforhim)...post..

Not your post, dear brother...

Thank you Cats. I was concerned. Please know that I would never hurt you. I love you sister and I am praying for you. :il:

[Catsmeow]

I feel a stronger bond with the people here...and I'm sure they don't all know that I pray for them but I do.

I'm still praying for somebody in Texas I don't even know named, "Rosie" who was bitten by a brown recluse spider and I don't even recall who posted that...but I still pray for her daily.

I just keep on praying for people and melding into their lives, whether they know it or not.

And I know for a fact, they're praying for me because I can perceive it. I can always tell when people are praying for me...it becomes very apparent in my body or soul...I can tell. Things change. Things happen.

I just get this absolutely frigid feeling at the Church building anymore...and since I've been sick anyway, I don't worry anymore. I get plenty of fellowship right here.

People are kind here...and I guess, being human, I'm drawn to kind people.

[waitingforhim]

Ouch-sorry you got offended Cats I wasn't slamming you. Just speaking in general. If you feel the Lord would have you leave a church-then by all means go....look for another. Just don't use others as an excuse for you to not go to church at all. The Blble tells us "not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, and so much the more as we see THE Day approaching." He doesn't tell us to only go by our "feelings" and only go if "they" make us feel better. Maybe you could start an outreach in your new church that was missing when you needed it. Sometimes God uses the hard things in our lives as our greatest opportunity to minister to others.

[Catsmeow]

Not offended...no prob.

It just that the Bible didn't say assembling had to be "physically" in person...we assemble by telephone conferences, by computer, and by written letter. There's many ways for people to connect. It's no longer necessary for us to be in the same "building".

In my case, I don't care to show up because I'm sick from my chemo, (which I'm back on ....again), and that leaves me too sick to go.

I find, however, more fellowship online than I have ever found by being in a physical building with a bunch of strangers.

I have tried to reach out and people aren't interested. They have their own busy lives and their own cliques and I don't really fit.

There's the single mothers group...divorced women; there's the women with kids at home (married); there's the elderly; there's the teens...that's about it.

I don't fit ANY of these groups. I'm married; kids are grown; I'm only in my forties...but my husband is a senior citizen. We don't fit the seniors because of my age, (not many people who are married with 35 years between them); I'm married but no kids are in the picture...

Truth be told, we don't fit...anywhere.

Here, on Worthy Boards...it really doesn't matter. I fit. It doesn't matter how old or young, married or unmarried, kids or no, grown kids or young ones, race, gender...doesn't matter...there's a freedom here for all people to come together and none of the awkwardness of the service.

I always felt weird when they made us all stand up and "circulate" and shake some stranger's hand. Some outgoing people have no trouble doing that but it always felt "forced" and obligatory to me...and not a natural way to just meet people and make friends. It's a ritual.

I felt weird. I'd just go through the motions and sit down quickly. Nobody ever looked like they enjoyed it....and it was perceived.

People would just go and shake hands with their friends and we'd stand there feeling like outcasts.

We'd just moved into this area and it felt a bit odd from the start. I always go in with a good attitude and hopeful to meet new friends...but people are really cliquish...they have their friends and they kinda ignore new people.

It felt really different from the beginning when I came here to Worthy Boards. I don't know why people have to be physically in front of you to be fellowshipping. Some of the most intense fellowship is when we go on Chat and do group prayer at night.

We don't even have to be there in person...you can feel the same intensity as if we were all there. It's awesome.

And for those of us who are sick or disabled, it's wonderful.

[Guest Sportster]

It's too bad those folks were like that to you,Cats. This is the exact opposite of how a Christian should live.

I guess if it were your spouse and you saw the pain in their eyes, it'd hit you hard. It did me.

I definately hear ya,Cats. And no way am I condemning you for not going. I understand....I just want whats best for ya,kiddo! And to me,the best is finding a church that DOES care and you can have that fellowship face to face. I think everyone needs that. Computers just don't 'emote',ya know?

[Catsmeow]

Sports...I've had nothing but bad experiences with churches...

As a teenager, I was molested by the very preacher who "saved" me...so I flew the coup and became as rebellious as I could possibly be and hated Christians after that.

Later, when two men came to our door to witness we wanted to go to their church but were too poor and they turned us away when they found out we had no money to give; I didn't even own a dress. They dropped us fast.

When I asked one church to help my failing marriage, they checked to see if we tithed and when they found we hadn't they told us they don't council people who don't tithe.

One church turned me away and told me not to come to their church because I was leaving an abusive husband...I got tired of broken bones and bruises.

I finally did come to the Lord and get saved....and I found out then that real Church isn't a "building". It's not some place with a steeple or bells.

I found the real Church right here. I found it when ....

*I was sick, you comforted me.

*I was (spiritually) hungry, and you fed me.

*I was sad, and you showed me kindness.

*I was alone, and you befriended me.

*I was afraid, and you wrote a letter to give me assurance.

*I was depressed, and you sent me a beautiful email card to cheer me up.

*When my world was falling apart, you prayed for me.

Whenever you did this to me, you did it to Him.

If that isn't Church, please tell me ....what is?

[ginakay]

Cats, hope your are in remission soon and feeling better!

I am a mongrel believer too! I was raised AOG. I attended an AOG college which is where I met my husband. Due to circumstances I would not bore you with here we eventually started going to the Church of God. We lived outside the country for about a year and a half and attended some great congregations of believers in those places. Back in the states we finally settled in a very rural area and due to circumstances we drive in to a Baptist. I guess it is Southern Baptist, I'm not sure. Our pastor is a great teacher and the class I attend is more like a "small group" type gathering. So I am a Pentecostal Baptist hybrid but in truth I am a believer in Yeshua (Jesus) and can worship and study the word with anyone else who is also a believer.

It is also wonderful to fellowship and learn with believers here at this site. :hug:

[Catsmeow]

Gina: You know what I'm saying, don't you? I can tell you do.

I've been so hung up on this thing where you "have to" go to a building with a steeple and a sign that says, "Church" and do it because....

You know, I can honestly say I have NEVER been anywhere in any church where I was treated with as much love and kindness as I am right here.

So this is where I'd like to tithe. This is where I'd like to give my all and all. Because this is where I'm 'fed'.

I find people here who genuinely care...I know there are people who truly care. They write. They email. One of them sends me adorable email cards.

And there's some that, if I'm ever well enough, I'll probably go and visit in person.

There's people here I'd do ANYTHING for....I don't care what it is...I'd go the distance.

I feel that kind of connection. I feel that for George and Rivka and I feel that for Dr. Luke... ...just too many people to name.. too many! Threre's a whole lot of people I feel very close to and if they needed anything...I'd want to be right there for them.

I've had times when I was so afraid and needed prayer so badly and guess what? There's people here I KNOW hit their knees in prayer. I don't have to wonder. I know. I see the results too.

That's what "church" is to me...people who really care and live it in their actions.

[ginakay]

Yes, Cats, I do understand. I am so glad you find the fellowship and acceptance of fellow believers here.

In the Lord's timing you might find a home Bible study group or something like that. when you are up to it physically. But if not, we are very blessed to have this on-line fellowship!

[cheercoach]

Hey Cats,

You know what this church needs? Some music.

I'll start a sing along thread. I think it'll be fun.

-Cheer