trading religion for relationship

[jackie d]

What does the devil's territory mean anyway? Who gave him that territory and said we couldn't step on it? We have it easy if all we have to do is walk into a bar to be in the devil's territory, when missionaries around the world have to endure major hardships. We don't have much to risk, but there's still fear there, that.... I don't know what it is. Fear of judgement from another Christian seeing you walk in I suppose.

truthfully, I have such a don't care attitude toward that kind of judgment that I am frequently "in trouble" for being as labeled "disobedient and rebellious"....heheheheeeeeee makes me laugh so hard

[nebula]

**Introduction to a book called The Visitation by Frank Peretti, this is a letter to his readers that I thought was especially poignant. ENJOY!**

Sorry I am late to this discussion, and I appologize for being a new voice going back to the beginning and interrupting where the discussion has been going, but I don't have time right now to read the thread.

Any, I just wanted to comment on this.

Of all Peretti's books, I appreciated this one the most. Most Christian books (fiction) seem to focus on an unsaved person getting saved. This book was a very rare look at a life-long Christian struggling with his Christian walk. It was refreshing to read about the main character's past and thinking, "I can relate!"

It is not often that Christian fiction authors tackle the struggles of practical faith, disappointments, dissalusionments, struggles and such that face our daily walks.

Kudos!

[artsylady]

You disobedient and rebellious woman you!

You're not one of those that eats and drinks with (gasp) sinners, are you?

Don't you know that's an example of Jesus that we're not supposed to follow????

I wish I had more of that "I don't care" attitude. 95 percent of the time I do.

I lived under strict rules and condemnation all of my upbringing and there is still a hold of that on me when certain Christian people are around,(like 6 of them) I fall back into a sheepish, shy person, conformist person. The guilt and shame don't come back anymore at least. I guess it's evolved more to a "I know I was always that person (conformist, shy, guilty, etc) and that's who you think I am, so that's who I will be around you, because I don't really know how to be myself around you". A problem that I need to address, I know.

[jackie d]

**Introduction to a book called The Visitation by Frank Peretti, this is a letter to his readers that I thought was especially poignant. ENJOY!**

Sorry I am late to this discussion, and I appologize for being a new voice going back to the beginning and interrupting where the discussion has been going, but I don't have time right now to read the thread.

Any, I just wanted to comment on this.

Of all Peretti's books, I appreciated this one the most. Most Christian books (fiction) seem to focus on an unsaved person getting saved. This book was a very rare look at a life-long Christian struggling with his Christian walk. It was refreshing to read about the main character's past and thinking, "I can relate!"

It is not often that Christian fiction authors tackle the struggles of practical faith, disappointments, dissalusionments, struggles and such that face our daily walks.

Kudos!

well I'm only into the fifth chapter of the book and I have laughed more in those chapters than any complete book I've read. The laughter comes from seeing the actions and words of denominational conflicts...the superior attitudes of one denomination over the other. It truly cracks me up...I see Worthy and every other forum I have ever been in right there in front of my face. And the main character's attitude so much like my own at times......for him right now everything in life is just one big <SIGH>....LOL!!

[OneLight]

I have most of his books, and two on CD. I'm going to have to pick this one up. Sounds great! Thanks jackie d!

[jackie d]

artsylady said:

I lived under strict rules and condemnation all of my upbringing and there is still a hold of that on me when certain Christian people are around,(like 6 of them)

hmmm fully understanding...

as James said:

Jam 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Jam 1:26 If anyone among you[fn2] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

Jam 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

You're not one of those that eats and drinks with (gasp) sinners, are you?

Each and Every DAY!!!!

[jackie d]

Passing onto you artsylady, what the Lord pressed into me after prayer this morning.......

Isa 54:2 "Enlarge the place of your tent,

And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings;

Do not spare;

Lengthen your cords,

And strengthen your stakes.

Isa 54:3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left,

And your descendants will inherit the nations,

And make the desolate cities inhabited.

Isa 54:4 "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;

Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame;

For you will forget the shame of your youth,

And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.

Isa 54:5 For your Maker is your husband,

The LORD of hosts is His name;

And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;

He is called the God of the whole earth.

Isa 54:6 For the LORD has called you

Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,

Like a youthful wife when you were refused,"

Says your God.

Isa 54:7 "For a mere moment I have forsaken you,

But with great mercies I will gather you.

Isa 54:8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;

But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,"

Says the LORD, your Redeemer.

Isa 54:9 "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me;

For as I have sworn

That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth,

So have I sworn

That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.

Isa 54:10 For the mountains shall depart

And the hills be removed,

But My kindness shall not depart from you,

Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,"

Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

Isa 54:11 "O you afflicted one,

Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,

Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,

And lay your foundations with sapphires.

Isa 54:12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,

Your gates of crystal,

And all your walls of precious stones.

Isa 54:13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD,

And great shall be the peace of your children.

Isa 54:14 In righteousness you shall be established;

You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;

And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

Isa 54:15 Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me.

Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.

Isa 54:16 "Behold, I have created the blacksmith

Who blows the coals in the fire,

Who brings forth an instrument for his work;

And I have created the spoiler to destroy.

Isa 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

And their righteousness is from Me,"

Says the LORD.

[nebula]

well I'm only into the fifth chapter of the book and I have laughed more in those chapters than any complete book I've read. The laughter comes from seeing the actions and words of denominational conflicts...the superior attitudes of one denomination over the other. It truly cracks me up...I see Worthy and every other forum I have ever been in right there in front of my face. And the main character's attitude so much like my own at times......for him right now everything in life is just one big <SIGH>....LOL!!

Well, wait until you learn more about his past and you can laugh (or cry) at how you have been through the same thing!

[jackie d]

well I'm only into the fifth chapter of the book and I have laughed more in those chapters than any complete book I've read. The laughter comes from seeing the actions and words of denominational conflicts...the superior attitudes of one denomination over the other. It truly cracks me up...I see Worthy and every other forum I have ever been in right there in front of my face. And the main character's attitude so much like my own at times......for him right now everything in life is just one big <SIGH>....LOL!!

Well, wait until you learn more about his past and you can laugh (or cry) at how you have been through the same thing!

lookin forward to it

[Blien]

Love this topic..

Thank you Richard for your comments, I really appreciate them.. and I don't have any suggestions per say other than what my cousin said about the Bible Study and them practicing it the following days.. only this verse comes to mind in addition to all that I said in my previous post. I hope it blesses you as it has blessed me.

Psalm 63 :8

My soul follows close behind You, your right hand upholds me.