Christians Unite!

[Lionheart]

"What a sweet, precious child."

What a nice thing for you to say, I needed to hear that I wasn't being stupid in standing up.
I guess it has bothered me all these years that I was laughed at. Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts.

 

[HealingInProcess]

I have been exploring Catholicism and one thing they like to do is these nine day prayers called Novenas. I really like the Sacred Heart novena and it brings to mind that Jesus mentions that our thoughts come from the heart or we even hear of feelings in the bowels. This novena helps me to heal my heart and perhaps this will also help heal my mind in the process.

 

[HealingInProcess]

Thinking about the church and wondering about how pop music like Hillsong fits with Christian worship. I'm biased toward classical music I guess.

 

[Mach123]

I'm with you on the trinity, but I think I separate them in my mind. i.e. God (my father), Jesus (my savior and helper), and the Holy Spirit (the one who indwells, and teaches and directs me). There is a lot of overlap for me, so well, that's my general idea of how it all hangs together.

Like you, I have had experiences in my church where I knew God was present. It's always was kind of electric and all-encompassing for me, and very deeply felt. One time, we were singing "Whom Shall I Fear" with the band/choir when the band stopped playing and all of us were singing a capella. I, too, had tears running down my face. I still get shivers when I think about it and I feel deeply moved. Going to church is usually very emotional for me. The music touches me on a very deep level.

I go to a really big church and there all kinds of hands raised and singing as we have a great band, but no speaking in tongues or anything of that nature. If I were to give it a label, it seems to me we're all kind of Charismatic meets Methodist of a sort at my church. :) Some fall toward Calvinism, others are more liberal. I tend to not get hung up on religious semantics, but instead focus on my relationship with Christ, so I guess I'm just a believer without a label.

I have had many experiences with God as well. I had one the other day when I went to Walmart. A lady approached me from behind and asked if I was a Christian. Hmmm, I was talking to God when she approached, asking Him to help me through this horrible apartment move I have going on. So, I said "yes" and she told me that He wanted me to know that He loved me deeply." It was a bit shocking, but I think it was Heaven sent. We both looked at each other a little stunned and then hugged.

Not sure this is what you're looking for, but it's how I experience God daily on every level of my life. I hope someone else can add more to this for you if I'm off track. VB

No that's it. That sounds about like us. We all want to be without labels but I went to church for awhile with people who wanted to hash it out and figure out why you believe what you say you do. It causes arguments and church splits and so on. It can be devastating when people start fighting in the church especially because you know you're not supposed to be fighting. But I learned so much from them. It's shocking what people don't know today, even people in the church.

So yes, the experience of the Holy Ghost.

It's beautiful, thank you.

 

[HealingInProcess]

No that's it. That sounds about like us. We all want to be without labels but I went to church for awhile with people who wanted to hash it out and figure out why you believe what you say you do. It causes arguments and church splits and so on. It can be devastating when people start fighting in the church especially because you know you're not supposed to be fighting. But I learned so much from them. It's shocking what people don't know today, even people in the church.

So yes, the experience of the Holy Ghost.

It's beautiful, thank you.

I'm currently reading a book on church history and it's first 1000 years. The persecution were severe and people were slaughtered en masse. It's truly a miracle that she survived.

 

[Mach123]

I'm currently reading a book on church history and it's first 1000 years. The persecution were severe and people were slaughtered en masse. It's truly a miracle that she survived.

The church can't be eliminated because of the Holy Spirit that's his function. When the persecution starts, people get converted in droves. The blood of the martyrs. Killing Christians to try and stamp out the church is like pouring gasoline on a fire to try and put it out.

I think when that happens and people see it because they always do it in public like the romans did for effect but people see God and believe so it works in reverse.

Everyone sees the form of the church which is in the world and it's not attractive but it's supernatural in actuality.

That's why talking about it is so difficult.

 

[Mach123]

I wanted to share an experience I had at church when I was young. The Reverend asked everyone to turn to their hymnal to the song "Stand up for Jesus" and all I heard was Stand up for Jesus..so I stood up!!! Everyone laughed. I was so embarrassed by their laughter, I mean I was humiliated. When I grew up though it became a healing experience that reminds me of the purity and innocence of a child. I think the Holy Spirit was with me that day and I just didn't know it.

Anyways thanks for letting me share.

Thank you. : )

 

[Mach123]

Thinking about the church and wondering about how pop music like Hillsong fits with Christian worship. I'm biased toward classical music I guess.

My church is "contemporary" meaning the "worship" is contemporary or a cross between soft rock and the sixties folk music I guess.

I'm very stiff lol. A "bible faced Yankee" as one British general referred to New Englanders during the revolution.

I went to Baptist churches for years, piano and choir only and everyone droning the old hyms out of the red hymnals.

Honestly I don't know which is worse and I don't care anymore? At least someone is making some kind of effort.

The "Christian" rock bands? At least it makes people think about it. God can use anything and anyone.

 

[HealingInProcess]

Wondering why people don't worship with arms raised these days. I like doing this but I was the only one in church doing it this Sunday.

 

[Mach123]

Wondering why people don't worship with arms raised these days. I like doing this but I was the only one in church doing it this Sunday.

People don't want to draw attention to themselves. Like singing loudly (drowning out the choir) or any kind of "display" like that.

That's why people gravitate towards the charismatic experience IMHO. They want to "party" in the Lord.

I hope you don't mind my being irreverent? I had to learn to laugh about it all. I would have gone crazy otherwise. Maybe I did?

 

[VioletButterfly]

I'm continuing to keep my focus on love and staying centered in that theme in my life when relating to myself and others in the World, and in my relationship with Christ. John 13:34-35 and 1 Corinthians 13.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Isaiah 43: 1-3 and Psalm 27: 1-3. Reading these and trying to tap transcendence today despite all that I have going on. Changing my focus over to gratitude and thanksgiving.