The Christian Thread

^hmmm, I would have thought other-wise....

damn, hehe....

progismylife wrote: Epignosis wrote: progismylife wrote: I have something I'd like prayer about: Some of the other youth in my church. The way they act / talk / stuff they go to and call good is a bit scary and I'm thinking its leading them down a road that isn't good. I hope I'm wrong, but its just bugging me. Also they don't see the amazing stuff I see in sermons and this concerns me. Would you mind elaborating a bit (certainly okay if you don't)? As for sermons, I wouldn't sweat that at all.  God brings believers closer to maturity at different rates.  If you're a more mature Christian (and it sounds like you very well may be), then of course that's nothing to brag about (because it's God's work in you), and you should be excited that He has placed in a place of leadership, and you will be able to work with your peers, set a solid example, and be a mentor. Well it's just like they don't really seem to be paying attention in youth group, and definitely aren't paying attention to service, and I asked one of them why he goes to church he said: "To worship and praise God with other members / friends of fellowship, to educate myself about God, and how to apply it to my life, and i enjoy it" and I just don't see that happening at all. During sermons and youth he talks with his friend or texts people during the service. That's just one example. And I realize I have been blessed by having a pastor for a dad, and one who did seminary and so has a wealth of knowledge as well as numerous books. I'm at least encouraged that the youth are coming to church, even if it is a bit irregular.

As you are now, so once was I.

Thanks for the post and thoughts.  I'm reading through Psalms right now.

Sermon Jamming ftw.

Sorry - couldn't resist

Interesting thread, btw.

Over the last several weeks I've been participating in something at my local church called "Celebrate Recovery," a coordinated program that provides a place and setting for believers to gather and confess their sins, bad habits, concerns, etc. in a worshipful atmosphere.  I find it especially healing for men because we don't easily open up to other fellows (the smaller groups are segregated by gender) and "let it all out" but the benefits of sharing wholly outweigh any embarrassment one might feel.  I'm convinced that this is something the church has needed for a very long time.  It's not therapy, no one's there to fix anybody, it's totally discreet and there is no cross-talk allowed. 

<sup>From the pen of James (chapter 2):

14</sup> What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

 ¹⁵If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

 ¹⁶and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

 ¹⁷Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

James makes a tough point here- one that is hard to appreciate.  Yes, a man is saved by faith in Jesus Christ, but if no good works are manifested as a result, then we can only conclude that that man did not have faith at all.

Why is this?

It makes sense, actually: If you have faith in God (remember from my earlier post- faith is complete trust in God, who was faithful to us in caring for us and cleansing us from sin), then it stands to reason you will not lean on the crutch of money or possessions.

You could sell everything you own and give it to the less fortunate while proclaiming the Gospel to them, and have assurance that God will take care of us.

So what makes us so timid about going out of our way to help others who need it?

I haven't had a job since July.  But I've never once done without, and neither has my family.  I should have more confidence that I can be God's instrument to the needy and provide myself a fair opportunity to share with them the good news of my Savior.

I can't remember when I last time went to a church to prey (I was born in a catholic family). I haven't been much into religion for a long time. But for some time when I pass by a church I feel the urge to step inside. Sometimes I do. I look around and go out. I feel like I'm missing something...

Well, I meant to post this yesterday since Easter would have seemed a more appropriate day. But we had family over, I forgot about the time, etc etc. So instead I come here today with a prayer request.

Normally I tend to keep others in my thought/prayers. But right now I think I need a few myself. I've been born and raised in a Catholic family, and lucky to be blessed with one that loves me and cares about my well-being very much. But around my senior year in high school, I started having questions and negative thoughts about my faith so I started drifting away from it. A couple of weeks ago though I found an old Bible in my room from grade school and have since been reading it for at least 20-30 minutes every day. I'm kind of doing that old "say a little prayer, open it up to a random page, and begin reading" deal and almost every time I've read it, it's spoken to me personally. Basically I guess I'm asking all of you to keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I try to rediscover my faith life. I'm not really sure what direction it's going to go from here, but I feel like I'm being guided along somehow. Thanks!

I pray that you just stay on the road you're on, Bird.  Seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will fall into place.  You've gone to the right source, friend, just stay with it.