Fellow Church People

[CensoredAlso]

When you ask Jesus to come into your heart (Romans 8:9-10) he lives inside you. That means you have to work on becoming more Christ like, and thats not really all on the outward things that people think of. It really has to do with having love paitens and treating your fellow man with respect.

I agree.

 

[Gonzo14]

thanks for the advice guys, i think it helps to talk about it anonymously

 

[MJTaylor]

Let me share something with all of you now.
Last year I went to a place called "The Drop Zone" that lends Christian books and stuff. The man who was there approached me and asked what Church I belonged to and I said that I was Catholic. So he gave me some DVD's he said I could keep. I got quite a shock when I got around to watching one of them, it made out that the Catholic Church was not the true Church of God!
You may be familar with it; it was called "Catholicism: Crisis of Faith". You can actually watch it online: http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...sis+of+faith"&ei=8DB3SISZCJOGwgOtrrnYCg&hl=en. Or if you prefer, you can read this transcript: http://www.gnfc.org/transcript.html
I didn't know what to say, apart from the fact that Victor Affonso is wrong when he says the Church took out the second Commandment to justify the use of Statues. I began to wonder if God wanted me to leave the Catholic Church. Then I saw something that made me realize that He meant for me to stay within that Church: http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9305fea1.asp
It turns out much of what was said in the video was taken out of context.
If you do follow that link, you may also want to follow this one: http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9307ltrs.asp

 

[CensoredAlso]

Well I don't want to get into this in a big way, but I will say it was really rude for that person to ask what Church you belong to and then give you something like that without telling you. I may be bias because I am Catholic, but I think it would be wrong no matter what the church or faith. It doesn't pay to be dishonest or judgemental without even getting to know a person first. Every church has their own problems and as Jesus said, we should deal with our own faults first before pointing the finger at others.

 

[MJTaylor]

Well I don't want to get into this in a big way, but I will say it was really rude for that person to ask what Church you belong to and then give you something like that without telling you. I may be bias because I am Catholic, but I think it would be wrong no matter what the church or faith. It doesn't pay to be dishonest or judgemental without even getting to know a person first. Every church has their own problems and as Jesus said, we should deal with our own faults first before pointing the finger at others.

Amen to that! WIth regards to that last thing you said, I'm sure that's one reason we Jesus told us to love our enemies. On the surface, that's hard to accept, but when you think about it, it makes darn good sense.

 

[CensoredAlso]

I'm sure that's one reason we Jesus told us to love our enemies. On the surface, that's hard to accept, but when you think about it, it makes darn good sense.

Definitely, I mean it's not an easy thing at all for anyone. It takes more strength of character to pray for your enemies than it does to show loyalty to your friends. And it also makes life easier for you in the end. Holding a grudge takes so much energy and pain for yourself. Most people don't know or care if you hate them. You're the only one suffering.

Of course it doesn't mean you can't seek justice. I guess it's that there's a difference between justice and revenge.

 

[MartyMuppets]

Of course it doesn't mean you can't seek justice. I guess it's that there's a difference between justice and revenge.

Well said heralde. It reminds me of what someone else once said to me. "Hate the sin but love the sinner."

Justice on earth should still be upheld, and sinners who are guilty must bear the consequences by our human laws. But we must forgive them and hope and pray that they will be led to seek out forgiveness before God. For we know that in His sight we are just as guilty as the most hardened criminal. If we don't forgive the sins of others against us, God won't forgive us for our own sins either.

Matthew 18:21-35

 

[CensoredAlso]

I found this on the web, I think it's really inspiring.

God Speaking:

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" And a meadowlark sang. But the man did not hear.

So the man yelled "God, speak to me" And the thunder and lightening rolled across the sky. But the man did not hear.

The man looked around and said "God, let me see you" And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see.

The man shouted "God, show me a miracle" And a life was born. But the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in dispair, "Touch me God, and let me know that you are here!" Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But the man brused the butterfly away and walked on.

Sort of makes you want to look at the world around you in a different way.

 

[Hope Mills]

I found this on the web, I think it's really inspiring.



Sort of makes you want to look at the world around you in a different way.

Great parable!

 

[wilson]

I'm a bit late to this conversation, but I'm a Presbyterian. I still attend the church in which I was baptized, and I volunteer in various ways there (including teaching 5th grade Sunday School starting this fall). I had perfect attendance at Sunday School for eight solid years, between the ages of 4 and 11, and I still have the little pins to prove it. Hello and peace to all you other doubly enlightened people.