So true. We were church hopping for many years and it took a while to find our 'home'. God also causes us to move on sometimes because he has a new task for us.
You may find this surprising - I no longer attend church. All the perfumes, colognes, lotions and other "stinky stuff" that people apply to their bodies, makes it difficult for me to breathe. Then I start to cough.... and cough. It is very disrupting for the congregation. I once was offered a chair in the control room, up in the loft, to get there - I would have to climb a narrow steep stairway. I thought not.
So, I meditate and pray, and occasionally watch it on the television. I feel right with myself.
There are some wonderful people in the various churches, but I do not have the need to go into a building full of people to get my daily "fix".
My parents didn't go to church, mainly because my Dad didn't drive. I started going on my own when I was about 7yrs old. I believe I have been to most Christian churches. My favorites being Assembly and Methodist - those people sure can sing!
There are many people who do not go to church that are right with God. Probably a lot more than do go... God knows. My parents never went to church. They sent us kids though, which I'm thankful for. I think they wanted us out of their hair> LOL. Every once in a while Gary and me will have 'church at home' or I'll watch on TV. In the winter months we miss a lot. I have a lot of beautiful God-filled people in my life and many do not attend church :-) You are right Sharon... Assembly's rock!! I love their music as well!
Your post was very timely for me today. My husband and I are struggling with some issues taking place in our church, things we think are being mishandled. We love our pastor and his wife, and consider them friends, but we're having a hard time getting around some things that are occurring.
We know these issues need to be addressed with them, yet we don't wish to offend them or sever a relationship. It's a constant struggle for us not to get in a place (and stay there) of fleshly anger. Reading the passage you shared from Matthew has reminded me that we need to spend time asking God to show us where WE need to change, before we ask others to make changes.
As to not being in a church, we were out (occasional visits) for three years when we were between churches. We kept ourselves fed, spiritually, with christian tv, books, and tapes, etc. I realized, though, once we got back in a church, how much I'd missed the corporate worship, as well as fellowshipping with other believers.
Thank you for the scripture -- it is the one I need for right now as a friend made me very disappointed a while back and again today about the same issue. She didn't quite trust me, when there should have never been any doubt. I will read all of the Sermon on the Mountain tomorrow morning during my spiritual time. I feel peaceful now, thank you so much for pointing the way, Chambray Blue.--Inger
We have been going to the same church since my husband agreed to start going about 2 years ago. I do love my church. The messages and praise and worship are amazing and none the of the churches I have visited since compare. However it's in a fairly wealthy area and I sometimes feel uncomfortable around others not to mention the large amounts of $ that come in there. I feel like we do not contribute enough but we give what we can. I sometimes wonder if we should switch but my husband tells me this is a silly reason to do so.
So true. We were church hopping for many years and it took a while to find our 'home'. God also causes us to move on sometimes because he has a new task for us.
ReplyDeleteYou may find this surprising - I no longer attend church. All the perfumes, colognes, lotions and other "stinky stuff" that people apply to their bodies, makes it difficult for me to breathe. Then I start to cough.... and cough. It is very disrupting for the congregation. I once was offered a chair in the control room, up in the loft, to get there - I would have to climb a narrow steep stairway. I thought not.
ReplyDeleteSo, I meditate and pray, and occasionally watch it on the television. I feel right with myself.
There are some wonderful people in the various churches, but I do not have the need to go into a building full of people to get my daily "fix".
My parents didn't go to church, mainly because my Dad didn't drive. I started going on my own when I was about 7yrs old. I believe I have been to most Christian churches. My favorites being Assembly and Methodist - those people sure can sing!
There are many people who do not go to church that are right with God. Probably a lot more than do go... God knows. My parents never went to church. They sent us kids though, which I'm thankful for. I think they wanted us out of their hair> LOL. Every once in a while Gary and me will have 'church at home' or I'll watch on TV. In the winter months we miss a lot.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of beautiful God-filled people in my life and many do not attend church :-)
You are right Sharon... Assembly's rock!! I love their music as well!
Your post was very timely for me today. My husband and I are struggling with some issues taking place in our church, things we think are being mishandled. We love our pastor and his wife, and consider them friends, but we're having a hard time getting around some things that are occurring.
ReplyDeleteWe know these issues need to be addressed with them, yet we don't wish to offend them or sever a relationship. It's a constant struggle for us not to get in a place (and stay there) of fleshly anger. Reading the passage you shared from Matthew has reminded me that we need to spend time asking God to show us where WE need to change, before we ask others to make changes.
As to not being in a church, we were out (occasional visits) for three years when we were between churches. We kept ourselves fed, spiritually, with christian tv, books, and tapes, etc. I realized, though, once we got back in a church, how much I'd missed the corporate worship, as well as fellowshipping with other believers.
Thank you for the scripture -- it is the one I need for right now as a friend made me very disappointed a while back and again today about the same issue. She didn't quite trust me, when there should have never been any doubt. I will read all of the Sermon on the Mountain tomorrow morning during my spiritual time. I feel peaceful now, thank you so much for pointing the way, Chambray Blue.--Inger
ReplyDeleteWe have been going to the same church since my husband agreed to start going about 2 years ago. I do love my church. The messages and praise and worship are amazing and none the of the churches I have visited since compare. However it's in a fairly wealthy area and I sometimes feel uncomfortable around others not to mention the large amounts of $ that come in there. I feel like we do not contribute enough but we give what we can. I sometimes wonder if we should switch but my husband tells me this is a silly reason to do so.
ReplyDeleteWhat someone gives is between them and God. This scripture may help you to know that God looks at your heart when you are giving... not the amount.
ReplyDeleteLuke 21
1And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.