Good Sunday Mornin'

[Shortgrass]

If you haven't read the Dear Abby post on this same thread, you need to do that before reading this:


Please forgive me, because I made up the "Dear Abby" part. My dear wife is in fine standing with all the neighbors. This has to do with the lesson for Good Sunday Mornin': Many of you might be the neighbor. God is the one who you like real well, and my wife, my bride, is the church. Many people say they like God, but want nothing to do with his bride, the church. Do you want a relationship, but only on your terms? How acceptable is that to Him? He loves the bride, and gave Himself for her. The church is not the institution, the man made system that we may see on the surface. We must look beyond all that to see what He sees. There is a living breathing community of needy souls that make good decisions and bad decisions. It is not about programs or agendas, but it is about relationships, about people. It is His job to change people, and our job to love em' (warts & all). If we will grow our relationships with those who love Him, our relationship with Him will grow. I really appreciate the ability to speak to all you folks, but this web sight is no substitute for church. Hopefully you use both resources. Well, have yourselves a good Sunday Mornin' and a great rest of the week too.

 

[Soapweed]

Thanks, Shortgrass. Lesson taught. Lesson learned. You have a fine, understanding, and very dear wife.

 

[per]

Thanks Shortgrass. I hear you. Sure glad not to have to help you tune your neighbor in as well.

 

[Triangle Bar]

A good message, well delivered.....but darn, I was hoping to see the pictures you would have to post from your fisticuffs with your neighbor.:wink: :lol:

 

[Shortgrass]

Hope none of you are wanting to team up with the "neighbor". Some of the comments off the Abby thread that I think are great in a spiritual application are "Communication is the key," "Stand by the one who stands by you," "being angry is a choice," a person isn't a friend if he will only be friend on his terms" and was pleased that no one said just give up on him. Everyone thought to try to reconcile was worthwhile. These are a few that immediatly caught my eye, but there are others too. Thanks friends. And thanks to Soapweed for the nice comment about my wife, she is also a "peach"! :wink:

 

[Shortgrass]

I had a PM that brought up the topic of getting along with other denominations. Sure, I strongly believe the Church is a body of people who believe, and is not any denomination or building. It is about relationships, not agendas. I do draw the line when people teach contrary to scripture (i.e. gay rights). This is like any other sin, and may be forgiven, but must be repented of. This thread today was to encourage the unchurched folks to find a church home.

 

[Nicky]

Thanks as usual Shortgrass. We have a new preacher at our church, been there since the first of the year. He is a 'non demonination' and we are a Conservative Baptist church. My dad (82 yrs old and now lives in Mexico) was very concerned when I told him about him. So far we think he's great. And I don't think the pulpit committee would've picked him if they'd had any concerns. We've been going there about 10 years and had the previous pastor the whole time. I don't think he ever called us and the new one has called twice when we didn't make it to church due to weather or calving.

 

[gcreekrch]

Serious questions Shortgrass.

Aside from the fellowship part, and I will admit to being judgemental about most of the churchgoers here. (It seems they missed out on reading the 10 commandments)

Don't you believe that God's church is everywhere and not nessessarily man made?

As long as you know He is there for you and you have accepted Him is that not enough?

 

[Blkbuckaroo]

All very good points.

 

[Mrs.Greg]

Wow,I got a stress headache trying to figure out just what in the world sweet Jan could have said SO bad that somebody didn't want her in their home.

I got your message in the end but the beginning{Dear Abby} sure had me confused... :wink:

The lodge my homecare office is in,has weekly Church sermons,Lutheren,United,Catholic,Baptist,Presbiterian,Alliance all take there turns....the residents no matter their denominations go weekly. What they've all said is Gods in every week.Its important for us to know Gods with us no matter where we are,cause hes the only one that knows whats truly in our hearts.....

Hugs to Jan this week,I hope shes doing well....

 

[Shortgrass]

Serious questions Shortgrass.

Aside from the fellowship part, and I will admit to being judgemental about most of the churchgoers here. (It seems they missed out on reading the 10 commandments)

Don't you believe that God's church is everywhere and not nessessarily man made?

As long as you know He is there for you and you have accepted Him is that not enough?

Sure, we can and ought to worship Him anywhere and everywhere. Let me PM you later in the day; right now we are headed out the door.

 

[nmhighdesert]

Shortgrass, thanks for the lesson. In my travels I have always found a church to attend, but find that I will continue where the best "message" or "sermon" is taught. Denomination is not my faith politics. And I find the best message teachers are the pastors who you will find more personal contact and connection too. All have a great day.

 

[John SD]

Nicky, I can't help but get a kick out of your description of your new "non demonination" pastor! :wink: :lol: I hope every pastor is a non demon! Sounds like you have a keeper there!

Shortgrass, I agree it is good to encourage everyone to have a church home. With the choices out there, it looks like most anyone could find a good fit for a spiritual home. IMO, church is not just there to "marry 'em and bury 'em." Church is also there for helping us celebrate the good and deal with the bad of everyday life too.

gcreekrch, I don't disagree with you. Church is not and should not be a museum for saints. Church is a hospital for sinners.

 

[Shortgrass]

Serious questions Shortgrass.

Aside from the fellowship part, and I will admit to being judgemental about most of the churchgoers here. (It seems they missed out on reading the 10 commandments)

Don't you believe that God's church is everywhere and not nessessarily man made?

As long as you know He is there for you and you have accepted Him is that not enough?

I tell the teenagers that church is a locker room situation. They relate to sports. The game is played on the court, but often they are won in the locker room. The locker room is where the game plan is made, and the team bonds. The world is where we play the game of life, but church is where we are bonded and encouraged, where tha plan is laid out for us.

He is always there for us, but ought not we be there for Him? He has asked us to "love the Lord with all your strength, and all your might, AND, your neighbor as yourself" Sometimes our neighbor is pretty unlovable, and we have to swallow our pride. I think that you are missing a great opportunity to grow and be closer to Him if you neglect some spiritual food from the church. Find one that meets your needs, and needs what you have to give.

 

[Nicky]

="John SD"Nicky, I can't help but get a kick out of your description of your new "non demonination" pastor! :wink: :lol: I hope every pastor is a non demon! Sounds like you have a keeper there!

gcreekrch, I don't disagree with you. Church is not and should not be a museum for saints. Church is a hospital for sinners.

:agree: And I think the "hypocritical christian" is the biggest problem the Church has. FWIW

 

[gcreekrch]

Nicky, I can't help but get a kick out of your description of your new "non demonination" pastor! :wink: :lol: I hope every pastor is a non demon! Sounds like you have a keeper there!

Shortgrass, I agree it is good to encourage everyone to have a church home. With the choices out there, it looks like most anyone could find a good fit for a spiritual home. IMO, church is not just there to "marry 'em and bury 'em." Church is also there for helping us celebrate the good and deal with the bad of everyday life too.

gcreekrch, I don't disagree with you. Church is not and should not be a museum for saints. Church is a hospital for sinners.

That was very well said John, thanks. If there were more folks in this area that thought the same way I could be persuaded to go. Until then He and I will have to communicate everywhere else.