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Church

Funny you mention the Mormons Joe. My wife grew up Mormon. I will give them credit: They are the fastest growing denomination out there. Those people must have some serious marketing majors in their higher ups. lol

I grew up Catholic. Forced to go every week. By high school my mom quit fighting it and I didn't go. Headed off to basic training and attended Catholic services. Foreign priest who I couldn't understand much. HOWEVER, while in the church I felt peace. It was there I realized even if I don't understand the priest, I needed to have a relationship with God.

Back home I continued to attend Catholic services. Seemed every year got worse in regards to begging for money. My wife and I would take turns attending each others' church every other week. We ended up getting married in a Lutheran church within walking distance of the house as that is where my parents ended up becoming members. (Long story there with Mom's transition from Catholic to Lutheran.) We had our first child and never baptized her as we couldn't agree on where it would happen. Had our second child and we were still going back and forth between the Catholic and Mormon churches. The Catholic church continued begging for money and one service I walked out and never looked back. From here on we started attending the Lutheran church by our house more regularly.

Truth be told, there are good people there. They don't panhandle weekly like the Catholic church. I don't feel like I am being judged or snubbed like I did at the Catholic church. Just good people. Mainly a rural crowd with many farmers as members. Maybe this is part of it. Down to Earth people.

Our kids were finally baptized at the Lutheran church. They had been attending Sunday school and such and we waited until we felt they could make this decision on their own. This year our daughter received her First Communion there. The only issue I have with it is the age of the congregation. I bet the average age is well over 50 and maybe over 60. There are just a lot of 70-90yr old people there. Nothing wrong with it, just not a ton of people we can relate to.

In the end though, we go so the kids see the importance of attending church. We go to support their relationship with God. We go because the people treat us and our kids like family. We stress living right and doing right daily to the kids. We pray at every meal. We point out God's work in daily events to our kids. As they get older I am sure we will try to make them think more independently on their religious choices.

Overall, I agree with much of what I have read. I see many Christians who are darn good people but do not attend church. I also see those who attend church and are Christians on Sunday but forget about it the rest of the week. I see through it. You see through it. God sees through it. This is their choice. Not my place to judge. Personally though, I would rather talk God and religion with someone who lives the life daily but does NOT attend church than to have these conversations with someone who is only a Christian for an hour on Sundays. The fellowship and brotherhood on this site is pretty strong. I don't attend church (physically) with any of you. I still feel connected though and can appreciate your opinions and choices. I know there are a few here on TOO with little to no connection with God. I feel they are better people than some of those I see in church on Sunday. I don't judge them any more than I would judge the 1hr/wk Christians. In the end, it isn't my job to attend but rather my job to be one of God's examples to others. We do God's work with our hands and our examples in my opinion. These examples can be good or bad. They might be seen by our children or by complete strangers. This is some of what I think about daily to attempt to continually better myself. This is all we can do in my opinion: Work each day to become better people.
 
Great thread!

Full bore said:
In our church, we call the people"the church". It's not a building,sanctuary or a religion.
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church.jpg
 
I grew up catholic. I hear about they need money for this or that, but I don't pay much attention to it. Never in ALL my years has ANYONE ever asked me directly for money. I have never had any specific person come to me personally and say that I need to give money. That is absurd!!! I have been a member of 3 different catholic churches and never been asked directly. I have visited a dozen or more other catholic churches and never had that happen. When I have a little extra cash, I put a couple bucks in the basket, if I don't then no big deal. Also, I don't judge and try not to worry about what others think. That's not why I am there. I generally, get something out of it when I go. Though, if the old man is up there speaking in a somber monotone, the message get lost as I drift off daydreaming about big muskies or huge racked deers. That's DEERS! lol

Also, many of you may not pay much attention to the pope, but the new one they got seems to get it. He has some dirty shoes, speaks of humility, and lives the message rather than preaches it. So far, I am quite impressed.

Also, some of the comments in this thread made me think of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UWwCftjR0s
 
Ohiosam said:
Saw this on FB, reminded me of this thread.
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Lol. The problem isn't hypocrites. The problem is self-righteous hypocrites who assume because they go to the hospital they're somehow better than another hypocrite. They assume because they go to (insert popular church here) they're somehow better. Those who pick and choose. Those who are in the bar friday night yet think they can judge someone for their transgression. Those who commit adultery but despise gays. Those who judge someone for not going to church, but Sunday at lunch cuss at others in traffic. What churches and people lack today is humility before God. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This doesn't mean "go to church on Sunday so They can be a sinner Monday through Friday but its ok because you go the the hospital once a week". You can't just live how you want in a life of sin, go to church, pray about it, and it'll all be good. Well, unless you believe in confession and saying I'm sorry x numbers of time fixes it. Rev3:16 "since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth"

That billboard is an excuse for a church full of hypocrites. "Don't mind the mess were taking, singing, and praying, about how to clean it up. But we haven't actually done anything yet" they say as the garbage piles higher and higher.
 
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Jackalope said:
Lol. The problem isn't hypocrites. The problem is self-righteous hypocrites who assume because they go to the hospital they're somehow better than another hypocrite. They assume because they go to (insert popular church here) they're somehow better. Those who pick and choose. Those who are in the bar friday night yet think they can judge someone for their transgression. Those who commit adultery but despise gays. Those who judge someone for not going to church, but Sunday at lunch cuss at others in traffic. What churches and people lack today is humility before God. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This doesn't mean "go to church on Sunday so They can be a sinner Monday through Friday but its ok because you go the the hospital once a week". You can't just live how you want in a life of sin, go to church, pray about it, and it'll all be good. Well, unless you believe in confession and saying I'm sorry x numbers of time fixes it. Rev3:16 "since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth"

That billboard is an excuse for a church full of hypocrites. "Don't mind the mess were taking, singing, and praying, about how to clean it up. But we haven't actually done anything yet" they say as the garbage piles higher and higher.
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I hear what your saying Joe and what you say is true.

I am far from perfect and never claim to be. However, I am a Christian man and I fall short ever day. God gives me guidance and forgiveness. Without him we would be lost. I don't want to judge anyone or put myself above anyone. I just think that our world needs a reality check. Our world leaders, from Congress to religious leaders have forgotten God, and as you can see, the world is in turmoil. I pray that people see this and humble themselves. Without our heavenly father, we are nothing! Just my opinion, I take my family to church, so we can grow and build a stronger relationship with God.
 
If you read what Christ said about the hypocritical Pharasees and Sadducees, or how he drove the money changers "from my father's house" it's appearant that somethings don't change. But I don't remember any place where Christ said not to attend synagogue because those people.
 
Ohiosam said:
If you read what Christ said about the hypocritical Pharasees and Sadducees, or how he drove the money changers "from my father's house" it's appearant that somethings don't change. But I don't remember any place where Christ said not to attend synagogue because those people.
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Exactly! That's the point I was trying to make. Thanks Sam.
 
Ohiosam said:
If you read what Christ said about the hypocritical Pharasees and Sadducees, or how he drove the money changers "from my father's house" it's appearant that somethings don't change. But I don't remember any place where Christ said not to attend synagogue because those people.
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2 Timothy 4:3
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.

Matthew 6:1-4
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.


Romans 16:17
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.


Matthew 7:15-20 ESV
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
 
Matthew 6:1-4
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
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Thanks. I couldn't find that verse awhile back when I wanted it.
 
Jackalope said:
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.

Matthew 6:1-4
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.


Romans 16:17
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.


Matthew 7:15-20 ESV
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
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sounds like a good advocate for the death penalty..
 
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