<DIV>Eric,</DIV>
<DIV>May I suggest that your search for a church to attend be done with much prayer and reading of your Bible. Not everyone agrees what is and is not Christian behavior and that is why there are many choices. Some churches are very strict, some are too lax (,my opinion), but no one has the right to stand outside and decide that a particular denomination or church is not really Christian. In order to know for yourself, you need to pray a lot and read your Bible and decide with God's leading, not another persons. We all can be wrong in regards to where Christ wants you to serve Him. Again, pray and pray some more. If you have done this you will know when you are in God's will.</DIV>
<DIV>Nancy<BR><BR><B><I>gcfl-discuss@gcfl.net</I></B> wrote:</DIV>
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<DIV>Eric,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>There are many religions out there because of man and his divided thinking. Different churches to fit their different needs and beliefs. </DIV>
<DIV>Lets say, before you choose a church, you set out an outline from what you expect or what you want from your 'church'. Like you might have a slight belief in the trinity or something. There's a 'church' for that. If you don't believe that, there's a 'church' that doesn't. That's why when you travel down the road, there are SO MANY. Do you honestly believe that god really supports ALL religion if they ALL believe in different things? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Bible foretold that after the death of the apostles, wrong teachings and unchristian practices would slowly come into the Christian congregation. Men would draw away believers to follow them instead of Christ. (Matthew 7:15, 21-23; Acts 20:29, 30) That is why we see so many different religions that claim to be Christian. How can we identify true Christians? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Do you want to know?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Posh<BR><BR><B><I>gcfl-discuss@gcfl.net</I></B> wrote:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">Posh,<BR>Nothing keeps me from learning on my own except not knowing. What<BR>makes one religion "better" than another.<BR><BR>Eric<BR>NY<BR><BR>>>> <GCFL-DISCUSS@GCFL.NET>4/29/2004 3:11:17 PM >>><BR>Sure Eric,<BR>I was asking, what keeps you from learning it on your own? Do you want<BR>the same faith that is in your family...just because it's 'in' your<BR>family?<BR><BR>Posh<BR><BR>gcfl-discuss@gcfl.net wrote:<BR>I just have never realy given it much thought I guess. As for your<BR>second question would you clarify what you were asking. <BR><BR>>>> 4/29/2004 1:49:46 PM >>><BR>Eric,<BR><BR>That takes courage to talk about those kinds of life situations. Thank<BR>you for sharing with me.<BR>If you don't mind I have another question?!<BR>What is it about 'religion' that makes you not have an interest in it?<BR>To what to learn it on your
own?<BR><BR>Posh<BR><BR>gcfl-discuss@gcfl.net wrote:<BR>Posh,<BR>It is not that I stopped attending church. Truth be told I have<BR>never realy gone. My parents and grandparents alike never attended<BR>every Sunday like most people do. My family only went to a service<BR>Christmas eve with some friends from Albany. That was the only time of<BR>the year that we ever went to church. My Grandparents were strict<BR>Italian Catholic, and as for me well I don't know one way. My<BR>grandparents being Catholic, most of my friends Christian. I tend to<BR>listen to all sides of it. Not attending church most people atomaticly<BR>say "What you don't believe in GOD?!?!" and that is not true. I<BR>believe there is a GOD but I can believe that with out attending<BR>church.<BR>I don't know what others think but I would be interested to see what<BR>other people think of this (with out starting an argument, it is all<BR>opinion based). To sum it up not attending has been more of because my<BR>familiy
never realy has.<BR><BR>Eric<BR>NY<BR><BR>>>> 4/29/2004 9:32:11 AM >>><BR>Thank you Eric for your words.<BR>I guess the old fashion people had their standards set for them and<BR>now<BR>people today are setting the standards for us. <BR>Tell me...Why is it you have stopped attending? If you don't want to<BR>answer it...that is totally okay with me.<BR><BR>Have a great day! <BR><BR>Posh<BR><BR><BR>gcfl-discuss@gcfl.net wrote:<BR>Nancy,<BR>You did not butt in on anything. There was no argument made. Just an<BR>answer to a question. Nothing more. <BR><BR>To all,<BR>Last night I talked with a few of my older friends and they would all<BR>agree with Posh. They also said that the not dressing in business<BR>suites (or real fancy)and wearing jeans and t-shirts is just what<BR>people<BR>do now. It is more relaxed then when they went to church with their<BR>parents. It is just a changing of the times. I can't say what is right<BR>or wrong to do because as I said in the one
email I sent on the topic<BR>I<BR>don't attend a church and that is my choice. I think what ever makes<BR>you feel the that you are your best you should do. I do agree that<BR>what<BR>ever you wear should be clean. This is the first topic I have ever<BR>seen<BR>on this discussion list to be argued so heavily. I have been on the<BR>list sense the first day it was started. I have learned a lot about<BR>everyone on the list, from all the different topics and discussions. <BR>And this topic has showed me how strongly that people believe in<BR>something. And more importantly it has showed how everyone on the<BR>mailing list has one belief in common with every other person on the<BR>list and that belief is GOD. <BR><BR>Eric<BR>NY<BR><BR>>>> 4/28/2004 6:27:54 PM >>><BR>Posh and Eric,<BR>Please forgive my butting in on this, but you two are arguing over a<BR>personal belief and that is not that way any Christian should be. It<BR>is<BR>okay to feel the way Posh does and
also okay to feel as Eric does. How<BR>you act is what makes you a standout for Christ and in some places and<BR>areas it does concern dress, but in others it does not.<BR>Please let this one go, put your hurt feelings aside and just love<BR>each<BR>other in Christ who loves us all, no matter what.<BR>Nancy<BR><BR>gcfl-discuss@gcfl.net wrote:<BR>Posh,<BR>I will hit on that question. I don't attend a church. I know most<BR>the people on this list do but I am not ashamed to say I do not. That<BR>does not mean that I believe anyless than the next person and if<BR>everybody on this list is as understanding as I believe them to be<BR>they<BR>will not bother me on this point. But if I was to walk into the first<BR>church I would feel more comfortable and more "accepted" because it is<BR>a<BR>more casual atmosphere. Church 2 would make me feel like they are<BR>rigid<BR>and very stern, and that would be an uncomfortable feeling. Just<BR>telling how I would
Feel<BR><BR>Eric<BR>NY<BR><BR>>>> 4/28/2004 3:15:12 PM >>><BR>Let's say, one day you walked into a 'church'.<BR>In the first 'church' everyone is hanging around in t-shirts and<BR>jeans.<BR>They all seem to be very laid back. They look no different than if<BR>they<BR>were home. Everyone has their own way to come to 'church'.<BR>The second 'church' you walk into, everyone is dressed up very nicely<BR>(casual dresses and business suits) Young and old alike. They all seem<BR>to be very laid back. Their faces look no different than if they were<BR>home. <BR>After going to both 'churches'...which one would you feel was more<BR>serious about learning, setting an example to new ones who have never<BR>been there before, and are clean cut? <BR>I work in an office, I have to wear business casual clothes to set an<BR>inviting atmosphere for new clients. Wouldn't that make sence to bring<BR>that sort of atmosphere to 'church'. BUT....because 'church' is
is<BR>God's<BR>work...Doesn't it make sence to dress up even more? When you compare<BR>the<BR>two....which one should get higher devotion? <BR>Let's say I do do what you do when it comes to 'church'. I dress down<BR>and wear what I want. In my heart, I would feel embarrest. When i know<BR>that I didn't give my best to God. <BR><BR>And no...no guys wear tuxes, except at weddings. Although it would be<BR>funny to see :)<BR><BR>Posh<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>gcfl-discuss@gcfl.net wrote:<BR><BR>Wow I'm not sure what part 2 has to do with any of our conversations,<BR>but part one mearly declares: <BR>"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not<BR>with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with<BR>good<BR>deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." <BR>Now how is a woman walking into Church with jeans or shorts not<BR>dressing modestly? Even if it's a skirt, that can still be modest. I'm<BR>sorry but this scripture says NOTHI NG
about throwing on the formal<BR>wear<BR>and that beeing how you serve God.<BR><BR>It's all about the HEART of the worshiper. And that's all that<BR>matters.<BR><BR>Lance<BR>All the people, lemme hear you give a holler:<BR>IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST!<BR>We stamp it on our penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar.<BR>IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST!<BR>-- "Indivisible" by Pillar<BR><BR>Please note: message attached<BR><BR>Also.....<BR>The matter of dress and grooming is another area in which we need to<BR>cultivate virtue. Clothing choices vary according to culture, and<BR>pressure may be strong to keep up with the latest styles and trends.<BR>But<BR>why should we follow every fad or fashion that comes along? The Bible<BR>admonishes us to "quit being fashioned after this system of things."<BR>(Romans 12:2) Rather than make up rules, the apostle Paul wrote under<BR>inspiration: "I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged<BR>dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, n
ot with styles of hair<BR>braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, but in the way<BR>that<BR>befits women professing to reverence God." (1 Timothy 2:9, 10) This<BR>basic standard applies to men and women alike. Of course, there is<BR>room<BR>for delightful variety in style as a result of cultural preference or<BR>personal taste.<BR><BR>The Bible also identifies immoral practices that God explicitly<BR>condemns. At 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, we read the warning: "What! Do you<BR>not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God's kingdom? Do<BR>not<BR>be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men<BR>kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves,<BR>nor<BR>greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will<BR>inherit God's kingdom." Clearly, to cultivate virtue, we need to get<BR>thoroughly familiar with God's standards.<BR><BR>Posh<BR>_______________________________________________<BR>GCFL-discuss mailing
list<BR>GCFL-discuss@gcfl.net <BR>http://gcfl.net/mailman/listinfo/gcfl-discuss <BR><BR>---------------------------------<BR>Do you Yahoo!?<BR>Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs <BR>_______________________________________________<BR>GCFL-discuss mailing list<BR>GCFL-discuss@gcfl.net <BR>http://gcfl.net/mailman/listinfo/gcfl-discuss <BR><BR>Nance<BR><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>GCFL-discuss mailing list<BR>GCFL-discuss@gcfl.net <BR>http://gcfl.net/mailman/listinfo/gcfl-discuss <BR><BR>---------------------------------<BR>Do you Yahoo!?<BR>Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs <BR>_______________________________________________<BR>GCFL-discuss mailing list<BR>GCFL-discuss@gcfl.net <BR>http://gcfl.net/mailman/listinfo/gcfl-discuss <BR><BR>---------------------------------<BR>Do you Yahoo!?<BR>Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs <BR>_______________________________________________<BR>GCFL-discuss mailing
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<DIV><FONT color=#c080ff size=4><EM>Nance<IMG src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/40.gif"></EM></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV>