[GCFL-discuss] Old cowboy goes to church

Fri Apr 30 18:18:30 CDT 2004

Eric,
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.
Nancy

gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net wrote:
Eric,

There are many religions out there because of man and his divided thinking. Different churches to fit their different needs and beliefs. 
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? 

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? 

Do you want to know?

Posh

gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net wrote:
Posh,
Nothing keeps me from learning on my own except not knowing. What
makes one religion "better" than another.

Eric
NY

>>> 4/29/2004 3:11:17 PM >>>
Sure Eric,
I was asking, what keeps you from learning it on your own? Do you want
the same faith that is in your family...just because it's 'in' your
family?

Posh

gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net wrote:
I just have never realy given it much thought I guess. As for your
second question would you clarify what you were asking. 

>>> 4/29/2004 1:49:46 PM >>>
Eric,

That takes courage to talk about those kinds of life situations. Thank
you for sharing with me.
If you don't mind I have another question?!
What is it about 'religion' that makes you not have an interest in it?
To what to learn it on your own?

Posh

gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net wrote:
Posh,
It is not that I stopped attending church. Truth be told I have
never realy gone. My parents and grandparents alike never attended
every Sunday like most people do. My family only went to a service
Christmas eve with some friends from Albany. That was the only time of
the year that we ever went to church. My Grandparents were strict
Italian Catholic, and as for me well I don't know one way. My
grandparents being Catholic, most of my friends Christian. I tend to
listen to all sides of it. Not attending church most people atomaticly
say "What you don't believe in GOD?!?!" and that is not true. I
believe there is a GOD but I can believe that with out attending
church.
I don't know what others think but I would be interested to see what
other people think of this (with out starting an argument, it is all
opinion based). To sum it up not attending has been more of because my
familiy never realy has.

Eric
NY

>>> 4/29/2004 9:32:11 AM >>>
Thank you Eric for your words.
I guess the old fashion people had their standards set for them and
now
people today are setting the standards for us. 
Tell me...Why is it you have stopped attending? If you don't want to
answer it...that is totally okay with me.

Have a great day! 

Posh

gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net wrote:
Nancy,
You did not butt in on anything. There was no argument made. Just an
answer to a question. Nothing more. 

To all,
Last night I talked with a few of my older friends and they would all
agree with Posh. They also said that the not dressing in business
suites (or real fancy)and wearing jeans and t-shirts is just what
people
do now. It is more relaxed then when they went to church with their
parents. It is just a changing of the times. I can't say what is right
or wrong to do because as I said in the one email I sent on the topic
I
don't attend a church and that is my choice. I think what ever makes
you feel the that you are your best you should do. I do agree that
what
ever you wear should be clean. This is the first topic I have ever
seen
on this discussion list to be argued so heavily. I have been on the
list sense the first day it was started. I have learned a lot about
everyone on the list, from all the different topics and discussions. 
And this topic has showed me how strongly that people believe in
something. And more importantly it has showed how everyone on the
mailing list has one belief in common with every other person on the
list and that belief is GOD. 

Eric
NY

>>> 4/28/2004 6:27:54 PM >>>
Posh and Eric,
Please forgive my butting in on this, but you two are arguing over a
personal belief and that is not that way any Christian should be. It
is
okay to feel the way Posh does and also okay to feel as Eric does. How
you act is what makes you a standout for Christ and in some places and
areas it does concern dress, but in others it does not.
Please let this one go, put your hurt feelings aside and just love
each
other in Christ who loves us all, no matter what.
Nancy

gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net wrote:
Posh,
I will hit on that question. I don't attend a church. I know most
the people on this list do but I am not ashamed to say I do not. That
does not mean that I believe anyless than the next person and if
everybody on this list is as understanding as I believe them to be
they
will not bother me on this point. But if I was to walk into the first
church I would feel more comfortable and more "accepted" because it is
a
more casual atmosphere. Church 2 would make me feel like they are
rigid
and very stern, and that would be an uncomfortable feeling. Just
telling how I would Feel

Eric
NY

>>> 4/28/2004 3:15:12 PM >>>
Let's say, one day you walked into a 'church'.
In the first 'church' everyone is hanging around in t-shirts and
jeans.
They all seem to be very laid back. They look no different than if
they
were home. Everyone has their own way to come to 'church'.
The second 'church' you walk into, everyone is dressed up very nicely
(casual dresses and business suits) Young and old alike. They all seem
to be very laid back. Their faces look no different than if they were
home. 
After going to both 'churches'...which one would you feel was more
serious about learning, setting an example to new ones who have never
been there before, and are clean cut? 
I work in an office, I have to wear business casual clothes to set an
inviting atmosphere for new clients. Wouldn't that make sence to bring
that sort of atmosphere to 'church'. BUT....because 'church' is is
God's
work...Doesn't it make sence to dress up even more? When you compare
the
two....which one should get higher devotion? 
Let's say I do do what you do when it comes to 'church'. I dress down
and wear what I want. In my heart, I would feel embarrest. When i know
that I didn't give my best to God. 

And no...no guys wear tuxes, except at weddings. Although it would be
funny to see :)

Posh

gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net wrote:

Wow I'm not sure what part 2 has to do with any of our conversations,
but part one mearly declares: 
"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not
with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with
good
deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." 
Now how is a woman walking into Church with jeans or shorts not
dressing modestly? Even if it's a skirt, that can still be modest. I'm
sorry but this scripture says NOTHI NG about throwing on the formal
wear
and that beeing how you serve God.

It's all about the HEART of the worshiper. And that's all that
matters.

Lance
All the people, lemme hear you give a holler:
IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST!
We stamp it on our penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar.
IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST!
-- "Indivisible" by Pillar

Please note: message attached

Also.....
The matter of dress and grooming is another area in which we need to
cultivate virtue. Clothing choices vary according to culture, and
pressure may be strong to keep up with the latest styles and trends.
But
why should we follow every fad or fashion that comes along? The Bible
admonishes us to "quit being fashioned after this system of things."
(Romans 12:2) Rather than make up rules, the apostle Paul wrote under
inspiration: "I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged
dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, n ot with styles of hair
braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, but in the way
that
befits women professing to reverence God." (1 Timothy 2:9, 10) This
basic standard applies to men and women alike. Of course, there is
room
for delightful variety in style as a result of cultural preference or
personal taste.

The Bible also identifies immoral practices that God explicitly
condemns. At 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, we read the warning: "What! Do you
not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God's kingdom? Do
not
be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men
kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves,
nor
greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will
inherit God's kingdom." Clearly, to cultivate virtue, we need to get
thoroughly familiar with God's standards.

Posh
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Nance

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Nance

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