spiritual discussionsThis is the place at AW for mamas to learn about all different religions and beliefs, to ask questions, to give answers- all done with respect! if you don't have anything nice to say here- don't say anything at all.
When I go to church, I love knowing that people have been worshipping in the same way, and singing the same songs for centuries. Now I know that I attend a UMC, but our particular church is *very* traditional. I am moved to tears almost every Sunday. One of my very favorite songs is this:
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Ironically, I can't get into "praise" music at all. I just don't like singing the same things over and over. Beautiful songs, that I will sing along to on cd, but not my thing in church.
LOL - DH just wrote a chorus to go with Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. It went over really well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OnTheBrink
We don't have overhead projectors with the words or anything.
Hey, hey!! That's my job you're speaking about! LOL!! And today, I apparently screwed up so badly that I guaranteed myself about 5 hours of extra work next week! YIKES!! Hopefully it will all run OK this week! I put a lot of time into some new graphics! SIGH
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Ann
SAHM to 4 beautiful children Lauren ('90), Nicole ('92), Robert ('00) and Joanna ('02) and wife to Bob for 23 years.
First off, yes, they (I) do believe that the bible is the inspired Word of God as declared in 2 Timothy. I can believe it is the inspired Word of God and yet at the same time, be unlcear as to just exactly what certain passages mean, despite original language/context/cross referencing. I'm positive God realizes I won't "get" it all.
I've heard from many a Calvary Pastor, there are things that we debate and discuss but should not divide over. There are ongoing, common discussions as to certain biblical issues like, predestination, the literal 6 days of creation, post or pre trib, etc. I know people who attend CC's who have varying views on each of those things. I *think* I believe in predestination, I do believe in a literal 6 days of creation, and I'm a pre-trib person. But really? I don't think those are issues of Salvation and therefore, left open to discussion.
As to the "at war with God" statement, I'm not sure exactly what they were thinking but the first scripture that comes to my mind is from Matthew... "He that is not with me is against me"...not sure the exact address/scripture and verse. . The idea being that if we are not for God, we are set against Him...or "at war". Again, that's my take on it but it was never something that stood out or stumped me so I haven't thought too deeply about it. Regarding that verse, I don't think the implication is that Christians are at war with non-Christians but rather our individual spirit is set against the spirit of God and the things of God when we are still non-believers. It's not a religious call to arms.
I am chiming in late but wanted to say that I agree with this.
I will add that I think sometimes even Christians get too caught up in the debate about hell being literal or not. Eternity will be defined by God. Either we will spend eternity with God who is holy, just, righteous, loving, merciful and all good or we will spend eternity in the absence of God and all his attributes. The real torment of hell will be the absence of God (IMO).
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Robin wife to one awesome guy for 18 years,
mama to four beautiful boys
The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:l5) presenting to us the complete revelation of His will for the Salvation of men, and constituting the Divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice (II Peter 1:21)
The Godhead
Our God is a trinity in unity, manifested in three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is infinitely perfect, being in His three persons co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal. God the Father is greater than all (John 14:28); the source of the Word (LOGOS)and the begetter (John 16:28; John 1:14) The Son was the begotten of the Father, accenting earthly limitations, true God and true man; conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on High as our greater High Priest, and He will return again to establish His kingdom of righteousness and justice. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, Executive of the Godhead on earth, the comforter sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to indwell, to guide, and to teach the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.
Man, His Fall and Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. (Romans 5:12). "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."(Romans 3:23). "As it is written, God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (I John 3:8) Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. (Ephesians 2:8)
Salvation
Salvation is made possible through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross and through Holy Spirit conviction. Godly sorrow works repentance and makes possible the experience of the new birth, and Christ formed within us is the gift of eternal life. (Titus 2:11; Romans 10:l3-l5; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7).
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the First-born, which are written in heaven. (Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:22; Heb. 12:23).
Ministry
God, through the Holy Spirit, definitely calls such as He desires to serve as evangelists, pastors, and teachers, and specifically endures the one called with the talents and gifts peculiar to that office or offices (Ephesians 4:11-13) Under no circumstances should anyone be ordained or set apart to any such office unless the calling is distinct and evident.
Water Baptism
Baptism in water is by immersion, and is a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew 28:19) and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11) is a gift from God, as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation, and is received subsequent to the new birth. (John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 2:4; 38-39; 10;44-48). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is accompanied with speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives the utterance as the initial physical sign and evidence. (Acts 2:4).
Sanctification
The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive, work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of Salvation. (Hebrews 13:12; II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:2; Ephesians 5:26; I Corinthians 6:11; John 17:17; I Thessalonians 5:23)
Lord's Supper
The ordinance of the Lord's Supper is a commandment of our Saviour; and being a memorial to His death and resurrection, is strictly limited to Christian believers (I Corinthians 11:27). Its time and frequency of observance is left to the discretion of the Pastor.
Divine Healing
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God, through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-l5); It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is available to all who truly believe.
The Second Coming of Christ and Resurrection of the Just
The Bible promises, "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner." (Acts 1:11). His coming is imminent; when he comes, "The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Following the tribulation He shall return to earth, as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years. (Rev. 20:6).
Hell and Eternal Retribution
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire, and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance (Hebrews 9:27) The lake of fire is literal (Revelation 19:20). The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used in describing the duration of the punishment of the dammed (Matthew 25:41-46) in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence, as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstacy of saints in the presence of God.
Tithes
We recognize the Scriptural duty of all our people to pay tithes as unto the Lord. (Hebrews 7:8) Tithes should be used for the support of the active ministry and for the propagation of the Gospel and work of the Lord in general and not given to charity or used for other purposes. (Malachi 3:7-11 Hebrews 7:2; I Corinthians 9:7-11;16:2.)
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*~Jessica~*
~*wife to Jonathan*~
*~mommy to 5 girls and a boy~*
Korbyn Joshua
March 22nd, 2008 4:15am
6lbs 4oz 19" long
Jessica, is your church Pentecostal? Or am I way off?
You hit it on the nose, we are Pentecostal. My dh is a Youth Pastor at the church he grewup in and that we met in. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I have not always been Pentecostal, I was raised in the United Church of Christ.
I just wanted to encourage you. It took me seven years and I feel that I've finally found a church home, praying all the while that when I found it I'd *know*. And I did!
You name it!
She didn;t like the sermon- too boring. She doesn't like to go with the other kids, though- they make them sing and dance and she's too shy. I left her home with dh last week, but he's not here right now, and once he's gone for the 14 months she'll have no choice. Either she'll stay with me and be bored or go with the other kids. 2 out of 3 people happy is good enough right now.
We believe that Truth is both simple and complex, and that the greatest truths are often held in tension. Thus, we believe that…
* Our God is one; Our God is three - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
* Our God is good; yet He allows evil in the human experience.
* Our God is sovereign; yet affords humanity freedom of choice.
* Our God is merciful; and completely just.
* Jesus is fully human; and is the visible expression of the invisible God.
* Scripture is inspired by God, infallible for all purposes He intends; and is at the same time the words of men - human in origin.
We believe that God expressed Himself in the person of Jesus Christ and made it possible for humanity to re-experience communion with Himself - a privilege lost through the sin of humanity.
* Christ redeems conditions and circumstances in our lives that have been twisted and destroyed by our brokenness and failure.
* God has given us His Spirit to indwell all who desire and invite Him. Real people can and do experience God in a real way.
* By His indwelling Spirit, He gives us new lives and increasingly frees us of our baggage and soul-stains.
* This redemptive process begins as we invite and open to His presence and rule in our lives.
We believe God has instituted certain practices to help us forward in this redeeming process. For this reason we intentionally pursue…
* Christian community - sharing communally both the sacraments of corporate body life, and the joy of intimate spiritual friendships.
* Water baptism as seal of the covenant promise of God's abiding power and presence.
* Observance of the Lord's Table, open to all believers, to celebrate and re-experience His covenant promise of relationship.
* A moderate policy in public worship, between extreme fanaticism and ultra-ritualism.
* Sharing our experience of God with others
* Christ-like love and acceptance of all people of all peoples and races - Christian or not.
* Making restitution for our wrongs whenever possible.
* Tithing as God's plan for financial freedom.
* Liberty of conscience before God as it regards personal recreation.
* The pursuit of unity with all believers.
* Respect and Christian love toward people of all religions.
"in essentials - unity, in non-essentials - liberty; and in all things - charity"
Our hope is to become a modern-day tribe – people committed to interdependent relationships with one another, strengthening, supporting, and helping one another on this journey to a deep experience of God.
__________________
Jennifer
Webb(20) Rebecca(16) joe(10)
We believe that Truth is both simple and complex, and that the greatest truths are often held in tension. Thus, we believe that…
* Our God is one; Our God is three - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
* Our God is good; yet He allows evil in the human experience.
* Our God is sovereign; yet affords humanity freedom of choice.
* Our God is merciful; and completely just.
* Jesus is fully human; and is the visible expression of the invisible God.
* Scripture is inspired by God, infallible for all purposes He intends; and is at the same time the words of men - human in origin.
We believe that God expressed Himself in the person of Jesus Christ and made it possible for humanity to re-experience communion with Himself - a privilege lost through the sin of humanity.
* Christ redeems conditions and circumstances in our lives that have been twisted and destroyed by our brokenness and failure.
* God has given us His Spirit to indwell all who desire and invite Him. Real people can and do experience God in a real way.
* By His indwelling Spirit, He gives us new lives and increasingly frees us of our baggage and soul-stains.
* This redemptive process begins as we invite and open to His presence and rule in our lives.
We believe God has instituted certain practices to help us forward in this redeeming process. For this reason we intentionally pursue…
* Christian community - sharing communally both the sacraments of corporate body life, and the joy of intimate spiritual friendships.
* Water baptism as seal of the covenant promise of God's abiding power and presence.
* Observance of the Lord's Table, open to all believers, to celebrate and re-experience His covenant promise of relationship.
* A moderate policy in public worship, between extreme fanaticism and ultra-ritualism.
* Sharing our experience of God with others
* Christ-like love and acceptance of all people of all peoples and races - Christian or not.
* Making restitution for our wrongs whenever possible.
* Tithing as God's plan for financial freedom.
* Liberty of conscience before God as it regards personal recreation.
* The pursuit of unity with all believers.
* Respect and Christian love toward people of all religions.
"in essentials - unity, in non-essentials - liberty; and in all things - charity"
Our hope is to become a modern-day tribe – people committed to interdependent relationships with one another, strengthening, supporting, and helping one another on this journey to a deep experience of God.
Its a foursquare church. Which is a denomination that I'd never heard of before joining this church in 1996. But I really feel like it lives out like a non-denominational church.
It went over really well.
. The idea being that if we are not for God, we are set against Him...or "at war". Again, that's my take on it but it was never something that stood out or stumped me so I haven't thought too deeply about it. Regarding that verse, I don't think the implication is that Christians are at war with non-Christians but rather our individual spirit is set against the spirit of God and the things of God when we are still non-believers. It's not a religious call to arms. 
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