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Tempted to go to Church

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saladking:
I used to go to an Open Brethren Church and left it over 2 years ago because of the disrespect that the leadership had about my belief in UR.
Over the past couple of days I have had this desire to go to St Mary's Anglican Church in my local area.  In fact I was prepared to go today but it is raining and I would get too wet walking 20 minutes getting there.  I have made an occasional visit to that Church over the past 10 years or so, but haven't been back there for about 4 or 5 years now.  I can remember mentioning my belief to some of them there a while ago and was meet with acceptance from them and I even felt that some might have even been friendly to UR.  :) However, I also discovered not surprisingly that one or two in leadership expressed their free-will doctrinal belief.  It was like they believe that "God doesn't send anyone to eternal punishment.  The person's themselves choose to go there." :( Or "God will give everyone a clear choice between Heaven and Hell so that you will know clearly what your options are." And that eternal punishment may mean simply death.  Anyway, they were alot more accepting of differing views of others and would not talk down to anyone for believing differently.
It is a much better option than the Brethren Church that I was going to.  They have a statement of faith where one of the statements is that there is actual eternal punishment(torment) for unbelievers.
The reason that I didn't want to go to the Anglican Church was because I found it kind of boring.  Ha, what's there to stop me from finding that again? :-\
Well, I find that it can be pretty isolating being by myself all of the time accept for being involved in GROW, which is a community mental health movement for people that have had mental breakdowns and also as a preventative measure against having a breakdown.  But there is only 3 of us still involved in our weekly meetings.  There used to be more but many have left.  3 is the minimum number, and so now if one more person stops comming then we won't be able to have our get togethers.
I'm thinking that I had better have something social like going and meeting at a Church where other people are, to try and protect my mental health.  We all require a certain amount of social contact.
The decision is mine I know.  I wouldn't be prepared to take part in the communion, or even sing their songs, but just be where other people are around me might not be a bad idea.
I might go once and then decide what, or see how the spirit moves. :)
I haven't posted very much here since introducing myself because what is there to report.  I don't have much contact with other people to report much and can't identify with most people here that have plenty of social connection with others in their lives.

David.

mharrell08:
Luke 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God

Prov 26:11  As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.



Marques

eggi:
Hi David,

My advice: Don't go.
If you are looking for something social, why don't you join a knitting club?

God bless you,
Eirik

aqrinc:

--- Quote from: saladking on January 19, 2009, 04:03:39 AM ---I can say from my experience that when I was going to Church the fellowship was very attractive.  The leaders were very nice and looked good.  Their lives reflected that they are well to do.  And it is true.  Most of the people at Church assemblies are really nice people.  What a shock I got when I discovered the truth that all will be saved.  When I mentioned it to some of the leaders, some of them turned really arrogant and patronising, and wouldn't be prepared to listen to a word that I had to say on it.  They can be subtly cruel that way.  They may not even know how insulting it is to be spoken to like that.  But if they would just think how they would feel in our shoes.  Yes, they are nearly always nice and kind when you agree with their doctrine.

Greetings. :)

--- End quote ---

Hi David,

I quote one of your first posts in here, to remind you of why you think you left in the first place.
Now why would you ever go back to what you know is wrong (free will maybe). ??? We can find
reasons for everything we do and make them sound very good too. Here are a few Scriptures to
contemplate while looking back longingly at that great and wonderful (Sodom, Egypt, Babylon).

Lot was told to get out of Sodom; because it would be destroyed.

Gen 19:15-17 
15- And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy
two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

16-And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and
upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth,
and set him without the city.

17-And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life;
look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Moses led Israel out of Egypt, they wanted to go back.

Num 21:5  And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us
up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our
soul loatheth this light bread.

Num 32:11 
Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land
which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:

Today: The Angel Of The Lord Cries mightily with a strong voice:

Rev 18:2 
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become
the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Rev 18:4 
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers
of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Knowing this; why would you still yearn to go back. We are called out told not to look back, then:
The Angel cried mightily, come out of her. Might be a good time to listen and stay out.

george. :)

deftarchangel:

--- Quote from: saladking on February 21, 2009, 04:23:05 PM --- I don't have much contact with other people to report much and can't identify with most people here that have plenty of social connection with others in their lives.

David.

--- End quote ---

Hi David,

I had to sort of laugh when I read that last line, because I can sort of relate to that sentiment.  Yet, at the same time, probably more people here can relate to what you are going through than you might think.  I myself, having just moved to a new city nine months ago, haven't made ANY significant social connections during my time here.  Just a handful of people here and there that I exchange pleasantries with.  And I certainly haven't had a chance to fellowship with anyone, not since my Bible study group, back where I used to live, was dissolved as per the Lord's instructions three years ago.  All I really do is go to university, try and find a part-time job, and just stick to doing my own thing.  I'll surf the net, do my own research and Bible studying by reading Ray's articles and material from other Spirit-led people, and that's pretty much it.  I'm hardly living the Hollywood social party lifestyle. 

Is it lonely?  Sure it is.  But, I'm alright with that though.  At least for now.  I always tell people that I'm like a cat in that regard......usually I'll go off and do my own thing.  But when I want food or affection, that's when you'll see me show up and I'll give you my attention!   :D   And I do have friends and family back home and other places with whom I communicate with mainly through the net.  So it's not so bad, in my opinion.  And I know the Lord is taking care of me right now.  I usually tell people it's my "Moses in the desert time."  Just me and God.  But I understand your concerns, especially as it relates to one's mental health, as prolonged solititude and no social contact is sometimes an ingredient in the recipe for a mental breakdown.  I always worry about myself, because you always read about those people who end up going postal on others, and just snap and go on a rampage. They're described beforehand as being "the quiet guy with no friends who was highly religious," and people look at that and go "is it any wonder he snapped?!?" (Like the Kevin Spacey character in the movie Se7en)  I'm just generalizing here, but that is often my fear that people will regard me as the next potential person to just breakdown and go loco on everyone.  But I don't think I'm there yet!   ;)  I'm kidding.  LOL!

As for going to church, I myself haven't been drawn to any.  I pass by at least 5 or 6 different churches during my daily routine, and none of them have anything for me.  And while I'm not going to tell you to flat out "don't go to church," I would say that if you're going to go to one, do it for the right reason.  That being, because you feel the Lord leading you to one, or as you said, if the Spirit should move you.  If you don't feel it, don't go simply because you're afraid of being alone.  The Lord will take care of your mental health, and may provide some fellowship some other way.  As others have posted, there are social activities outside of church that you can engage in.  Maybe this is your time to be alone, with just you and God.  Who knows.....except for Him of course!   ;)  Maybe even try finding some like minded people on here who perhaps live your city.  I wish I could find the thread from here that someone else had posted that had the same problem, because some people had some great advice on there too.  Thing is, I can't give you any great advice because each person, and their situation, is different, and so I'm not going to say that what worked for me is going to work for you.  That's up to the Lord as to how you will be spending your time, whether it's in fellowship with others and Him, or just simply with Him. 

Anyways, that's just my opinion and sympathy, for what it's worth.  May the Lord guide you and give you the faith and courage to trust Him with this.

Kind regards,

Rob

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