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That’s quite normal. We start to see ourselves better and what schmucks we are once grace starts working in us. That’s all very hard to see when all wrapped up in mortal sin. The saints become hungry for God and do not want to displease Him in any way. Sun becomes horrible to even imagine when once it was so everyday.
That is a common excuse, but some people have genuinely been hurt by the church, so we must not judge them. It is good that you have stuck to the church. For me, I have luckily gone to churches that were not abusive, and nothing can shake my faith in God. Christian radio does still exist, though it is slowly becoming outdated with internet tech. Congrats on getting saved, brother.
It is good that your first wife got into Christ again, so it goes to show that Christ can protect us from harm, whether in this life, or in eternal life.
Well, thanks for considering that I might need some info on local churches. No, I do appreciate it. But it's not like I'm wavering in my lack of belief. I couldn't be more certain of my position. So thanks, but...no thanks.Wow, going to church a lot in a week is too much for me. Hey, you were a teenager (as most teens enjoy to rebel a bit), so I forgive you for leaving church in your teens, especially after your dad passed away. About taking Bible passages seriously, I mainly take the New Testament seriously, while the Old Testament does not apply as much in 2024, though all scripture does apply whether directly or indirectly. Over 40% of the Bible is narrative, according to The Bible Project. There are a lot of different writing styles in the Bible, so it can get confusing. To be honest, that is one of the reasons why I have installed artificial intelligence onto my computer: To help me understand the Bible more. Of course, I'll tell you when I use AI.
The fact that you went back to church when you resided in the UK means that God was trying to call you. If you need a Christian friend here who is not judgemental for the most part (yes, I did judge the Olympics), you have my back and my support. For instance, there are verses that speak to how we must take care of the environment. In fact, the Church of England supports renewable energy.
By the way, as your profile says you are from Bondi, AU, there is a church in your city that is Anglican. The Anglicans are a more moderate group of Christians, and are the denomination most similar to Catholicism.
Church of England - Green Energy:
Renewable energy | The Church of England
Renewable energy installations are more and more common and affordable. But it’s important to choose the right one for your building and community use.www.churchofengland.org
Bondi Anglican Church:
Bondi Anglican Church
Thanks for checking us out!! We are a growing and active church in the Bondi area of Sydney. We are an Evangelical church. We have midweek programs for all ages and various Sunday services across our various locations. We look forward to meeting you soon. #Bondichurch #BondiAnglican...www.bondichurch.org
43% of the Bible is narrative:
Biblical Literary Styles Bible Intro
To better understand the Bible, we have to first learn to recognize the different literary styles used by the biblical authors.bibleproject.com
Church in my city goes solar:
Blessed Sacrament school installs new solar panels, prioritizes sustainable energy
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday for their brand new solar panel array.www.wkow.com
You were Anglican? Church of Wales?I probably went to church more on a Sunday than most other people do here. An early morning service most times, then Matins, Sunday school and then Evensong. I was head choir boy, my brother was in the choir as was my father, my mother played the organ. They were both members of 2 or 3 church social groups, I was in the church scouts and my mother produced and delivered the church magazine. My parents were married there as was my brother and both parents and paternal granparents were buried there. The family's social life revolved around the church.
Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.www.facebook.com
Edit: No idea why the text looks so weird in the link...
When I was around 13 I started confirmation classes which would have enabled me to take communion. It was then that I realised that people were taking all the stories I knew about the bible seriously. I had assumed that, to a certain degree, it was just something that we all went along with and most of it was allegorical. A metaphor for living a good life. But I was now expected to accept it all as being factually true? Well, obviously some of it was, but...I started questioning some of it - to myself.
By the time I was 16 I was just going through the motions. My father had just died and one Sunday morning I told my mother I wouldn't be going to church with her. She was very disappointed. And I felt guilty about disappointing her (and still do to a certain extent). But I never went back.
But the people there were the warmest, friendliest people. Salt of the earth. AndI did actually go back there when I was in the UK some years back. Just for old times sake. Relieve some memories. And my daughter wanted to come. See what took such a chunk of her old man's life back in the day. The service was over and there were a few people milling around and I swear, a couple of them recognised me. From over 40 years ago! We chatted and then one of them brought out the chalice that my mother had bought the church in memory of my father. Quite an emotional moment...
So it certainly wasn't the Christians that I knew that turned me away. In fact, they made it a little harder to leave.
Yep. We both agree there. Luckily, prayer to Jesus, and/or confession to others can omit these sins.
You are welcome man. Even if you are unwavering in your lack of belief, a church is a good place to get to meet people and make friends that stick to good morals for the most part. And remember, belief in Jesus is all one needs to be a Christian. All that other stuff is extraneous. Yes, I am a Catholic and said that, but it is true. Other Christian denominations go to heaven as well.
Wow, Burmese of all the global languages? That is pretty cool. What is Myanmar doing in Australia?
Bro, you could go about this in a nicer way, Jesse. Christians are supposed to show mercy, just as Christ is patient with you, @Bradskii and myself.
This development might be a culmination of centuries of almost preaching too much emphasis on damnation and that people are just depraved pieces of pottery on one extreme. The other ( modern) extreme is that God just loves you and negligence of preaching that we are sinners in need of salvation.
If we look at different attitudes even within this short exchange we can see that some Christians are encouraging. Others...not so much.
I agree with you. Some Christians are very quick to be discouraging. I stay away from those types of Christians.
Maybe this does, maybe this does not. But we shall not judge. All we can do is pray for @Bradskii 's conversion, without shoving religion down his throat.
True. God might want to use a different conversion method for Bradskii, as a way to help others around him convert, and use Bradskii as a testimony to show how it is never too late to convert to Christ. Anything could happen, but we should always keep our friends in prayer, regardless of religious status.
