Where are the spiritual advantages: city or country?

Better than any other inheritance of wealth you can give to your children will be the gift of a healthy body, a sound mind, and a noble character. Where can those best be reached?

Share your thoughts on the spiritual advantages of living in the city or the countryside. You may have personal testimonies in this regard.

Where but in the countryside can one appreciate the true majesty of God's creation?

I hate cities.

The Christian faith is an active faith and one that is done in community. I've found that being part of a faith community that serves others in the surrounding community has been greatly beneficial to my spiritual growth. Living in a city has been more beneficial to me. Before I converted, the woods used to be my church, so I can understand how nature can be used to revive one's soul, but one of the biggest changes I've gone through is that I care a lot more about people, and I have to be in community to be around people.

The city, definitely.
tulc(sinners and coffee shops in greater numbers in the city!)

tadoflamb said:

...Living in a city has been more beneficial to me. ...

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How beneficial was/is it for your children, if you have any?

How beneficial was/is it for your children, if you have any?

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I can't answer for tadoflamb but my kids loved growing up in the city and are raising their own kids here as well.
tulc(how about you, got any kids?)

Soon Rev 22:11-12 said:

How beneficial was/is it for your children, if you have any?

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Don't got none.

Oops! I never fully answered your questions.

Better than any other inheritance of wealth you can give to your children will be the gift of a healthy body, a sound mind, and a noble character. Where can those best be reached?

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To answer it more fully: Where ever God wants you to be is the place to be. As an old friend of mine used to say: "You can't be righteous in Dallas if God wants you in Fort Worth!" For me it was the city, and He got me here kicking and screaming against it until He started showing me I could serve Him and my brothers and sisters best here.

Share your thoughts on the spiritual advantages of living in the city or the countryside. You may have personal testimonies in this regard.

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Hmmm AIDS was something that helped my family and I see why being here was a good thing. In the country there were hardly any cases and in the city you couldn't kick a rock with out hitting someone who was dying, often alone forsaken by everyone. Do you have ANY idea how much the gospel presented with love means to someone even the undertakers were afraid of touching?
tulc(dying alone in a city of millions, man how could you not feel called to something like that?)

Pistos Ergon said:

Better than any other inheritance of wealth you can give to your children will be the gift of a healthy body, a sound mind, and a noble character. Where can those best be reached?

Share your thoughts on the spiritual advantages of living in the city or the countryside. You may have personal testimonies in this regard.

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I agree with tulcs mention of going where God leads.
If I were winging it, I'd choose the country.
You can have all of the community you want,
but you can have a bit more control too.
I'm accountable to God for the kids, and it's
a tough enough job without the added peer
pressure.
I lived in the ciy and have raised several kids,
We've been in the country for two years and
I still have six at home, some have cars...

Hope that helps.
sunlover

Heart of the country where the holy people grow.

(living in the 'burbs. Halfway there)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DqMl0shEtw

well, I grew up in Brooklyn NY and recently lived for 4 years in Ottawa, KS. I'd have to say that hands down, the country has a sprititual advantage. In the crowded bustle of the city, one is constantly bombarded with constant pervasive assaults on their faith. In the country, the space and pace allow for quite reflection and prayer which lead to closeness with God. IT's easier to "be still" and listen in the country.

Conversely, one can do much more good for the building up of the Kingdom in the city where the possibility of human contact is greater. I live in the 'burbs now and I go on retreats in the country and missions in the city. (the best of both worlds)

Each city has its own specific spiritual fruit. Melbourne grows with respect to an appreciation of the breadth of things (for example, I see my house here as a series of joins with a certain breadth).

Nations have their own national (spiritual fruit). For example, the bible talks of "the glorious land", which I believe to be America. As you may imagine, in America, everything is done for the hope of glory.

The question you need to ask yourself when faced with a choice between city and country is, which fruit do I more want to grow... the national fruit or the city's fruit? Mind you, you will have the choice to grow national fruit in the city (but by the same token, you will not focus on the national fruit as well as when you are in the country).

Note: Jesus gave specific instructions on living in a city ("find who is worthy", "wipe the dust off your feet if they won't receive you" etc.). He also stated that you can receive honour, as a prophet, anywhere but your home town and your home country. So you will do best to keep these things in mind (are there more verses? Talk of Gallileans and some from Siloam springs to mind).

The greatest spiritual advantage is found in the desert.

prodromos said:

The greatest spiritual advantage is found in the desert.

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Would the Sonoran Desert cities in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix/Scottsdale/Mesa/Tempe/Glendale, Arizona), count?

When I made the OP, I had children in mind. As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.

Hmmm I'm curious how the country would be better then the city?
tulc(just curious)

tulc said:

Hmmm I'm curious how the country would be better then the city?
tulc(just curious)

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Consider the monastic life. Prayer for the world is best accomplished without noise.

Love,
Christina

Consider the monastic life. Prayer for the world is best accomplished without noise.

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Interesting, thanks for sharing that sis.
tulc(having a great day, how about you?)

Pistos Ergon said:

Would the Sonoran Desert cities in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix/Scottsdale/Mesa/Tempe/Glendale, Arizona), count?

When I made the OP, I had children in mind. As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.

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I live in Tucson, and I have to say the desert, as is true in the Sacred Scriptures has been a place of refuge. It's not even that noisy. I live in the middle of town and have a little bird garden with a little spashing waterfall and whatnot. I get an amazing variety of birds in my yard. It's really easy to see God's hand in his creations. As Roger Tory Peterson said, "Birds are an affirmation of life". Besides that, there are huge expanses of empty space easily accessible within 30 minutes of downtown. It's there when I need it. In fact, my wife and I took a x-country ski trip up to Flagstaf a couple of weekends ago. Once we were out of the parking lot, we were totally alone in total silence.
It was heavenly.

In town, there are a few churches that still remain unlocked during the day. If I need an escape, I can always duck in there for a few minutes and of course daily mass is a special retreat. Something I probably couldn't experience if I lived away from the urban centers.

Besides, Christ told us to be in the world and not of it. That's another reason why I love the Church. It provides a safe haven and a sense of peace apart from the world.

tulc said:

Interesting, thanks for sharing that sis.
tulc(having a great day, how about you?)

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I am well, Tulc. Glad to hear you're having a wonderful day.

Love,
Christina

Asinner said:

Consider the monastic life. Prayer for the world is best accomplished without noise.

Love,
Christina

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Don't monastics usually come out of the desert?

Thanks,

Tad