Did a traumatic experience make you unchurched?

[Qidron]

I don't know what Cham's needing...but I need encouragement and support IN CHRIST. Whatever "go be in community" means...I ain't gotta clue. Like just go shopping somewhere? Fook that.

 

[Rick Otto]

you create it.
Consider you've been given all you need to start.

When I worked days, 5 min. before quittin' time on Friday afternoons, I would sing out full throated Gospel/Bluesy," Free do-o-om,... Freedo-om!!" and then boom out,"LET MY PEOPLE GO!!"

You can use humor to create context for discussion of spiritual topics (if the you sense the possibility exists).

 

[TheAJKMan]

you create it.
Consider you've been given all you need to start.

You can use humor to create context for discussion of spiritual topics (if the you sense the possibility exists).

Another thought or two on this note is to be sensitive not only to the people with whom you are in any given situation, but espcially to the Spirit. For He is the one who leads and guides us. Humour is great for crossing great divides.

TheAJKMan

 

[Rick Otto]

it can insulate us from a hostile environment, too.
When you find common ground you can commiserate on(for instance), it can make discussing other more important & perhaps more personal topics & issues easier.
It doesn't usualy take to long to figure out who's here ~"in His name"... and go from there.

 

[Qidron]

...and I can do that at home with my children, and my husband. So perhaps we are not supposed to get together with anyone else. Right. Thanks for the help.

 

[Rick Otto]

Approximately how many people do you want to gather with for approximately how long, and approximately when are you available to do that, and what do you want to happen?
Got a clue? Or do you just have this amiguous craving?

I wish MY wife & kid would laugh at MY jokes!
Find a larger venue, you're a hit so far.

 

[Qidron]

Well, honestly, I was just hoping that someone with this home or unchurched philosophy could share what they do instead of me figuring out what I WANT to do. I do believe the way the Lord is leading me currently is simply to get the fam together and feed them. Food and conversation and see how He directs. Sounds almost too easy, yet I think that's how He's leading. Like tonight, one of the kids decided we were going to have a cook out...and came over and got it going and another son "just showed up" something he never does...so I'ma go out there and see what the Lord's doing. Sorry I was crabby. I felt like youse guys were just being snobby because you don't understand the need for Christians to gather together. Later.

 

[Rick Otto]

'Salright.
Sounds like you got the idea.
Don't discount the spontaneous. When we appreciate it for the opportunity it is, maybe we won't need & expect so much from the pulpit, or any other part of the bricks & mortar.
I play piano & guitar. That's one thing I do.
Sometimes it leads to spiritual conversation.
Smetimes it's just fun. Sometimes both.
I got plenty of stories, but I don't want to sound like I've just created another box for God called "spontenaity".
It's more like having a "ready" attitude & stayin' alert for a good lead.

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Whatever "go be in community" means...I ain't gotta clue. Like just go shopping somewhere? Fook that.

lol. nice response.

well, we walk thru our local shops regularly - having kids at school and the need to buy bread, milk and comics - so i gotta few community-type shops we hang out in and chat.

pop in on mates, help em out, just chat, wtvr.

go to m8s gigs, get to know there groupies and so on over curry after

down the pub, gettin to know th landlord and staff and locals by now

on messenger/email, arranging sometimes even to pray down the beach or some other logical place - the graveyard is always empty around these parts!

we started by talking with people and doing what they do, pretty soon we have ourselves a wide, odd church of people - some christian, some not - who all know of each other, and some of us even meet enmasse - for a curry or party - for more "churchy" stuff like bible discussion and prayer and stuff we tend to just invite christians - or those close enuf not to feel excluded - and meet in appropriate places - homes, graveyard, beach, cafes, upper rooms, footy pitches....

is that any help?

 

[Qidron]

lol. nice response.

well, we walk thru our local shops regularly - having kids at school and the need to buy bread, milk and comics - so i gotta few community-type shops we hang out in and chat.

pop in on mates, help em out, just chat, wtvr.

go to m8s gigs, get to know there groupies and so on over curry after

down the pub, gettin to know th landlord and staff and locals by now

on messenger/email, arranging sometimes even to pray down the beach or some other logical place - the graveyard is always empty around these parts!

we started by talking with people and doing what they do, pretty soon we have ourselves a wide, odd church of people - some christian, some not - who all know of each other, and some of us even meet enmasse - for a curry or party - for more "churchy" stuff like bible discussion and prayer and stuff we tend to just invite christians - or those close enuf not to feel excluded - and meet in appropriate places - homes, graveyard, beach, cafes, upper rooms, footy pitches....

is that any help?

Yes, actually, thanks.

I tend to be very slow about moving out of myself and into relationships...and the burn of some relationships has been so devastating to me that being away from where I had ordinarily gotten Godly encouragement has forced me closer to the Lord. Can't complain about that. But I still don't mix well enough to begin new relationships. Oh well...that's my problem I guess. I will keep my ears and eyes open to His promptings. Thanks again.

 

[She]

Does anyone know where I may find a support group for people who have been damaged by the RC Church?

 

[Qidron]

...I don't know any groups, but I will pray with/for you.
I was Catholic ...long time ago. Our whole family.
We grieved when we left but HAD TO GO.
God's grace and blessings be you while you pray for the heart to forgive. It hurts, I know.

 

[She]

...I don't know any groups, but I will pray with/for you.
I was Catholic ...long time ago. Our whole family.
We grieved when we left but HAD TO GO.
God's grace and blessings be you while you pray for the heart to forgive. It hurts, I know.

Thank you. It helps to know that someone else has been through what I am going through.

 

[Qidron]

Thank you. It helps to know that someone else has been through what I am going through.

Well, I don't know what you are going through specifically, but there are people in every area of Christianity that are doing ungodly things. Things that the Lord would never have done. So...GOD BLESS YOU TONIGHT! And if you need to talk...or if you want to Private Message me..feel free.

 

[TheAJKMan]

Well, I don't know what you are going through specifically, but there are people in every area of Christianity that are doing ungodly things. Things that the Lord would never have done. So...GOD BLESS YOU TONIGHT! And if you need to talk...or if you want to Private Message me..feel free.

Qidron, very true words spoken there. ANd it makes me so sad seeing such behaviour by those who should know better. *sigh*

My wife has also been badly hurt by the church, and this by people who were supposed to be helping her. She now will no longer set foot in the church, so my heart goes out to you "She" and will keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers.

TheAJKMan

 

[She]

Qidron, very true words spoken there. ANd it makes me so sad seeing such behaviour by those who should know better. *sigh*

My wife has also been badly hurt by the church, and this by people who were supposed to be helping her. She now will no longer set foot in the church, so my heart goes out to you "She" and will keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers.

TheAJKMan

Thank you.

 

[Qidron]

My heart goes out to your wife AJKman. And you too SHE...there are MANY who are enduring this kind of attack...but why God allows this and what He is doing in this will blow your mind at the end.

I'm going to share what He's been teaching me for many years...I am soooo slow....and He is soooo patient.

If we are truly deciples of Christ, what did we expect? We thought that we'd excape the cross when He very clearly said "Take up your cross and FOLLOW ME" ??

When Christ was crucified, it wasn't for what he did wrong...it was for what He did right. The people who have chosen to crucify us, aren't doing it because we did something wrong. Are you getting this? Sure we are in a continual state of correction by the Holy Spirit that dwells within...that's a godly and wonderful given. That's not what this is about though, is it.

When we enter into the sufferings of Christ..and you know if you have...it is FOR those who have chosen to destroy us. They have a problem...they don't know what they are doing...so we pray for the Lord to forgive them and set them free from the prison they are in. We can actually forgive them...all the while realizing that what they did was wrong...don't confuse that...and we can move forward in Him. We ARE FREE. It hurts for a while...till God gets the infection out I was in broken heart pain for 6 years. Still get twinges. But hang in there The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand...take hold and accept the healing that goes along with it. KEEP ON DELIBERATELY FORGIVING. EVEN THO IT IS STILL TAKING PLACE. LORD, LORD, LORD, HELP US GET THIS.

Just don't throw out the Baby with the bathwater!

Blessings and love to you who are being crucified with Christ...this is a GOOD thing!

I really hope Mrs. AJKman is on CF and will talk with us.

 

[Rick Otto]

Forgiveness is our spiritual survival tool.
Never leave home without it.

 

[Qidron]

Forgiveness is our spiritual survival tool.
Never leave home without it.

Amen and AMEN brother

 

[lismore]

Does anyone know where I may find a support group for people who have been damaged by the RC Church?

Hi

my family left the RC church when I was young. With any system that uses works as a part of salvation its difficult to get away from the mindset of having to do good works to be acceptable to God and the terrible fear of failure and condemnation it can bring.

The thing that works well to get around this is God's love:


Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

God loves you forever, he will draw you to himself and comfort you and give you peace. Salvation is his wonderful gift:

Ephesians 2:8 NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

No amount of good works can make him accept you any more and no mistakes can make him shut the door.