Tired of looking

[Terry M]

Hi Esdra. Thank you for the afirmation. I hope that the book helps a lot of Christians in their own walk with God.

No, there are no plans to translate the book. Unfortunately I do not speak German, but now I wish I did.

I was motivated by the volume of discussion that in my view takes us away from our relationship with God - and the number of obstacles - often rules - that some often place between us and God. My experience of God is very different - and that's what I've tried to share.

Bless you. ( I just looked up 'Bless you' in German in Google Translate - and it gave me 'Bless you' again. So consider yourself blessed in German)

 

[Esdra]

Bless you. ( I just looked up 'Bless you' in German in Google Translate - and it gave me 'Bless you' again. So consider yourself blessed in German)

Lol, that's funny that google translate can't translate Bless you.
I'd be "Der Herr segne dich (or 'Sie')". - ["Sie" is the polite form.]

Thank you, as I've written before, I may buy it.
How about learning German? It's not an easy language, but actually really beautiful.

 

[jsimms615]

Hi jsimms615

I think many individual churches and ministers have moved away from what I refer to as 'The Main Event' that is, really helping is with our relationship with our loving God.

I think if you are liking the sermons, that is a fantastic start, because it will be helping you in the above.
I don't necessarily want to go into it all here, but I have written a book because of the drift away from what we are all supposed to be about. The sub title of my book is "Putting God before religion". Part of the bit I wrote on Choosing a church is:
Trying to recommend one Church over another is like trying to describe an ideal marriage partner. I could make a reasonable job of a list of things to look for, but it will always be one of those deeply personal, deeply individual ‘chemistry’ things.
No Church will be ‘perfect’, for at least three reasons:
1. No Church is perfect.
2. Our walk with God, like any other relationship, will provide challenges no matter which Church we belong to. This is the nature of a love relationship.
3. We are in no position to judge.
Also, I think that hopping from one Church to another can be simply masking important issues that we might have.
I think for some people, going to a Church where you know someone else to sit with can be a big help.
For me, the most important thing is to find a local Church that really, openly, actively seeks to bring us close to our loving God and to each other – and that is effective in doing this for us.
Hope this helps.

Bless you for your integrity in not settling for something that does not 'ring true' to you.

Thanks for your input. I do like for the pastor to truly share some words of encouragement and to challenge we to dig deeper into the Word. The church we have attended the last two weeks I have not heard the main pastor speak yet. He was out sick last week, so he was not present. I have heard a message from him online though.
I also like it when the members actually greet each other and try to make you feel welcome. So far, I haven't felt that at the church we just started attending, but it has only been two weeks.

 

[Terry M]

Hi jsimms615.
I suspect that most people are a little shy, but that if you persist they will get to know your face and say hello.
I know how I feel when visiting a strange church - so I think I have a little understanding of how you may be feeling. It may be worth you introducing yourself to the Minister and asking him if there are any bible study groups - or even if you could study with him. He may find that refreshing.
Meanwhile I think it would be good if you could find places of peace: by the sea or a river or a lake; in a park, or a forest; just sitting in the sun - or under the stars. Places where you can let God soak you with His peace and nurturing.
I'm very confident that He will send you someone - and that you will suspect that He has answered your prayers when He does.
I'll join you in prayer for this.
Keep doing your part - and He will do His.
Blessings

Terry M

 

[Terry M]

Hi Esdra,

I just tried Google again. It works from German to English, but not the
other way around for 'Bless you.'
It's a bit of a worry, because in August we are driving around France with
the assistance of Google French. Could end accidently up in Morocco - or
Greece.

We had a trip through Germany a few years back - down the Rhine to Bavaria
and across to Switzerland. No bookings before we left, so we learned the
essentials: 'Haben yo ein Doppelzimmer bitte', and 'zwei Weißwein bitte'.
That got us through safely - with the help of a lot of very hospitable
people. Learning bits of a language are one thing. Learning to spell in
another language is quite another.

All the best

Terry M

 

[Esdra]

Hi Esdra,

I just tried Google again. It works from German to English, but not the
other way around for 'Bless you.'
It's a bit of a worry, because in August we are driving around France with
the assistance of Google French. Could end accidently up in Morocco - or
Greece.

We had a trip through Germany a few years back - down the Rhine to Bavaria
and across to Switzerland. No bookings before we left, so we learned the
essentials: 'Haben yo ein Doppelzimmer bitte', and 'zwei Weißwein bitte'.
That got us through safely - with the help of a lot of very hospitable
people. Learning bits of a language are one thing. Learning to spell in
another language is quite another.

All the best

Terry M

I hope for you that you won't end up in Morocco or Greece.

Oh, that sounds like a really nice trip. From open Land into the mountains. (The trip through Germany and Switzerland.)
And to order 2 white wine is an essential?
Yes, we German speaking people are quite hospitable when someone trys to learn our language I guess. [Though, from my experience, only few English speaking do. - The LDS missionaries do, however. I sat in the train with two of them, and they even spoke German {with a slight American accent} with each other! :o]
But I guess nowadays epecially the younger generation can speak English rather well. I mean, it is quite probable to find someone who can speak English in a German speaking country.

Oh and it ought to be: "Haben Sie ein Doppelzimmer, bitte?" [in English: "A double room, please."]

Liebe Grüße,
Esdra

 

[MeirDavid]

hai dude

I need a key for make look to it.

I'm just in initial stage

 

[Esdra]

hai dude

I need a key for make look to it.

I'm just in initial stage

Look at what?

 

[jsimms615]

So since writing this original post I have been to two area churches. Yesterday we went back to a large one that we have been to before. I am settling as I don't particularly feel called to one particular church and am tired of searching for my place to fit in.
the church is large and it seems difficult to meet people and get to know people. But, the pastor seems solid in his preaching

 

[Albion]

So since writing this original post I have been to two area churches. Yesterday we went back to a large one that we have been to before. I am settling as I don't particularly feel called to one particular church and am tired of searching for my place to fit in.
the church is large and it seems difficult to meet people and get to know people. But, the pastor seems solid in his preaching

Thanks for the follow-up. What you report is par for the course. The larger churches do, necessarily, lack the personal touch, but if the teaching is right--and that's of first importance to you--the anonymity might be bearable.

Fortunately, there is a way that you can have your cake and eat it too. If the preaching is OK but the church large, as you settle in you will almost certainly have the opportunity to find a niche--either a circle of friends that's enough for you or a special group within the church such as the choir or men's club, etc. The smaller churches may have a great preacher but they tend not to have all these kinds of opportunities to "customize" your association with the congregation.

 

[SavebyGraceandFaith2013]

Hello jsimms615,

I've just started an online church, pm me if your interested.

 

[Albion]

Hello jsimms615,

I've just started an online church, pm me if your interested.

Not only have you just TODAY started your online church, but you also joined CF TODAY, accepted Christ TODAY, and were baptized TODAY (according to your bio).

Maybe it would be a good idea to go a trifle slower??

 

[RisingSpirit]

Hello jsimms615,

I've just started an online church, pm me if your interested.

digital baptism and electronic wafers? How that work?

 

[SavebyGraceandFaith2013]

Not only have you just TODAY started your online church, but you also joined CF TODAY, accepted Christ TODAY, and were baptized TODAY (according to your bio).

Maybe it would be a good idea to go a trifle slower??

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. - Philippians 4:13
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

My dear brother Albion,

Thank you for voicing your concerns and I believe they are absolutely valid. But, I'm not a stranger to the Christianforum.com. But rather I just registered again. I'm also not a new disciple. I've been in the Word of Truth for many years now. I would like to make a correction in your statement please and I mean no offense. But I just want to point out that I stated in my previous post that I've started "a" church, but It doesn't belong to me and I don't consider it mine. The church only belongs to our Lord.

I was Baptized as an infant and I am now under the complete conviction that only true believers should be baptized. So that is why all three of these things happened at once.

 

[SavebyGraceandFaith2013]

digital baptism and electronic wafers? How that work?

Dear brother RisingSpirit,

Thank you for your question. I'm now working on a website that fully explains my doctrinal views. This isn't a thread for this kind of discussion and I wish to stay on topic.

Suffice it to say that I believe and am convicted by the Spirit of the Lord and the Word of Truth that both Holy Communion and Baptism can be practiced in one's home. Without this conviction; then yes, there would be no possibility of conducting an online assembly or church.

In His Grace and Peace,

David

 

[Albion]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. - Philippians 4:13
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

My dear brother Albion,

Thank you for voicing your concerns and I believe they are absolutely valid. But, I'm not a stranger to the Christianforum.com. But rather I just registered again. I'm also not a new disciple. I've been in the Word of Truth for many years now. I would like to make a correction in your statement please and I mean no offense. But I just want to point out that I stated in my previous post that I've started "a" church, but It doesn't belong to me and I don't consider it mine. The church only belongs to our Lord.

I was Baptized as an infant and I am now under the complete conviction that only true believers should be baptized. So that is why all three of these things happened at once.

Got it. Thanks for the clarification. You understand that all I had to go on is what you yourself entered into your own profile.

That said, I think my concern is not mine alone. To think that a church can exist without the things that the Bible describes as characteristic of a Christian ekklesia is certainly questionable. I think your website looks nice, but it might be more beneficial to people if it did not pretend to be a church and instead operated as the voice of an evangelistic association or something like that.

 

[SavebyGraceandFaith2013]

Got it. Thanks for the clarification. You understand that all I had to go on is what you yourself entered into your own profile.

That said, I think my concern is not mine alone. To think that a church can exist without the things that the Bible describes as characteristic of a Christian ekklesia is certainly questionable. I think your website looks nice, but it might be more beneficial to people if it did not pretend to be a church and instead operated as the voice of an evangelistic association or something like that.

Dear Brother,

Thank you again for your witness and conviction. Many people have and continue to believe that the Lord's Church must only gather together physically. But I do not hold to that belief. I am convicted by the Word and Spirit of Truth that it is pleasing and acceptable to the Father if His Church gathers Spiritually together. Which allows for an online assembly.

So there is no pretending being done by myself or anyone who makes an online community of true believers their church.

In His grace and peace, forever and ever.

David

 

[Albion]

Dear Brother,

Thank you again for your witness and conviction. Many people have and continue to believe that the Lord's Church must only gather together physically. But I do not hold to that belief. I am convicted by the Word and Spirit of Truth that it is pleasing and acceptable to the Father if His Church gathers Spiritually together. Which allows for an online assembly.

So there is no pretending being done by myself or anyone who makes an online community of true believers their church.

In His grace and peace, forever and ever.

David

Very well. If my idea of an evangelistic association didn't gain any traction with you, let me return to the bigger point. How can you have a church online that does not have a pastor and can't administer any Christian sacraments/ordinances?

I get the idea that you could churn out online messages and information, but that doesn't a church make, nor is it much different from what lots of other people have already done.

 

[jsimms615]

Dear Brother,

Thank you again for your witness and conviction. Many people have and continue to believe that the Lord's Church must only gather together physically. But I do not hold to that belief. I am convicted by the Word and Spirit of Truth that it is pleasing and acceptable to the Father if His Church gathers Spiritually together. Which allows for an online assembly.

So there is no pretending being done by myself or anyone who makes an online community of true believers their church.

In His grace and peace, forever and ever.

David

One of the things I was really looking for is some real friendships with people in my community. I know you can have friendships with people online, but it is not the same as having someone to talk to in person.
having a church online is an interesting idea and I do listen to sermons from various preachers online. The two main churches that I have been considering both have sermon archives online. But, how you would baptize or share the Lord's Supper is beyond me.

 

[RisingSpirit]

...Without this conviction; then yes, there would be no possibility of conducting an online assembly or church.

In His Grace and Peace,

David

They offer baptism in Secondlife

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