Joyful

Yes it is, mustardseed

Mark

Amen!

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Mark Strohm, Jr.
Thrifty Times

tlc

Please allow me to join the discussion. I notice that most of you are from the U.S. Well, I'm from the Philippines. Our country is dominated by Roman Catholics.

When I was a teenager, I was raised by my aunt as a christian. I was very interested and self-motivated to know GOD and how I can live according to his words. However, this aunt of mine maltreated me. She hurts both emotionally and physically. Because of that, I turned my back from GOD and I lived with the world. However, after all those years of commiting sins, there's still a deep part of me that belongs to GOD. It's just that I was not mature enough that I shouldn't blame GOD for the bad things that people did to me.

I'm in the process of reviving my relationship to GOD alone. Actually, I'm glad that I found this website because now, I can discuss what I feel about my spirituality with other people who believe in Jesus Christ.

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http://thinklikeclark.blogspot.com

Boanerges

I am so sorry for your pain but I rejoice at the fact you are coming back to the One who is the source of all healing, all peace, all freedom and all joy! Your testimony is a great demonstration of God's redeeming power- the world abuses but the Lord draws us back to Himself at lifts us back on our feet! Praise God always and expect Him to do wonderful things in your life!

Struick

Boanerges I was reading about the situation where you did keep your hat on and where someone in a wrong way pointed this out to you.

We have an issue with an older fellow who is appointed to greet people at the door.

He hugs everybody in such a way that my wife thinks it's offensive.
He over does it. And not everybody likes to be hugged.

She does not like to be hugged by him up to the point that she tries to avoid him or worse, does not feel like going to church or wants to go to another church.

Boanerges

I think it would be wise for you and or her to simply tell this man that you appreciate his gestures of friendship but would prefer a warm handshake. It is never a good idea to assume that anyone else knows how you are feeling or reacting on the inside so the best idea is to tell them directly and in the nicest possible way. I personally am a zealot and love the church of my Jesus but if I ever do anything offensive to any of you here please let me know as this will never be my purpose.

Struick

Yes, you are right. We need to have a friendly talk with him.

Nesian

Pray for him. im sure deep down, he knows that God is real.
The lord can work through someone else to reach out to him

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iExist

i know that "family and parenting" may not relate to me yet, however the topic is so interesting i cant resist...

as some of u might know from my other post(s) in youth related topics i am about as far left and liberal as any Christian can get. yet i am starting to realize now more than ever (thanks to the help of Boanerges, RichardS, Violet, and others) thats alright with God. Jesus doesn't have a political party or endorse any corporate conglomerates. I may know this but many kids my age turn away from, suppress ,and eventually push away their christian values. this is due to the fact that they supposedly "do not fit the stereotype and will not be excepted by these uppity Christian republicans." they can't even see God for who he/she really is, and even if they do they will fear his/her eternal love.

The church has to many false representatives all over the boob tube claiming they are true christians, then a month later we see them getting arrested for some sort of fiscal or sexual misconduct.

it is natural for the youth to defy and denounce governing authorities and if we as Christians allow our belief to get intertwined with governing authorities then the youth will do the same to christ.

(now that i read back it seems i have gone off on a meaningless rant)lol

in conclusion what i am trying to say is that older Christians should stop judging and pushing away their children and grand children, and teach them(us) about Christ not their own intolerance. They should except them for their hair, piercings, and tattoos (because its too late if its already there, might as well accept it)... and then maybe we can work on our souls instead of the vehicles which carry them.


much peace and love

iExist