Question about churches/Denominations

[BubbleFlower]

, so before I met Jesus and was born again, I had hate, I had sin, I was wrapped up in this world. So when I accepted Jesus as Lord and savior his spirit came in me, and has been changing me from the inside out ever since...... not to hate but to forgive, not to sin. He has changed my desires. I am a new creation because of Jesus Christ spirit dwelling in me

Take being a ex drug addict for example, I know many who quit on there own will-power but yet are still enslaved because even thought they quit, they still desire the drugs. Now when you have Jesus he changes your desires to want to please our heavenly father so now we are truly free from the drug addiction. this is my personal experience.

Jesus has changed the way I think completely, Jesus is the only one who can set us free from the enslavement of sin. Every single person on the earth is a sinner, only Jesus can free us from our enslavement to sins. And give us a heart to love others as our self. Once this happens, and you look back, you know its a supernatural experience. Especially once you start producing fruit for the Kingdom of God,

I do not believe in the supernatural. However, glad Jesus changed you. It is for this reason why I believe everyone needs to find what works for them.

Trying to convert people in my opinion is wrong. Sharing your experience is more than enough, and it often opens doors for others/outsiders to also see what you experienced in depth.

Thank you for sharing it.

 

[David1954]

Immediately after I believed, I asked, Why are "Christians" divided into a hundred denominations (self name calling), and why do they participate in in war.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Hello @BubbleFlower
Hey girl!

You still want to separate your BF from the ties of the Church, i.e. his mom? :smile:

I do make an interesting observation, that you consider yourself a daughter of the stars, but don't believe in the supernatural? hummm
Kinda of sci-fi to me, on the supernatural side of the house. I just hope it's not the L. Ron Hubbard type.

Anyway, since you travel around a lot, you'll have to say at least where you're located in order to attempt to tell you what church to look for or should I assume that it's Texas since the negative experiences you mentioned seem to originate from there. Understanding as some here have been trying to communicate in not so many words. It really won't make a difference what church you take him to, if his faith is true, because in truth it's about the message that is Jesus that is the foundation of Christianity.

I realize that you like pointing out the foul acts that have been perpetrated in Jesus' name, but then if you are honest there is nothing in this world be it religious or secular that hasn't created atrocities of one kind or another. And just in case you think Christianity is the worse. The reality is that Atheistic beliefs as in Communism/Socialism have actually accounted for more deaths.

So, what you have in reality is a sincere problem with the source, and that is humanity. Humanity is faulty, and many of the religions you will find, will attribute it to just this very thing. Secular thinking, does as well. They just have it as being natural/genetics. I guess the difference you will find is how does one go about fixing it, which is all through a belief system.

For the Secular person, I'm sure genetic manipulation and the like are methodologies one could look to. While each one of the religions have something different to hang their hats on. However, since you're on a Christian Forum, asking questions. It will be Christian answers that should be provided. Whether you agree with their conclusion/view point or not. But I won't get too heavy on that since that's not really what you asked about...is it? :shades:

So, regardless of the Christian Church you may find that your BF would be willing to go to. What you have to deal with is........drum roll please......Jesus! The Gospel doesn't change. Oh, it may get diluted from one church to another, and in some churches now a days it rarely gets talked of, but the foundation must be Jesus if they are to be called Christian. Otherwise, you have Allah, Muhammad, and pick any of the 300 thousand god's the Hindu's have. Oh, of course, the Atheist which I'm sure they would disagree with what I'm about to say, but it's a belief in self. I believe the Buddhist also has that self realization concept going. :smile:

However, none of this will help you find the church that fulfills what I believe you are attempting to do, which I mentioned in my opening sentence to you here. So, depending on where you're located at or your home base is. Which church might be one you could seek that breaks the structure provided by the Lutherans, it would be hard to say. If you're looking at a less structured, and a more relational type of Christian Church. You might try a Pentecostal one. Might be a bit much for you, since they are usually Holy Spirit driven, but then again as a daughter of the stars, it might be something you might find interesting. Many churches and even the Pentecostal ones who came about from the Azusa Street Revival, don't teach enough on the Holy Spirit so that He is understood properly. But there you have it, my two cents worth.

I truly hope that you will allow the message of Jesus, without all the trappings that denominational-ism has created to find His way to you through the Holy Spirit. But in truth all we can do is present, and you either get convicted in its truth, or hold on for something else that satisfies the hole that is within all of us that begs filling.

Oh, by the way, I posted a vid from an awesome apologist who happens to be Indian. The subject is "Truth". I Hope you will take the time to watch it. He is engaging, and quiet challenging. Link below sign off.

Continuing to pray for you, the BF, and family. Yours & His. Stay safe in your travels.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

Ravi Zacharias: Is Truth Dead?

Powerful and worth the listen. With the Love of Christ Jesus. YBIC Nick

www.talkjesus.com

 

[Br. Bear]

@BubbleFlower

Greetings,

thank you for getting back to me.

I apologize. Actually someone else here said the same thing, and I did not get angry with them. It is just the way she said it came shocking a bit. Yes it is hurtful. But after all it is her religion, and if she believes God says he should not be dating me, then I am not in a place to tell her not to say that.

But yeah sorry I said I could spite one someone for saying that. I think it was unnecessary, too. Sorry for saying that.

it is a wonderful thing to be able to honestly apologise and even better when we know we are forgiven.
=================

This topic is supposed to help me find the right church.

it can be like digging for treasure. A lot of dirt needs lifting and sifting and when we break for a drink or a meal, we need to wash our hands. Then we get back to digging!
=================

Not sure how we got into all of these discussions here.

i think we call it, building relationship and friendship. One thing i have learnt is that once we 'find' a friend, we know it because they can say something to us or visa versa and while it may sting a bit and we might even react, we remain friends and that, closer. Also, a friend is willing to go the extra mile and will tell you things they see about you that others won't and it is usually something we either don't want to think about or that we are unaware of.
Sue is a friendly type and i think that despite her way, she has learnt much from her friend Jesus.
as you no doubt are learning in your studies, we all have quirks and we all have strong points and weak ones and it is often in recognising this above seeing the oddities in others, that we can develop a sense of the sort of peace that we want to see in our space, to interact with others as we appreciate being interacted with.

We, as in us who believe, have learnt that in Christ we have something very much in common, namely His love that deals with us in such grace and gentleness that we long to be as He is. We can and at times fail to measure up but as you probably appreciate, if a vine shoots a branch that is a bit too wayward, you don't dig up the vine but either train it or if need be, prune it. We all [mankind] want to enjoy good fruit and we who believe have by His grace, discovered that is in abiding in Him that we can. [this does not make us better than all others but it does make us forever grateful AND like a child with an exciting something that means the world to them, we want to share with others.]

thank you again for getting back to me.
I shall be praying that you, too, can start praying and believing that the Lord will lead you (both) to a place where you can enjoy the fellowship of His love.


Bless you ....><>

 

[Dave M]

Immediately after I believed, I asked, Why are "Christians" divided into a hundred denominations (self name calling), and why do they participate in in war.

Jesus unites man divides thus denominations, IMO it happens all through the bible history, people creeping into the church that are not real believers dividing

 

[Sue D.]

@BubbleFlower -- It usually works well for the woman to follow the leadership of the man -- especially in religious things. The man being the spiritual leader. Find out what He really does believe. Be supportive of Those beliefs.

Almost time for me to get off line at the library.

 

[BubbleFlower]

Hello @BubbleFlower
Hey girl!

You still want to separate your BF from the ties of the Church, i.e. his mom? :smile:

I do make an interesting observation, that you consider yourself a daughter of the stars, but don't believe in the supernatural? hummm
Kinda of sci-fi to me, on the supernatural side of the house. I just hope it's not the L. Ron Hubbard type.

Anyway, since you travel around a lot, you'll have to say at least where you're located in order to attempt to tell you what church to look for or should I assume that it's Texas since the negative experiences you mentioned seem to originate from there. Understanding as some here have been trying to communicate in not so many words. It really won't make a difference what church you take him to, if his faith is true, because in truth it's about the message that is Jesus that is the foundation of Christianity.

I realize that you like pointing out the foul acts that have been perpetrated in Jesus' name, but then if you are honest there is nothing in this world be it religious or secular that hasn't created atrocities of one kind or another. And just in case you think Christianity is the worse. The reality is that Atheistic beliefs as in Communism/Socialism have actually accounted for more deaths.

So, what you have in reality is a sincere problem with the source, and that is humanity. Humanity is faulty, and many of the religions you will find, will attribute it to just this very thing. Secular thinking, does as well. They just have it as being natural/genetics. I guess the difference you will find is how does one go about fixing it, which is all through a belief system.

For the Secular person, I'm sure genetic manipulation and the like are methodologies one could look to. While each one of the religions have something different to hang their hats on. However, since you're on a Christian Forum, asking questions. It will be Christian answers that should be provided. Whether you agree with their conclusion/view point or not. But I won't get too heavy on that since that's not really what you asked about...is it? :shades:

So, regardless of the Christian Church you may find that your BF would be willing to go to. What you have to deal with is........drum roll please......Jesus! The Gospel doesn't change. Oh, it may get diluted from one church to another, and in some churches now a days it rarely gets talked of, but the foundation must be Jesus if they are to be called Christian. Otherwise, you have Allah, Muhammad, and pick any of the 300 thousand god's the Hindu's have. Oh, of course, the Atheist which I'm sure they would disagree with what I'm about to say, but it's a belief in self. I believe the Buddhist also has that self realization concept going. :smile:

However, none of this will help you find the church that fulfills what I believe you are attempting to do, which I mentioned in my opening sentence to you here. So, depending on where you're located at or your home base is. Which church might be one you could seek that breaks the structure provided by the Lutherans, it would be hard to say. If you're looking at a less structured, and a more relational type of Christian Church. You might try a Pentecostal one. Might be a bit much for you, since they are usually Holy Spirit driven, but then again as a daughter of the stars, it might be something you might find interesting. Many churches and even the Pentecostal ones who came about from the Azusa Street Revival, don't teach enough on the Holy Spirit so that He is understood properly. But there you have it, my two cents worth.

I truly hope that you will allow the message of Jesus, without all the trappings that denominational-ism has created to find His way to you through the Holy Spirit. But in truth all we can do is present, and you either get convicted in its truth, or hold on for something else that satisfies the hole that is within all of us that begs filling.

Oh, by the way, I posted a vid from an awesome apologist who happens to be Indian. The subject is "Truth". I Hope you will take the time to watch it. He is engaging, and quiet challenging. Link below sign off.

Continuing to pray for you, the BF, and family. Yours & His. Stay safe in your travels.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

Ravi Zacharias: Is Truth Dead?

Powerful and worth the listen. With the Love of Christ Jesus. YBIC Nick

www.talkjesus.com

Hi, Nick. God is not a building or a church. God is a Spirit. I cannot change his mother, but yeah we can change the place.

"If those who lead you say to you, 'look, the Kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds will get there first. If they say 'it's in the ocean,' then the fish will get there first. But, the Kingdom of God is "within you" and "outside" of you. Once you come to know yourselves, you will become known." ---- Jesus Christ.

You said, "I do make an interesting observation, that you consider yourself a daughter of the stars, but don't believe in the supernatural? Hummm Kinda of sci-fi to me, on the supernatural side of the house. I just hope it's not the L. Ron Hubbard type."

lol I am not even close to be a scientologist. No, I do not believe in the supernatural. The term supernatural and sometimes miracles may exist in some new age spiritual circles. I am not a New Ager. Have you heard about "A Course in Miracles." I do not care if it is spiritual nonsense, or religious nonsense. Nonsense is just that nonsense. I believe in the Will. It is the manifestation of the Gods.

It is not Texas. I just used that as example for the Bible belt. I live in New York. I will not deny the fact that I am trying to remove him from negative influences. In this case, his mother and his priest, but I am not trying to remove his Christian faith completely. I do not even talk to him much about what I believe. I do not care what he believes. We just want to be happy so we can take this relationship into the next step.

You said, " The reality is that Atheistic beliefs as in Communism/Socialism have actually accounted for more deaths."

That is absurd. Atheistic beliefs has nothing to do with communism and socialism. There is no link between the two. You can be an atheist and believe in democracy or anything else. You can believe in God and at the same time believe in communism or socialism.

You said, " Oh, of course, the Atheist which I'm sure they would disagree with what I'm about to say, but it's a belief in self. I believe the Buddhist also has that self realization concept going"

Hmmm. I feel like you are sending a subliminal message that I hold atheistic or Buddhist beliefs? Not sure why you pick on atheism much.

My spiritual path has a goal and it is more about bringing "instinct" to a conscious level. It is what a Buddhist call immoral and what a Christian call ungodly.

I am an esoterist. Esoteric beliefs run in my family. In fact, I am more than that. I am a practitioner of the esoteric.

This is what I am hoping to find: Esoteric or Spiritual Christianity. Of course, they exist, but I doubt I will find a church, and if I find one, I do not think my boyfriend will like it anyway. Actually, he does not even know much about what I believe. So it is not like I can just tell him all of this in a single day.

You said, "You might try a Pentecostal one. Might be a bit much for you, since they are usually Holy Spirit driven, but then again as a daughter of the stars, it might be something you might find interesting."

I heard the church we go to now is partially Pentecostal. People in this Vineyard Church seem friendly and social. Most of them are very young. I guess it will work for now until we find something better.

The video you posted is a bit long. I will try to hear it when I have time.

 

[BubbleFlower]

@BubbleFlower

Greetings,

thank you for getting back to me.



it is a wonderful thing to be able to honestly apologise and even better when we know we are forgiven.
=================



it can be like digging for treasure. A lot of dirt needs lifting and sifting and when we break for a drink or a meal, we need to wash our hands. Then we get back to digging!
=================



i think we call it, building relationship and friendship. One thing i have learnt is that once we 'find' a friend, we know it because they can say something to us or visa versa and while it may sting a bit and we might even react, we remain friends and that, closer. Also, a friend is willing to go the extra mile and will tell you things they see about you that others won't and it is usually something we either don't want to think about or that we are unaware of.
Sue is a friendly type and i think that despite her way, she has learnt much from her friend Jesus.
as you no doubt are learning in your studies, we all have quirks and we all have strong points and weak ones and it is often in recognising this above seeing the oddities in others, that we can develop a sense of the sort of peace that we want to see in our space, to interact with others as we appreciate being interacted with.

We, as in us who believe, have learnt that in Christ we have something very much in common, namely His love that deals with us in such grace and gentleness that we long to be as He is. We can and at times fail to measure up but as you probably appreciate, if a vine shoots a branch that is a bit too wayward, you don't dig up the vine but either train it or if need be, prune it. We all [mankind] want to enjoy good fruit and we who believe have by His grace, discovered that is in abiding in Him that we can. [this does not make us better than all others but it does make us forever grateful AND like a child with an exciting something that means the world to them, we want to share with others.]

thank you again for getting back to me.
I shall be praying that you, too, can start praying and believing that the Lord will lead you (both) to a place where you can enjoy the fellowship of His love.


Bless you ....><>

Of course, friends can say harsh things. However, she is not my friend, not even close. My friends are those who earned my respect. I am very social and have many friends, associates…etc. but some of them had to learn the hard way. I do not turn the other cheek.

I apologized because she is much older than I am so that was rude from me. I got upset. That is all. It is not evil. It is just self-defense.

Anyway, thank you for your kindness. I hope we do not have intense feelings ever again.

 

[BubbleFlower]

@BubbleFlower -- It usually works well for the woman to follow the leadership of the man -- especially in religious things. The man being the spiritual leader. Find out what He really does believe. Be supportive of Those beliefs.

Almost time for me to get off line at the library.

I am a Gentile woman. The Gentile woman was a high priestess, ruler, and warrior. She became the divine.

Do I sound like I a follower to you?

I am the Old Norse. Ostara, the bringer of light prepares my way, but it is I who "leads" in the circle. Ostara, the radiant dawn, said in her own light "Non serviam."

My ancestors admired and worshipped wild wolves. Wolfgang meant (the wolf, the path.) I am a Wolf-spirit. That is the loneliest STAR. The eater of the herd runs deep in my veins. Hati-the wolf will devour the MOON just like Sköll-the wolf will devour the SUN. What is left is the union with emptiness and that is Fenrir released from its cage.

Besides, I will tell you this here since I have not gotten time to respond to your PM. My boyfriend is Lutheran, not Catholic.