Hello, John and Doves,
Suzi, I was moved by your statement
[highlighted by me in your post, below],
"...[I]t's
now been years since I've attended a regular service. I miss the
fellowship, and the music, and the connection...but I don't miss the
politics and the ugly side of it all."
May I encourage you to try out the Calvary Chapel of
Hanford? It is part of the Calvary Chapel movement started by
Chuck Smith. I go to a Calvary Chapel, called Maranatha Chapel
[whose Pastor is Ray Bentley], here in Rancho Bernardo [a
neighborhood of San Diego, CA].
May the LORD revive your spirit, Suzi! If you
click on "Get Directions," you can zoom out to get a better
perspective. Even if you lack transportation, I'm sure God is
able to raise up someone to help you! Don't give up on fellowship!
It
is written,
"A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good
and how pleasant [it is] For brethren to dwell together in unity!
"[It is] like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge
of his garments.
"[It is] like the dew of Hermon, Descending
upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the
blessing--Life forevermore." Psalm
133
No
matter how the LORD leads you, may you be blessed as are the children
of Israel:
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is
the way you shall bless the children of Israel.
Say to them:
"The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon
you, And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance
upon you, And give you peace." '
"So they shall put My name on the children of
Israel, and I will bless them."
Numbers 6:22-27
May God bless you and yours with His riches in glory
in Christ Jesus [Philippians 4:19, Ephesians 3:20-21]!
Baruch HaShem Adonai [Blessed be the Name of the LORD],
Mike C.
________________________________________________________________________________
Suzi (11
May 2011)
"Gay Clergy"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110511/ap_on_re/us_rel_presbyterians_gays
When I became a Christian at 26, I thought, as we were reading about
end times events, signs and other topics, I assumed the 'New Age'
movement would either become 'mainstream', or infiltrate the Church.
I already knew that abortion was just a modern twist on child
sacrifice. Eco-babble was just 'earth magic'. I just figured that Satan
would take what was old ("New Age" was always a crack up to me, as a
Wiccan, it was 'The Olde Religion'), and put a new face on it, changing
it with the times to fit his agenda. I knew that it actually HAD to
happen, since we are told it will.
But now, seeing and hearing how 'real churches' are literally falling
away....it does take me aback to see it so blatant! There are still
subtle movements going on, but some of them are right there, in your
face, like this story. Wow.
This is the kind of thing that 'turned me off' going to 'church'. Seems
that every church we visited, and even got really involved with one
during the kids teen years, had flaws. Of course, being inhabited by
HUMANS it would have flaws...but there was always something that I just
could not reconcile and it's now been
years since I've attended a regular service. I miss the fellowship, and
the music, and the connection...but I don't miss the politics and the
ugly side of it all.
I look forward to the day when we will all be face to face with Our
Lord and it won't be like 'earthly church', it will be the relationship
we were meant to have...the communing that Adam & Eve had before
the Fall.
Blessings~
Suzi