Crossroads

[NuckingFuts]

Today is a beautiful day. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. But Blah I am going back to bed. :24:
Have a good day everyone.

 

[sexysadie]

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.​

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
​

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.​

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
​

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.​

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:​

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
​

The LORD replied:​

"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."​

 

[NuckingFuts]

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed

he was walking along the beach with the LORD.​

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
​

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.​

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
​

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.​

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:​

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
​

The LORD replied:​

"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you."​

I was thinking about this earlier today. My mom loved this.

 

[sexysadie]

I was thinking about this earlier today. My mom loved this.

Really? It's always been a favorite of my moms too, and my grandmothers not to mention mine. I remember somebody reading it to me when I was very young, it even gave me goosebumps back then.

 

[NuckingFuts]

You all have a wonderful night or day. I will check back in tomorrow night after work.

 

[NoDak]

How many attend Church regularly?

How many find organized religion to be exclusive of those who are not already "The Chosen" of said congregation?

I have been an active church member, serving in several different capacities, and yet, found myself feeling like I was more of a pack mule than a participant. As a council member, I have found myself at odds with some of "The Chosen" because of their attitudes. $$$=votes. Those with the most to contribute feel that their votes should hold more weight. Fortunately, I have a bigger mouth than they have money and I managed to stop them in their tracks.

The past two years, I have bowed out of serving. I needed a rest. I have found that going to Church isn't the be all and end all. In fact, I have felt a weight taken off my shoulders which has helped me to focus on what's important in my spiritual life.

What say you all?

 

[NuckingFuts]

I could seriously use some prayers right now!

 

[purpledove]

How many attend Church regularly?

How many find organized religion to be exclusive of those who are not already "The Chosen" of said congregation?

I have been an active church member, serving in several different capacities, and yet, found myself feeling like I was more of a pack mule than a participant. As a council member, I have found myself at odds with some of "The Chosen" because of their attitudes. $$$=votes. Those with the most to contribute feel that their votes should hold more weight. Fortunately, I have a bigger mouth than they have money and I managed to stop them in their tracks.

The past two years, I have bowed out of serving. I needed a rest. I have found that going to Church isn't the be all and end all. In fact, I have felt a weight taken off my shoulders which has helped me to focus on what's important in my spiritual life.

What say you all?

Good to know that you used to be an active volunteer at church. Your God given gifts were placed to good use :thumbup

For myself, after moving out of State to a new church environment is when i missed the volunteering. Despite that I was going to church as much as I can- there was something missing. The church I joined initially affiliated with my church back in IL had lots of volunteering opportunities but the messages were not appealing to me. I felt like my growth was halted. So when i shifted to my church now, there was also something missing as there were not a lot of volunteering opportunities. They had medical missions which I signed up for but were not regular as I expected

True that going to church is not the be all and end all which sort of i still struggle to this day as I have friends who tend to argue this bit. However, what happens to the fellowship part? I have seen a few of those friends who dont go to church regularly sort of fall out of the Christian radar when it comes to deeds. attitudes, forgiveness or even neglecting that responsibility to read the Bible or reading Biblical messages etc. What happens to what it says in the Bible re: the tug of the Holy Spirit in our hearts? That in this case- if we stopped going to church and we feel guilty at times that the more we dont-- that sooner or later we no longer heed the Holy spirit's tug on us that our hearts become hardened? Hence becoming more complacent with just calling ourselves Christians by professing it but lacking the other components of our growth as Christians? :willy_nilly:

I could seriously use some prayers right now!

Whatever it is you needed prayers for, i am hoping you're doing okay. Prayers sent.

 

[purpledove]

A newer version of the Footprints in the Sand shared by a good Christian friend when i was in one of my lowest points in life. It helped me Big time :nod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCsZNalcaXM&ob=av2n

"Footprints In The Sand"
Leona Lewis

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going

You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much unknown
Along the way

Then I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
And I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

I see my life
Flash across the sky
So many times I've lied
And been so afraid

And just when I
I thought I'd lost my way
You gave me strenght to carry on

That's when I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
Oh, I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
When I'm weary
Well I know you'll be there
And I can feel you
When you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is full of sadness and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

When your is full of sadness and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
I promise you
I'm always there
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

 

[sexysadie]

I could seriously use some prayers right now!

You got it doll

 

[sexysadie]

A newer version of the Footprints in the Sand shared by a good Christian friend when i was in one of my lowest points in life. It helped me Big time :nod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCsZNalcaXM&ob=av2n

"Footprints In The Sand"
Leona Lewis

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going

You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much unknown
Along the way

Then I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
And I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

I see my life
Flash across the sky
So many times I've lied
And been so afraid

And just when I
I thought I'd lost my way
You gave me strenght to carry on

That's when I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
Oh, I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
When I'm weary
Well I know you'll be there
And I can feel you
When you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is full of sadness and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

When your is full of sadness and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
I promise you
I'm always there
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

(sighs):thumbup

 

[NuckingFuts]

Took my son to church today. Felt good. Now I am Blah again.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Took my son to church today. Felt good. Now I am Blah again.

I'm glad you had a good time at church with your son! You are in my prayers!

 

[Diggin Deep]

Stay Focused

God, keep me focused on you and protect me from distraction.

READ
Joshua 3:1-4

REFLECT
The Israelites knew this day was coming. Somehow this entire nation was going to cross the Jordan River at flood stage with everyone intact. Their instructions were simple: follow the ark of the covenant, the symbol of God’s power and presence. If the ark turned South, Israel should turn South. If the ark turned West, Israel should go West.

Have you ever been unsure about which direction you should take? Or, have you felt like God was calling you to do something daunting and scary? Next time, take a cue from the Israelites - stay focused on God and follow his presence.

RESPOND
Write down answers to the following questions: Do you have patterns in your life that invite God’s presence? Are there behaviors or patterns cause you to be distracted and "stray from the ark?" Ask God to show you his presence and go where he says to go.

 

[NoDak]

Took my son to church today. Felt good. Now I am Blah again.

Can you explain what it is that makes you feel "blah"?

 

[Diggin Deep]

How many attend Church regularly?

I have just started going back to church about 3 months ago. Since then, I have been averaging about 3 times per month.

$$$=votes. Those with the most to contribute feel that their votes should hold more weight. Fortunately, I have a bigger mouth than they have money and I managed to stop them in their tracks.

This is a sad theory and one that is probably found in most churches. Unfortunately, church is often ran as a business behind the scenes and many members care more about the $$$ than what church should be about. I've never been on the board of any church and I prefer to keep it that way. My goal is to go to church, worship God and to be fed by His word.

The past two years, I have bowed out of serving. I needed a rest. I have found that going to Church isn't the be all and end all. In fact, I have felt a weight taken off my shoulders which has helped me to focus on what's important in my spiritual life.

I think it is awesome that you were able to serve in the capacity you did. I think it's more awesome that you realized that it was time to take a back seat to the business side of things and a front seat to the God side of things...good for you! I've served in many areas of church...praise and worship leader, youth pastor, prison ministry team leader, summer camp ministry councelor, etc. While I do feel it is good to participate in these things when called, I feel it is easy to get caught up in the "power trip" of it all sometimes. We can just as easily find ourselves in a spiritual rut when trying to do too much. There are also times when God calls us to sit still, worship, pray, praise and listen.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[NoDak]

One of the reasons I stepped down was because of so many weekends, I found myself wearing too many hats. Taught adult Bible study, had to assign ushers to pass the plates, sometimes led congregational singing, all on the same day. In the meantime, a clique of younger folks came and went when they wished. Never taking a post which required some sense of commitment. When I stepped down at the end of my terms, I informed the pastor that those folks needed to step up and start taking charge. They have, to a great degree, thankfully. I have been mostly absent from services for the past 3 years, attending another church a short distance away.

Thanks for your input, DD.

 

[purpledove]

Here's the vid of Patch Adams that I mentioned b4. Check out :46- :57 of this movie clip ( DD, hoping you're able to watch this. I know u can't while at work )

That's my favourite scene as truly it teaches us something vital about our outlook in life


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_psRyTwPHuw&feature=related

 

[Diggin Deep]

Here's the vid of Patch Adams that I mentioned b4. Check out :46- :57 of this movie clip ( DD, hoping you're able to watch this. I know u can't while at work )

That's my favourite scene as truly it teaches us something vital about our outlook in life


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_psRyTwPHuw&feature=related

I watched this a couple of weekends ago...for like the 4th time, but still missed the part you were talkign about. I'll try to view this later Thank you!!!

 

[Diggin Deep]

One of the reasons I stepped down was because of so many weekends, I found myself wearing too many hats. Taught adult Bible study, had to assign ushers to pass the plates, sometimes led congregational singing, all on the same day. In the meantime, a clique of younger folks came and went when they wished. Never taking a post which required some sense of commitment. When I stepped down at the end of my terms, I informed the pastor that those folks needed to step up and start taking charge. They have, to a great degree, thankfully. I have been mostly absent from services for the past 3 years, attending another church a short distance away.

Thanks for your input, DD.

I completey agree with your statement...the youth and younger crowd of the church need to step up and participate. The first church I attended was a small church...probably 60-70 in attendance every Sunday - 25 of which were youth. Shortly after a couple of pastorial changes, college coming around and our youth ministry leaders left the church, our youth fell apart. There just wasn't much for them there anymore.

What I have noticed is that in most denominational churches I've attended, including the current one I go to, the youth (high school - college) are involved in just about every aspect of the church. I think it's awesome! I've talked to a few of them to see what their motivation is. I'm use to hearing, "Because my parents go here and they think it is the best thing for me to do." Not the case from what I gather. They all enjoy being involved and made their own decision on whether or not to serve.

While I agree that it is important to have elders of the church perform various tasks and hold certain positions; I think it is equally important to involve the younger generation in important roles and allow them to be a part of the decision making. Having deep pockets isn't everything and shouldn't be the deciding factor of one's importance in church. God can and will use anyone to carry out His will, if we allow him to.