Welcome to a place where Christ should be exalted and "Self" should be abased!!
Welcome to a place where the BIBLE can be discussed rationally, intelligently, and positively without unnecessary argument!!
Welcome to a place where prayer can be requested and encouraged!!
Welcome to a place where positive and encouraging thoughts from scripture can be shared in a caring and loving way!!
Welcome to a place away from all the arguments, recriminations, and negativity of the outside world!!
Welcome to a place of rest and safety!!
Welcome to a place where Philippians 2:3 is practiced: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Welcome to this Christian thread.
(Please leave all aggression, bitterness, and philosophy outside the door and please wipe your feet before coming inside!!)
I live in my own little world. But it's OK... They know me Here!
Welcome to a place where the BIBLE can be discussed rationally, intelligently, and positively without unnecessary argument!!
Welcome to a place where prayer can be requested and encouraged!!
Welcome to a place where positive and encouraging thoughts from scripture can be shared in a caring and loving way!!
Welcome to a place away from all the arguments, recriminations, and negativity of the outside world!!
Welcome to a place of rest and safety!!
Welcome to a place where Philippians 2:3 is practiced: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Welcome to this Christian thread.
(Please leave all aggression, bitterness, and philosophy outside the door and please wipe your feet before coming inside!!)
I live in my own little world. But it's OK... They know me Here!
Oh, sorry, I've got bad manners this morning........
Hi Nikki:-)
I was just so excited to see Nellie. I was just thinking about Nellie when I was in church yesterday. <>
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Hi Nikki:-)
I was just so excited to see Nellie. I was just thinking about Nellie when I was in church yesterday. <>
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Hi Ramona! sorry missed you there - I did hang around for a minute or 2 - this computer is my internet comp (I know what a waste of a Mac). I use a PC for my bookkeeping and it's in a different room and the only time it logs on to the IN is at T-4 time.
Good for ya - I was thinking of you too - one of my friends just took on 2 foster children from the local band here in Enderby (that's on top of the 5 kids of her own)!! - and had them at church yesterday - they're so beautiful!!!! I'm hoping someday Dwain will accompany me too...actually he did once this year when Kim was home and had the sermon. :)
Good for ya - I was thinking of you too - one of my friends just took on 2 foster children from the local band here in Enderby (that's on top of the 5 kids of her own)!! - and had them at church yesterday - they're so beautiful!!!! I'm hoping someday Dwain will accompany me too...actually he did once this year when Kim was home and had the sermon. :)
People don't care what you know until they know that you care.
Our church is gearing up for major fundraising soon because it has outgrown it's present building. One of the Pastors went to a church in Alberta not too long ago to see how they were running their outreach programs there. I am thinking that it probably would be more practical for our church to take the roof off and add a couple of stories. Exciting things are planned like a food bank and thrift store in the future . The congregation will bue busy in the next little while.:-)
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Well, ya know . . . Dani & his singing group can always do a fundraising tour 🙂 actually I've never figured out the logistics of that ... do you really raise enough money to even cover your expenses ... of course, church people would billet them, so your cost really is mostly your fuel. I know it works really well for IIW - they 'punch' (no wine-LOL!!) & dine donors and raise 100's of thousands for their TV ministry.
People don't care what you know until they know that you care.
Sorry - I'm so 'far between' here - too much multitasking.
food bank and thrift store
That IS exciting!! Armstrong is pretty small town so we just support the community food bank & thrift store. Winnipeg churches has a soup kitchen with their - I don't think it's even a thrift store - I'm pretty sure it's still a Dorcas society idea - I shouldn't say for sure.
Something kinda cool happened after church yesterday. I think we got out late for a reason. As my custom, I was running out to my truck to rush home to get my casserole for potluck. A car was driving slowly by, so I kinda waved then drove off without thinking much more about it. When I got back the car was parked where I was. Long story short...a couple trying to pick up the pieces of their lives, very much in need of help. They were invited to join lunch, and after we packed them up with desserts and I offered what was left of my casserole - enough for a meal with a salad. This is when I wish we have some sort of a food bank - but that's ok - we just gave them some grocery store gift certificates instead. I don't know if I'll ever see my glass dish again, but it felt really good to be able to help 'strangers within our gates'. Even had a bonus - she needed warm clothes. One of the ladies said that she had just brought in a bunch of winter coats and had placed it in the collection box (our Vernon Church has a street ministry and we had been collecting boots, jackets, sweaters, blankets, socks for them). She got a coat and it fitted the lady perfectly - beautiful coat too - car length, suede with sheepskin removable lining. That warm, fuzzy feeling kinda just lifts you through the day!! :)
food bank and thrift store
That IS exciting!! Armstrong is pretty small town so we just support the community food bank & thrift store. Winnipeg churches has a soup kitchen with their - I don't think it's even a thrift store - I'm pretty sure it's still a Dorcas society idea - I shouldn't say for sure.
Something kinda cool happened after church yesterday. I think we got out late for a reason. As my custom, I was running out to my truck to rush home to get my casserole for potluck. A car was driving slowly by, so I kinda waved then drove off without thinking much more about it. When I got back the car was parked where I was. Long story short...a couple trying to pick up the pieces of their lives, very much in need of help. They were invited to join lunch, and after we packed them up with desserts and I offered what was left of my casserole - enough for a meal with a salad. This is when I wish we have some sort of a food bank - but that's ok - we just gave them some grocery store gift certificates instead. I don't know if I'll ever see my glass dish again, but it felt really good to be able to help 'strangers within our gates'. Even had a bonus - she needed warm clothes. One of the ladies said that she had just brought in a bunch of winter coats and had placed it in the collection box (our Vernon Church has a street ministry and we had been collecting boots, jackets, sweaters, blankets, socks for them). She got a coat and it fitted the lady perfectly - beautiful coat too - car length, suede with sheepskin removable lining. That warm, fuzzy feeling kinda just lifts you through the day!! :)
People don't care what you know until they know that you care.
I have been telling the fellas for the past few years that they really should produce a CD of their songs. The fellas are all way too busy with other things in their lives. Maybe one day.
Of course you got out late from church service for a reason.;-)
Nikki, I may only attend church about 4 times in a year - tops. Hubs is much more diligent in that department than me. Even though I don't have a great church attendance record, I am still very proud of what the church that I do attend accomplishes in the way of outreach and giving back to the community. <>
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Of course you got out late from church service for a reason.;-)
Nikki, I may only attend church about 4 times in a year - tops. Hubs is much more diligent in that department than me. Even though I don't have a great church attendance record, I am still very proud of what the church that I do attend accomplishes in the way of outreach and giving back to the community. <>
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That's indeed where you'll find the "true" church Ramona -- not confined within four walls but out there on the street, reaching out to people when they're in need and in pain. God doesn't care where you happen to be standing when you do his work -- in a church, on the street, or even within the confines of your own home. He can use you no matter where you happen to be. 😉 However, it is very rewarding & motivating to get together with a group of like-minded individuals at church to worship and fraternize, even if you only do so once in a while (like I do).
Hi Nikki!
Oh yeah, she definitely sounds like a lovely, caring soul -- just the kind of girl a mother would dream of her son having as his girlfriend. It's probably no coincidence either that she happens to be in your life right now, when you're struggling so hard with issues of faith. A person with a kind & loving heart like she has is bound to be a carrier of light to all those that cross her path. Spend as much time talking to her as you can when she's around. It's my guess that she's been placed on your path for a reason.
Oh yeah, she definitely sounds like a lovely, caring soul -- just the kind of girl a mother would dream of her son having as his girlfriend. It's probably no coincidence either that she happens to be in your life right now, when you're struggling so hard with issues of faith. A person with a kind & loving heart like she has is bound to be a carrier of light to all those that cross her path. Spend as much time talking to her as you can when she's around. It's my guess that she's been placed on your path for a reason.
This is an update to a post I made several months ago.
I have just come out of a severe depression that lasted
almost a year, thanks to a change in diagnosis and some different meds. I have been reclassified from unipolar(depression) to Bipolar II(depression but no mania). It makes a difference in terms of the relevant medication.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your view of our dollar, i must see a Doctor in the US every month. This costs money but is well worth it because the med is not available in Canada. I have problems with the appropriate meds because I also have Periodic Limb Movement Disorder and Fybromyalgia. these are also CNS disorders so I have real problems with drug interactions. Church la vie.
I want to go back to my church, but I am hesitating. I have come to realize that my church is part of the problem. We are a very small congregation that tries to accomplish a lot. However, the physical demands put on me to help out outweigh my physical capabilities. I end up in pain, but it is hard to complain when half, or more, of the ladies are older than you. (My diseases are all invisible) I have made requests for physical assistance in the past that have been ignored or the person has just not shown up. And there I am dragging tables and chairs around that just kill my bones and joints. I have spoken to the Priest but he has bigger fish to fry; the Diocese would love to shut us down and thus end another BCP parish.
I miss my public worship but what do I do?
PS to Moogie: you were absolutely right in the other thread re meds/psychos etc., but I would not admit so because Jakeeangel was on the same thread and I definitely feel that she does not like me.
Susan
I have just come out of a severe depression that lasted
almost a year, thanks to a change in diagnosis and some different meds. I have been reclassified from unipolar(depression) to Bipolar II(depression but no mania). It makes a difference in terms of the relevant medication.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your view of our dollar, i must see a Doctor in the US every month. This costs money but is well worth it because the med is not available in Canada. I have problems with the appropriate meds because I also have Periodic Limb Movement Disorder and Fybromyalgia. these are also CNS disorders so I have real problems with drug interactions. Church la vie.
I want to go back to my church, but I am hesitating. I have come to realize that my church is part of the problem. We are a very small congregation that tries to accomplish a lot. However, the physical demands put on me to help out outweigh my physical capabilities. I end up in pain, but it is hard to complain when half, or more, of the ladies are older than you. (My diseases are all invisible) I have made requests for physical assistance in the past that have been ignored or the person has just not shown up. And there I am dragging tables and chairs around that just kill my bones and joints. I have spoken to the Priest but he has bigger fish to fry; the Diocese would love to shut us down and thus end another BCP parish.
I miss my public worship but what do I do?
PS to Moogie: you were absolutely right in the other thread re meds/psychos etc., but I would not admit so because Jakeeangel was on the same thread and I definitely feel that she does not like me.
Susan
Hi Christine - you sound like you're literally bubbling over with joy! 🙂 Hi Nancy!
Was at a funeral thing all day today. They had a viewing at 10, a luncheon for close friends & family, and a memorial service @ 3. I'm googling 'hemorraghic pancreastitis' to see what it is - that seemed a fast way to go - started with a stomachache and gone within 2 days!!!
((((Nikki)))) I try to have a daily devotional in the morning - and when I come across something that is particularly encouraging or inspiring and it's not too overly long - I share it here.
Ahhh! but church or as some people define it "organized religion" is not for everyone. Like Lucie says, you can commune with God anywhere. I attend church every weekend and I find that day very special. For one day I can leave the cares & worries of the world behind and worship and praise God with like-minded people. I enjoy the fellowship and the camaraderie - there's good will and support. We have potluck lunch together and catch up with each other's lives. It gives me a chance to look around and see who's missing that day and call them that week to say 'how are you'. We just get way too busy in our own lives otherwise at least I do.
People are so appreciative of the littlest things. Last weekend I had a birthday party (for my best friend) at my house. During lunch this weekend I sat at a table with a lady (she gives me cabbage & rhubarb from her garden) and said 'hey, we missed you at the party'. She says, 'well, I'll have to tell you why some other time, but thank you. Thank you for telling me you missed me.'
What I love really is that I am confident I can travel across Canada and drop in at any Adventist church and know somebody or at least know somebody in common..
And then there's Susan's case. That is sad, really. ((((Susan)))) but on the other hand, I'm glad for you that you're getting your health on the mend.
I do understand and so know where you're coming from. There are days, I almost give up and say 'Lord, if you really want this done - you're gonna have to come up with some people to help me'. You know there are days when I feel like 'why am I the only one playing the piano all the time ...every weekend...while everybody else get to sit back in their pews' and that would be the day God would send someone at the end of the church service to say 'Nellie, that song you played for offertory today was such a blessing to me!' Another time, I was almost in tears because people who were supposed to help me to set up a booth at the community July 1st family day did not show up and God sent me helpers - from the Pentecostal church!!! 🙂 I look at it as doing the Lord's work and as long as He gives me strength & resources to do it ... and the TIME ... I guess I just have to do it. .. and God always provides. I have a support group so to speak for myself - people I can call for help. It seems the more I help, the more I get helped - kinda what goes around comes around. I don't know what to tell you really, I have a smallish church too - maybe 120 on the membership list - but only 30% active members. and yes, sometimes I feel we try to do too much. If something doesn't fly - I don't worry about it - I just think - oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be - God has other plans. *shrug* ...move on ...next...!!!
God bless you for all your efforts though. Your reward is not of this world. :)
*Prayers for Barry*
Was at a funeral thing all day today. They had a viewing at 10, a luncheon for close friends & family, and a memorial service @ 3. I'm googling 'hemorraghic pancreastitis' to see what it is - that seemed a fast way to go - started with a stomachache and gone within 2 days!!!
((((Nikki)))) I try to have a daily devotional in the morning - and when I come across something that is particularly encouraging or inspiring and it's not too overly long - I share it here.
Ahhh! but church or as some people define it "organized religion" is not for everyone. Like Lucie says, you can commune with God anywhere. I attend church every weekend and I find that day very special. For one day I can leave the cares & worries of the world behind and worship and praise God with like-minded people. I enjoy the fellowship and the camaraderie - there's good will and support. We have potluck lunch together and catch up with each other's lives. It gives me a chance to look around and see who's missing that day and call them that week to say 'how are you'. We just get way too busy in our own lives otherwise at least I do.
People are so appreciative of the littlest things. Last weekend I had a birthday party (for my best friend) at my house. During lunch this weekend I sat at a table with a lady (she gives me cabbage & rhubarb from her garden) and said 'hey, we missed you at the party'. She says, 'well, I'll have to tell you why some other time, but thank you. Thank you for telling me you missed me.'
What I love really is that I am confident I can travel across Canada and drop in at any Adventist church and know somebody or at least know somebody in common..
And then there's Susan's case. That is sad, really. ((((Susan)))) but on the other hand, I'm glad for you that you're getting your health on the mend.
I do understand and so know where you're coming from. There are days, I almost give up and say 'Lord, if you really want this done - you're gonna have to come up with some people to help me'. You know there are days when I feel like 'why am I the only one playing the piano all the time ...every weekend...while everybody else get to sit back in their pews' and that would be the day God would send someone at the end of the church service to say 'Nellie, that song you played for offertory today was such a blessing to me!' Another time, I was almost in tears because people who were supposed to help me to set up a booth at the community July 1st family day did not show up and God sent me helpers - from the Pentecostal church!!! 🙂 I look at it as doing the Lord's work and as long as He gives me strength & resources to do it ... and the TIME ... I guess I just have to do it. .. and God always provides. I have a support group so to speak for myself - people I can call for help. It seems the more I help, the more I get helped - kinda what goes around comes around. I don't know what to tell you really, I have a smallish church too - maybe 120 on the membership list - but only 30% active members. and yes, sometimes I feel we try to do too much. If something doesn't fly - I don't worry about it - I just think - oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be - God has other plans. *shrug* ...move on ...next...!!!
God bless you for all your efforts though. Your reward is not of this world. :)
People don't care what you know until they know that you care.
*Prayers for Barry*
Oh - I wanted to tell Lucie that the books she sent me last year for her Santa's elf gift provided me with tremendous inspiration. Two documents I took from those books, The Greatest Miracle in the World and The Return of the Ragpicker both by Og Mandino, are part of my morning devotional. I read both the "God Memorandum" and "For the Rest of My Life" and a chapter from Proverbs (it has 31 chapters - one for each day of the month). :)
*Prayers for Barry*
People don't care what you know until they know that you care.
*Prayers for Barry*
I haven't read this thread and but I need to share my first inspirational story. I am not a religous person but I am a very spiritual person. I don't judge people by their religion but I also do not want it in my face.
My BIL is a preacher and has learned over the years that in my face gets him nowhere. I have never been disrespectful just up front....anyway this gentleman has experience health hardships of late and that bothered me because he is a nice guy and heck we have known each other for 27 years. I called him up on the phone to see how he was doing and we talked a bit about him. I think he appreciated the fact that I called to listen to him and not asking something from him. I understand his role in the community and his job is on the line if he can't deliver. Now that ticks me off but that is another story, but it does add to my concerns for him because I know this is where he belongs. He said something that touched my soul very deeply. He told me that he always asked God to take care of me because I was special and he felt that it was important that he included me in his prayers. I believed him. I expressed my belief that he was extremely spiritual whether he felt it or not. He was about to differ when I explained what spirituality meant to me. He then spoke how deeply he felt about my comment and thought it was the first time he heard it spoken of and not felt Spirituality a loss of religion. We ended our conversation with a prayer, normally this something I would decline gracefully. When he prayed for me something happened, I cried (very quietly, I didn't want him to hear me, but I felt the heart renching sobs that wanted to escape)and felt touched by the very power I believe in. I felt "blessed" for a lack of a better description and lifted by his words. They were kind and warm and thoughtful. The most powerful thing about this is, ever since then I have felt a burden removed from my shoulders. I have silently thanked his God and him for this gift. I didn't even know how heavly I carried this burden until he released it.
Sometimes life throws you big curves, just be happy you can wrap yourself around them.
My BIL is a preacher and has learned over the years that in my face gets him nowhere. I have never been disrespectful just up front....anyway this gentleman has experience health hardships of late and that bothered me because he is a nice guy and heck we have known each other for 27 years. I called him up on the phone to see how he was doing and we talked a bit about him. I think he appreciated the fact that I called to listen to him and not asking something from him. I understand his role in the community and his job is on the line if he can't deliver. Now that ticks me off but that is another story, but it does add to my concerns for him because I know this is where he belongs. He said something that touched my soul very deeply. He told me that he always asked God to take care of me because I was special and he felt that it was important that he included me in his prayers. I believed him. I expressed my belief that he was extremely spiritual whether he felt it or not. He was about to differ when I explained what spirituality meant to me. He then spoke how deeply he felt about my comment and thought it was the first time he heard it spoken of and not felt Spirituality a loss of religion. We ended our conversation with a prayer, normally this something I would decline gracefully. When he prayed for me something happened, I cried (very quietly, I didn't want him to hear me, but I felt the heart renching sobs that wanted to escape)and felt touched by the very power I believe in. I felt "blessed" for a lack of a better description and lifted by his words. They were kind and warm and thoughtful. The most powerful thing about this is, ever since then I have felt a burden removed from my shoulders. I have silently thanked his God and him for this gift. I didn't even know how heavly I carried this burden until he released it.
Sometimes life throws you big curves, just be happy you can wrap yourself around them.
((((Jackie)))) I'm so happy for you. :)
*Prayers for Barry*
People don't care what you know until they know that you care.
*Prayers for Barry*
