Okay, I know there are some people reading this. Now, it’s your turn.
- Do you consider yourself a Christian?
- Do you know why you are a Christian?
- Do you attend church?
- Why do you attend church (or why don’t you attend church)?
- What do you struggle with?
Please comment below, even if it is anonymously.
-Yes.
ReplyDelete-Because I believe (for the most part) that Jesus is God and He died for our sins.
-Usually
-I attend church because God says we should and it helps me to be a better Christian.
-What do I *not* struggle with? All of it. For starters, how are people who have personality disorders judged? When they have some control of their actions, but are much more challenged to act kindly, how am I to react? They have free will, yet their brain is different. And they can be SOOOOOO MEAN!
Franny,
ReplyDeleteGreat question. I believe that our reactions and how we treat others is one of the main things in our lives that we can control, though it can be REALLY hard. It takes work and practice (and spiritual practices) to react in a loving way to people who are mean to us, no matter if they have a personality disorder or not. I know I don't always react in the most loving way to my kids, even though I love them more than words can express. But, can you imagine a world where everyone is really trying to act lovingly toward others, even if they don't always succeed? I think that is a world where God's kingdom is come and his will is done!
•Yes
ReplyDelete•Because I was raised as one; however, I have continued in it because it makes sense: life is full of pain—God never promised to take that away. Instead, God promises in the cross to be with us even in the pain, frees us to fail. I am free to live, even to die, for the Kingdom of God on earth, and no matter what, God is with us.
•Usually, though not of late. This is mostly because I work at church, and in my (hopefully) brief period of unemployment, I'm taking the opportunity to sleep in on Sundays.
•I'm with Franny: what do I not struggle with? Mostly these days, as I struggle to preaching and fulfill my role as a pastor, I find myself wondering why anybody else should care. We claim that this Christianity thing is important to us, that Jesus is a guy worth listening to, but where's the proof? If that's true, why aren't we as a group more vocal and active in our faith? Why do we let the religious zealots and whackos speak for us? Does any of what we take home from worship make a difference on the ground in our lives?
Seth,
DeleteThanks for the comment!!! You said you find yourself wondering why anybody else should care. That's pretty much the question that led me to this blog!
Here's a question to ponder: You also said you are taking the opportunity NOT to go to church. So, is church something you WANT to go to, or something you feel you HAVE to do? I know that there are many times where I go because I have to, not because I want to. And, that's a struggle when I'm a church leader and trying to get others to come to church!
I like it here. I trust that you guys are good guys, probably really good guys. I have to say that I love that Seth doesn't always go to church. I did not go to church today, and not for any really good reasons. Sometimes I go when I *really* don't want to, and it is usually then that I get something really good out of it. But if I never went to church, I would feel like I was missing the whole point of my life, in a way. Ya know? It is something that can't be explained, parts of my faith. It is something that is there and comforts me and makes everything make sense sometimes, when I really need it. Partly, I want to be Christian because it makes me feel better. Partly, I feel like I owe it to Jesus since he died for our sins. Partly, being Christian makes my life easier: what would this life be without the hope of an afterlife? I know that is the "ticket" talk, but still. What if being Christian didn't involve belief in life after death? Would you still be Christian? I don't know!!! Maybe I still would? That question disturbes me and I don't know why. Sorry about all the rambling. But before I go, Seth, YES, what we learn and experience at church DOES help and make a difference on the ground in our lives. And it helps that my kids have to hear it (that they shouldn't be naughty!) from someone other than my husband and me!
DeleteFranny,
DeleteI'm so glad you like it here. My goal is that this would be a safe place. Please let me know if you ever think it is NOT safe!
As for the church issue, I don't really have a choice, due to my personal situation. And, in the end, I might seek a different church if that was an option. But, I also know that God has brought me to my current church for a reason and God is using me to bless this church. And, it is true that trying to consider a faith without God's promises for the eternal future is futile. I guess my point with the "ticket" post was that God's future has already begun, not something just to be expected only at the end of our lives.
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ReplyDelete