There are times when I dont really want to go to church. I am not 100% focused on God every day. Its hard sometimes I have school, you work, family. Then you have other things like watching sports, hunting, etc. That I would rather do then say maybe read the bible. Is this thinking wrong? Also I am not a big reader of anything. Its more fun to watch sports or something. I know I shouldnt be like this. I believe but am not 100% focused. Is this alright?
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I rather have a bad day in the woods then a good day at work
There are times when I dont really want to go to church. I am not 100% focused on God every day. Its hard sometimes I have school, you work, family. Then you have other things like watching sports, hunting, etc. That I would rather do then say maybe read the bible. Is this thinking wrong? Also I am not a big reader of anything. Its more fun to watch sports or something. I know I shouldnt be like this. I believe but am not 100% focused. Is this alright?
While you can't rely on us to answer every question in life, you can certainly feel welcomed to ask anything you want. That's the whole purpose of a forum like this.
If you're asking if its alright to not go to church.....the short answer is no. Paul instructs us to "not keep yourself from gathering with other christians" (Heavily Paraphrased) Where better to do this than church? School must be dealt with, work is something we all must live with. Family is important, sports....not so much. You don't have to be a big reader...read what you can. It seems like most your questions have to do with compromise between following Christ and being 'normal'. You can't be both. Many have tried, many will have a rude awakening at the judgement throne, and none are truely happy who attempt to. I can sympathise, as leading an uncompromised life is a choice that has to be made daily. You can't just sign up and have it done for you. Every Christain from the newborn to the mature saint is continuely deciding that "I must decrease, so that He may increase."
Realize you can't live both lifes. Realize there is no "middle life". Make your choice.
EDIT: Right after I posted this I felt like alot of your confusion may come from the idea that salvation is free. IT IS!!!! Modern preaching though has lead many to believe that they can except Christ as their Savior and then go about their business as usual. In essence, they're lead to believe that christianity won't and shouldn't cost them anything. NO WHERE in the Bible is this taught, NO WHERE in the new testament church can an example of this be found! Following Christ will cost you. Is it worth it? Well absolutely. Paul said it best when he said "I consider the things I gave up to be for my own gain." (again, paraprashed) This is coming from a man who was born into the right family, had the right stuff, the right friends, a good job, and was on his way to being a political power. Instead he became a missionary who was beaten, hated by the ones he used to call friends,worked for his room and board, was arrested and more. He considered everything he lost "dung" compared to what he had gained in Christ. The disciples? Everyone one of them was killed for his faith except for John. He got put in the mines on a prison island...and then put there by himself. And if memory serves correctly they only did that because they tried to kill him and couldn't. Peter? Persecuted under Nero (Nero was one messed-up sick dude). I've not found this in print yet but church history, I believe, holds that Nero had the members of the church Peter lead, including his wife, put on stakes and burned while he made him watch. All he had to do to save them was deny Christ. I've even heard that they would slit the stomachs open and let the dogs eat the intestines of the live victim beforehand. Can you imagine the anguish of watching all your closest friends go through that. TO WATCH YOUR WIFE go throught that. (Peter truely was a "Rock"...ole boy had some gonads!) Who knows, I guess details don't really matter. Bartholomew was literally whipped to death. There's more stories but I have a feeling they may just be stories. Point isn't that you'll be killed for your faith as a Christain, the point is that this thing isn't "free". There are things and comforts you'll be given the choice to give up...and to follow Christ will mean giving them up.
This is getting incredibly long, if you've skimmed it that's fine, but read this:
The way things are preached alot of times is like a preacher being on an airplane. He KNOWS the plane will crash. The Captian told him so. There is no doubt in his mind. So he walks up to a stranger sitting in front of him.
"Sir, this plane is going crash. Everything is fine now, but will you put this parachute on?"
"Huh? No way, I'm fine. Besides the plane seems fine to me."
"Oh, please. Put the parachute on. You're flight will be much better, I promise." -The conversation continues and finally the preacher pursuades the passenger to wear the parachute. It's a funny sight. The passenger is hunched over in his seat due to the parachute on his back. He can't watch the movie overhead. Other's around him are starting to snicker. He becomes angry, throwing the parachute off and cursing the preacher for sweet-talking him into to"'Make your flight much better,'" he mutters in disgust. Now, the passenger is angered, completely closed to the idea of putting a parachute on, and will have nothing to save him when the plane does crash.
What if the preacher takes a different approach? "Sir, I know this flight seems to be going smoothly but the captain just informed me that we are 10,000 feet up in the air and only have enough fuel to make it to the smack-dab-middle of the ocean. There is no place to land. We are going to crash. This parachute is your only hope. Will you take it?" -The passenger takes the parachute, puts it on and is thankfull. He's recieving snickers and laughing by the other people on the plane. He's horribly uncomfortable. He can't watch the movie. He can't even eat. Yet he's smiling. All he can think about is how fortunate and thankful he is to have a parachute.
You can't wear a parachute and sit comfortably in the plane seat. It may cost you a comfort of one kind, but will give you comfort of mind, happiness, peace, and save your life. But there will be a cost and you must decide if you're willing to give it up.
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Anything I say is my opinion, just that...and only that.
"...and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?
There are times when I dont really want to go to church.I can relate...I remember once when my old nazerine pastor said "How many of you had a hard time getting to church" About 25% of the congregation raised their hands. My wife was crying yesterday. I said what's wrong. She said I don't want ot go to church .I'mwas only going ot go for you." I said "Good grief..we can solve that problem real easy..then don't go." I can handle going by myself.I'm going today for a few reasons. 1. I beleive it's the right thingto do. 2. I go to encourage the other saints. 3. Igothere worship God
I am not 100% focused on God every day...Fred, I don't thinkanyone is 100% focused. I will say God is in most of my thoughts but there are distractionsfor me..but somehow God gets me refocused.Its hard sometimes I have school, you work, family. Then you have other things like watching sports, hunting, etc. That I would rather do then say maybe read the bible. Is this thinking wrong? This thinking is natural. IMHO it's ok to retire for a break and fish or hunt.Those are good clean hobbies. BUT they can become gods...they should be put in their proper place.I would suggest you start each day reading 3 chapters of God's Word and make a hand written prayer list of maybe 10 things to pray about it.This will change your life guaranteed.Also I am not a big reader of anything.Same here my friend.I hate reading..God's Word is more than reading.John 6:63 says God's Word is Spirit and they are life.Something wonderful happens when you read it.Make yourself read it...it only takes about 15 min. toinvestGod's Word. You will be rewarded for your investment.Its more fun to watch sports or something. I know I shouldnt be like this.You are only being honest and that is why I love you Fred. I believe but am not 100% focused. Is this alright? Christianity is a growing thing Fred..but you need the water of God's Word and the tending of the Holy Spirit in your life or you will be like a fruitless branch that withers and dies .where men gather them and they are burned. Fred...I'm putting a prayer bracelet on for you right now. I will pray for you through 2007. Your friend, c7
Deerhunter, I take it your namd is Fred? Mine is Houston.
Anyways, me and Chuck have taken radically different approaches to answering your questions. Personally, I like Chuck's alot better. I'm hard to understand sometime, I get sidetracked so easily. Thing that hit me hardest was that you really are just being honest with yourself and us. Many of us have a hard time with that. Keep that honesty, they'll be times when that will help you more than knowing all the right answers. Especially when you're honest with God.
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Anything I say is my opinion, just that...and only that.
"...and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?
There are times when I dont really want to go to church. I am not 100% focused on God every day. Its hard sometimes I have school, you work, family. Then you have other things like watching sports, hunting, etc. That I would rather do then say maybe read the bible. Is this thinking wrong? Also I am not a big reader of anything. Its more fun to watch sports or something. I know I shouldnt be like this. I believe but am not 100% focused. Is this alright?
Hey Fred, Chuck7 and Soilarch have given you the advice you need, but I just want to add a couple of points.
First, I do not know how old you are, but you may suffer from adult A.D.D. ( attention deficit disorder ). Adults can have it just like children can, and by some of your comments in your posts, and the structure of your posts suggests it could be a possibility. People with a.d.d. often find it hard to concentrate enough to read and get anything from what they read. Because of this, they don't really like to read, and are more apt to find enjoyment from watching tv, since they don't have to concentrate or " think " too hard while doing it.
Now, I am not saying you have Adult A.D.D. , but I am just trying to help you find some answers, and saying it is possible.
Second, You already answered your own question with what you said that I made bold and enlarged. With that said, there is only one person who can fix that, and you know who that is. But I will say that many people have a hard time getting started reading the Bible, but if you can start doing it, everyday, and push yourself in the beginning, if you are like most Christians, you will find your enjoyment growing and your desire to read and learn more growing too.
It can be difficult getting started, but it has been, is, and always will be MORE than worth the effort.
God Bless you Fred, and like the others, I appreciate your direct and open honesty.
Michael,
That was excellent . I think I have the same thing as well..probably why I understand Fred . My wife says there is no question about it.I'm ADHD big time. Super hyper and super disrractable. I have a very hard time sitting in my climber.
I think it's a great question. Filled with honesty and things that attack each of us every day.
The answers you seek are filled in the book that was mentioned above. It is the best idea that you do read it. It is GREAT to ask Godly advice from people who are Godly. The danger is in when you ask something that doesn't jive with the word of God. You need to be abe to discern which is which. Great answers in here I might add were given.
If you have a difficult time reading the King James version, find a version that you can read better. My bible has 4 versions/translations in it. I love being able to look at the different translations to clarify the meaning of what I understand it to say. God says in his word to hold the scriptures in your heart that you may not sin against him.
I too don't always feel like going to church. I do know that God says our faith isn't something that we should use our feeling's indicators on. We should honor his commandments and word because we are obedient to him. When we start acting out on what we feel, the danger is we can be led astray easily.
a good christian
I mean that.
