RE: church and hunting
 

i am currently enrolled in a christian college and taking a Inductive Bible study class. and this is what is called taking the scriptures out of CONTEXT. the context this it was written in is dealing with confrontation. "two or three are gathered together in my name"

as far as your statement yes God is there but it doesnt take the place of meeting with believers. some people are afraid of churches and thats where small groups come into play. meeting with groups in addition or alone would constitute and gathering

RE: church and hunting
 

payton....

ALL I need to hear to make me smile is that someone says they're "a believer".Religious sect notwithstanding. I've been to more denominational services than I can count. I was raised in the Quaker (Friends) Church......attendedChurch in a Church of Christ, through HS......attended a Southern Babtist College (Wingate) and have worhsipped with manyothers since then, both as a single man and with my wife.

What transpires betweenChristiansand God is THEIRS. Period. It's not for me to interpret or judge.

Hope to see you "there".

RE: church and hunting
 

Jeff ... I NEVER said you were a non-believer[:@]

and those who do not accept CHrist alone as the way to Salvation ..... if they die without Him, they can't get it ...... not all that name the name of Christ will enter in ... Jesus' words, not mine ..... Jesus also said, many will came to me in that day and say have I not done this in your name or that in your name and done many marvelous works in your name, and I will say, "Depart from me, for I NEVER knew you!"

RE: church and hunting
 

He "knew" them when he created them.....and "knew" they would never hear of his glory......and yet he is still in the position of denying them entry into his kingdom?

Where's the comapssion, there? I think he's a comapssionate God.

So 3/4 of God's creatures (humans) on Earth will never enter his kingdom....and he knows and is OK with that? Or.....go a bit further.....were they ever his creatures, really? Are only Christians?

Dang, PT....you and I need to talk! I love you man.;)

Call me one evening......or tell me when to call you. I love talking to you (we've done so int he past).....and I look forward to it. Your invitation is still open here (and you knew that)....and we'd love to host you.

You and I can hold assembly in my woods/ChurchANY time.;)

p.s. Tony.....

I'm a better man having befriended you. I don't know that I've ever said that to anyone other than my family. Our discussions are close to me.

RE: church and hunting
 

we had a similar discussion about this the other day at the small group i lead. About how some people may never have a missionary come preach to them, but it doesnt mean that God does not show them His glory.

As far as going to church....thats not whats going to save you, but it is called for to meet with a body of believers

RE: church and hunting
 

I'm a rationalizing person, and I've rationalized skipping church for a day in God's GREAT CREATION, and though I know it may be frowned upon, I've done it with HIM on my mind and I truly feel closer to him in the woods than I do in an uncomfortable pew trying to sing songs I've never heard and am butchering more than 100 head of cattle in a slaughterhouse. That said, I hunted for a little bit Sunday morning, then made it back to the house to get dressed in "nice clothes" to go to church with the wife and kids.

RE: church and hunting
 

According to allot of you I guess I'm one bad ass that doesn't believe In god because I choose not to go to church all that often! I've heard It all. My pastor where I was confirmed and baptized at told me this after I was confirmed.

"Steve, I don't expect to see you around much here In church on Sundays. Just remember you don't have to be In church all the time to still keep a relationship with god. You can still have a great relationship with god just because your not In church, don't ever forget that he said"!

About 4 months ago I had my daughter baptized at the same church I got baptized at. The 1st thing he said to me was, hey there Steve! Long time no see! How you been? I said I've been great, getting ready for bear hunting In September. I then said to him, I hope your not upset that you don't see me around to often. He then said "Steve, we both worship the same god, your house of worship Is In a woods hunting, mine Is In a church. As long as you keep believing and give thanks all Is fine". I then told him as my little girl gets older and starts attending Sunday School you will see me around more watching my little girl In programs and such.

RE: church and hunting
 

Good post, its too bad more people and preacher's alike don't have this attitude

RE: church and hunting
 

I appreciate your kind words, Jeff ....I am curious where you get your stats about 3/4 of the world not heariing about Christ?

RE: church and hunting
 

As a Catholic trapped in a Lutheran congregation, I still go to the Lutheran church with my family almost every Sunday.I miss maybe one or two days during hunting and that's gun season if I'm out bowhunting when the deer are moving into my sanctuary areas per the heavy pressure. Last year, I actually skipped skipping my one Sunday since our family was supposed to sponsor my wife's good friend's family joining that Sunday. As we left for church that day, I saw several bucks and does stream by my stand not 20 yards out. I was irritated. When I got to church and learned the dad/father in the family we were sponsoring was not there because he was hunting, I just about lost it. My wife was holding my arm tightly because she could tell the level of anger that was rising from within. It's funny now but it wasnt at the time and I'll never skip skipping again in that situation. That said, that is the exception, one, maybe two Sundays a year because of hunting. And since I'm Catholic, I can always make up for it on a weekday morning service. : )

P.S. I subscribe to the theory that one of my high school teachers - a priest at a catholic school - taught me. God doesn't care if you're in church every Sunday morning blindly reciting word from a book. He cares about how you live your life and how you treat and help others. Do those things correctly and there will be a place in heaven for you. Even if you don't believe in God. Then he told me to pretty much never tie his name to those comments or he'd lose his job. :D