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Post by Komori on May 29, 2008 1:23:08 GMT -5
In general, most Christians rank God --> Bible --> other people's interpretation of Bible/God I dunno about that. The Bible is God's Word, so I don't know how you'd rank someone and then something they said. They're kinda' the same thing. |
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Post by Pacmanite on May 29, 2008 23:26:21 GMT -5
You know, today showed me just how important it is to have a strong fellowship with other believers. See, I've been going to this college ministry at SCAD called One Eighty. I've been going since the second week of freshman year, when my new friend and fellow-freshman invited me to go. It was different from a normal church sermon. We met in the basement of the church. A band played some contemporary Christian rock for a few songs, then the college minister would give a talk, or we'd have a guest speaker (sometimes even SCAD professors). Every so often, they'd change it up and have in interesting experiential worship service, so you could really revitalize and nothing would become hum-drum. It was supported by the local baptist church, and once a month they'd have a dinner night where anyone could come in for a free dinner. They'd throw a big Thanksgiving feast right before we got out for winter break. The family church even had adopt-a-student, where you could sign up to be the 'adopted' kid of a family, where you could go to their house if you were feeling blue. It was just something that felt so welcoming and was very different from the early-morning boring church sermons I had sat through when I was a kid. I felt like I grew so much as a Christian. I really started to read my Bible, and I discovered Christian music that wasn't just hymnals or gospel. It helped that I had a group of friends who also went to One Eighty, so it just became such an integrated part of our lives. So, just now, I come back from the senior dinner. It was a dinner, thrown for all the graduating seniors. It was held at one of the house of one of the church families, and it was just so nice. Everyone was even given a gift of a devotional Bible. It made me realize what a great family of believers I'd be leaving, and how much they had really done for me just started to sink in. It's going to be hard now, to leave such a supporting family and go out into the real world and try to find a place to plug in to another group of believers. Pretty soon, I'll be going out to California for animation, and I'm definitely not looking forward to looking for a church there. :< But anyway, I just encourage everyone to find a great church to belong to, if you haven't already. It can make the whole world of difference. We were never meant to go this alone. I love contemporary Christian rock. For some reason I'm not much into the CDs but a live performance with every person in the congregation singing their heartstrings out is just -awesome-. I find that with a lot of the more traditional hymns people are sort of shy with their singing and with their emotions and stuff, but with the help of our church's talented musicians and some wonderfully expressive songs (the one that always makes me cry is one that has a chorus that goes "Like a rose, trampled on the ground / You took the Fall", though I don't know the title of it) and of course with the Presence of God, the atmosphere in the church is transformed. God gave us all these musical abilities and we should be making the most out of it - though for a change, my Church also does the more simple and traditional hymns from time to time, since they have the power to move the soul as well. Lol, it's funny. The word got around that I played Viola to a high standard, and the head of worship asked me about eventually learning how to play my solo instrument as an accompaniment for the singing. Then I was like, "btw I play grade eight piano as well" (AMEB grade 8 is the highest grade for students in Australia, before moving on to a totally different grading system that only the uber 1337 musicians do) and he was like "whut?!!  WE NEED PIANISTS". I'm hoping I can eventually grasp chord charts and improvise and play with the group and do uber 1337 stuff. Though it will probably be another year and a bit, when I get out of high school, before I can dedicate enough time to this to get really good. Aww, looking for a new church is a hassle, I know. I've only been in this current church (Full Gospel Assembly, a Charismatic church) for just over a year. The previous church, which was the first church me and my Mum had since we were converted to Christianity, went a bit arrogant on certain issues and there was a split. They were really into strong spiritual discipline and rejected everything that had been said by any other church other than their own, and they had been dwindling in numbers for a while; I think there were less than 100 members at the time we left. But I like FGA now. Just as long as you keep an open mind and at the same time you think clearly and honestly about the pros and cons for each church ('cause no church is perfect), I'm sure you'll find a church that suits you well, Komori.  |
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Post by sarahleeadvent on May 29, 2008 23:43:06 GMT -5
Uh, what you're talking about is starting to sound a lot like Word of Faith doctrine, which is about as different as Protestant/Catholic Christianity as Judiasm or Mormonism. Word of Faith preaches that we can do anything as long as we just say it and mean it, which is not what I believe. It also says things like we can command the weather and we have to give God permission to do things, which I also do not believe. For more information on a Christian view of the Word of Faith doctrine, I recommend taking a look at "A Call for Discernment" by Justin Peters Ministries. Actually, Kenneth Hagin, the author of the booklet, was considered by some to be the father of the Word of Faith movement. *Watches you grimace* Lost you right there, huh?  I'm pretty new to his teachings myself, and I'll admit that some of the stuff I read about the WoF movement on Wikipedia looks fishy. On the other hand, that article is tagged for being unbalanced and unneutral, so its info might be inaccurate. Also, my history studies have given me a healthy appreciation for the abilities of a person's followers to twist his original teachings, so I'm not sure how much of the stuff that WoF currently teaches actually came from Kenneth Hagin. Bottom line being: I don't know much about WoF as a whole, but what I read in the booklet made sense to me. Unfortunately, the link you gave me wasn't much help; it mostly gave me testimonials, credentials and self-promotions, with little indication of what precisely it has to say. Could you maybe give a general outline of what it counters and how it counters it? I may or may not agree with that, depending on how you define 'divine' healing. If you mean miracle-style healing, then yes, you're right- it's not for everyone. Some people need to be healed by other means, like Jordan S. Rubin for example. He didn't get a miracle healing, because God was using his illness to point him toward what Jordan calls "The Maker's Diet", thus showing him how to stop sabotaging his health so he wouldn't get sick again. If God had simply healed him, he would probably have gone on to prove that the way to a man's grave is through his stomach. I think that's another big reason besides lack of faith why some people don't get healed- because God has planted a cure in the world around them, and they're supposed to discover it so that they can share it with other people. And if they aren't sick, they won't look for it, so giving them a miracle healing would be counterproductive. Or maybe there's some flaw in their lifestyle that's opening the door, whether spiritually or physically, for sickness to take a hold, and they have to get rid of it before healing can come. I mean, let's face it- with the way most people live these days, it's no wonder they get sick and stay sick! And then there are those people who want a miracle and won't take anything else, regardless of what God's plan is. Like the story about the guy whose town flooded- God sent a rescue vehicle, a boat and then a helicopter to save him, but he wanted a miracle, and nothing else would do. You can guess- the man drowned, and the people who share his mentality stay sick. Between miracle healing, instructions for healthy lifestyles, and the cures that He's planted in nature, I believe that God wants everyone to be healthy. Like I said before, we just aren't cooperating. Just because not everyone gets healed doesn't mean that it's through lack of effort or desire on God's part. I am interested (if you have an online version of this booklet you're talking about, that would be great), but I don't think I would totally agree with it. In general, most Christians rank God --> Bible --> other people's interpretation of Bible/God, so I'd like to see what the booklet said for myself. I looked around, but couldn't find one- sorry. Hopefully I explained where I'm coming from well enough in this post and those preceding it. Heh, of course, given my record on this thread so far, there will no doubt be something I left out that will confuse people. Ah, well. That's what additional posts are for.  |
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Post by Crystal on May 30, 2008 0:34:13 GMT -5
In general, most Christians rank God --> Bible --> other people's interpretation of Bible/God I dunno about that. The Bible is God's Word, so I don't know how you'd rank someone and then something they said. They're kinda' the same thing. True enough. You know, today showed me just how important it is to have a strong fellowship with other believers. See, I've been going to this college ministry at SCAD called One Eighty. I've been going since the second week of freshman year, when my new friend and fellow-freshman invited me to go. It was different from a normal church sermon. We met in the basement of the church. A band played some contemporary Christian rock for a few songs, then the college minister would give a talk, or we'd have a guest speaker (sometimes even SCAD professors). Every so often, they'd change it up and have in interesting experiential worship service, so you could really revitalize and nothing would become hum-drum. It was supported by the local baptist church, and once a month they'd have a dinner night where anyone could come in for a free dinner. They'd throw a big Thanksgiving feast right before we got out for winter break. The family church even had adopt-a-student, where you could sign up to be the 'adopted' kid of a family, where you could go to their house if you were feeling blue. It was just something that felt so welcoming and was very different from the early-morning boring church sermons I had sat through when I was a kid. I felt like I grew so much as a Christian. I really started to read my Bible, and I discovered Christian music that wasn't just hymnals or gospel. It helped that I had a group of friends who also went to One Eighty, so it just became such an integrated part of our lives. So, just now, I come back from the senior dinner. It was a dinner, thrown for all the graduating seniors. It was held at one of the house of one of the church families, and it was just so nice. Everyone was even given a gift of a devotional Bible. It made me realize what a great family of believers I'd be leaving, and how much they had really done for me just started to sink in. It's going to be hard now, to leave such a supporting family and go out into the real world and try to find a place to plug in to another group of believers. Pretty soon, I'll be going out to California for animation, and I'm definitely not looking forward to looking for a church there. :< But anyway, I just encourage everyone to find a great church to belong to, if you haven't already. It can make the whole world of difference. We were never meant to go this alone. I love contemporary Christian rock. For some reason I'm not much into the CDs but a live performance with every person in the congregation singing their heartstrings out is just -awesome-. I find that with a lot of the more traditional hymns people are sort of shy with their singing and with their emotions and stuff, but with the help of our church's talented musicians and some wonderfully expressive songs (the one that always makes me cry is one that has a chorus that goes "Like a rose, trampled on the ground / You took the Fall", though I don't know the title of it) and of course with the Presence of God, the atmosphere in the church is transformed. God gave us all these musical abilities and we should be making the most out of it - though for a change, my Church also does the more simple and traditional hymns from time to time, since they have the power to move the soul as well. Lol, it's funny. The word got around that I played Viola to a high standard, and the head of worship asked me about eventually learning how to play my solo instrument as an accompaniment for the singing. Then I was like, "btw I play grade eight piano as well" (AMEB grade 8 is the highest grade for students in Australia, before moving on to a totally different grading system that only the uber 1337 musicians do) and he was like "whut?!! WE NEED PIANISTS". I'm hoping I can eventually grasp chord charts and improvise and play with the group and do uber 1337 stuff. Though it will probably be another year and a bit, when I get out of high school, before I can dedicate enough time to this to get really good. Aww, looking for a new church is a hassle, I know. I've only been in this current church (Full Gospel Assembly, a Charismatic church) for just over a year. The previous church, which was the first church me and my Mum had since we were converted to Christianity, went a bit arrogant on certain issues and there was a split. They were really into strong spiritual discipline and rejected everything that had been said by any other church other than their own, and they had been dwindling in numbers for a while; I think there were less than 100 members at the time we left. But I like FGA now. Just as long as you keep an open mind and at the same time you think clearly and honestly about the pros and cons for each church ('cause no church is perfect), I'm sure you'll find a church that suits you well, Komori. Oooh =D That song is Above All. Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worthI also like From the Inside Out. I don't really count them as Christian Rock though... more like contemparary Christian hymns. And I agree... a bunch of people singing to God is incredible and really really moving. |
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Post by Nova on May 30, 2008 11:24:56 GMT -5
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
From the Inside Out is an awesome song. =D
I really like Strong Tower and Take Me In by Kutless. <3
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Post by Birdy on Jun 2, 2008 18:58:44 GMT -5
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside outFrom the Inside Out is an awesome song. =D Yes, it is. ;D I sang that a lot last week when I was at Camp Meeting. ^^ I really like it too. Another song I really like is Hear My Worship. I'm not sure who does it, though. Beyond this bended knee,
Beyond the words I speak,
Beyond songs I sing,
Hear my worship.
All that my heart can bring,
Lord, this is my offering,
Jesus, my Holy King,
Hear my worship.And the newer version of "Amazing Grace" (although I do like the "old" version as well.). My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Saviour, has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy reigns,
Unending love, amazing grace.And I have a prayer request as well. Coming up in two about two weeks, about 30 people, myself included, will be heading to Alaska on a mission trip. The trip is from June 16th-July 2nd, and what we'll be doing is building a bathhouse at a camp. And we'll also be tearing down the old bathhouse. This is my first-ever mission trip, so I'm excited about that. =D (It will also be my first-time flying as well.) So if you'd keep this in your prayers, I'd be thankful. ^^ |
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Post by Elcie on Jun 7, 2008 8:47:17 GMT -5
Please pray for me.
We just discovered our dog may have cancer. What's more, if that's what it is, it may be untreatable. There aren't details yet, there's still the slight possibility that it might turn out to be something harmless, but... well, cancer is what the vet thinks it probably is.
I don't know what to do... I feel like crying and it's not even confirmed yet. But... this isn't just some dog, she's a member of the family. We've had her for almost twelve years. I don't want to lose her.
I didn't feel like putting this on the main banter board, but well... I would appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart, if you'd remember us in your prayers. Thank you.
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Post by Bacon on Jun 7, 2008 20:35:49 GMT -5
I don't really count them as Christian Rock though... more like contemparary Christian hymns. And I agree... a bunch of people singing to God is incredible and really really moving. Yeah, I know Christian Rock(and a few other Christian music genres as well) like the back of my hand, and those songs are more like Christian Worship. Go to a Lifeway store and those will more probably be in the Worship or even Contemporary, but it's very unlikely they'd be in Rock, unless a rock band did a worship album like Third Day and Newsboys have. And yeah, Above All is good. I think my favorite worship song might be Agnus Dei, partially because the chorus( Holy, holy,
Are you Lord God Almighty,
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb,
You are holy,
) can be looped(by replacing the last word with the first) and repeated infinite times, or at least until your voice goes hoarse. I was at a Third Day concert once where the audience just kept singing that on and on after the band stopped playing it. I honestly don't know how long we were singing it, maybe one minute, maybe thirty, but it was just beautiful to hear all of those voices singing praise to God, in unison, for untold time. We only stopped because they started playing the next song. Thinking back on it, I kind of wonder if that's how it will feel when we get to heaven, with all of those voices singing to God, together, forever. Such a beautiful sound, moving through the crowd, voices lifted up, on high to Him, it's the anthem of the Lord's renown. Birdy, that "new" version of Amazing Grace is also known as "My Chains are Gone", I believe. Other new versions of Amazing Grace include the song "Amazing, Because It Is", and "Grace Like Rain". The former has the same words for the chorus as Amazing Grace's first verse, with new lyrics for the verses which I can't remember. Thank goodness for christianrocklyrics.com
I was so scared of everything you put in front of me
I've been arching every part of me
Just to see
See
Why you need me to be
The boy you need me to be
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saves a wretch like me
I once was lost
And now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
I just wanna see
I'm the type of person who lets fear drive
I'm the type of guy who lets it drive
Cause I'm addicted, I'm needy,
I'm lost without you
I need you
I need you
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saves a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
Amazing grace (amazing grace)
How sweet the sound (how sweet)
That saved a wretch like me (that saved a wretch like me)
I once was lost
But now I'm found (you know I'm found)
Was blind but now I see
Amazing grace (you're amazing)
How sweet the sound (you're amazing)
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost (it feels so bad when you're lost and alone)
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
The second one has a few of Amazing Grace's verses for its verses, and the following chorus: Hallelujah,
Grace like rain falls down on me,
Hallelujah,
All my stains are washed away,
They're washed away."Grace Like Rain" is by Todd Agnew, I have it on my computer(it was on one of those WoW Hits*year number* CDs. I recommend those because they're good samplers of current Christian music. It's always a two-disc set; the first disc is mostly Contemporary and Worship, the second is usually Rock, sometimes with a Pop or Rap song or two as well), and "Amazing Because It Is" is by The Almost, I've only heard it on the radio, but I would like the song on CD, although I have higher CD priorities. Elcie, that's awful. I know exactly how you feel, but I don't feel like saying more right now. I'll pray for you. |
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Post by Tk ∆ on Jun 10, 2008 19:39:45 GMT -5
Please pray for me. We just discovered our dog may have cancer. What's more, if that's what it is, it may be untreatable. There aren't details yet, there's still the slight possibility that it might turn out to be something harmless, but... well, cancer is what the vet thinks it probably is. I don't know what to do... I feel like crying and it's not even confirmed yet. But... this isn't just some dog, she's a member of the family. We've had her for almost twelve years. I don't want to lose her. I didn't feel like putting this on the main banter board, but well... I would appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart, if you'd remember us in your prayers. Thank you. *hug* The same thing happened with my dog. I'll be sure to keep you and you dog in my prayers. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2008 20:53:43 GMT -5
THE LORD IS KIND AND FULL OF MERCY!
To make a very, very, VERY long story short, I got in trouble (committing a few major sins along the way, such as "Don't lie" and "Honor your parents" and "ESPECIALLY don't lie to your parents") and my conscience was all ">O Diiiiieeeeee..... You are ebil.... The poor teacher is recovering from back surgery.... Dad's going to keeeeeeel youuuuuu.... Tell them naaaaooooooo."
And Sunday, a petition was read "For all who are haunted by past events, that they may recognize God's unconditional love, and come to know healing through the sacrament of Reconciliation." And I realized "He's inviting me in.... He's calling out to me, calling me back..."
So Monday I told Mom the truth and we talked it over. But I was still terrified at Dad's response.
That night I cried and cried and felt unloved and begged the Holy Spirit to give me the fortitude to take what punishment Dad was going to give me. Then suddenly I felt calm, as if I was being held in someone's arms.... And I fell asleep...
And so I called Dad not too long ago and told him everything and what I had gone through (I had also had started having nightmares, the guilt pierced my heart so!) in the form of a story I titled "The Prodigal Daughter".
And he forgave me! He said I had learned my lesson (which I have. I would have gone to Reconciliation by now but the earlierst opportunity for me to do so is this Thursday...) and that we should move on and that maybe we could watch something together when he got home.
I didn't even ask to be treated lightly, just for fortitude. I had already surrendered (of my own iniciative as self punishment for my guilt) my DS, GBA, and GBC to Mom and also asked my little sis to change the passwords for my screen name on both computers to "something I would never-ever guess" and decided to clean my room tomorrow of my own iniciative.
But apparently I had been through enough and that was just his way of showing that I am loved. ;.;
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Post by Komori on Jun 11, 2008 1:37:24 GMT -5
Torkie, I'm so glad the Lord gave you the courage to tell your folks, and that it worked out well in the end! <3 *hugs* What a great testament!
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Post by sarahleeadvent on Jun 16, 2008 0:18:47 GMT -5
On the subject of prayer requests, there seems to be a sequence of natural disasters happening out east. The one that concerns me most at the moment is Cyclone Nargis, and the way that Burma's government is blocking international aid. That sounds like something that really needs to be prayed down.
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Post by Komori on Jun 27, 2008 2:01:29 GMT -5
Just got the money to buy DC Talk's "8 Great Hits" album. Finally happy to be able to have some of the songs I love on the radio, like Jesus Freak.
Ohh, but going back to songs you can sing forever and ever, I love Kutless's "Better is One Day" song, because of the refrain:
Better is one day in your courts,
Better is one day in your house,
Better is one day in your courts
Than thousands elsewhere.
One of my fondest memories from the college ministry was when the whole group sang those lines so powerfully, and it just kept repeating and repeating, and the church band just kept on playing, until we just kept singing "Better is one day" for what had to have been four or five minutes.
I just miss my church. It's been a month at home, and my folks don't go to church, so I've just been reading my Bible every night. But you know, you miss the fellowship. Hopefully I get a job soon, so I can move out and hunt down a new church. I'm looking forward to it, and I feel like I'm in some sort of jobless, churchless, pointless post-college limbo right now.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2008 9:57:12 GMT -5
Just got the money to buy DC Talk's "8 Great Hits" album. Finally happy to be able to have some of the songs I love on the radio, like Jesus Freak. Ohh, but going back to songs you can sing forever and ever, I love Kutless's "Better is One Day" song, because of the refrain:
Better is one day in your courts,
Better is one day in your house,
Better is one day in your courts
Than thousands elsewhere.One of my fondest memories from the college ministry was when the whole group sang those lines so powerfully, and it just kept repeating and repeating, and the church band just kept on playing, until we just kept singing "Better is one day" for what had to have been four or five minutes. I just miss my church. It's been a month at home, and my folks don't go to church, so I've just been reading my Bible every night. But you know, you miss the fellowship. Hopefully I get a job soon, so I can move out and hunt down a new church. I'm looking forward to it, and I feel like I'm in some sort of jobless, churchless, pointless post-college limbo right now. I just figured out Jesus Freak on guitar the other day. ;D And Better Is One Day is a classic. I haven't heard that one in a while, though. I hope you find a job and a church! |
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Post by Bacon on Jun 28, 2008 0:14:20 GMT -5
On the subject of Jesus Freak, I think I have figured out what are probably the three most well known Christian songs:
1. Amazing Grace
2. I Can Only Imagine
3. Jesus Freak
(In alphabetical order)
I love "Better is One Day". Although truthfully, I'd probably say that for just about any song you could mention. There's very few Christian (Worship, Contemporary, Rap, Rock, and Pop) songs I don't like. Southern Gospel Worship is the only genre(or would it be a sub-genre?) that I really dislike, but that's mostly how its sung, not anything about the songs themselves.
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WE NEED PIANISTS". I'm hoping I can eventually grasp chord charts and improvise and play with the group and do uber 1337 stuff. Though it will probably be another year and a bit, when I get out of high school, before I can dedicate enough time to this to get really good. 
