Comments on: Why I Don’t Attend Church? http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/ It's more wonderful than you can imagine! Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:55:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Roy http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2755 Roy Mon, 26 May 2008 22:04:10 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2755 I think this kind of gathering was a great success as well as obviously a lot of fun, with the sense of community being real simply because there was no one judging the other. Everyone was accepted just as they are which is how it should be. None there or anywhere else for that matter, are perfect or imperfect by what they do or not do. They (we) are all perfect because they (we) are all in Him and that is where perfection comes in. Wish I could have been there. :-) I think this kind of gathering was a great success as well as obviously a lot of fun, with the sense of community being real simply because there was no one judging the other. Everyone was accepted just as they are which is how it should be. None there or anywhere else for that matter, are perfect or imperfect by what they do or not do. They (we) are all perfect because they (we) are all in Him and that is where perfection comes in. Wish I could have been there. :-)

]]> By: Kenneth http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2745 Kenneth Sun, 25 May 2008 20:45:40 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2745 Hi cliff and all.The gospel of grace and peace which paul called it.Is the only goodnews that can set your heart and mind free from all guilt, and all judgement. So that we can live life loved.As you used to say.cliff. I know it to be true for i'm living that life.With a sure and stedfast confidence that in what christ did on that cross was truely finished as he said it was.My heart's desire as christ's heart's desire is to let all creation know they are loved beyond measure by God our father forever. Peace and joy in your believeing my friend's. Hi cliff and all.The gospel of grace and peace which paul called it.Is the only goodnews that can set your heart and mind free from all guilt, and all judgement.
So that we can live life loved.As you used to say.cliff.
I know it to be true for i’m living that life.With a sure and stedfast confidence that in what christ did on that cross was truely finished as he said it was.My heart’s desire as christ’s heart’s desire is to let all creation know they are loved beyond measure by God our father forever.
Peace and joy in your believeing my friend’s.

]]> By: dan http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2742 dan Sat, 24 May 2008 02:29:45 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2742 Cliff thank God for His wonderful love in that was planned in your heart a love that has no end and is greater than anything. We are all connected in God's love and grace no matter where we are in life. Love Dan Cliff thank God for His wonderful love in that was planned in your heart a love that has no end and is greater than anything.
We are all connected in God’s love and grace no matter where we are in life.
Love Dan

]]> By: Cliff http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2740 Cliff Fri, 23 May 2008 17:48:30 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2740 I appreciate all that come and share where they are on this journey. I respect each of you and value the input. There is no competition on this site, there is only the longing for understanding and acceptance of this glorious connection that God has joined us in. I appreciate all that come and share where they are on this journey. I respect each of you and value the input. There is no competition on this site, there is only the longing for understanding and acceptance of this glorious connection that God has joined us in.

]]> By: Mindy http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2739 Mindy Fri, 23 May 2008 17:33:13 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2739 I know my faith in God is real and that’s what really matters (societyvs) AMEN societyvs!!! I know my faith in God is real and that’s what really matters (societyvs)

AMEN societyvs!!!

]]> By: societyvs http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2738 societyvs Fri, 23 May 2008 15:59:11 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2738 "Where ever I go or whom ever I am with I feel connected because I know who connected us" (Cliff) This is something I have also seen - that the church walls to do not contain the 'in crowd' - God loves all of humanity - from the prisoner to the psychologist treating him. I have noticed we cannot bind God to a small place like a church - that's not where He resides - God is so much bigger than that. I feel this connection also - outside church walls moreso than in them. "All I would have had to do is comply with the basic idea that you have to do something to be OK with God. Well, I wouldn’t do it then, and I won’t do it now" (Cliff) I rarely say 'amen' ever - but 'amen' to this comment. I find in myself the same type of confidence in God that I will not bow to some structure for approval or for sanction - I know my faith in God is real and that's what really matters. I think the church really misses the mark (aka: sin) when they try to get people to live up to some set of rules (for all) and then enforce them as if they were right from the fingertips of God (and were talking statements of faith and doctrines here - which can contain mistakes). I am with you in the critical look at the church as a structure - since what it does is institutionalize people's way of thinking and approaching life - I think any faith that scares people into faith does way too much to try control God and evoke emotions from people - a type of manipulation. But the criticisms need to seek the revolution of what church is and what it can be - or should have been all along - a community of people that care (for one another - for the other). This lacks in the church on a major level and is actually the piece of the puzzle that makes any organization worth talking about - worth being talked about. The church is losing people - not because of some prophecy (which most churches might think) - but because churches stink at making people into community. It's really heart-breaking in a way. “Where ever I go or whom ever I am with I feel connected because I know who connected us” (Cliff)

This is something I have also seen - that the church walls to do not contain the ‘in crowd’ - God loves all of humanity - from the prisoner to the psychologist treating him. I have noticed we cannot bind God to a small place like a church - that’s not where He resides - God is so much bigger than that. I feel this connection also - outside church walls moreso than in them.

“All I would have had to do is comply with the basic idea that you have to do something to be OK with God. Well, I wouldn’t do it then, and I won’t do it now” (Cliff)

I rarely say ‘amen’ ever - but ‘amen’ to this comment. I find in myself the same type of confidence in God that I will not bow to some structure for approval or for sanction - I know my faith in God is real and that’s what really matters. I think the church really misses the mark (aka: sin) when they try to get people to live up to some set of rules (for all) and then enforce them as if they were right from the fingertips of God (and were talking statements of faith and doctrines here - which can contain mistakes).

I am with you in the critical look at the church as a structure - since what it does is institutionalize people’s way of thinking and approaching life - I think any faith that scares people into faith does way too much to try control God and evoke emotions from people - a type of manipulation.

But the criticisms need to seek the revolution of what church is and what it can be - or should have been all along - a community of people that care (for one another - for the other). This lacks in the church on a major level and is actually the piece of the puzzle that makes any organization worth talking about - worth being talked about. The church is losing people - not because of some prophecy (which most churches might think) - but because churches stink at making people into community. It’s really heart-breaking in a way.

]]> By: Don R http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2737 Don R Fri, 23 May 2008 14:05:34 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2737 Great post, Cliff, as usual. Great post, Cliff, as usual.

]]> By: Redlefty http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2733 Redlefty Fri, 23 May 2008 02:23:44 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2008/05/22/why-i-dont-attend-church/#comment-2733 Great post, Cliff! I like your section about how your view of God assumes the best of him. I have been thinking along the same lines lately. --Michael Great post, Cliff!

I like your section about how your view of God assumes the best of him. I have been thinking along the same lines lately.

–Michael

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