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What Have I Gotten Myself Into?[the best place I could]
Posted Thursday, May 28, 2009, at 7:41 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
Since about the middle of October I have not been going to church on a regular basis, I would go and visit here and there, but nothing serious.
It was not that my faith in God was any different, but faith in the houses[churches] where he was worshiped.
I did find a few good ones, but on the whole most were just having meetings to talk business or to compare clothes and cars and to let the world dictate the Word, not God!
Then I quit going at all and that let Satan get his foot in the door, that was all he needed. Finances went to rock bottom which I can deal with, the main thing he attacked was my marriage and my kids, which next to God is my most sacred possessions.
The kids got unruly and my wife and me was about as close as you could get to getting divorced without going to the lawyer, thank God for bad finances or we would have.
The girls knew it and I would catch them crying and praying at the same time that Jesus would intervene and save this family and bring us back to him, and well as always God answers prayers.
I remembered a invite to Fellowship for Christ Church from 2 dear friends of mine Roy and Stacey Haddock who I will always be indebted to.
This past Sunday marked our 1 month anniversary and we will become full time members this coming Sunday.
Never and I stress never have I seen a church with so much love and compassion for each other and that provides a worship and learning experience for everyone, not just a select few like some places I have been.
My kids are happy, but most of all my marriage is off the rocks and back on the Solid Rock for which nothing will prevail against it.
When you put Christ first and yourself last then you will always win in the end, seek him first and he will give to your hearts desire as he sees fit.
My wife and me especially me had forgotten him and hell took over.
The flattery from the ideals that a certain individual put in my head of a building and all the extras to go with it took up my every minute so much though that I felt as if I could do without church and the companionship from f
fellow believers that I neglected to get my wifes thoughts.
I was going to do it with or without her which was a bad and stupid mistake on my part and I am truly sorry for that.
Not to say that he would or would not have built it and he may still [ 2 to five years from now], but if it does not feel right then I will decline the offer.
Crossroads will always be my own personal ministry which I will use to glorify God, not Michael.
I get told that Fellowship for Christ is a crazy and phony church, by the members themselves, that is what they have heard or been told, I will tell you phony in no way describes the church, crazy...well all depends on how you define crazy.
I was once told that the definition of crazy was to do the same thing and expect a different result, that does not define them because they do the same thing and get the same result, they praise God, they pray to God, they worship God and they get the same result every time Love back from God!
Crazy....
--adjective
--noun
--Idiom
Origin:
1570--80; craze
These all came from Webster's and as you can see crazy can describe us in a sense.
To worship a supreme being called Jehovah God...
To believe the bible is his Word and is inerrant..
To believe he sent his Son born of a virgin to die on a Roman Cross for the sins of the whole world and to rise on the third day to ascend to his Fathers right hand to be our intercessor.
To believe in the gospel and to live our lives by it and to fight for the nation to keep a biblical mandate as far as Judeo- Christian values and principles, knowing that in the end we will loose the battle here, but will win the war[read the back of the book...We do win!]
To live our lives as if he will come back at any minute...
To believe in a Pre- Trib Rapture where the true believers will be whisked away before the tribulation starts and the AntiChrist shows up and takes over.
To love and care for each other in the body of Christ...
To stand up for the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, to choose life and to meet whenever the doors are opened and to totally trust in faith and in Jesus alone.
If these define crazy, then I am crazy as a betsybug[ my Grandmother always said that , what the heck is a betsybug anyway?]
I am proud and honored to call Fellowship my new church home and To call Ray Armstrong my Pastor and my brother in Christ.
Maybe in time he will allow me to speak at one service after he gets to know me.
Brother Sammy give Don Ho back his wardrobe[ just joking] I love ya the way you are, get ready I am coming to Sunday school, hope you don't mind some input.
To all the church family, you have made my family and me feel more welcomed than at any time in our church lives thank you.
If anyone is seeking a church to visit or to call home come visit, you won't be disappointed.
You want to talk abot crazy here is something crazy.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,5226...
First off what I do in my home is my business, but to stop a bible study, how do you think churches get started?
A race or football game would be fine, but not the gospel, heavens no not that, give me a break!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,5226...
All I can say on this
"LOVE AMERICA OR LEAVE IT!"
we don't deny your patriotism don't deny ours, especially in our country!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,5226...
no comments on this one I am speechless, well not really, but I will keep them till later.
Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
A man getting to the roots of his faith.
Hot topics New Pharaoh?(212 ~ 11:58 AM, Nov 7)
Return To The Pulpit!
A Few Thoughts
He Came, He Went, He Will Come Again!
Dear Mr.Obama
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Michael, I am happy you have found a church family where you feel you belong. I pray the best for you and your family and all that God has in store for you. It's amazing to think just HOW MUCH God loves us and how HE NEVER gives up on us. He allows us to make choices that we may regret, but I believe we always learn something from them. As far as Marvin goes, I pray that you will continue to remember him and his family as he faces the future as well. He may not be perfect, but I truly believe he has a heart for God. Yes, even Christians aren't perfect and make mistakes. We all do! Even David, a man after God's own heart failed. True brothers and sisters in the family of Christ, love and forgive. Seventy times seventy! And when we ourselves fall, God accepts us back with true repentance!
You must be referring to Marvin Parker, convicted felon, to filling your head with false promises. Isn't that how Satan works?
Marvin Parker is a friend. I have known him for 20 years. He has a good side that no-one here wants to believe in or see. His faith is real and although he is not perfect, neither are we. My promises come from God Almighty; the all powerful, all loving Creator. I know who I believe. I don't put my faith in people, but I choose to love them with the love that Christ had for me!
Congradulation Michael, on finding you and your families new Church home. I pray God gives you and your family Peace, Love, and Happiness. God Bless. : )
Michael,
Maybe you can convince them all that Fox News should be played in the church and how gay people shouldn't have basic human rights! That could definitely take the focus off of your marital problems!
my marital problems are fine now, it is not basic human rights we are talking about, but what God deems right.
Marvin has done nothing to me personally, and I do pray for him and his family. Who knows after all this over something will come out of this that helps both of us.
Maybe Marvin has found his calling, prison ministry?
You definitely see a lack of maturity of some of the comments on here . . . it is really sad. I do not agree with some of things Michael Bell says or believes but this post was an honest admission of his own faults and how he is overcoming them. I see no reason for some of the low class and tacky comments that have been generated in here. It only shows the juvenile behavior of such individuals and really proves how incapable they are of having true dialogue and discussion on differences of opinion.
While I may not agree with your beliefs Michael, I do hope you find the path that speaks to you and brings joy and happiness to your life and always remember to show compassion to others as it has been shown to you. That is the true mark of a Christian. There is always two sides to every story and make sure and see both sides and then make your judgment then.
To individuals like iheartlanekiffin, darrick_04, and Chef Boy Rd . . . grow up, get a life, and move on. Your attitude and comments only belittle you as person and does nothing else in this community.
I have to agree with jaxspike. Michael Bell has given a heart felt post, and there are those same ones that have to attack.
How did it feel folks? Did it make you feel bigger?
Michael, may God richly bless you and keep you and your family.
I am so glad to hear you have found a place that makes you and your family happy. I am still looking and hope one day we will find that special place also as a family.
Look, I don't see Marvin has anything to do with this, Don't kick someone that is already down. Really, the guy can't even respond back.
To individuals like iheartlanekiffin, darrick_04, and Chef Boy Rd . . . grow up, get a life, and move on. Your attitude and comments only belittle you as person and does nothing else in this community.
-- Posted by jaxspike on Fri, May 29, 2009, at 8:13 AM
I have stated nothing but state the truth on here Jaxo. Maybe you are the one with a failed and useless life.
Micheal i pray you are settled and grounded where God has planted you.
I did not see you come to our church? We preach God's Word and not the color of carpet or worship the building. Have a great day.
Glad you found a good place.
Nah . . . my life is just fine and I am happy with myself. I dont feel the need to kick someone while they are down to make myself feel better.
Like EM said . . . what is the point?
Congratulations,Michael!
As for the Fox News stories,I think the Bible study one is the most frightening and ludicrous.
If the study sessions garnered a large number of people and interfered with normal traffic and living in a residential area,I could see how that might engender complaints.
Authorities might request that the meetings be scaled down or moved to another venue.
Singling out a Bible study makes no sense because any imposition made on the neighbors could be as severe if the group were discussing a self-help book,historical work,novel or cookbook.
How would anyone know whether a group were really discussing an Oprah selection,a celebrity tell-all or a Dave Ramsey text or whether they were sneaking in an examination of the Good Book?
(Are the Koran,the Torah,the Vedas or other religious mainstays similarly forbidden?)
People of the Book could get around these apparently arbitrary prohibitions by targeting "The Shack",the "Left Behind " series,works by C.S. Lewis,Stephen Lawhead or Madeline L'engle or "Pilgrim's Progress" to have dialog on spiritual topics while discussing secular works.
Even if the motives behind the ban were legitimate,the method of addressing the problem was clumsy and unsettling.
I'd expect public outrage and attention from public advocates like the ACLU to follow before any chilling effect damages home Bible study.
If anything,people may become more interested in delving into serious topics and talking about them with like-minded people if it appears that the Powers That Be would prefer that we avoid challenging subject matter and keep ourselves isolated from any other thinkers.
If,in some dystopia,we are stripped of the privilege of getting together in schools,places of worship or in our homes,the stubborn elements will still seek one another out and share their insights about whatever intrigues them.
If they have to lay bare facts or philosophize on a pitcher's mound as was done in the "Peanuts" comic strip,they will.
An amused tolerance may encourage people to be indifferent toward important ideas but threatening them may have us ask what makes an idea or ideology dangerous to the system.
Perhaps,a house-to-house search of modern day "upper rooms" is just what is needed to expose the merits of what "God's peculiar people" are crazy about.
No, I just think that if Michael, as poorly thought out, unintelligible, and bigoted as his views are, has found a church, then that is probably a good warning to stay away from there.
He's got some pretty reprehensible views which don't lead me to have much sympathy for him when he blogs about his marital problems. As for parker, I'd rather kick a man while he's down than run over him.
No, I just think that if Michael, as poorly thought out, unintelligible, and bigoted as his views are, has found a church, then that is probably a good warning to stay away from there.
Posted by iheartlanekiffin on Fri, May 29, 2009, at 3:21 PM
AMEN!!! I say RUN not WALK as far away from that church as possible iheartlanekiffin! That is not a ringing endorsement for that church, that's for sure.
just because my views are the way they are does not mean the entire churches are exactly the same.
just because I don't have your views and accept everything that comes along, I am a bigot , well that deserves no comment, for that is the pot calling black.
we are all individuals and will all have our own
individual opinions, that does not make one a bigot.
I still call Marvin a friend and plan on going to see him, I am praying that he gets probation.
it sounds to me as the whole lot of you, and you know who you are, will happily take the mark when it is offered.
those marital problems were the first in 13 years, they come from putting ourselves first and not God, a mistake I will not make again.
Jaxspike,
Yet again... you aren't a blog moderator. So stop pretending to be. And rather than being so cynical, why not view my comments as something good? Honestly, if Michael and Parker want to save souls, perhaps all God did was show him where to start. Now, as for growing up, I've done that... and continually trolling one's comments doesn't satisfy that requirement.
I never said I was a blog moderator and dont care to be. Sorry if you cant take constructive criticism which most mature adults can do.
As far as trolling, maybe you should look to yourself because that is what you do with blogs like this. But whatever . . . I really dont worry about people like you.
"It only shows the juvenile behavior of such individuals and really proves how incapable they are of having true dialogue and discussion on differences of opinion." [Posted by Jax]
Sort of seems like you are referring to statements like these: "grow up, get a life, and move on." [Posted by Jax] So you're way of having conversation is to ask that those who disagree with YOUR opinion to grow up, move and get a life, even though some of the comments were deserving of no such remark.
Forgive me for jumping in the middle of your childish rants, but you seem very hypocritical.
Maybe,we all need to eat more catchup.
(The natural,mellowing agents could maximize the agape and common sense T-G bloggers are renown for.)
I do like catchup
michael i am so glad god has put you in a church where i know you and family will be a big assest to the church. i am glad you and your family survied the bumps in life. good luck.
I'm glad your happy, Michael.
Everyone deserves to find a niche in life and feel comfortable in it.