I have seen a show like that called "Super Nanny".  The children are indeed very naughty.  She uses a "naughty mat" instead of a time-out chair.

When many parents today are asked what qualities they would like their children to develop, they will say independance, creativity etc and usually obedience is at the end of the list if on it at all.   If parents don't teach their children to be obedient, how do they expect them to be obedient to God.  Living with disobedient children is like living in hell.

Obedience needs to be taught while the child is very young:  even before they begin to speak.  Parents need to consistent and firm but loving.  

"Although we're saved by grace, it appears to me that we will be judged by our deeds. There is accountability. There is a judgment day. And we had better fear the Lord. So we need constant reminding. We can join a church, listen to the pastor, and fellowship with other believers. But what if we get lead astray by misguided people within that church, or the institution of the church changes its agenda to fit the changing times? One thing that will not change is the Bible. It's compelling enough and complicated enough with enough history, and information, and guidance, and direction to always keep us interested and following in the right footsteps. The Bible is there to help us believe. And, maybe more
important, it's there to help us to continue believing"

Some Christian communities encourage and practice simplicity in lifestyle.  I think this is something we should try to think about.  

Many congregations forget that a church is not a building, it is the people who worship together.  Some congregations have pulled most of their resources into building church structures and programs.  They try hard to attract new people to the congregation but don't know what to do with them once they come.   I am sad to say that some  congregations have reduced themselves to charity outlets and social clubs.  They have forgotten that studying the scriptures is important as well as worship and service.  

Do we put too much pride into our church buildings and programs?  This subject makes me wonder about other things as well.  I always thought that hospitality was a ministry (inviting people over for meals, Bible study, friendship) and this is rapidly diminishing from some churches.  I have heard about "home churches" but I not sure if this is always a good idea.  I probably think that you had an entirely different point to your original posting.

When I started going to church I discovered an new language that only Christians seem to use.  It's called "Christianese"; some people call it "churchish".  Some of the words were commonly used in English but seemed to take on a whole new meaning in the church setting.  Then there were entirely new words that only church people seemed to use and understand.  Some of these words were used only by Christians of particular congregations.  While I tried to be as polite as possible with these church people speaking their own language at me, many times I didn't understand them and got confused.    Eventually, I did think I caught on to some of the meanings of the words they used.

I have started a list here of "Christianese" and what I think these words mean.  Please add to the list.

fellowship:   I thought it was about a dwarf, an elf, some men and hobbits and something about a ring.   In Christianese it can mean: coffee break, as in "Will you be joining us in the Fellowship after the service?"   or  a home church where I have friends as in "Where do you fellowship?".

sin:  I thought this word has something to do with nuns eating chocolate and ice cream as in "This dessert is so good; it is sinful."   Christians were always talking about sin.  I soon realized that it had something to do with guilt.  Years later, I found out that sin was another word for "breaking God's laws."  People kept telling me to admit I was a sinner but didn't tell me what it was and why I was a sinner.

saved, redemption:  I thought this all had to do with stores, sales and coupons.

grace:  I knew it was a prayer said at meals.  

saving grace:  was that grace before meals or after?

Bible:  a manual of some kind,  such as "The Computer User's Bible".   When Christians said "The Bible" I was not sure if it was the KJV, NIV, NSAV etc.

Testimony:  an oral statement in court.  I thought there had to be many lawyers in the church I went to.

Witness:  a person who saw an crime happening.  When people were trying to witness me, I tried to get away because I thought a crime was about to happen.

pew:  that one made me giggle.


I am sure you can add more.  There are many more terms and words used specifically in some denominations that are not in regular usage.  Many people who attend church regularly don't even know the meanings of these words.  The point I am trying to make when we want to tell people about our relationship with God, we might have to use language that they understand to be understood.  If our denominations uses words like doxology, communion, confession etc.  we might have some ways of explaining these terms to people.  Perhaps a "welcome pamphlet" or folder in the pews (seats).  The Bible was translated into different languages and printed and distributed so that every man (sorry, all people) could have a relationship with God.  I am just searching for better ways to explain it to people.

Future Canadian???

What does your post have to do with Canada?  
"_______ is a peace-loving 25 year old who enlisted to pay off his undergraduate loans (45K!) and to get free grad school. He never believed he would be put in a situation like this."  

I am tired of people complaining that they didn't sign up with the army to go to war.  They only joined so they could become a pilot, a doctor, a kindergarten teacher.  Didn't they understand that they were becoming a soldier?   I guess they thought it was summer camp.  

This is all interesting but why did you post it up here?

My parents sent me to a Catholic school.  We had a course on World Religions.  It did give me a good introduction to other beliefs.   Although we didn't go to any places of worship or perform any rituals, we did learn of the differences and similarities between religions.  

Most of the students thought Hinduism was weird, Buddism was cool (only how do you empty your mind to meditate and we asked ourselves why is "life is suffering" when Jesus suffered for us)  Judaism was fascinating but we liked having Jesus.  Islam was just "wrong" considering the history of how it came about.  Confusiusism and Shintoism and some of the others really didn't make much sense to us either.  

We didn't go on any field trips.  I remember one girl who wasn't allowed to do yoga in gym class because her mother said all the positions were honouring different Hindu gods.  

I don't think that learning about other religions is wrong.  In fact it has made me a better witness for Jesus since I can understand what some believes.  Going on field trips might present situations where some students might not want to participate in some rituals.  I would find it very uncomfortable to partcipate in offering food sacrifices to idols.  I don't want to worship any god but God.  I would prefer to do my research at the library.

Some colleges have some way of providing students with confidental counselling.  You might feel you need help with your eating disorder and self abuse (cutting).  You might also inquiry if there are any workshops on time management and study skills.  I have found that new college students are helped enormously by these types of workshops.  

Praying for you.

You might want to ask other happily married Christian couples why they married their spouse.  Unless you live in a place where arranged marriages are the standard, you will find many interesting answers.  If you are asking me if I find my husband physically attractive and does he find me attractive, yes.  Some of my friends have different opinions about what they find attractive physically about someone.

Most of the time very attractive people marry other very attractive people.  So, someone who is not so great looking and considering going for someone very attractive, might be in for some disappointment.  Often people have a list of standards they look for in a spouse:  Christian, honest, likes children, good education/job etc.  

 There really is no such thing as love at first sight if you are asking about that.  That is just based on fantasy.  Some people even develop obsessions that can become quite dangerous.  That is just lust.  It is not based on a two way relationship.  Yes, lust is a sin.

Looks don't last anyway.  I usually tell my girl friends that they should marry a man who is bald and has a pot belly, because it will save them years of work.  Most men end up that way.  I got wrinkled and fat and my husband still loves me.  

The physical attraction part is very small.  I love my husband because he has so many great qualities in his character and personality.  We are also compatible.  We get along well and enjoy each other's company.  Our strengths and weaknesses tend to compliment each other.  If you are into courtship, you might want to read some books on it.  The idea of courtship is to end up marrying not just "dating" for fun.  

Until the 1970's homosexual behaviour was considered a disorder by psychologists and psychiatrists.  They had little success at treatment.  This condition causes a great number of people to suffer no matter what any group says.  Because no one really knows what causes the condition and how to treat it, it was taken out of the book of disorders that doctors use to diagnose.  Homosexual acts were also considered crimes in most countries and people could be put in jail for committing them.  I am sure if the big pharmaceutical companies had come up with a "cure" for homosexual urges, they would be pushing their pills with tv commercials like they do with Viagra.  

Sexual activity is not the most important aspect of our life on earth but some people insist on basing their whole identity on it.  They call themselves "homosexuals" and say they have a gay lifestyle.  So then the sin becomes so deep in their lives it becomes part of their personality and identity.  It is so so sad because some people are telling them homosexual activity is not a sin.  It is very difficult for some people to accept that it is sin. I pray often for people I know suffering from this sin but I don't have much hope that they will be able to become saved when they are so deep into a sinful lifestyle.  

Often people "decide" that they are "gay" during early adolescence.  They are often teased about how they look or different personality traits.  More often from talking to these people I find that they were introduced into the lifestyle by being sexually abused.  They suffered guilt and anger at being abused, and were told that the guilt and anger would go away once they accepted that they were "gay".  I don't know if this is the case for everyone, but this is largely what I have observed.  It is often suggested that gender identification with the parents plays a large role in the development of the personality.  

Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:9  "I also want women to dress modestly, with dencency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."
There are not too many scripture verses about jewellry.

I have had some interesting experiences meeting women who were lovely gold cross jewellry.  I would often ask them about their jewellry and what it meant to them.  Often they would reply that the jewellry was a gift but they were not Christians.  So why are non-Christians wearing Christian symbols?  They would tell me it was just sentimental or "fashion".  If you were a cross, you might be put to questions about your faith.  You should decide what your jewellry means to you.l

I don't often hear too many complaints about Christian symbols in jewellry.  I did know a women who taught at a public school who was upsetting parents by wearing a pentagram (wiccan pagan symbol).  I don't know if public schools were you live are so secularlized that Christian symbols on jewellry are not allowed.  They are not allowed in France and some Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia.  So we might be thankful if we are allowed to wear our Christian symbols freely.

Which ONE?   How many people who love to study scripture just have one Bible?  I think last count my husband and I have about eight different Bibles in our home and some on the computer.  I love to compare the different translations and sometimes even look up the words one by one in Strong's concordance is to see the original Hebrew or Greek word.  I suppose I should try to learn to read Hebrew and Greek.  

Another question might be what is your favorite translation of the Bible and why do you like it?  We still need to Holy Spirit to teach us.  

I have no intention to criticize true martyrs for Christ.  But I have found in my studies of saint's live that they had a respect for all of God's laws and laws of their state (unless the state's laws contradicted God's laws).  It is a very difficult situation to attempt to witness to some types of people.  It requires bravery, preparation and prayer.  It is charity to approach such people with the Good News of our Lord.  We do not wish for any souls to be condemned to Hell.  It is only because of love and concern that someone should want to preach the Gospel to these people, not anger.

I am quite grieved by Christians who approach sinners with anger.  While God has righteous anger over sin, we can seek the Holy Spirit to find a good and effective way to bring the message to sinners.  If I can not approach a sinner with love and not anger, it is best for me to stop and pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance.  

My great concern is when some Christians lead others to break the law.  They trust these people and unknowingly break the law during a demonstation.  Some people get involved in what they believe is a peaceful demonstration and it ends up with people fighting with the police.  Some people have even taken to terrorism for their causes.  Other people, who have no interest in the cause, will show up at a demonstation looking for a fight.  For this reason, I am hesitant to attend public demonstrations.  I prefer to pray and use one-to-one communication, tracts and non-confrontational methods.  

What is the scripture about Paul that you are refering to?  In Acts 16:19-24 Paul and Silas were thrown into prison because they had cast out spirits from a slave who was kept as a fortune teller.  Acts 17:2-8  Paul went to the synagogue in Thessalonica and preached the gospel and was thrown in jail.    Acts 18:12  the Roman proconsul Gallio threw the case out of the court.    The riot in Ephesus Acts 19:23-31 was started by the pagan silversmith Demetrius.   If you continue to read the chapter it is very interesting what happens.  Acts 19:29-31 "Soon the whole city was in an uproar.  The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater.  Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him.  Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater."  Paul did not speak at the assembly.  He did not cause the riot.  The scripture doesn't even make it clear he was there at the theater.     The city clerk gave some good advice to the crowd and dismissed them.   Acts 20:3  "- because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about the sail for Syria".  The worshippers of the goddess Artemis are not mentioned as wanting to kill Paul, it was the Jews.  Please read the scriptures over.

Paul knew the laws of God well.  Paul also obeyed the Roman laws.  Jesus obeyed the laws of God.  Jesus also obeyed the Roman laws.  Christians should be very very careful about obeying and respecting laws, God's and the state's.  

This is a very difficult topic.

If America were an evil nation, they would have long ago taken over their nearest neighbors:  Mexico and Canada.    They could very easily take over these countries if they wanted to.   They have not and will not.

If the war was just about oil as people said the Gulf War/Kuwait, then America would have taken over Canada because they have oil and other natural resources that America could use.  America could have easily taken over many countries to use their natural resources and people as slaves.  They have not.

America has many nuclear weapons it could have used on several occasions.  While they were used on Japan, an offer of peace was given first.  Japan attacked America without warning.  America has never used nuclear weapons again.  America does not sell these weapons or techonology to other unstable nations.  Other countries have.  

America is now trying to offer a democratic government to Iraq.  Some Iraqis have decided that they still want to be ruled by a despot and they want to prevent their fellow citizens from any choice.

War is not good but often necessary.  America was forced into WWII.  If Nazi Germany had been prevented from amassing arms and invading other countries, millions of people might not have died before and during WWII.  

 

Our church's most successful outreach program has been a playgroup started by the Pastor's wife.  

The playgroup is a weekly meeting where parents or grandparents bring in their babies and toddlers to play together.  Parents get to talk about taking care of children.  The Pastor's wife and some other volunteers get the time to talk with parents one-on-one about Christ.  Many families have joined the church from this program.  

The reason why this program has been successful is because there are other playgroups around that are run by the city.  They are more expensive.  People come to the church one because it is inexpensive and they don't have to pay all at once.  It is also run by church volunteers who like to share their experience with Christ.

Another program that wasn't successful was a cooking class.  An outside community group was running the program and the church let them use the kitchen.  A church volunteer was always there to help.   They complained about the Christian witnessing and free Bibles and pamphlets offered to the people in the cooking class.  After all, that is what a church does, tells people about Christ.  Soon there was a conflict and the staff of the cooking class started treating the church volunteers very badly.  The classes ended up being cancelled.  If the church had of run the cooking classes, it might have been more successful.

Churches should be careful about who they lend space to.  Preferably all programs should be run by the church and by church members.  The purpose of the programs such not just be to cook or play, they should be a way to introduce the Good News to others who may not see why they should attend Sunday services.  Many people will come to Sunday Services if they are invited by someone they know.  

Funerals, weddings, baptisms, dedications are all good opportunites to witness.  Many people often will attend a special Christmas or Easter service or musical program.  These holidays should not just be an entertaining events but more opportunites to witness.

Church members might need to take a course to be trained in ways to share their faith.  Many churches are not committed to doing this.  This makes me very say because I feel if we just don't tell people about Christ so many souls will be lost.    

This thread is all very interesting.  It is important to know what these cults believe and how they are deceiving.  

Would some knowledgable person please check this site about spiritualism and explain better why it is wrong.

http://www.iamspirit.org/Home-1.aspx

 I had been to this church a few times many years ago and just felt something creepy about it.  While they do practice the gifts of the spirit, there is undue emphasis on the communication with spirits.  Even the ministers there will warn about being deceived.  They say they have discernment but I would rather just avoid being mislead this way and just concentrate on the Word of God (Bible).  So I haven't been there in years, but I often wonder about it.

This all sad.  Christians should take note that assembling to march on these types of events most likely will only land them in trouble.  Christians are obliged to follow the laws of their country.

In order to have such a public event, the organization must submit plans and get a permit from the city.   There may even be fees for an extra police presence or not.  Christians organizing their own protest at these events run into trouble with the law because they don't have a permit to do so.  They are not assembling legally.  If citizens do not wish these types of events to occur in their city, they are encouraged to write or call their politicians with their concerns.  

I live in a large city that hosts one of these types of events yearly.  The business owners in the area like the event since it brings them more revenue.  Many people go to indulge  the "parade" because even if they are not identifying themselves with these people they are just as depraved.  Some even take their children.  I avoid the city when that event is taking place.  

Sinners are sinners.  We must pray for them.  I don't think many people will be saved at these events by someone trying to give them a tract or by a t-shirt.  They are already so lost and deep in sin they don't even feel guilt about it.  

A better action by concerned Christians is to take to pray for these souls.  Supporting church youth and children's programs that bring in children outside of the church families is important.  The few people I know (who call themselves homosexuals) were abused as children or youths.  The guilt and anger of the abuse confused them.  Sometimes they were teased at school about their confusion and this got them into more abuse.  They were exploited by this depraved community until they joined it.  

We need to show children examples of good parent roles (mother and father), examples of good marriages and families (intact and God honoring).  We need help children and youth understand that any sexual activity outside of marriage (husband and wife) is sinful, unhealthy and abusive.  Hopefully, if a child hears the gospel it will stay with them.  If some abuse happens to them they will tell someone and action to stop the abuse will happen.  We can try to save the children from this type of sin.

We hate the sin, not the sinner.