[countmeworthy]

Look OBW.........

If you're happy in the church 'body' you attend, GOOD for you ! I would not go back to the LC, nor do I long for the good days we had, or I had in the 70s. Hey and right back at ya on the boldness ! You're pretty outspoken yourself on your opinions too.

Since leaving, I have been involved 3 times for long periods of times to home groups, and church settings. One of them was even a Messianic church, a church that retains the Jewish flavor complete with Torah readings in Hebrew. We sang in both Hebrew and English, danced in the Jewish tradition, and worshipped Yeshua.

I love some of John Hagee's teachings, Perry Stone's teachings, Jerry Sevelle (who taught me about the FAVOR of GOD) Joyce Meyers' teachings (Oh..and btw I ushered at a 3 day conference she held.) I love Benny Hinn's teachings not necessarily the way he conducts himself or his business. I have some of Copeland's teachings but I'm not a big fan of his. Same with Jesse Duplantis'. These are 'big named' people who have TV and radio programs, which is why I mention them but I have gone to many services and conferences that don't have 'famous' preachers / teachers and have gotten a lot of Spiritual insight that have brought me closer to God and His WORD, Jesus. I already know you don't like some of these people so please spare me your criticizm's of them. I have been meeting with the same fellowship/prayer group every Thursday evening since 2005. They go to the same church, I went to for 3 years.

But there is a whole lot more than the same ole' - same ole' for crying out loud! You don't bring anything uplifting and FRESH to the forum either! For years, You bring a lot of intellectual knowledge and criticizm to the forum.

If you're happy where you are, so be it !

I am not telling anyone not to go to 'church' or not to get involved in a 'church'. WE are ALL the CHURCH ! Even preacher/teachers speak this and are NOT referring to their flock only ! We believers and followers of the Lord Jesus KNOW every believer is a member of the Body of CHRIST and all believers make up the CHURCH !

I'm simply letting people know there IS LIFE after the LC/LSM. And if people are happy and comfortable in the LSM, so be it. Stay there ! They may be just where GOD wants them to be !

I know we used that word a lot: Life...until we ran it to the ground. I also know people who are truly happy and filled with the Spirit under their pastor's ministries. Many have been loyal to their 'church' for over 20 years. GOOD for them. 2 weeks ago, a couple of people in the prayer group began to cry, literally thanking the Lord for the pastor. They were sooo thankful for a man of GOD who 'knows' and speaks 'the Word.' They went on and on and on about how much time he spends in the Word and how much time he spends in prayer....

I wanted to puke. This couple are retired and I wondered why they don't more time in the Word and prayer themselves. I didn't say anything because they believe pastors are 'ordained' or have a special 'calling' on their lives and thus have special gifts to preach or teach.

I Every person I've fellowshipped with who is under a particular ministry, well known or not, always sings the praises of the pastor. I've been there too ! I'm learning to appreciate people who truly have a deeper understanding of the Word of God and can enlighten me. I'm thankful for them but I have become super careful not to put them on a pedestal. I've been caught in that trap too.

For me, PERSONALLY SPEAKING, I am happiest being spontaneous and not being under a 'ministry' where I eventually become suffocated. As I read and study the scriptures, I believe it teaches we ought to build up one another in the Love of Christ, encouraging one another, feeding one another that we may be filled with the Spirit and Wisdom of God so we may know how to answer every man and bring the Living Word of God to every believer.

This will be my last post on this topic of 'religion'. May the Holy Spirit lead us ALL in the Path of Righteousness.

Peace and Shalom in Christ Jesus to you OBW.

Carol