Do you personally get a good feeling while going to church?  I haven't been in a long  time, and was young and couldn't appreciate it back then.  I'm just curious how it makes people feel.\n\nIt seems like I have come to a crossroads in my life, and would like to be more spiritual.  I'm a single mother, my kids are 1 and 3, they wouldn't sit still during the services.
212288
i dont go to church often (i havent been in a while) but for the past few times i did go the preacher always seemed like he was speaking to me...\n\ni love the music and a couple of times i have even cried for no reason (not like boo hoo crying just like a couple of tears streamed down my face)...and no it wasnt because i felt guilty about anything (because i also believe that God is everywhere you seek him...not just in church)...my fiancee says that it was the holy spirit...
582154
well, I was a bible thumping christian for 23 years-old. Then one day I woke up and realized that all Christian's do is judge and say how everyone is going to hell if they don't believe in GOD.  Who gives them the right to say that.  I also realized that you can't force others to believe in what you  believe in.  I was always being asked by fellow church members on why I didn't have a visitor at church or why I wasn't persistent on sharing my faith with others.  I just got tired of it and left.  No one should tell you how your relationship  with god should be like, even if it's not to their standards.   I also realized that the money I thought I was giving to god wasn't going towards his work it was going into the pastors pocket, There were single mothers in our church who could barely feed there families and the pastor has five kids and a two story house and he is able to write off food and bills when it comes to taxes, cause the Church pays for it.  Yeah the CHURCH me and my money pay him so he can live like a king.  so F***religion.  I couldn't be happier with out it.
475121
I feel your burden, this world has changed a lot in a short period of time. I am a believer in Christ, my faith is stronger as the world gets worse. You can feel the dark looming heaviness of things getting worse before getting better. I thank God for my faith. My husband is not a believer and I continue to pray for him. He is aware of the ads we see for upcoming movies, they are all so gory and evil. He is wondering as well as so many of us with what is going on in this world. I can only believe more people will receive salvation as time goes on. We live in such an obnoxious world that I don't think the rude people are laughing as hard as they used to. Just keep your eyes on Christ and everything will fall into place. God Bless to you and yours.
76605
Hello The Great an... :)\n\nI was not raised in a Chrisitan home..my dad was an alcholic..my mom used to abuse us with a belt..If I listened to my mom and my dad, I would still be an atheist..\n\nI was not afraid of going to hell (I did not believe it existed)..I did not believe that heaven existed either (God was not real to me)..\n\nI tried the Wiccan religion..it had no answers for my drug addiction..or for taking away the feeling of loneliness..I did not like the idea of any god or godesses'..for if they were real, my life would not have a hell here on earth..\n\nI also tried Buddism..it said you have to find yourself within to change..that was the problem I was having..I could not change my self..No matter how much I tried.. :(\n\nI could not have followed the marjority..because before I asked Jesus into my heart, I did not even know that Christians were the marjority..I did not even want to know..I hated Christians..because they were sicky sweet..telling everyone that Jesus Loved them..they did not know how to have fun in life, they lived boring lives..\n\nThen one day, I just could not take life anymore (I was going to kill myself that day)..\n\nMy brother came over on Sundays to take my children to Church..he asked me if I wanted to go..I told him I was not dressed, he said he would wait for me..So I went to the Jesus Freaks Church (that is what I called them)..I cursed the Pastor..all he did is tell me that he Loved me and so did Jesus..I said I would be coming back next Sunday to curse him out again..\n\nThe following Sunday before I was able to say anything the Pastor asked if anyone wanted to be baptised that afternoon..before I knew what I was doing, my arm went up into the air..I was baptized that afternoon..\n\nThe next morning I was quoting scriptures from the Bible (I had never even read it before)..my oldest daughter came down the stairs and I said to her, I Love you and for the first time in my life, I felt Love for my little girl, she came running to me and we hugged each other, I was crying, because you see, I used to abuse my little girl.. :(\n\nI was immediately set free from drugs, greed, hatred, anger, self pity, lust, and fear of what tomorrow may bring..\n\nNo one, had ever able to give me total peace within my heart..or given me a reason to live..nor have they ever been able to fill the emptiness within..\n\nUntil that one day on August 28, 1978..when I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life and forgive me of my sins..for if one asks with a sincere heart, your sins will be washed away and you will feel as clean and as white as snow..a veil shall be lifted from your eyes..then and only then will anyone believe that:\n\nJohn 3\n\n16  ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\n \n17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.\n \n===========================================================\n\nThank-you for asking this question.. :)\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..In Christ..
154866
I am on a tug boat at anchor off Rhode Island waiting for a ship to leave that's in my space. My family will celebrate yet another Easter without me. I stay in contact via Yahoo and Cell. My wife finds herself in your situation a lot. I hate it for both of you. It's probably hard to even think of attending church (I haven't in many years) because you feel like an outcast. Life is full of surprises (my Wife accuses me of being an eternal optimist) and though no one can predict what may happen, you might want to give it a try. You just might meet some new friends or at the very least have someone to talk to. Instead of trying to find someone to talk to, introduce yourself to the pastor. He will be sure to welcome you in front of everyone(very embarrassing) which will make everyone want to come and talk to you. This could lead to great things. Good luck!
520274
Hi. Congrats hun on finding Christ in your heart. God Bless you.\n\nPerhaps one's appreciation for music changes as he develops spiritually. And not just for music, for all sort of things that remind you of the presence of the Lord in our everyday life. \nAnd sometimes, yes you might get used to a certain type of music, but I feel that if you feel uncomfortable it may be because you’re not too attached to that particular way of worship. For example before becoming Catholic, I used to find Gregorian chant 'not-so-pleasant'. Now, I find it the most beautiful sound of praise to god on earth.\n\nYou should worship God in the way that makes you comfortable. \n\nGod bless you.\nOmar
80856
I dont go to church- my fellowship is among my fellow Christians that I worship and praise with- The Church that is required is the people, not the building.  Fellowship is what we are guided to do, and for some, that works better in a church.  More power to them, but I do not need a building.\n\nIn fact, many people that go to a church to worship only do it once or twice a week.  If we are supposed to pray without ceasing- and worshipping should be an everyday practice- I dont appreciate being judged by people saying I am wrong for not going.  Just as I think its wrong to say people are wrong for going to church.\n\nI am NOT against going to church, I just dont feel comfy in the ones I have been to.  The last one I went to was AWESOME, but I had a falling out with a friend who claims to be super christian, but her and many of the people at that church enjoyed gossipping and slandering me- I dont think I am missing much by not going if thats what most churches are like (and from experience, it is like that in every church if you dont fit the code they have for people)
648746
We woke up one Sunday morning when I was seven. I actually remember this like it was yesterday because what happened that day left a lasting impression which I honestly believe guides my "religious" beliefs today.  Mom and Dad were getting ready for Church and Sunday School and I obediently did the same. My sister and I were all dressed in our Sunday best armed with crayons and paper to keep us occupied during the sermon. (Doesn't that speak for itself?) So we're in the car driving to church. We are literally 150 yards from the church when we are stopped at a red light. Were we to go straight, we would have entered the parking lot of the church and routinely parked our car and, as with every Sunday morning, gone into this huge edifice to "get saved." Were we to turn right......it would lead us down the road to temptation! You see the road led us to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park only a 30 minute drive away. It absolutely blew my mind when I saw my parents look at each other in the front seat without saying a word, smile and then my dad did something that would change my outlook forever. He turned right. \n\nWe didn't make it to church that day. Interestingly enough, we never went back to church at all. My dad turned right and immediately started beaming while accelerating the car and loosening his tie all in one split second. My mother turns back to us girls just gleaming and saying, "We're not going to go to church today. Let's go the moutains instead!" Ok, surely you had moments where you and your siblings just sat there thinking your parents had lost it. This was one of those moments. You see, my parents were amazing people. The epitome of responsibility. If this is what is expected of you, this is probably how you should do it. If you say you're going to do something, you don't let someone down.........you do it! Were they spontaneous? Hell no! I mean......heck no. (Afterall it IS Sunday.) So for my parents to just turn the car away from church and head out towards adventure, this meant something huge. \n\nWe spent that day hiking up to Laurel Falls. Oh I can not tell you how breathtaking this part of our country is. The mountains all around you with the water flowing off the steep terrain into the stream that runs through the rest of the  park. We took our Sunday shoes off as we hiked to this point. We stumbled over a few rocks and roots in the pathway. We stopped and took in the sights. My dad would teach us a few lessons along the way about flora and fauna. We watched the clouds and made up stories about each one as we pictured the fantasic creatures each air mass formed. It was an amazing journey up to the falls. Once we got there, we all sat on a rock in awe. We didn't speak for quite a while as we all just watched the water tumbling down the mountain. We didn't need to say a word. I'm sure we were all thinking the same thoughts, feeling the same amazement. \n\nI ask you, would have going to church made me closer to God than I actually was at that moment? \n\nAs I said, my parents were amazing people. They had it figured out. And the little lessons they taught me along the way helped me figure things out for myself as well. We all worship in our own way at our own times. We are all in awe of this world we live in and somehow know that the way we have evolved into what we are now was probably jump started by a force bigger than ourselves. What it is and how it manifests itself may become clear in due time. Meanwhile, we can be in awe of it in our own ways. \n\nLater in life I asked my dad about that day and why we never returned to church after that. I knew the answer, but so needed to hear his take. He told me that he knew my sister and I were gaining nothing by hearing "words" at our age. He wanted to help us learn by doing. What better way to appreciate the creation of the world than to be a part of it. People don't have to
373555
Hi, good question...I have just recently gone through some difficult times at my "former" church, and though I did not lose my faith, I did take a break from church, "organized religion".  A very difficult time since worshipping God has alot to do with serving God and it's hard to serve Him if you aren't going somewhere.  I honestly did struggle WITH my faith, but never stopped having my faith.  Once you have that salvation through Jesus Christ, you can't lose it.  I've always heard that if you're not close to God anymore, then you're the one that moved, not Him.   what I did, I clung to Him, prayed to Him and let Him do His work in me.  When I was ready, He was waiting.  He is a patient, loving God.
471673
I know how you feel.  Since when does church=good person.  Hello?!?!?!  Just because one attends church doesn't make them a "saint".  I mean look at the high church officals who are turning out to be child molesters!  Are they still "good" people b/c they are in a church.  C'mon.  Give me a break!
538052
That's somthin to pray about. I've cried in church before I've ran in church before .. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. Some folks Get all wrapped up it Let the Spirit Move in this place and by doing so somtimes you may find people just 'playing church' but when there is unity it is good to dwell together.
498176
Olivia has a good response. In my church, our praise teams, youth and children shop together for blankets, cologne, trinkets, candy, fruit, and any other items we can provide for the elderly and we go and visit.  Usually the nurses and caregivers will have the whole room filled with the residents.  Hot chocolate and warm cookies are served (for those who can have them) and we tell the story of Jesus' birth. The children sing, dance, recite Bibical scriptures, and pass out the gifts.  We share love with the residents and caregivers and carol up and down the hallways.  It always brings a smile to their faces AND more importantly - it's not done ONCE A YEAR.  We go every month to share Jesus with them and show them love.  That's one of the most rewarding things we do.  If you want to do a program for the church, go online or to a Christian bookstore and find a very simple "play" that you can put together.  You might need some assistance from other members of the church or parents, but we also do this. Our play this year is called: The Greatest Gift.  All of our kids are participating, and even the older people have parts.  I play all the music and our young people will peform a dance to "O Holy Night".  We carol in the neighborhood and we also decorate the neighborhood's mail boxes while we sing.  Good luck.
132501
Alot of people go to church to observe and to see what is happening there.  I appreciate your openness and not going there to mock them but to here and see if what is happening truly is. \n\nAssemblies is good, although you may be a little uncomfortable if your looking for the cold religious style church.  AOG and Apostolic are a very lively bunch at times and you could say "on fire" for Jesus.  Be careful of Apostolics though.  Depends on the what type of Apostolics they are.  Some are very heavily legalistic, like the woman cannot cut their hair and must wear dresses.  Some even believe that all other Christian churches are not true, they they are the only ones.  This is sad to say.  But I do believe that God works with all of us, even when we do get a bit judgmental and error.\n\nGod Bless, and I pray you have an opportunity to taste and see the Lord is good.  He is real, tangible and very active in our lives.
161747
I really understand how you're feeling because I have been in similar situations.\nDon't ever let anyone push you into something. The Holy Spirit is not pushy and will not use pressure to get you to do something you're uncomfortable with.\nDo whatever feels right to you, not what people are expecting you to do.\nJust listen to your own heart and let the Holy Spirit guide you, not other people's behavior.\n\nIf you want God to give you the kind of joy, that you see others experiencing, you can ask Him for it. \nDoesn't mean your gonna be laughing or dancing. We're all different and act differently even in church. I'm not the jumping-around type myself and I never will be. I have experienced moments of indescribable joy though.\nGod's joy is available to you and if you want it, all you have to do is ask.
229668
Sure, it's okay. At least you're going. I wish my church had evening services, because the regular weekly service is held at a really inconvenient time for me. My spouse is Catholic and attends Saturday night Mass, and I'm jealous. I wish we had more nighttime services like that.
502898
Have you ever considered going to church. I know a lot of people look down on church. But if you were to find a good Bible based church and attend regularly with your family I believe you would see a big change in attitudes and relationships. Jesus saves everyone and everything.  I will pray for you and your family. God Bless!!
366794
unfortunately, practices like what you mentioned have a lot to do with the dwindling masses going to mass :0(\ni personally pray, worship and praise at home or in the park or on a mountain, or even just in my head....pretty much anywhere else rather than a "house of God".\ni have nothing against religions or churches...but sometimes the religions attached to the churches are overexuberant, overexpectant and down right overbearing.  besides...God created this WORLD soooo wouldn't anywhere i go be a place of God??\nAnyways, i dont know if im going to heaven, i dont know if im going to hell....i just know that i believe there is a God, he had a son, he died for our sins and that we are loved more so than one can put into meer words.  I try to live a good life, being good to as many as i can (but some are really hard to be nice to though) and stay true to myself...if that gets me into heaven...super...if it doesnt, then i deserve what i get.  \nGood or evil could end my life at any moment, so to fret on where i'm going afterwards, to me, would be a waste of the gift of life God gave me in the first place.  \ntake good care :0)\nmarjenl72