tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253506665415753283.post5000555785941676000..comments2023-12-18T16:47:45.600-08:00Comments on my church journey: crisis of faith?Norma Hill - aka penandpapermamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02034679415355279691noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253506665415753283.post-13751555412217064822011-01-29T12:37:33.567-08:002011-01-29T12:37:33.567-08:00Thank you so much for your thoughts, Mark. They a...Thank you so much for your thoughts, Mark. They are greatly encouraging.<br /><br />Truly, it is about the journey. I am finding that more and more, in some very amazing ways, these days.norma j hillhttp://normajhill.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253506665415753283.post-29426815372818611152011-01-27T17:03:11.006-08:002011-01-27T17:03:11.006-08:00Norma,
Your picture is beautiful!
I had some th...Norma, <br /><br />Your picture is beautiful!<br /><br />I had some thoughts regarding your post. I am glad that the Father showed you His love, and I do believe He can give gifts of chocolate!<br /><br />Regarding Calvinism, I am sure a calvinist would say that one who wasn't chosen wouldn't ever want to be chosen, so there is no danger.<br /><br />Regarding Arminians, I believe that if our heart's desire is to do the will of the Father He is too faithful to allow us to continue on the wrong path. Even if we stray, like a good shepherd He will correct gently and get us back on the right path. <br /><br />Regarding fruit, I don't hold to how the groups you mentioned might define fruit. I have read enough of your blog to know that you have more fruit in your life than most Christians who do lots of stuff 'in church'. Galatians 5:22-23 is clear: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control". I also consider righteous acts to be fruit, and your involvement with the "street people" is an example of giving of yourself to others.<br /><br />In my opinion, the church places way too much emphasis on our verbal proclamation of the gospel to unbelievers, and virtually no emphasis on the visual proclamation. In reality, until the world sees us BEING the body of Christ, they won't really want to hear much about Christ. In many cases, anyway. <br /><br />Regarding depression, I don't think it implies a lack of faith. In looking back on my own life, I find myself getting depressed when I am trying too hard in my own strength in a given area, and not trusting Him. I guess one could say it represents a lack of faith, but the term "lack of faith" is loaded with a lot of negative connotations that shouldn't exist. I think we all face areas of our life where we don't trust Him as we could/should. That is what our walk with Him is about though, continually growing in our knowledge of Him, growing in our faith, etc. It is about the journey! <br /><br />God bless!Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14871432677951973950noreply@blogger.com