Do you think Two Church services a month is enough?

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by rrford

So you are 4 months ahead at this point. You can lay out until late summer.

I would but there is church tomorrow and then there is the AMC next week which will be 5 extra services. My soul is rested but my body is tried.

[ChTatum]

Hope you get saved, Elder Epley!

LOL!

[ChTatum]

Seriously, while I am a proponent of Heb. 10:25, I also understand what some of the others are saying.

We have services three times a week, with an informal Bible study every other Friday night that is a question and answer session. I somehow manage to amke almost all of them, as do some others, but certainly not all.

Oops! I just voted for the 2nd time, and it was rejected. lol

I would like to see some type of informal gathering together of saints each day of the week. Indeed, I think we should seek out those of like precious faith, and engage in worthwhile discussions concerning the fundamental teachings of the Bible. I tend to dislike services where only the man in the pulpit does all of the talking, without some type of interaction with those who sit on the pew. I mentioned this once to my pastor with regards to the way Adult Sunday School classes were being conducted, equating it to the interactions which transpire within classes at educational institutions, and after he took my suggestion under counsel and changed the format, I noted that many seemed to be eager to raise their hands to be recognized. This produced some lively, and extremely worthwhile discussions. I also believe that it proved very beneficial to everyone involved.

Originally Posted by Michlow

Well I can't argue with this! But my problem seems to be that rather than dealing with all this junk, I get tired of feeling "uncomfortable" and try to push myself back into my little box. I am refusing to do that this time, because I want to deal with this and move on!!!

On a side note, you were right that the standards were of no consequence to me, I felt what I felt in my mind, but found it no problem to go along with the status quo. For some reason a breaking point came when I realized that I worried that some people I cared about would be disappointed or upset if I cut my hair, and at the same time was open and above board about my TV habits (Such as my love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer), one day I realized that chances are some people who could care less about my hair, would nevertheless be shocked by my TV habits, and I don't know, it all seemed silly somehow.

The truth is, my "convictions" about these things haven't changed, just my actions.

Sis
You just explained a lot about where you are getting your theology and ideology. Could it be that we are more profoundly impacted by what we watch than we realize. Compare the following review of Buffy with many of the views that have been posted here. I highlighted some interesting points for your perusal.

What would Buffy do? - the televison series Buffy the Vampire Slayer - television program review
Christian Century, May 17, 2003 by Wendy Love Anderson

SHE'S DIED to save the world, been resurrected, inspired love from social outcasts and forgiven (some of) her enemies. She's also destroyed churches, posed with a hammer and sickle, mocked religion as "freaky," and explained that she hasn't accepted Jesus as her personal savior because she "just got really busy."
Now Buffy the Vampire Slayer is ending a seven-season run as the heroine of her eponymous TV show, and she's more controversial than ever: while the religious humor magazine The Door named Buffy its Theologian of the Year for 2002, the Parents Television Council is calling on Christians to boycott the show for "making a mockery of the Eucharist" this past Holy Week.

Meanwhile, back on the Hellmouth, where the vampires emerge, Buffy (played by Sarah Michelle Geller) and company are battling the First Evil in order to save the world from yet another apocalypse.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer began its television run as a midseason replacement series based on a mediocre movie, but it has blossomed into a critically acclaimed cult hit and has even generated a spin-off (Angel). The show is ostensibly aimed at a teenage audience, but its mix of snappy dialogue and savvy cultural critique has spawned a vocal cadre of older, highly educated viewers.

BTVS is not exactly sympathic to organized religion. Though the undead can be burned by crosses and holy water--as one would expect from standard vampire mythology--these symbols are much less effective against vampires than a secular stake through the heart. The show does not explore where the holy water comes from, and the only "Anointed One" turned out to be a child vampire.

The churches in Buffy's hometown of Sunnydale are ordinarily abandoned or serve as vampire lairs. Buffy's ex-boyfriend Riley once admitted to regularly attending a church where vampires had briefly taken worshipers hostage, and her friend Willow has identified herself alternately as Jewish and Wiccan in time for Christmas-season jokes. But in BTVS religious belief or practice is overwhelmingly the province of various creatures of evil.
The show has also named several of Christianity's historic failings. Buffy has battled an "ancient order" of militant crusader knights, as well as a Native American "spirit warrior" trying to avenge the wrongs committed against his people by Spanish missionaries. She has also taken on a transdimensional labor camp disguised as a "family values" homeless shelter.

In the series' final story line, Buffy is pitted against a former preacher who wears a clerical collar and enjoys killing young women while identifying them with Eve and the Whore of Babylon; naturally, he turns out to be working for the First Evil. (It was this character, Caleb, who upset the PTC with his eucharistic speculation--most notably about whether Christ could have created white wine at the Last Supper from lymph fluid.)
....

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Guy

Sis
You just explained a lot about where you are getting your theology and ideology. Could it be that we are more profoundly impacted by what we watch than we realize. Compare the following review of Buffy with many of the views that have been posted here. I highlighted some interesting points for your perusal.

What would Buffy do? - the televison series Buffy the Vampire Slayer - television program review
Christian Century, May 17, 2003 by Wendy Love Anderson

SHE'S DIED to save the world, been resurrected, inspired love from social outcasts and forgiven (some of) her enemies. She's also destroyed churches, posed with a hammer and sickle, mocked religion as "freaky," and explained that she hasn't accepted Jesus as her personal savior because she "just got really busy."
Now Buffy the Vampire Slayer is ending a seven-season run as the heroine of her eponymous TV show, and she's more controversial than ever: while the religious humor magazine The Door named Buffy its Theologian of the Year for 2002, the Parents Television Council is calling on Christians to boycott the show for "making a mockery of the Eucharist" this past Holy Week.

Meanwhile, back on the Hellmouth, where the vampires emerge, Buffy (played by Sarah Michelle Geller) and company are battling the First Evil in order to save the world from yet another apocalypse.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer began its television run as a midseason replacement series based on a mediocre movie, but it has blossomed into a critically acclaimed cult hit and has even generated a spin-off (Angel). The show is ostensibly aimed at a teenage audience, but its mix of snappy dialogue and savvy cultural critique has spawned a vocal cadre of older, highly educated viewers.

BTVS is not exactly sympathic to organized religion. Though the undead can be burned by crosses and holy water--as one would expect from standard vampire mythology--these symbols are much less effective against vampires than a secular stake through the heart. The show does not explore where the holy water comes from, and the only "Anointed One" turned out to be a child vampire.

The churches in Buffy's hometown of Sunnydale are ordinarily abandoned or serve as vampire lairs. Buffy's ex-boyfriend Riley once admitted to regularly attending a church where vampires had briefly taken worshipers hostage, and her friend Willow has identified herself alternately as Jewish and Wiccan in time for Christmas-season jokes. But in BTVS religious belief or practice is overwhelmingly the province of various creatures of evil.
The show has also named several of Christianity's historic failings. Buffy has battled an "ancient order" of militant crusader knights, as well as a Native American "spirit warrior" trying to avenge the wrongs committed against his people by Spanish missionaries. She has also taken on a transdimensional labor camp disguised as a "family values" homeless shelter.

In the series' final story line, Buffy is pitted against a former preacher who wears a clerical collar and enjoys killing young women while identifying them with Eve and the Whore of Babylon; naturally, he turns out to be working for the First Evil. (It was this character, Caleb, who upset the PTC with his eucharistic speculation--most notably about whether Christ could have created white wine at the Last Supper from lymph fluid.)
....

While I appreciate your concern, and I agree the show certainly isn't for everyone, I do not now, nor have I ever gotten my theology from a TV show.

Still, there is a lot of symbolism in the show, that has sparked a lot of awesome spiritual debates with my unsaved husband as well as others. In fact, I am currently writing a "blog" of sorts on a different forum called "Spiritual Things I have learned from Buffy the Vampire Slayer".

[Scott Hutchinson]

MICHLOW I do care about you and your spiritual condition , I offer my prayers and not condemnation.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

MICHLOW I do care about you and your spiritual condition , I offer my prayers and not condemnation.

Bro. Scott, I don't think you would know how to condemn someone if you tried! I appreciate you.

[Steve Epley]

In the wilderness the Tabernacle was in the midst or middle or center of the camp everything surrounded it it was NOT at the extreme outer exterior. That is a shadow the sanctuary is to be the center of our life not a long distant trip! I LOVE everything about the Church.
I heard the first gospel message at church
I repented at church
I was baptized at church
I recieved the HGB at church
I have recieved the majority of my instructions-blessings-healings-deliverances-help-strength-hope-corrections-AT CHURCH.
There is the fellowship of the Spirit and of the saints.

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

In the wilderness the Tabernacle was in the midst or middle or center of the camp everything surrounded it it was NOT at the extreme outer exterior. That is a shadow the sanctuary is to be the center of our life....

Are you sure about that?