My Faith - My God

[debris4spike]

Some people have asked about my Faith ... well this is one veerse I read thios morning that sums up my relationship with God, so thought I would share it.

 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
                  both now and forever"

Psalm 121 v 8 N.L.T.
 

Comments

[laura-writes.livejournal.com]

I love that verse. My life's verse is I Corinthians 15:10. =)

[debris4spike]

I don't know that I could say I have "a" verse - so great to read what your is. This one just lept out at me while I was reading

[kalinda001.livejournal.com]

That is a good one to keep in mind throughout the day.

[debris4spike]

Yes - just thought it was such a great "summary" of life and our God

[bendy1.livejournal.com]

It's one of the more comforting verses, isn't it. Or warning ;D

I was wondering what you'd put the low drop-out rate down to (aside from being right :D) - that people raised in your faith tend not to leave on a level most other similar faiths have.

I know you can't speak for everyone but I was wondering how much a sense of community has to do with that. Or a sense of intellectual freedom to all walk together as long as you all accept Christ.

What I mean is, is it that you're closed off to the world somewhat and involved in your own community, or is it that you're all open to work and worship with pretty much anyone, in any way.

If that makes sense. (I've assumed you're Open and they have a rep for liking any conservative Christians no matter the hymn book, so to speak)

Anyway thanks for letting me ask :D

[debris4spike]

Yes - as I read that verse this morning I thought of the comfort it brings me, but you are correct that it is also a reminder and a warning!!

Yes, you are also correct that I am in the Open Brethren - well otherwise you would never see me as I wouldn't now about anything at all!!

Well - as you said, we are right!! I think the low drop-out rate (as you call it) is probably to do with the intense Bible study that is done at all services. Therefore, even if we are no longer Brethren we still want to be part of God's Church - one of my brothers and family go to The Baptist, the other and his wife go to CofE.

There is a strong emphasis on both Heaven and Hell as well as teaching of personal faith. We believe in Baptism of adults - and that has to be our decision to ask an elder, then we have an interview. So it is not automatic - and therefore if we grow up in the chapel it often means that we have made our own decisions at some point. I am not saying that people don't disappear as I know lots who do, but they often return in later life realising there is a gap in them that needs filling.

Some P.B.s will have nothing to do with other denominations at all - But a lot (like me) would attend a Catholic service, but not take mass; but would be happy to be involved with people from other denominations - My last 2 ex-boyfrineds - one is Anglican and the other Pentecostal ...

However, that is where my faith is strong - we also are brought up with major moral values, which is one of the many reasons why my trip to see James last year was my first ever concert!

Wow - I have wittered on, haven't I? Did I actually answer your question?
I was amazed that you had even heard of the Brethren let alone know that there are 2 many groups - do you have friends/family involved?

Anyway - ask away - I am not ashamed of My God or my faith and will answer anything you want to know.

[bendy1.livejournal.com]

That's brilliant, thanks. The freedom that contributes to not caring about numbers, which is also unusual in many evangelical groups.

I do like that. It happens more often now probably as more faiths come to realise they're all about God and barring a few differences can focus on the main values.

I don't know any Brethren, I've always been interested because they're another group misrepresented in the media a lot. I get the feeling that to outsiders you're conflated a lot with Exclusive Brethren and people like Erim Pentecostals (Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit has a lot to answer for).

I think it's true that being brought up very very morally has a lasting effect no matter whether you keep the faith or not.

I was brought up very strictly in a smallish religion with a bad reputation, and so I have an abiding interest in the differences between how we perceive religious groups from the outside, and the reality :D

Especially small ones, who we get a really weird view of sometimes :D

Thank you :D

[debris4spike]

Yes, a lot of people hear of the Exclusives - and they are extreme ... picking up a few verses of The Bible and making them more important than all others.

Some groups (like you say with the "Oranges" series) are very bigotted ... as are some PBs I will admit - but they also do not want you to be "contaminated" by the world around ... That can cause real problems, as at the first hint of different then the (usually) teens will go and explore - and then they won't want to have anything to do with their family.

We were always brought up with strict rules - which were usually explained - but my nephews aren't being brought up as strict. This is one of the reasons I didn't go to see James on a Sunday; However I do now watch TV on a Sunady - but that is as far as I go!!

I certainly agree that as a "Church" we should spend our time focussing on God ... and not on which hymn book to use or whether we kneel to pray, or not.

Thanks for asking

[bendy1.livejournal.com]

Oh there are bigots in all faiths I think. Just some of them are the ones we take notice of :D

Involving yourself in the world a little bit is necessary I think, if only to some extent to understand the pressures people are under. It all gets a bit us and them otherwise.

[debris4spike]

Yes - that is what I have always thought - how can we not see people around us and know what is going on ... Jesus cammands me (us) to "Be in the world, but not of the world"

And on a personal note - if I hadn't been "around" then I would never have "met" James - and we wouldn't be having this "chat"!!

[cordykitten]

Mmmm I like that. That's a good thing to remember.
*hugs*

[debris4spike]

Thanks - its great to remeber isn't it