Openly Christian...I love it

[jackinthepulpits]

Originally Posted by sweet carolina

I am new to N.C. We've been here for three months,still looking for a church to suit us. Also from Calif. N.C. is a wonderful place for christians. Love the bible belt.

What area of NC are you in? I am a minister that has lived most of my life in several areas of NC. I might be able to recommend a place.

[jackinthepulpits]

As far as all the other comments about the zealot acts of some Christians in NC, I agree with others that this is very disturbing and sad. This is far from what Christ teaches in Scripture. Being a native tarheel from WNC, I feel I can make the next statement. There are pockets, mostly in WNC, where staunch fundamentalism borders on having a greater following than Christ Himself. These are areas where their interpretations of Scripture are held more reverntly than Scripture itself. Even Jesus withstood people like this. They were called Pharisees and Saducees. There is a fine line to walk in upholding what Scripture teaches in judgement and in grace or mercy. If I err, I would rather err by being too gracious or too merciful rather than too judgmental. I think Donna7 summerized Scripture best in her post. Unforunately too many have lost this focus.

Warren Wiersbe put it best when he once said, "When we live our Christian lives, we are not living them for others, we are living them before God. Ministry, even the Christian life, is not easy. But, we make it far more difficult for ourselves if we serve [i]People[i] instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can't please everyone, so don't even try. Just live and work in such a way that your Master will be able to say, 'You are my beloved servant in whom I am well pleased.'"

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by Donna7

The Lord has put a burden on me too - He wants me to say that the only ones that are degrading Christianity are the holier than thou Christians who turn up their nose on everyone, including other Christians. Also, the other people that are/have degraded Christianity and Christians are those that have hijacked Christianity for political purposes and gain. The only thing that I'm numb to are the hypocrites who have mixed religion and politics and who have turned people against people.

P.S. - I have been a Christian my whole life.

As far as I'm concerned, Christ gave several laws:

(1) Love God with all of your heart, soul, being
(2) Love one another

Plain and simple.

The media has nothing to do with numbing people against Christianity; if anything, some of the biggest hypocrites of Christianity have been exposed to their flock for who they are; people like Foley, and others like him. I think people are just sick and tired of wolves in sheep clothing.

Great post

[MrsSteel]

Sunny, don't know if you noticed, but this thread has been dormant for over a year.

Also, it seems misplaced here in the NC forums. Shouldn't it be in the Religion forum?
Religion and Philosophy - City-Data Forum: Relocation, Moving, Local City Discussions

[mommiewrites]

I've been here my whole life, and have never had anyone scream at me...lol

I do have the occasional mormon group approach, or other denomination, and simply tell them that Jesus is my savior and wish them well and close the door. I used to try and be polite and listen, but pushy (in any religion) is not attractive to me. They must have learned, because where I used to get visits several times a month, a few years later its once or twice a year...

That being said, I try my best to emulate Jesus, and fall short, but thats okay, because its though His grace and sacrifice that I am still forgiven (though I do not deserve it). I do my best to treat others as I want to be treated, and try to forgive (if He can forgive me, who am I to say I can not forgive someone-although very difficult at times!).

That said, I do pray for those who are not believers, and will explain (to the best of my abilities) my beliefs if they are interested. However, evangelicism (spelling?) is not one of my 'spiritual gifts'. I married a non believer, and his conversion is proof that miracles DO exist!

I think that unless you move into a very VERY rural area, you will find most people simply do not care if or where you go to church.