Religion

[sullyxlh]

Found this pic on another site,
It pretty much sums it up for me,
not a hunt goes by where I don't thank the man above for allowing me to be out there.
God Bless and have a safe New year.:)
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/attachment4.jpg

[Paul Thompson]

I have always said, it's better to be in a boat thinking about God, then in church thinking about fishing.;)
Creation is so much better then a man made sermon.

[wingmaster12]

amen to that

[pdkpotocki]

That hit home. Back when i did alot of bow hunting thats when i talked to the lord alot. Now that i don't bow hunt as much i don't seen as spiritual as i used to. Looks like i know what i need to do

[Rubber1]

The Bible tells us that we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25). Church is the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), “spur” one another (Hebrews 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honor one another (Romans 12:10), and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

When a person trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she is made a member of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). For a church body to function properly, all of its "body parts" need to be present (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Likewise, a believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). For these reasons, church attendance, participation, and fellowship should be regular aspects of a believer's life. Weekly church attendance is not required for believers, but someone who has trusted Christ should have a desire to worship God, be taught His Word, and fellowship with other believers.

[thousandcasts]

I fish on Sundays and think about God. I prefer to cut out the middle man and just address the supreme being himself.

[Michigander1]

I have always said, it's better to be in a boat thinking about God, then in church thinking about fishing.;)
Creation is so much better then a man made sermon. Thats what i do when im fishing as well.I alway give thanks for me being there.Not a hard thing to ;) Mich

[FIJI]

Spending time in Church doesn't make you a Christian

any more than spending time in a garage makes you a Buick !


FIJI

[gamechaser]

There is only one thing you can do to be a Christian and that is to except Jesus Christ as your savior. Once that happens you become a new creation in Christ and your life should change. You should bear good fruits. When it comes to Church and if you should attend my answer is yes. We need to seek first God's Kingdom then God will give us everything else we need. The problem is most people try to fit God in there lives and not live life for God. That is our purpose and our design. So why attend Church? Church is where we can do community with other believers, worship, gain spiritual growth, serve and help others find Christ. I also believe that Sunday Church is not enough. We must seek God daily and have relation ships with other Christians that we can do life with. Yet again were not created to do life alone but in community. Hunting and fishing is a great way to hear and talk to God. It also is a way to become refreshed and to have great fellowship with others. It can even be used as a tool for introduce Christ to non-believers. I too used to believe that I did not have to attend Church to be a Christian but know as I have grown more spiritual I want to go to Church and miss it when I do not attend. If your heart is not in it don't go! Start seeking God more and watch how your heart and beliefs will change.

We are all at different levels in our walk with God but God loves us all the same.

[Rubber1]

Very well put!!!

[thousandcasts]

Hunting and fishing is a great way to hear and talk to God. It also is a way to become refreshed and to have great fellowship with others.

I agree with that 100%

However, I don't agree that one has to be involved in a church in order to have a relationship with God.

[cmpdad]

not only is time in the field or on the lake a good time to thank GOD for what he has given us, but it is also a good time to talk to people in our lives that have passed on. To me the peacefuness of the situation invites a talk to those that we love and miss.

[gamechaser]

Church is not needed to have a relationship with God only Jesus can do that for you. Church is not just a building either. It is your community of believers that you worship with, serve with and grow spiritually with. Read Acts 2: 42-47. It talks about the fellowship of believers. I would recommend to everyone that feels that Church is not needed to take your Bible next time you go in the field and pray to God and ask him to speak to you on this. Remember we all fall short and no sin is greater the other. Being a Christian is excepting that Jesus died for us then rose 3 days later from the grave to go and be with the father. Our salvation can not be earned. You are saved just as much if you went to church or never went if you believe in Jesus. I would recommend reading Mt 7: 21-27 it talks about having a solid foundation and following Christs words. The point I am trying to make about Church is that you do not need it to be saved but you should desire being in community with others and helping others to know Christ and grow. Mt 18: 20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

God Bless

[Oct.1]

I have to agree with everything you say about being in Church with others. After all “Where two or more are gathered”
However sometimes I feel as though Church can become more of an entertainment center than a place of worship. I go to worship God through his son Jesus Christ. I can walk into the church, Kneel before the throne of God and pray to Jesus and have the faith that my prayers are indeed heard. I don’t need the choir singing, and at times I don’t need the pastor’s sermon.
The Bible tells me to go into a closet to pray. That way I won’t be interrupted by the commotion that takes place around me. Agreed I do need to be in the house of the Lord. After all, this is a place that we dedicate to be Gods Holy Place. But at times when I am alone sitting in a tree stand or in the boat alone fishing, I can pray and feel as I am with my Lord with out the interruptions. I feel I can pray my prayer and not use someone else’s. So if the Church is used for worship, great. There can also be times that trees stand can become my closet to pray in.
Remember the Bible tells us that the Church is not made of stick and clay alone. The Church is the body of Christ. And we are the body of the Church.

[KayJay]

Read Acts 2: 42-47. It talks about the fellowship of believers.


but you should desire being in community with others and helping others to know Christ and grow. Mt 18: 20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

God Bless

I would submit that this forum, by it's very fellowship of believers and helping others to know Christ and in fact more than three are coming together in His name, is, 'church' too. Cyber Church, gives me an idea.

Bless you.

KJ

[fasthunter]

Church isn't a building it's the community of believers. I find myself not going to a "Church" often as well. Like one guy said above it sidetracks him. Oddly that does it to me with all of the stuff going on in a church service. The deepest conversations I've ever had with God were the ones that I had in complete solititude away from everyone. Now however, once in a blue moon I do attend a church service and I do have a couple friends that are Christian and we talk. We hunt and fish together as well. To me that's one way of communicating together. A church is about being a family. Too often I go to church to run into alot of people that are fakes and judge people far to often. I've had them judge me as well. Some tend to put themselves on a pedestal. However, I'm straying from the topic:yikes::lol:. To the point of this thread though. Your relationship is between you and God. Only he can judge you. Worship him in your own way. However, it's good on occasion to stick together with a community of friends that are Christians.

[Cooner]

There was a time in my life I didn't feel like attending church every Sunday. As a believer I now am convicted in my heart to seek GOD's word & kingdom & to fellowship with my brothers & sisters in Christ.Yes, that means getting together with all the other annoying, irritable, opinionated believers out there. We all have flaws.If I ever found the "perfect" church I better not join it because I'd ruin it!:DIt's also scriptural to be in the church.I would caution people not to get caught up in worshipping the created, but to worship the creator. I also know when I'm pointing my finger I have three of my own pointing right back at me.When I'm at church every Sunday I'm not there for me, but for him. I want to give him all the glory,honor & praise he deserves. Without him I am nothing.Think about being with a body of believers & worshiping GOD as being part of a big fire. Now think about what happens if you take a small ember out of the fire & place it away from the fire. It cools off & burns out. We need to stick together & encourage each other & help each other along.If you stay out of the word too long it's very easy to grow away from GOD.Been there, done that. That dog don't hunt!I would encourage you men out there to take your families to a Bible believing church this Sunday.You men need to realize "YOU" are the spiritual leaders of your families & GOD's going to want to know how well you did your job someday, not how many gills you caught last Sunday morning or how many coon ole Blue treed for me last nite.You guys are right in that going to church won't get ya to heaven, but that's not a reason not to seek one out. Amen.

[Steven Arend]

Excellent post Cooner.

Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.


I believe you can only grow in God by faith, and faith can only grow through the Holy Spirit, whom talks and guides us through God’s word. This is why I feel the need to attend church when ever possible. Also, church is like charging a battery, it recharges your faith through listening to the scripture and the fellowship of others.

Steve

[Rumajz]

:yeahthat:

That is very true.

[Dead Bird]

a Church is a forum.... techincally speaking....

services on TV for shut-ins have been around a long time...

this specfic forum in just the last few months has created it's own Church...

the service may not be what we are use to.... but the sermons are some of the best I have heard in a long time....

it sounds like alot of folks are sharing thier faith and encourage others to join in with them...

this may be the best forum Steve has added....

sorry for hijacking the thread....

[Ferg]

a Church is a forum.... techincally speaking....

services on TV for shut-ins have been around a long time...

this specfic forum in just the last few months has created it's own Church...

the service may not be what we are use to.... but the sermons are some of the best I have heard in a long time....

it sounds like alot of folks are sharing thier faith and encourage others to join in with them...

this may be the best forum Steve has added....

sorry for hijacking the thread....

And this was/is my intent - I don't get to chuch as often as I likely should - so I thought, that forum might in some small way bring those that spend time afield on Sundays - a place to come and commune together - :)

I'm glad as is my heart, that some feel and see this as that -

Bless you all

ferg.....

[mk4b]

Thanks, all of you for your statements of faith, weather in a boat, a tree
stand or church on Sunday we worship and praise the one true creator GOD. I see the stars I here the rolling thunder thy power throughout the
universe displayed, then sings my soul how great thow art. I thank GOD
for all of you.

[Tunedown]

I have to agree this is a great forum and glad it was added.

[DaveW731]

I have to agree this is a great forum and glad it was added.

Love this forum as well! Also sometimes have questions about how much I am getting out of going to church.
Then, I think that there may be another side to the issue: right now, I look at the people in the pews who seem bored, going through the motions, etc. and say to myself, 'maybe there is someting I can share with them, so that they will have a closer walk with God'. I have been meditating on the meanings of Jesus washing his disciples feet (John 13) and, for me for now, that means involving myself in church, so that perhaps together we can all make the church a place where more people DO experience God's presence and as a result, show the love of Jesus Christ to the world around us. My inspiration is my BIL, who described his church in Tennessee as a church that is more concerned about others, than it is about itself.
Just my 2c,
Dave