Natural Paths - I truly hate that it's come to this

Natural Paths

11 November 2007

I truly hate that it's come to this

I'm reading more and more at the various blogs and discussions boards I visit that families are opting to do home church instead of attending Sunday School and/or church service. Count me in that category now as well. Today was just the final straw. Maybe I expect too much of people, after all we are all sinners, but I do expect better of Christians and every church we attend disappoints me. People aren't friendly, ds1 always ends up being treated poorly, there are cliques that I am so obviously not a part of nor welcome to be a part of (not that I would want to be), and the members as a whole just do not live up to what the church preaches. Dh had had enough long ago and wasn't attending with ds1 and me. Now the two of us are coming home for church. Ds1 is adamant after this morning that he has no desire to go again. I feel sorry for him in that it was his main chance to be around other kids. He made a really good friend there (a private schooler). There are no kids living around us and the few times we get together with other homeschoolers usually results in my family being ignored and shunned. Oh well.

So, we're embarking on another new adventure.

* No need to comment. This was just a vent I needed to get out.

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Comments

11 November 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MOMflippedisWOW

I can totally understand how you are feeling. Just remember if you ask, the Lord will provide.

We live in the middle of nowhere so there's no kids around for my son besides his teenage sisters. I gave up on churches years ago for the same reasons you mentioned plus now, where we live, just makes it too much of a trip for not-so-nice people. Once I started homeschooling, I was sure, we'd really be isolated. I prayed and the Lord found us some great homeschooling friends and this blogging group.

I know it sounds strange to say I get support from online, but my HSB friends have really helped me through the rougher days and always have an encouraging word. Hang in there. I'll be praying for you and yours.

(((hugs)))

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12 November 2007 - hi!

Posted by byourlove1

I'm so sorry to hear about your bad experiences. What a shame! I see what your talking about, I'm really blessed. I go to a small church that I grew up in, we are like a family and people who have visited us have often told us we are the friendliest church they have seen. However we haven't really grown because we don't have every social event in the world, people come in looking for entertainment and cafes and everything else. But its quite fine with me. I want my children to know the word, to love to Worship and to be loved at church. We are truly a family. I know my inlaws are considering going to home church, they have been so let down. Their minister actually went to prison for stealing money from the church and the IRS. So so Sad! I will be praying for your family at this time and that you go where the Lord leads.

Angela

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12 November 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by kellieann

I know you said not to comment, but I just wanted to say I really feel for you in this! It is sad that the church has come so far from the New Testament example set up in Acts. We go to a really healthy church and I still get disappointed sometimes in other Christians....just as I'm sure they get equally disappointed with me! =) I truly hope that your ds is blessed with some positive social opportunities.

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12 November 2007 - Church

Posted by Anonymous

I really was sad to read this entry. I know there will be no perfect church on this side of eternity. Chruches are made up of sinners, every one of them. I hope you will consider the Scriptures in particular Hebrews 12:24 - 25. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Could it be possible you haven't found your church yet? We are called to assemble together as believers to exhort one another. I would hate for your family to miss out on God's blessing through His people. I will be praying for God's direction in your decision.

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12 November 2007 - I feel for you!

Posted by jugglingpaynes

It's hard to feel like an outsider, even among those who should be our peers. I've gone through that too. Feel sad for them, pray for them, but whatever you do, don't let them drag you down.
And when you figure out how, tell me. ;o)

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

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15 November 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Canadagirl

I have tried several times to comment and today I think it will let me. I don't have the answers but I want to let you know I care and will pray for you. I too feel on the outside looking in and what I see on the in isn't appealing. I will pray that God will lead you to your right and perfect place and to lead some real good friends into your life to fellowship with and I pray the Lord blesses you through the HSB with good support and friendship. Keep your eyes and heart open for what the Lord WILL bring your way.

Blessings and ((hugs)) my friend and SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary

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16 November 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by doehillhomeschool

I am so sorry. I've been there, too, when it felt like the Christians--who are supposed to be on the same side--start taking potshots at each other. You and your family will be in our prayers. I wish you lived in TN--I'd love for your whoel family to come to our church. Think there's anyway to trade that land in Georgia for some in TN?

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16 November 2007 - Home Church

Posted by Gracelily

I was listening to a message sent to me by John Bevere. It is called, "Do You Know God?" This word gripped my heart. He spoke on grace, what the modern church wants to call it (the great cover-up for our sin) and what God calls grace .( the divine influence upon the heart) What God calls grace empowers us to be able to do and become what the truth (the Word) tells us we must do and become.

The reason I bring this up is this: without the grace of God influencing each us, we will continue to live our sinful lives and think that God's grace is covering it. You've heard the phrase, " I know I'm not living right, but God knows my heart.", right"? There are probably many in what we call the church that have come to believe they are Christians because they believe what they were told, but they failed to receive the grace to become. Consequently, the fruit they exhibit is not the fruit of the Spirit.

John used the scripture from 2 Cor. 13:5 which instructs us to examine ourselves to see if we be in the faith. Also, the scripture 2 Cor. 6:1, don't receive the grace of God in vain.

I'm not suggesting to you that this speaks of you, but to say that we are going to encounter many who say, Lord, Lord, but He doesn't know them. You and I must stay before His face, receive His grace each day and allow the Spirit of God to make us what He wants us to be.

I'm sorry that you've had this experience and pray that the Lord will lead you to a real body of Christ that is a family who welcomes you as one of them. I am blessed to be in such a place now, but it has not always been so.

Blessings to you.

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20 November 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by PlainJane

Hello Dear,
I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. It is such a shame too, for me, I grew up in the church - Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wed. night, you name it, I was there whenever the church doors were open (and often when they were not as we helped out in the church). I LOVED doing church and never thought that it would ever be any other way for me or my family. But two things have changed - first, churches (not all churches, but most) are swinging closer to the standards of the world and so are those attending them, as well as no spiritual meat to feast upon - nothing for me; and second, me (the longer I homeschool and think more and more outside of the box, the more distant & discontented I have become with the box.

We had been members of a certain church for about 7 yrs. (when we moved up here) but left 3 yrs. ago. We started a NT home congregation, but that disbanded after a year because the "preacher" moved too far away and the rest of the men folk are more introspective and not gifted in leading. Now, I think we could have kept on without a "preacher", but too late now. So now we are attended another church close by, but more by default. We just go to morning church service and nothing else except Ladybug is in kids choir (a twice/yr. musical). I am hoping/praying that God will do something in our small town - I have a pastor's wife friend & her husband may start a church here, but it is taking a while. Meanwhile, more of our homeschool friends are starting to attend this same church, so we aren't sooooo alone, but it is still not what we want. We do a lot of Bible at home, so the girls and DH & I are not missing out and we do have like-minded friends over quite a bit and have our Prov. 31 girls Bible Study. I would love to have a "growth group" sorta speak - we have lots of great tapes & dvds that a bunch of us could share together and discuss & meet together about - but I just don't feel like I should be the one to start it (I don't know). Anyways, in the meantime, I get a lot of my spiritual nourishment from tapes, books, Home School Digest magazine and the like.

Just wondering, have you heard of the National Center for Family Integrated Churches sponsored by Vision Forum? If not, you might want to take a peek here:
http://www.visionforumministries.org/projects/ncfic/churches/fl/

There may be a good congregation near you in this list. I wish we we had one close to us, but the closest we have is about 1 hr. away.

Sorry to make such a long comment. Praying God's best for you and your family.

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~Taking the Natural Paths~