Because_He_Lives!
October 19th, 2007, 08:02 PM
I have lurked here for a while and found myself spending hours reading the posts which all are on topics I am interested in.
I am a new Christian. Not new in the fact that I've always considered myself a Christian and attended church but new because it was not until very recently that I really gave my life to the Lord and asked for forgiveness. Every since then, I've felt a real change in my life. Neve before have I felt such a connection to Him.
I grew up Protestant and attended chuch. Then in the 90s I strayed away and tried to find my own way for a long time. But recently, to tell you how I came to the Lord. I was a member of a popular classic rock forum. I had been a member for years. The subject came up about Christian rock music and it got out of hand as threads tend to do. I ended up defending my faith and testifying in a thread which broke the rules. I appologized to one of the admins. They closed the thread because it broke the rules but the admin emailed me and told me he admired what I did. After that, the admin told me of a blog he created where he is telling people about us being in the end times. He didnt invite just anyone but a few select. I was one. It was because of his postings that I began to seriously look at my own faith.
It was then that I made the decision to devote my life to Jesus.
That was when I truly asked for forgiveness.
Then I began to search for a good church to go to. But I went to many churches recently and found a gospel I was not used to. Many of them had contemporary services with even rock bands. Many had ministers who are more interested in being 'hip' and little scripture was mentioned.
I was puzzled about this so I began to search online and found out about the emergent church stuff. And that is what I was experiencing.
I wanted a church to teach me the true gospel and guide me. After research I found out about people like Rick Warren, Brian McClearan, Bill Hybels, Joel Osteen etc. And there is an organization called "Willow Creek" that is producing more emergent churches.
I was very frustrated. But In my search I found great sites like olivetreeviews, Joel rosenberg, understandingthetimes, etc. where I could find out info about this new church deception.
I got a good recomendation from Roger Oakland of Understanding the Times for Calvary Chapels. He said most were not "apostolic".
I found one near me but sort of out in the country. It was good.. an expository reading of the Bible service. But it was better than the churches I have found.
I feel bad because I know we are nearing the end and I am ashamed to admit that even though I was raised Protestant, I never really read the Bible.
But I started now to read on Blue Letter Bible.com a chronological reading.
I am around the 29th chapter of Genesis. When I read a few chapters, I then go to the commentary provided so I can understand more in depth of what I am reading. I am now learning about Jacobs children, how they killed people for disrespecting Dinah, and I am sure this has great meaning for the people of Israel. It really excites me to read the Bible.. new as a story and be able to understand the lessons God is trying to teach us through these stories!
I believe in what you all believe, in pre trib rapture. I am not totally ignorant of the Bible. I am aware of stories and important passages but I never just read it from the beginning like I am doing now.
But I feel like I should take my time and really absorb what I am reading rather than rush through the Bible.
Anyway, I am glad to be here and look forward to being a part of this forum! :)
I am a new Christian. Not new in the fact that I've always considered myself a Christian and attended church but new because it was not until very recently that I really gave my life to the Lord and asked for forgiveness. Every since then, I've felt a real change in my life. Neve before have I felt such a connection to Him.
I grew up Protestant and attended chuch. Then in the 90s I strayed away and tried to find my own way for a long time. But recently, to tell you how I came to the Lord. I was a member of a popular classic rock forum. I had been a member for years. The subject came up about Christian rock music and it got out of hand as threads tend to do. I ended up defending my faith and testifying in a thread which broke the rules. I appologized to one of the admins. They closed the thread because it broke the rules but the admin emailed me and told me he admired what I did. After that, the admin told me of a blog he created where he is telling people about us being in the end times. He didnt invite just anyone but a few select. I was one. It was because of his postings that I began to seriously look at my own faith.
It was then that I made the decision to devote my life to Jesus.
That was when I truly asked for forgiveness.
Then I began to search for a good church to go to. But I went to many churches recently and found a gospel I was not used to. Many of them had contemporary services with even rock bands. Many had ministers who are more interested in being 'hip' and little scripture was mentioned.
I was puzzled about this so I began to search online and found out about the emergent church stuff. And that is what I was experiencing.
I wanted a church to teach me the true gospel and guide me. After research I found out about people like Rick Warren, Brian McClearan, Bill Hybels, Joel Osteen etc. And there is an organization called "Willow Creek" that is producing more emergent churches.
I was very frustrated. But In my search I found great sites like olivetreeviews, Joel rosenberg, understandingthetimes, etc. where I could find out info about this new church deception.
I got a good recomendation from Roger Oakland of Understanding the Times for Calvary Chapels. He said most were not "apostolic".
I found one near me but sort of out in the country. It was good.. an expository reading of the Bible service. But it was better than the churches I have found.
I feel bad because I know we are nearing the end and I am ashamed to admit that even though I was raised Protestant, I never really read the Bible.
But I started now to read on Blue Letter Bible.com a chronological reading.
I am around the 29th chapter of Genesis. When I read a few chapters, I then go to the commentary provided so I can understand more in depth of what I am reading. I am now learning about Jacobs children, how they killed people for disrespecting Dinah, and I am sure this has great meaning for the people of Israel. It really excites me to read the Bible.. new as a story and be able to understand the lessons God is trying to teach us through these stories!
I believe in what you all believe, in pre trib rapture. I am not totally ignorant of the Bible. I am aware of stories and important passages but I never just read it from the beginning like I am doing now.
But I feel like I should take my time and really absorb what I am reading rather than rush through the Bible.
Anyway, I am glad to be here and look forward to being a part of this forum! :)