|
|
Religion and Spirituality - what differentiates Religion from Spirituality?
Religion and Spirituality - what differentiates Religion from Spirituality? Religion is "absolute truth of life" of the physical manifested world. It is Religion and not Spirituality which forms the basis of the present society we live in. In the...
Spiritual Belief
Spiritual Belief The atmosphere surrounding the earth is still a matter of special interest for scientific research. Some physicists have discovered and suggest that we are living within a field of energy that surrounds and envelops the earth, like...
The Angel Metatron
Metatron (Other variations on his name are; Metatetron, Merraton, and Metaraon.) In researching the angel Metatron I found the tales were very different. I found at least two separate versions exist. The first version states he came into being when...
The Power of Love
There is no doubt in my mind that the quality of love is the #1 quality that God would like to get worked into our souls and personalities. Even nonbelievers, atheists and agnostics can see the power of love and how it has the ability to change...
The Rise And Fall Of Babylon
According to the Book of Revelations, the city of Babylon has to be rebuilt once again. This is another key event for everyone to really keep an eye on. Prophecy scholars are divided in their opinion as to whether or not the city of Babylon will...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Plight of Pew Warmers
Have you ever been frustrated over people who come to church just to warm the pews? It's so easy to point, "Sinner!" - turn your nose up, look the other way, and exclude them in fellowship. It takes the love of Christ to look inside and see their need.
They didn't give up on God. Otherwise, they wouldn't even be in church. What they may have given up on is either themselves or other Christians.
Maybe they fell. Maybe they were nearly stoned to death by the brethren. Perhaps their anger got the best of them. It could be that they were falsely accused. They may have misunderstood God's leading, thereby being tricked by Satan.
But, whatever is was, something very painful happened. Satan convinced them God wouldn't receive them, it could happen again, or they don't have the strength to begin anew.
Perhaps we could love them best by telling them they ‘can’, that God made a very special provision to help His children with such a need … that when we follow God every step of the way, we can't fall (II Ch. 15:2b), that we "can" place of confidence in Him.
A second group of pew warmers, phlegmatic in personality, often have the gift of helps. Once they scurried all over God's house, doing countless unnoticed deeds ... until they joined a legalistic church.
If they have to measure up to serve their God, they'll sit there ‘til the cows come home. They don't care if you call them dirty names, like ‘Back Slider’. They know who they are, a lot healthier than some of us.
We're not going to see them move, unless it's out the door, until our hearts are ready to receive them as already valuable members.
A third group of pew warmers are the new converts, new at the business of serving the Lord. They have so
many new terms to learn, programs to follow, acceptable etiquette to catch, attire to transform, and things to grasp that they may not know if they're coming or going.
They need us to come along side and help, not preach at them.
A fourth group of pew warmers may not need to be noticed. They may minister throughout the week, while others take a holiday. They could be among our greatest prayer warriors. Yet, we thank them by judging.
A fifth group of pew warmers, those waiting to measure up, are still waiting. They believed man when he said they needed to pass a spiritual test first, but the rules keep changing. No point of acceptance with God opens that door. He isn't the one who closed it.
A sixth group of pew warmers possible aren't Christian at all. They may either be new or have efficiently warmed a pew for a lifetime. No one bothered to check their salvation.
A seventh group of pew warmers may be patiently waiting to serve while others think themselves so great they don't need help.
When we attempt to name another's sin, things are rarely what they seem. Pointing our finger at another leaves most of the fingers pointing at the real problem (Ps. 119:165).
God may not answer our prayers for more laborers until we use the one He gave us.
© by Joyce C. Lock http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.
About the Author
In addition to being a published author and poet, Joyce C. Lock created the religion column, "Christianity Made Simple" for Peru Daily Tribune, continues to write inspirational articles for area newspapers, and shares further in online and e-mail ministries.
|
|
|
|
|
Religion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Religion may be defined as the presence of a belief in the sacred or the holy. ... The development of religion is therefore the course of religions aligning ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
  |
religion online |
Full texts by religious scholars. Topics include Bible, Theology, Ethics, Church and Society, Communication, Cultural Studies, Homiletics, Missions, ... |
www.religion-online.org |
  |
Religion and Spirituality in the Yahoo! Directory |
Yahoo! reviewed these sites and found them related to Religion and Spirituality. |
dir.yahoo.com |
  |
Yahoo! - Document Not Found |
Document Not Found. The document you requested was not found. The category you are trying to reach may have moved. To find a relocated category, ... |
dir.yahoo.com |
  |
Virtual Religion Index |
has moved! It is now located at. http://virtualreligion.net/vri/. Note the change of domain & Please notify the source of the link that landed you here. ... |
religion.rutgers.edu |
  |
Religious News and Information |
The latest news and coverage from the world of religion. From across the globe to here in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Time covers the most pertinent news ... |
www.latimes.com |
  |
World Religions Religion Statistics Geography Church Statistics |
Resources for research into world religions, large and (very) small. Includes links to websites, research papers, statistics, and specialized search ... |
www.adherents.com |
  |
BBC - Religion & Ethics |
News, features and weekly summary about religion in the UK. Includes information about religions, ethics issues, and BBC religious TV and radio programming. |
www.bbc.co.uk |
  |
BBC - Religion & Ethics - Religions |
An introduction to many of the religions of the world. Includes Jainism, Shinto, Sikhism, Rastafari, Paganism, and many others. |
www.bbc.co.uk |
  |
Open Directory - Society: Religion and Spirituality |
Kids and Teens: People and Society: Religion and Spirituality (307) ... World Religions and 101 Cults - Contains descriptions and personal commentary of ... |
dmoz.org |
  |
Google Directory - Society > Religion and Spirituality |
Kids and Teens > People and Society > Religion and Spirituality (347) ... Contains descriptions and personal commentary of religions, cults, sects, ... |
www.google.com |
  |
Promoting religious understanding, tolerance and freedom. |
Conflicts, evolution, science & religion evaluating each other ... "Study of the world's religions will lead to an understanding of religious diversity; ... |
www.religioustolerance.org |
  |
Religious Studies Page |
Gene Thursby's extensive collection of information and links for the study and interpretation of religions. Categories include religious traditions, ... |
www.clas.ufl.edu |
  |
Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Religion |
Religion blog: DMN writers and editors explore issues of faith, spirituality and values ... Religion links: Alphabetical list of religious and spiritual ... |
www.dallasnews.com |
  |
Free Religion Ecards, Religion Greeting Cards, Religion Greetings ... |
More of Religion ... Home : Religion Greetings ... Food And Drink | Gifts | Invitations | Kids | Love | Music | Pets | Religion | Specials | Sports | Stay ... |
cards.123greetings.com |
  |
Religion -- Philadelphia Inquirer |
Most evangelicals now live in China, South Korea, India, Africa and Latin America, where they are transforming their religion. In various ways, they are ... |
www.philly.com |
  |
Religion | The WWW Virtual Library |
Religions and belief systems (ancient and contemporary), religious history, mythology, ethics and humanism. this resource in English is indexed under: ... |
vlib.org |
  |
Religion - washingtonpost.com |
We explore matters of faith and religion on the first Sunday of each month. ... Religion Online Chats. Thursday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m. ET: Faiths Condemn Gay Sex ... |
www.washingtonpost.com |
  |
allAfrica.com: Religion |
All over Africa, religion is big business. In East Africa, I am particularly impressed by the rate of its growth in Uganda. Uganda is also the country in ... |
allafrica.com |
  |
Error: Invalid story key (C3,20061205,,612040318,AR). |
Obituaries · -- Death Notices · Schools · Detroit History. Nation/World. Nation/World · Politics/Gov · -- Election · Health · Religion · Technology. Sports ... |
detnews.com |
  |
|