12 replies to this topic

[Kevin Blankenship]

It's a milestone moment for me actually as I have grown so tired of the "stuff" that I have witnessed, and been apart of in times past.  But I DO KNOW ONE THING: I cannot live this Christian life alone. We are all given different gifts by the Spirit for the building up of the church.  I am going to do my best to be "apart of" instead of "apart from".  The unanimously voted me into the fold today when I went forward and expressed my desire to join.  And I must say, everyone was very accommodating and welcoming.  I just  sincerely hope and pray that I am in God's Will. 

   The name of the church is Cornerstone Baptist.

[DonnaA]

So, are you changing your profile to remove "but I'm not a Baptist"?

 

I hope/pray you are in God's will, too.  I totally get the hesitancy to be joined to a church in membership ... the church I am currently attending has been through the ringer with various schisms ... the new pastor has made a huge difference ... it hasn't been easy for him, but I can definitely see the Spirit moving and "the JOY of our salvation" restored.

[Julie Daube]

Awesome, Kevin! I would venture to say that you are in God's will, so be encouraged (Hebrews 10:25). If it turns out that this particular assembly isn't the right one for you, the Holy Spirit will make that clear and lead you to where He wants you to be.

As someone who went to two other churches for several years before I found a permanent church home, I can say with confidence that there were specific things God taught me in both those churches that I needed to learn, even though they weren't congregations where the Lord wanted me to put down lasting roots. Interestingly, one of them was a charismatic-type church that was a little "off" in some areas, but I learned some incredibly valuable, biblically based truths there that I may not have learned elsewhere.

May the Lord bless you in your new church home!

[Charles Miles]

Kevin, 

I am thrilled to the core! You have a lot to offer any church that is actively engaged in worship of our Father. I personally do not know of any church that has everything perfectly the way I would like to see it, but that does not mean that I am the one that has it right anyway.  It`s kinda like waiting until one is worthy before surrendering their lives to the Lord......because that would be a long wait.  There are only imperfect people in this world and they in turn tend to organize imperfect churches, but at least it`s a start and it`s a response to God`s call.  You have a great insight that has been given to you and also I certainly feel that you do have Holy Spirit moving right along with you.  When you attend church and take Him with you, things happen(not to say that things aren`t already happening there) that will bless you and others there.

 

I have never met you but I am proud to call you brother.  One day we will meet and both rejoice over God`s great love for us.

 

In Christ`s love,

 

Charlie

[Candice]

Amen! 

[Big John]

Awesome Kev!  Just have to say I agree with all of the comments above.  There is no such thing as a perfect church.  As was said, the problem with churches, is people.  lol  No one is perfect or has a perfect knowledge of God.  It can feel both like a blessing and a curse.  But that is where grace is learned.   

 

God bless.

 

Big John

[Joan Phillips]

• Wonderful, Kevin. So glad to hear this. You will be blessed as you bless others!
•  

[Kevin Blankenship]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of the well wishes and kind words. Even though I am hooking up with a particular denomination, doesn't mean that hold to all of their doctrinal distinctives.  But that's okay. Most of them don't even know where the Southern Baptist stand on certain issues.  But I didn't allow my differences to hold me back from going forward. I am there for ONE reason. There are several people who go there who believe in the second work of grace, as i firmly believe, but they still are able to go and worship freely. They have even been invited to sing. Someone even recorded it on a little camera recorder. Perhaps I will post it after I have listened to it.

   But I asked my friend, who first invited me (Lonnie), just how he can worship in a church that is plain about their stance on Cessationism.  He gave me some good wisdom. I hung on to it. There ARE people who attend there that genuinely love Jesus.  And it would be very selfish of me not to go be with them when they meet.  No one seems to care about the other one's personal beliefs.

  I was using that as an excuse for a LOOOONG time to just NOT GO ANYWHERE!  Because, well, frankly, I am content to stay at home by myself on Sunday morning.  And to make my unsocial-ability okay with my conscience, I would  tell myself: "Oh.....they got it all wrong!"  or here is my well worn one: "I need to stay home with my mother, who is bedridden with a stomach tube etc etc".  But it dawned on me that I could go to Wal Mart for an hour, or even metal detecting for an hour, and never have to worry about momma's well being. Because I always take necessary steps to insure her safety.  Another one that I used was: "Oh boy!!!! Them Baptist shore do like their alliterated sermons. If I hear one more of them,.......I will pull my hair out!!!"  I used that one alot.

    But truth be told......no matter what name they got on the door, as long as there are people there who I know love Jesus......then there is where I need to be. (Also being frank when I say that I wish that a Calvary Chapel would set up shop in this town......or better yet.....a CMA congregation. I would not let the door bump me in the tail as I  said my farewells and changed memberships) Well, I see more eye to eye with CMA and Calvary Chapel distinctives.   Anyway....hey......THANKS for the kind words.  Now, I can start praying for my fellow members and  the pastor.

[Kevin Blankenship]

Charlie, I long for that day as well!!!!  This is going to SOUND selfish because it IS selfish: But I believe that you have so much that you could share with me that would push me out of a daily 'milk diet' and on into the 'fried minute steak and mashed taters w/gravy' (of God's Word).  I, too, feel a connection. If I don't get to see you here, .......I'll look you up, UP THERE!!!!!  Maybe we'll sit side by side at the Marriage Supper.

[Charles Miles]

I would like that. I think one of the grand things that will happen at that supper will be the meeting of all the guests and the conversations that develop.  There will be people there that we didn`t expect and people not there we did expect.  One thing is for sure, all the people there are supposed to be there.  Will we be sad about some who are not there? Maybe now is a good time to go discuss their invitation, or lack of invitation, with those we  would like to see there.  Many tears of joy will be shed and many questions will be answered.

 

Kevin, I have a goal.  The goal is to get up to Savanna this Summer and just have a cup of coffee with you.  After all, we have something in common....God loves us and has been very good to us. 

 

Take care brother,

 

Charlie

[Kevin Blankenship]

Charlie, come on up.  I'll be looking forward to it. If it be God's Will, I will have another big garden this year.  I planted everything last year. I even had a big patch of Sunflowers!!!!  During summertime, while they were in full bloom, one could walk by it on the trail I have that goes by it, and it would literally explode with those little yellow birds.......Goldfinches, I think they are. I had a lovely last summer. And even a better fall.

   I will definitely be looking forward to your arrival.  As the time draws near....I'll post my cell phone number in a Private Message in case ya get turned around up here.  But we're a small town.  But we FINALLY got a Wal Mart Supercenter. LOL    And even a LOWES!!!  But most of us still spend our money at the local stores . I don't mind paying a couple of extra bucks at some family owned place.  Well, y'all caught me at bed time again.  Good night to all of my sisters and brothers here. I look forward to our gathering together in the clouds.  Want that be far out!!!!!!!!!!??????

[ADVRider]

Charlie, come on up.  I'll be looking forward to it. If it be God's Will, I will have another big garden this year.  I planted everything last year. I even had a big patch of Sunflowers!!!!  During summertime, while they were in full bloom, one could walk by it on the trail I have that goes by it, and it would literally explode with those little yellow birds.......Goldfinches, I think they are. I had a lovely last summer. And even a better fall.

   I will definitely be looking forward to your arrival.  As the time draws near....I'll post my cell phone number in a Private Message in case ya get turned around up here.  But we're a small town.  But we FINALLY got a Wal Mart Supercenter. LOL    And even a LOWES!!!  But most of us still spend our money at the local stores . I don't mind paying a couple of extra bucks at some family owned place.  Well, y'all caught me at bed time again.  Good night to all of my sisters and brothers here. I look forward to our gathering together in the clouds.  Want that be far out!!!!!!!!!!??????

We are meeting in the cloud right now!