Being The Answer To Prayer

It is easy to tell people who are in need of something in life or dealing with something in life, "I'm praying for you." I think that is good but often wonder are we, you and I the answer to someones prayer? Do we ignore the needs of others when we could be the answer? Do we just say we are praying so we don't have to act on the person's behalf? Is saying we are praying our way of justifying that we did something? Are we the answer to peoples prayers and situation in life? Have you been the answer to someones prayer lately? When there is a need in someones life do you meet it? How have you been the answer to someones prayer lately? How has someone been the answer to your prayer lately? How? I want to challenge you to not just pray but be the answer to someones prayer. Do something to make a difference now.

What do you think?
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Online Etiquette for Loss/Tragedy

I think it is easy for people to forget or not think about the importance of etiquette when posting online especially when some has experienced loss or a tragedy in their life. Facebook and other social media make it easy to express our sympathy to the individual who has experienced loss or a tragedy. I do think it appropriate to express condolences, words of encouragement, thoughts of prayer, meditations, or offer of support in a physical or spiritual way.

Things might want to avoid:
1) Pictures or (Tags) of those that were lost (this can be extremely painful for the individual experiencing the loss).

2)Links of media, news, or blogs about the loss or tragedy posted on the individuals social media page. It is one thing to post it on your own page to let people know but it can be a very difficult reminder of what happened to the person experiencing the loss.

3)Avoid anything you, yourself would not want on your own social media page during a similar experience in life.



Is there anything you would add to this? Have you experienced this or seen this on others pages? Do you think Online etiquette is important? Why or why not?

What do you think?
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What is doctrine?

What is doctrine? What is sound doctrine? Does the Church as a whole focus to much or not enough on doctrine? What happens if churches stress or emphasize the wrong doctrine? Is doctrine another term for law? Is it different than law? How? Is doctrine important? Why or why not?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Secular Christianity (?)

I recently heard the term "secular Christianity". If you could define "secular Christianity" how would you define it? Is there such a thing as "secular Christianity"? What does it look like? Is Christianity influenced by secular society? If so, how? Should it? If so why? If not why not?

What do you think?
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A Countries Sinfulness

I have heard preacher's say, "America needs to repent of its sin. Turn to God." So, the questions I have are: Do countries sin? How do countries sin? Or is sin individual? Private? Personal? If countries do sin, then what sin do you think your country struggles with the most? What is your countries biggest sin? Is it idolatry, greed, oppression, sexual immorality? Can and how can an entire country repent? Is it practical or possible today? How or why? Should we focus on the country as a whole or indivduals when talking about and dealing with sin? Why?

What do you think?
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Programs

Churches today have different programs or ministries to offer members and outsiders. I have often found that many ministries or programs that churches have or offer are for internal relationship building and internally focused. Don't get me wrong I think it is great to minister and care for, meet needs of members. The questions I have are towards our main focus as Christians and that is outreach. Are programs the best way to do outreach? Is it easy to become internally focused and neglect or forget our mission of seeking the lost? I do think certain programs and ministries can attract those who are already seeking or looking for a church to meet certain needs in their life. What about those who aren't already seeking, those who are unchurched, don't have a relationship with God? Is there a better way?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.