Comments for Hardcore Faith

Comment on The Time of Testing by hardcorefaith

hardcorefaith — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:05:55 +0000

I'm so glad that God saw fit to keep Elis around a while longer. You guys seem like an awesome team and I love watching you guys chat back and forth on Facebook Thanks for your support.
Keep it Hardcore… always!

Comment on Playing Favorites by hardcorefaith

hardcorefaith — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:00:58 +0000

I have been thinking this through and here's a thought… maybe you're in the wrong place. Church is supposed to be a place where (excuse the tag borrowed from Cheers) everyone knows your name. In the 1980's sitcom (Cheers) you have several people who interact with one another; they sometimes don't get on, they bicker, they laugh, they banter back and forth, and sometimes they want to slap each other silly. But through it all they love and would do anything for one another. Isn't it sad that a sitcom about a bar is more like what church is supposed to be like (apart from the sleeping around and drinking ) than the actual church?

If you have made every effort to interact with the people in your church and yet, after three years, you still feel like and outsider then maybe it's time to find a new church home/family.

Love in Him
Chris

Comment on The Time of Testing by hardcorefaith

hardcorefaith — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:19:26 +0000

Someone once said to me that life was far easier before he became a Christian. Once someone has become a Christian they begin seeing and learning about a God who cares, loves, and only wants the best for us. However, we only ever see a few pieces of the big picture as we go along life's road, and sometimes life is hard. It's often during times of extended trails and testing that we can begin to ask, "Has God forgotten me?" "Is there another way?" "Why me Lord?"

I have asked all of the above questions of God… and many more. And it's at these times when pat answers are just annoying and irksome. That people won't surround you at this time just shows what a joke the church has become. We say we care and love, but when someone is going through difficult times we say, "I'll pray for you." Don't get me wrong, praying for someone is all good and well and I would never dissuade anyone from praying for others. But what good is praying for someone who is hungry when we have a Twinkie in our back pocket? Likewise, you need friends, but what good is a Christian who is not willing to be a friend?

Susan, know this. I will pray for you (as will, I'm sure, many of the HardcoreFaith'ers). I know what it means to feel alone in a time of trial. But what I have learned is that God is always faithful. He will never let you down and will always come through for you. However, He will do so in His timing… and we often don't do very well with God's timing. Hang in there, there's a better day just up ahead!

Chris

Comment on Playing Favorites by hardcorefaith

hardcorefaith — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:02:52 +0000

Susan, Isn't it sad that many church groups have become nothing more than an exclusive Jesus fan club? I'm sure it's either fear or ignorance or an "I'm better than you" attitude that keeps people from mingling on a Sunday morning. Maybe it is true… Jesus has favorites?!? Although I don't think so!!!

Comment on The Time of Testing by Susan

Susan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:38:56 +0000

I completely understand the one you spoke of whose life has been one test after another. I feel like I am on that path and I will never get off. Many days I walk as one who has no hope because as the psalmist says, I feel that God has forgotten me. With 2 special needs children, and noone willing to come along side my husband and I in our difficult walk, it is easy to lose heart and lose faith.

Comment on Playing Favorites by Susan

Susan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:31:28 +0000

I have a similar experience: the Christian church has become the Christian clique and if you're really lucky you might fit into one of those groups but chances are greater that they won't be willing to give you the chance to find out. I've been attending my church for almost three years now but only know a handful of people by name

Comment on Next sermon… Mrs. Pilate’s Dream by hardcorefaith

hardcorefaith — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:47:24 +0000

Wow! Thank you Becca. I've said it before (on other people's feedback/comments)… it is so humbling to know that God is using this site and my preaching to reach people in this way. It is my desire to use my gifts of writing and preaching to glorify Jesus and feedback like this only goes to prove that this is happening. Praise God for His Faithfulness! May you walk closer to Him each and every day.
Chris

Comment on Playing Favorites by hardcorefaith

hardcorefaith — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:01:14 +0000

Some comments from Twitter:

"I'm so used to folks not engaging that I simply walk up to whatever group or click I see and join right in!" NativeVermonter
"I have noticed that it can be rather like high school, nature of the thing I suppose." SleepyBlueKitty
"I have given up trying… I now just go, listen, and leave. TBH I have way more non-Christian friends than I do Christian, and that's fine with me!" LightmareVision

Comment on The Time of Testing by deathisgain

deathisgain — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:48:06 +0000

I once said "Everyone loves a hero who faces adversity, but no one wants to be one". It's a tough job. I agree with you on the growth and the connecting with others aspect. Isn't that the reason Jesus came? To be like us?

One of my most treasured memories, was the day my wife was admitted to the hospital when her organs were failing. I was sitting in the ICU waiting room, I had been up all night and had no clue what the heck was going on. I was sitting there all by myself when my pastor walked in. I barely knew him, we had just started going to the church a few weeks before. But I knew about him. I knew he had a son that had drowned (and survived with some brain damage). I knew he had walked in my shoes. I knew that God had sent him there first, because I could identify with him. That helped comfort me in that time. Thank God fro his love and wisdom. Especially in making my wife suffer with me just a little longer.

Comment on More Funny Album Covers by hardcorefaith

hardcorefaith — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:36:30 +0000

There's more to come… even better than these