Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[acrucifer]

Greetings fellow Christians, I am begining this thread to give Born Again Christians a place to fellowship with each other before and after their trip to Disneyland or Disneyworld. I am hoping the discussion will remain civil and there will be no Bashing of Christianity or Christ as seen on some of the other similar named threads. I received Christ into my heart some thirty years ago but only began my Christian Journey as a born again Christian Last August. I hope this thread will grow and flourish in the coming weeks. I would like to start off the thread with its first discussion. Has anyone read Rick Warrens "Purpose driven life" and would did you think of it? he seems like he has the gift of evangelism to me. what do you think?

 

[JoyG]

Hello, I'm checking in! Yes, I've read Purpose Driven Life and I enjoyed it. I am about to read it again with a small study group...there have been some criticisms of his book though that I've read online...one being he "manipulates" scripture to serve his purpose, like only quoting parts of it instead of the whole passage, etc...do you have an opinion on that?

I gave my copy of the book away before I read this review online and I'd love to go back and reread looking for that...however, the first time around that didn't pop out at me...I'll have to buy another copy for our study group.

I find myself using the first line alot, "It's not about you" epecially when talking to dh! LOL


Joy

 

[saucymb]

Checking in! Born and raised in an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church and School. I was always a good kid, but wasn't actually saved until age16. I left my very small private Christian school and entered into a very large public university, and although I didn't rebel, I did drift away from God. A backpacking trip through Europe, followed by a study abroad program brought out all sorts of insecurities and questions in me, and when I was at my loneliest, I found my Bible packed away in my dorm room and that was a major turning point in my life. I returned to the US a college graduate, and when I met my husband, my life changed forever. I had not been regularly involved in church since HS, but DH and I both decided before we were even engaged that it was important to both of us that we attend church together and grow in the Lord, and so we found a great church to attend and were very happy. Now we both have a positive relationship with the Lord, and though we have moved away from our hometown and wonderful church, we are visiting and hoping He leads us to a new church home.

Isaiah 40:31

 

[Talking Hands]

Also checking in. I work in Deaf Ministry and have done Purpose Driven LIfe with them. We actually found it too hard so we have gone to more basic teaching. I love Christ. I love Disney.
I accepted Jesus at the age of 8 in May of 1958 in Leipheim, Germany. I joined a Southern Baptist Church and was baptized in July of 1976. I joined my current church in 2002 after attending it for 2 years. It is also affiliated with the SBC. I am co director of the Deaf Ministry, Small Group teacher (Deaf) and sign language interpreter for worship service as well as any other activities that the deaf members wish to participate in. (ie. 101 class, Ladies Bible Study, leadership meetings, children's programs, etc) I am so excited because Sunday I will be interpreting baptism for one of our deaf ladies and possible for one of the men as well (he accepted Christ as few weeks ago but I am not sure if he is scheduled)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Checking in--but I probably don't qualify....what's the difference between a Christian who has accepted Jesus and a "Born Again Christian"?

Our church did Purpose Driven Life....actually recommended the whole parish do it and lost did. Hubby and I didn't quite get through it though.

 

[Albertan mom]

YAY! I am so happy to see you all! I got quite a bit of flaming a few weeks back on the "Do you approve of gay marriage" thread. I was feeling very lonely in my christianity! Glad to see you all here!

I have not read the Purpose yet. My hubby is reading it now, I will when he is done. I am reading one right now called "Delight in your childs Design" It is all about finding your childs personalities, and therefore having a better understanding of why they do what they do. I will let you all know if it is good when I am done it. So far it is.

I became a Christian as a young child at my grandparents. I grew up in a non-Christian home, and had lots of struggles. I went through many backsliding rebellious years, then came to know the Lord again at about age 20. I then re-dedicated my life to the Lord. It has been a good 11 years! I was baptized, and had dedications for both my children. My children attend a Public Christian School, and we attend a Baptist Church. I love to read Christian fiction books. Both my children have accepted Jesus into their hearts.

How about 2 paragraph testimonies from you all? (we do 2-minute testimonies in our small group-here is the silent way to do that!)

Again, thrilled with this thread!!!

 

[Buckalew11]

Lisa Loves pooh, I see no difference in saying "born again Christian" and actually accepting Christ's free gift of salvation. Born again is just that you have been spiritually "reborn" not physically reborn. By not accepting Jesus, you would have died without God's forgiveness through Christ's actions on the cross. So, the term is "born again" when you accept Jesus. Anyone who accepts Christ is really Born again even though the term is not really used by all denominations of Christianity.

I have also participated in the study of "Purpose Driven". I enjoyed the study. I thought it was very basic teachings but ones to be reminded of or perhaps look at a bit differently. I have also seen the on-line negative stuff but, really, for myself, didn't think it was steering believers in the wrong direction. I also loved the first line "it's not about you". Probably because I tend to forget that all too often and put serving others on the back burner or only have good intentions.

 

[binny]

HI there, checking in


Most of you know my background ( Im pretty vocal about it lol) My dad was a Nazarene Minsiter my whole life so I have grown up in the church. Ive had some hard times and times I was pretty far from the Church but all in all it has been a constant in my life. We are now back the Nazarene Church and pretty involved. I am finally enjoying it again and have grown a lot in this church. Im very grateful that God led us here.

 

[Beastlover]

Checking in...I am fighting a migraine, so I am going to bed...I will post more tomorrow!!

 

[Otto's Doll]

I became a Christian on March 16, 1997, 2 months after my mom passed away. She was a believer and the whole time she was sick (lung cancer) she was so at peace, knowing that the Lord was taking care of everything that I was amazed. I wanted that peace and assurance for myself, and searched and read and went to church until the Lord opened my eyes to Him. He is so good. Since then my DH and my 2 children have both come to Christ. He has turned my life around. I went from someone who only cared about herself, and was angry and nasty (and not much fun to work with either) to who I am today. I am so thankful to God, and love my church family (so much that I am the secretary at our church, and DH is the Sexton ). I am not perfect by any means, but God's grace has brought me far, and I am FORGIVEN!!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Tuffcookie checking in. I was saved at around age 12, got married and drifted from the church. After the end of my 20 yr. marriage (14 years ago), found my way back. I am not the perfect Christian but I talk with God daily and I acknowledge that I need him in my life! (Especially being a single mom now).

TC

 

[Buckalew11]

I forgot to say that I was saved in Feb. of 1976 at the age of 10 (almost 11). I immediately knew I wanted a relationship with the God of the Bible as soon as I heard I could have that kind of relationship. Before that, I went to church every week and I never knew anything about God except for thinking he was a God keeping score fo the negatives and positives and was ready to punish me when I did wrong. It makes me very sad to think that is what I thought I once thought about God. Today, my relationship with Him is so different than that and the difference is definitely Christ.

My growth as a Christian has never been as much as I think it should be at my age now (40yo) I have wasted a lot of time kind of at a standstill in my walk but I also realize I am very hard on myself.
I enjoy discussions on the CB about Christianity as I learn a lot through the posts. I always feel pretty free to ask questions and learn what others believe and sometimes I learn more about what I believe too.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I accepted Christ as a 7 year old at VBS, and felt a call to vocational ministry in 6th grade. I am currently in my last semester of seminary, working towards an MDiv. I have a Bachelors in Religious Education. Calling to children/family ministry and plan to work on a church staff. DH and I are very involved with the church we are at now, teaching, leading small groups, playing in the band. I also work pt there as a ministry assistant. I am interviewing with churches right now in anticipation of graduation. I identify the best with the Baptist denomination, especially those cooperating with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

I have read the Purpose Driven Life and didn't care much for it, but am glad others are touched by it.

You won't see me on the religious debates on here much, I choose to not participate in them on this board. I try to not give away too much personal info, either, but enjoy PM dialogue (have done that with several people from these boards in the past).

Just thought I should check in here to say hi =)

 

[ElizK]

ElizK checking in! I was saved on Apr 1, 1996, baptized in Oct of the same year. I did not grow up in a Christian home. It was after the birth of my 1st child in 1992 that I started thinking about God's gift of his Son. My husband of 17 years was baptized in Jun of last year!

My church did the Purpose Driven life nearly 2 years ago. I really enjoyed the 1st half, but kind of fizzled in the 2nd half (probably me, not the book!).

I'm glad to know all of you are here, and I look forward to future discussions. I really want to discuss the book I'm reading right now, but it's nearly 11pm, and I have to be up early tomorrow. I'm hittin' the sack! 'nite all!

 

[Shel]

Checking in...I was baptized many years ago at the tender age of 8. I grew up in a Christian home. One of my brothers is a minister & I also work in the church office where I attend.

I don't care much for the PDL...but that's just me.

 

[nsyncraider17]

I've grown up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at church when I was 7 years old. My family is pretty involved in our church, which is technically Baptist, but more nondenominational really. My favorite thing about our church is that it recognizes that Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.

I haven't read The Purpose Driven Life, but a few of my friends have and I know of several churches around here that have used it.

 

[sunni]

Hey all! Checking in...

I accepted Christ at 8 and chose to be baptized at 9. I grew up in a dysfunctional home with Christian teachings. I had faith but I didn't have a real relationship with Christ. It was a very one-way relationship through my teens and 20's. I dealt with some issues and anger, and did some stupid stuff, all the while trying to keep one foot on the straight & narrow path.

In my 30's, I had a longing for more. I found a church that was the right fit for my family, one that would help me grow in my relationship with Christ and would be a witness to my husband (my children had already accepted Christ). My husband finally saw faith in action and was ready to believe in his head what his heart felt. Both of my children and my husband have been baptized and I've had no greater desire than to see that happen. My beliefs are conservative (there is One Way, One Truth) but I'm a laid back kind of person... if I didn't have allergies I'd get a nose piercing and every year I consider a tattoo for my birthday (I've decided on the Ichthus).

"Purpose Driven Life" - have the book, haven't read it. I know there's some good stuff, our Pastor has touched on the highlights, but I just don't go for all the "latest" books... I'd rather sit down with a commentary, a handbook, and a Bible(s) and dig deeper to find out what I don't know about the Word.

 

[pogopossum]

hi all,

grew up in a christian home, and heard God calling me one sunday night during the service when i was 5 or 6. i told my mom and we talked with my dad and the pastor and i accepted Christ as my savior. i put off baptism for a few years, until i was about 12 or 13. i remember the youth explosion of the early 70s and am a huge fan of Jesus Music from that era. there was something so pure and natural about it. the artists seemed to put out so much more meaningful stuff than now. so much of what is out now seems to be throw away stuff, with no lasting value. i wish that there was a classic ccm radio station around, for those of us that want more than the canned format that is the norm now. i received my higher education at the mecca of baptist institutions, baylor, and went to a precursor of the mega churches. worship included hymns, choruses and radio songs all in the same service and it worked. now i attend one of those dreaded mega churches and we couldn't be happier. we've been a part of the growth 18 years now. my wife was baptised by the senior pastor when we joined, and now our dd has been baptised there as well. we are all very involved in the children's ministry, and love seeing the effects of our work on these young lives.

i look forward to conversing with my fellow family members in the days to come. and i am so happy that the sbc lifted the boycott, so that we don't have to sneak around to go to disney now.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Checking in. I've been a Christian since age 8, saved at VBS.

I read the Purpose Driven Life and didn't like it. I also have some issues w/ the author as well, but that's a whole different thread.

Will post more after I have finished my coffee. I'm still in screen saver mode at the moment

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Checking in.... I won't go into my background. But we are a family of believer's who love the Lord!