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A Prayer: Lord it's awfully sad and lonely down here

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  • A Prayer: Lord it's awfully sad and lonely down here

    Lord, it's awfully sad and lonely down here without Your Presence amongst us. We fill the time and emptiness with stuff and busyness. Not in denial of You - just a failure to acknowledge our need. No wonder the earth and society look to be on a slow road to destruction. Without You, the sustainer of all, how could it be any different? Without Your Presence, there is only Hell.

    Our churches are no better than society. I'm not sure how many leaders really believe anymore or are agnostics at best. The church militant has forgotten how to be Your ambassadors. They don't proclaim Your Greatness, Majesty, and Power. Yes, they proclaim Your love but while You are love, love is not god. As is all too often, we simplify and we have simplified You to be just love instead of Your deep character with Power, Might, Mercy, Justice, Love, etc. Our churches are weak because they've forgotten who they represent.

    Lord, show us Mercy and revive our hearts. We have tried legislating our country into Christianity. It didn't work well. Help us to focus on proclaiming the Gospel and bringing souls into relationship with You. We aren't called to save society - we are called to proclaim You.
    "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

    "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

  • #2
    Slow road? It would be interesting (by the Chinese definition) to see whether the three generations thingy comes into play. If it does, by my estimate, that would be between 50 and 75 years hence.
    1Cor 15:34 Come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for I say to your shame, there are some who know not God.
    .
    ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛
    Scripture before Tradition:
    but that won't prevent others from
    taking it upon themselves to deprive you
    of the right to call yourself Christian.

    ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by tabibito View Post
      Slow road? It would be interesting (by the Chinese definition) to see whether the three generations thingy comes into play. If it does, by my estimate, that would be between 50 and 75 years hence.
      Where do you start counting from? I would start the clock back in the 60's which means we're there to maybe 20 or so years to go?
      "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

      "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

      Comment


      • #4
        Sixties would not be impossible, but I think it is more likely to be the late seventies or early eighties - and a thirty year generation rather than twenty-five; not marking the start at movement in general society, but the time that the churches' failures started to really bite.

        Highly subjective assessment: OT references show that the three generations clause is only brought into effect when the second and third continue in the direction set by the first, and it seems that it is the final days of the third that are considered conclusive. Anytime before that, a move back to the path that God desires will (ordinarily) cause the count to be reset.
        1Cor 15:34 Come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for I say to your shame, there are some who know not God.
        .
        ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛
        Scripture before Tradition:
        but that won't prevent others from
        taking it upon themselves to deprive you
        of the right to call yourself Christian.

        ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by tabibito View Post
          Sixties would not be impossible, but I think it is more likely to be the late seventies or early eighties - and a thirty year generation rather than twenty-five; not marking the start at movement in general society, but the time that the churches' failures started to really bite.

          Highly subjective assessment: OT references show that the three generations clause is only brought into effect when the second and third continue in the direction set by the first, and it seems that it is the final days of the third that are considered conclusive. Anytime before that, a move back to the path that God desires will (ordinarily) cause the count to be reset.
          Taking your 30 year model, how's this sound:

          1960-1990: the rot sets in. This is when the 60's thinking gets formulated and starts moving into society. Also from what I've read seems to be when the mainline denominations left Biblical orthodoxy and started pleasing the world.
          1990-2020: the teachings are becoming more commonplace and accepted. Denominations start accepting them and incorporate them into their teachings.
          2020-2050: we're just starting this period. The disciples of the 60's teachers will further push the boundaries of what is accepted. As you note, this is where the consequences really start to bite.

          You know, this actually fits very well into other readings seen on the decline of the church. You may be on to more than I first realized. Thanks for sharing.
          "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

          "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

          Comment


          • #6
            It seems a reasonable assessment - though the Eastern Churches held the line longer than the Western Churches. Chinese and Korean churches, from what I hear, haven't resiled yet. And of course, the Coptic churches in the Middle East also seem to be holding. All of which leads to a later date, rather than early - unless the boom gets lowered by region, that is.
            1Cor 15:34 Come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for I say to your shame, there are some who know not God.
            .
            ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛
            Scripture before Tradition:
            but that won't prevent others from
            taking it upon themselves to deprive you
            of the right to call yourself Christian.

            ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by tabibito View Post
              It seems a reasonable assessment - though the Eastern Churches held the line longer than the Western Churches. Chinese and Korean churches, from what I hear, haven't resiled yet. And of course, the Coptic churches in the Middle East also seem to be holding. All of which leads to a later date, rather than early - unless the boom gets lowered by region, that is.
              I am focused mainly on the county in the US that I live in. I will comment on the US in general as I have a little knowledge of what is going on. I don't comment on the world as I really don't know enough of what is going on.

              It seems to me that the boom is going to come down by region. I think it started with Europe and is now coming down in the US and Canada. I think the pattern will be the same in each region as the rot spreads across the world. I just have to look at the region I'm in and do as God leads there.
              "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

              "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

              Comment

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