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dave buckingham
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The bar or the Church???
2 stars|5 comments|September 29, 2007|698 reads
 
2:41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added `unto them' in that day about three thousand souls. 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.

I got up this morning and spent some time soaking in the word as it were,  personally I keep getting drawn to a time in my life where I decided I wanted mostly man's aproval over God's aproval.  I've been making more of an effort to speak my praises and concerns to God.
4:16 Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

I came across a dilema as a got up to head to work.  I rent my extra room to someone who is new to sobriety, and perhaps newer to Jesus.  He told me he's been struggling with drinking lately.  I talked to him for a bit.  He seems to be earnest in his faith, but he knows very few folks here in Terre Haute.  He works at an auto shop down the street.  Myself I work in an addictions house in Terre Haute from 3:00 to 11:00 every night except Mondays, and Wednesdays.  So I dont see to much of him.

He and his girlfriend recently split up.  Myself I find that sometimes time home alone can be a problem.  Even though in Terre Haute there may very well be more churches than bars.  the bars are open for business way more often.  I can't complain to much about my own home church as there are some very dedicated people there.  But Terre Haute is a medium sized city.  There aren't really anyplaces to go with the exception of the local recovery clubs, or of course the bars.

It just seems to me that there must be a way for us Christians to put asid denominational differences to disciple the new guy.  I mean where would we be if Peter and Paul and John and such spent all there time arguing about whether or not angels have wings. 

We tried a prayer Chapel here in Terre Haute but currently it's only open from 6:00 to 7:30AM  If I'm home any of the brothers are welcome to stop by at 1520 S. 17th st.  I first seriously wanted to find God in the mid 80's.  Actually I was chasing a woman in Kewanee Il, who was a Seventh Day Adventist.

I then Got transferred to Chicago Il. and ended up working with a fellow named John at the state of Il, who was a Charismatic and very into walking the walk.  But as you might imagine Chrismatics, and SDA's have some serious doctrinal issues.  You know what I read the Bible once or twice in about a year and shot right past the Love of Christ thing right to the legalism thing.  I was trying to give up dope and make myself right with god.

I shot clean past the spirit thing.  I was lonely and scared, and unwilling to reach out for help.  Which is a shortcoming I still fight with.  I felt like a guitar string that was continually being wrapped tighter and tighter.  I was trying to treat my family with love "In the flesh", I was trying to word at my job as I would work for God "in the flesh".

Personally I struggle to this day with the "In the flesh thing"  I find myself trying to overcome lust "In the flesh".  While if I do good at it on any given day, it's fun to play with the self rightios thing "In the Flesh" It usually unravels as I reckon from my own experience Paul was right.
7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 7:15 For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do. 7:16 But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. 7:17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. 7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good `is' not. 7:19 For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. 7:20 But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. 7:21 I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 7:23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. 7:24 Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

My problem as somewhat of a newcomer myself Is how does someone walk in the spirit.  I've gotten a better Idea of some of the flesh's tricks.  But like my friend I still need spiritual milk from time to time.
2:2 as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;

OK I'm a long way from a steady Meat and Potatoe diet but I'll bet I'm not the only one.  I guess I'm a little convicted that when Christ said "I was sick or in prison" the believer might be in the prison of the "the flesh" standing in front of me waiting for me to have the courage to speak the word into his or her life.

 
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dave buckingham
 dave buckingham
September 29, 2007
Some times "in the flesh" feels a little like flees
FREEDOMSISTA
 FREEDOMSISTA
September 29, 2007
doplessdave,
It seems your friend has a problem with hmmm? Serenity, or is he still in denial? What was your experience with dope? Did you have to find other people who had the same problem? What did they do? More over as a Christian what was you experience with RECOVERY from DOPE (WET or DRY) Maybe your experience is what he needs to hear.
Sista-n-Christ,
FREEDOMSISTA
dave buckingham
 dave buckingham
October 05, 2007
So I'm riding down the street with one of my best friends.  Telling her of my concern over where would a lonely christian hang when the bars are open but the churches ain't she sais "sounds like God's laying something on your heart",  I guess the first step is to make sure I aint reinventing the wheel.
Pastor_Ken_and_Aminata
 Pastor_Ken_and_Aminata
October 05, 2007
Dave,

It's been my experience, that sometimes, when you see a need..... again I say sometimes, God could be tellin you something.    Fill the need.  Strange, God uses the strangest people to get his message out.   I ought to know, I'm one of them.    Continue to seek, continue to ask, continue to stay in the Word....  and ask the Lord to order your steps.

You friend in fellowship,

Pastor Aminata
dave buckingham
 dave buckingham
October 05, 2007
Thanks Pastor Aminata.