Random Spiritual Thoughts and Life Experiences

[Wordupmybrotha]

This is a thread to share spiritual thoughts and life experiences, but don't want to create a new thread for it.

[Wordupmybrotha]

I'll start...
I visited John Macarthur's Grace Community Church today. I've listened to his sermons for decades and always wanted to visit his church, but finally today, I pulled the trigger!

My wife and kids were out of town so I felt the freedom to go there enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.

Few observations: they don't sing contemporary praise songs. Rather, they sing just hymns. They have copies of hymn books and NASB bibles in the pews. I haven't seen a hymn book in 30 years!

They have a choir, an orchestra, and a pipe organ. Pastor John preached on Mathew 6:9-10, faithfully scripture-based as expected. He preached for about 40 minutes. Partook communion. Power went out during singing of hymns and he made a joke when the power came back, but I couldn't hear the joke. If someone else was there, you can fill me in. Lol.

They also have a book store with bunch of theology books and tons of Bibles (various versions, different size fonts, even a waterproof ESV!)
I felt like a kid in a candy store. I flipped through bunch of Bibles for about an hour. I bought a John Macarthur NASB (1995) study Bible and a waterproof ESV Bible. Usually I compare shop on Amazon, but I forgot to check. I wanted to get something there, because I was excited. I checked the price when I got home and I overpaid, but oh well, I'll consider it a donation.

Went to Costco, bought some steak, came home and mowed my lawn. Got a happy father's day card and phone call from the wife and kids.

That's how I spent Father's day. I hope you guys had a good one too.

[Wordupmybrotha]

I also wanted to get a carry-size NASB and a Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), but the store was closing and I couldn't make up my mind. Anybody want to share whether the LSB is worth buying?

Pastor John read Psalm 32 with LSB and Yaweh was in place of Lord. I have access to LSB through YouVerse, but a hard copy would be nice. We'll see, I've spent more on other frivolous things...

[PogoJack]

That?s a nice Father?s Day, other than missing your wife and kids. The book store will really get you, and it?s pricey but it goes to their ministry instead of an evil corporogovernment.

I used to live near that church for over 30 years, for several years nearly next door to it but I never visited it until 2021.

I love MacArthur?s preaching style, it?s no nonsense.

[Wordupmybrotha]

That?s a nice Father?s Day, other than missing your wife and kids. The book store will really get you, and it?s pricey but it goes to their ministry instead of an evil corporogovernment.

I used to live near that church for over 30 years, for several years nearly next door to it but I never visited it until 2021.

I love MacArthur?s preaching style, it?s no nonsense.

Yes, I like his preaching also.
He doesn't waste words. He's a clear communicator.
He rarely uses personal anecdotes (I like personal stories, but that's ok) or cultural references (I don't like references to sports teams, etc) so his sermons are timeless. I can listen his sermon from 10 years ago and it'll be like it was preached last week.

[RAMCLAP]

Contemporary Christian music is so awful. It is great to be able to worship in a liturgical style with theologically sound hymns.

[Garand Hunter]

Many years ago, maybe 1963 or 64, I visited the old Angeles Temple, like back in time say the 1920s. I was maybe 18 or 19. Its gone now. Don't remember the singing or the sermon, BUT, my friend Louie, a long term Mexican friend, prayed with a latin fellow who wanted to pray for salvation. Time and circumstance, with eternal consequences. At the time I lived in Delano, north of Bakersfield.

Psalm 1

[Wordupmybrotha]

Contemporary Christian music is so awful. It is great to be able to worship in a liturgical style with theologically sound hymns.

I hear you. Personally, the contemporary Christian music has melodic hook, but a lot of them have vacuous theology, if not, just wrong theology.

I like Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman's songs.

[PogoJack]

Many years ago, maybe 1963 or 64, I visited the old Angeles Temple, like back in time say the 1920s. I was maybe 18 or 19. Its gone now. Don't remember the singing or the sermon, BUT, my friend Louie, a long term Mexican friend, prayed with a latin fellow who wanted to pray for salvation. Time and circumstance, with eternal consequences. At the time I lived in Delano, north of Bakersfield.

Psalm 1

Wait, is Angelus Temple gone? I remember seeing it like 10 years ago. Seems like the congregation is still alive.

https://angelustemple.org/

[Barang]

I hear you. Personally, the contemporary Christian music has melodic hook, but a lot of them have vacuous theology, if not, just wrong theology.

I like Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman's songs.

casting crowns and selah are pretty good too.

other thoughts and opinion: i'd like for the name of God YHWH to be used sparingly so that it doesn't become so common that it loses it's sacredness and reverence.

i cringe when i hear "Hallelujah" when expressing approval. it's becoming like an expression instead of treating it holy and sacred.

[Wordupmybrotha]

i cringe when i hear "Hallelujah" when expressing approval. it's becoming like an expression instead of treating it holy and sacred.

It's become a jocular phrase, right?

Found a parking space. Hallelujah!

[Barang]

It's become a jocular phrase, right?

Found a parking space. Hallelujah!

well, when you had been circling around the block for the fifth time and then suddenly an open spot was available because you had to have your morning donuts ... maybe.

wife and i usually say "Favor from God or Thank you God."

[Garand Hunter]

Last time I drove thru there it was gone. I haven't done any research on it, so I will check on the congregation.

Psalm 1

[Garand Hunter]

My apologies ! It was renovated in 1972 for $ 500,000 and is still moving along.

Psalm 1

[Wordupmybrotha]

I feel like spiritual health declined after changing churches. The new church is fine (biblical sermons and praise music), but even after half a year, still doesn't feel like home.