Originally Posted by Sherri (Post 239466)

My opinions:
#1 - Most of our altar calls are for a myriad of things, anywhere from salvation to healing, etc. Many many people come and repent, and many cry, but we don't usually have long drawn out altar services. I have seen lots of people come and cry and cry because they are sorry, but they don't change their lives. Repentance actually just means a change of mind/change of direction. Whether or not this is accompanied by a lot of emotion is irrelevant. They do have to be sorry for their sins and confess to God that they are a sinner, but some cry and some don't. But their lives are turned around, either way.

Although this is true for myself I have never seen a truly repentant person before God that was not in tears. Not that it can't happen, and as you say not necessary a gage of true repentance.

#2 - I don't think there is anything wrong with receiving the Holy Ghost immediately after one repents. The way we were taught (tarrying) was not even biblical. I prayed for seven years! If I had only known that it was an easy gift to receive and I could just reach out and take it, I would have gotten it alot sooner. Tarrying was actually taught where I was raised.

It took me a while to receive it also, and the reason in my case was I was seeking the evidence of tongues instead of God Himself. When I began to just worship God I received the Holy Ghost, which reminds me when I was just worshipping God in my wheelchair I was also healed.

God loves and rewards worship.

#3 - American people, as a whole, are not loyal - and this is in every area of life. We have a "me" generation and it's hard to get past that in the realm of church/God. However, like I was saying in #1, if a true mind decision is made, the person will stick. Alot of Pentecostal salvations go backwards because when the emotions of the moment die down, people don't really have a changed mind. They were only caught up in the emotions of a service.

Originally Posted by pelathais (Post 239515)

I think in may cases we have gotten better at generating some of the initial numbers- we're having more people in our altars overall. The falling away you observe may just be that we're herding people forward who simply aren't ready yet.

You think they are going to the altars due to peer pressure?

Another way of looking at it, perhaps: we're sowing more seed on more types of ground. It only stands to reason that we'll also see more weeds choking and feet trampling where we have sown. Hopefully we'll also see the seed taking root in the good ground as well.

But then again, I remember hearing these same concerns more than 30 years ago when I first came into the church. I remember feeling like I might be the last one in - what with all the doom and gloom some of those people expressed. Now 30+ years later, many of them have fallen away after the same pattern that they complained about.

This is true for a lot I'm sure. Many did stay in however, but a lot have left, and I'm not sure that would be the sole reason.

I say, rejoice when only 1 sinner repents. It is a pretty important event in heaven. And then nurture that soul like its the last convert you'll ever see.

Originally Posted by Esther (Post 239949)

This bolded part could be true do to the fast pace of our lives compared to many years ago.

Good thoughts.

Originally Posted by Malvaro (Post 239959)

You didn't have to admit to being slow.... no one expected that of you....

it may be true that life is more fast paced, but we all still have the same number of hours in a day.... it's a matter of priorities and time management....

people have time to spend playing sports, shopping in malls, taking up hobbies, playing on computers/game consoles.... care for me to pull out some stats showing how much time people spend in front of a TV on any average day???

it's not a matter of people no longer being able to interact in discipleship-minded classes/activities.... its a matter of them "making the time" to actually do it.... if a person doesn't take control of their time, it is certain that the things of life will spend it for them....

Originally Posted by Esther (Post 239961)

I disagree with you here. Surprise! :)

I believe time has been sped up as the endtime predicted. Also, more homes have two working instead of just the husband. That has caused more stress in the home for time to get the things done your home requires.

Being a single man you can not YET relate to this. :)

Originally Posted by Malvaro (Post 239970)

Did you even bother to think before posting that?

I COMPLETELY disagree with your poor attempt at logic....



People had 24 hours in a day fifty years ago and they have 24 hours in a day now. The advancement of technology "seems" to have sped up life, but it still boils down to time management and priorities.... some people couldn't plan their day if their life depended on it.... and as a result, they "lose" much effective and productive time leaving them frazzled and in a crazed state....



I cannot deny the existence of inflation on the cost of living, but MANY people live beyond their means of living.... today's generations want to have today what took their parents years to acquire (whether it be the house, cars, furniture, etc).... the "keeping up with the Jones" mentality has created a national peer pressure of materialism.... if a family is willing to go without some things, many frugal and more financially-sound options would be available to them.... once again, many families are careless with their resources and make poor decisions via spontaneous and irresponsible choices.... could there be tough times when they'd have to work some extra? yah, you bet.... but people could be much wiser financial stewards...



Getting things done is always a matter of team-work.... not just the wife doing it all, while the husband reads the newsp.... errrr watches the news on the internet.... its a matter of task delegation.... of course, if the husband is a bum regarding basic house tasks, the wife will always be frazzled.... growing up, I washed dishes, took our the garbage, mowed the lawn, painted the house, helped build a fence, and lots of other "little" things.... it worked back then and it would work whenever I eventually do start a family....



Just because I'm not married doesn't mean that I haven't been productive in life, or that I've never experienced high amounts of stress.... this particular comment was very insensitive, considering you know very little regarding my life and/or past.... to imply that I haven't lived life because I'm not married is very inconsiderate....

you may be much older than me, but it certainly doesn't mean that you've acquired much more wisdom and understanding than me through your years....

Originally Posted by Esther (Post 239999)

Wow, obvisiously I have offended you which is not my intent, and I apologize for that.

Let me try and say it another way.

Not being married you only have the stress of dealing with your own issues and not someone else's. MOST single people have more time of their own than married people do.

And for the record not all married couples try to live above their means, although quite a few do. The cost of living is just rediculous now. Who would have ever thought a car would cost more than my first 3/2 home?

Not sure if your last paragraph you are saying you consider yourself smarter than me or what you are saying there???

Originally Posted by Malvaro (Post 240055)

Esther, I'm sorry if my words were too forceful or hurt your feelings.... :tiphat