I don't expect everyone to be in the same frame of mind or level of commitment. That is why we have dead liberal churches and conservative ones that are on fire.
Some of this is brand new to me. I have recently heard a number of things I had never heard prior to joining AFF. That's either really good or really bad
Some new things are wonderful. Like Panini's. Just a few years ago, the Panini became all the rage in sandwiches. I had never had one. Then I tried a roasted chicken with basil, sun dried tomatoes and pesto. It was wonderful. I had a near epiphany. it changed my sandwich paradigm. It was wonderful in all its ways. I now own a Panini machine and I make my own.
Chipotle is another example. It was just a few years ago that no one outside of some backwater in Mexico had ever heard of smoking jalapeños. Now its ubiquitous. I make a Chipotle Aolie that is out of this world. I use it on my Panini's.
But sometimes new ain't so great. Like flying planes into buildings. That was new. It changed the entire world. But Unless your a tall thin bearded guy running around the Hindu Kush, you kind of think that sucked.
New takes many forms. Sometimes it Panini good and other times its quite destructive. (Just ask all those guys making whips for horse buggies on Oct. 1 1908).
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
some things of the old testament are worth observing for the sake of wisdom but I wouldn't expect everyone to be sincerely searching the presence of God in their lives.
I can testify that going to church fasting (no breakfast) is not a requirement but personally, I find it easier to come into the presence of God.
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His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
Some new things are wonderful. Like Panini's. Just a few years ago, the Panini became all the rage in sandwiches. I had never had one. Then I tried a roasted chicken with basil, sun dried tomatoes and pesto. It was wonderful. I had a near epiphany. it changed my sandwich paradigm. It was wonderful in all its ways. I now own a Panini machine and I make my own.
Chipotle is another example. It was just a few years ago that no one outside of some backwater in Mexico had ever heard of smoking jalapeños. Now its ubiquitous. I make a Chipotle Aolie that is out of this world. I use it on my Panini's.
But sometimes new ain't so great. Like flying planes into buildings. That was new. It changed the entire world. But Unless your a tall thin bearded guy running around the Hindu Kush, you kind of think that sucked.
New takes many forms. Sometimes it Panini good and other times its quite destructive. (Just ask all those guys making whips for horse buggies on Oct. 1 1908).
I still think bagels are stupid... there... I said it.
I can testify that going to church fasting (no breakfast) is not a requirement but personally, I find it easier to come into the presence of God.
mizpeh, I certainly understand what you are saying, but I think that at times we do put our own flesh and deeds on too high of a pedestal. I respect that everybody has a routine that they are comfortable with, but I also believe that the true presence of God is powerful enough to move and transform no matter what we did in preperation. There have been many services in my life that I didn't even want to be at that became some of the most life-altering services I've been to.
I don't expect God to move any more or less or be more effective based on what I have done. However, if you do feel that way, then it can certainly become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If my approach is "If I do this, God will move" then I do it, there may be a greater expectation and reception to a move of God.
At our church I say in every service that I expect God to meet us there and to have a genuine encounter with Him. I even say it at funeral services, and it most often happens. Not because I said it, but because we expect that if two or more gather together...and if God be lifted up He will draw all men unto Him (even those who were not lifting in the first place.)
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There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Houston.
Either the United States will destroy ignorance, or ignorance will destroy the United States. – W.E.B. DuBois
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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