Yeah, Calvary Chapel is great. I never attended one, but the church I had really based my foundation on (and where I met those girls I dated) was the Vineyard. Chuck Smith and John Wimbur had parted ways over some trivial theological disagreement, and so I believe Vineyard is an offshoot of Calvary. Regardless of differences, both are pretty sound. I'll give those links you provided a listening this weekend.
And yes, I have been pretty close to despair. My best experiences of fellowship with Christians was back when I was in college, in the young singles group at that church, back when I was friends with the girl from Ireland. I know that when one makes the decision to draw closer to God, the enemy will attack more strongly. That is what I have been going through, even fighting thoughts of accusation that she ended up so tragically because I didn't marry her instead of the girl I did marry. Satan is the accuser who brings guilt and condemnation, whereas God guides us with conviction. Big difference. I just cannot take past relationships lightly, even from so long ago, and I am convinced that it was God who prompted me to pray begin praying for her back in November so strongly, telling me that she was in trouble and in need of prayer. So I contacted her out of the blue. She didn't respond, but at least she gave her dad my contact info. He contacted me and confirmed that I do need to pray for her. That she thought enough of me to tell him about me contacting her gives me a glimmer of hope, some thread of affection between us for which my hopes and prayers might tightrope walk across the world to connect to her heart somehow. My name's not even Steve, but I'd named my pet fish after her brother when I was in college, thus my username/website name I've kept for so many years. I now shoulder her father's burden to pray for his family, and 3 of 5 of his children have turned away from God. Even the oldest daughter, who had encouraged me to fly to Japan to propose to the girl I am now married to.
I only have one child, and I fear that I'm inadequate by myself to raise her to follow God. There are just no positive church experiences I can provide for a young girl where there are only a scattering of tiny churches comprised of primarily elderly people. And when school club activities have students busy even on Saturday mornings, Sundays are her only chance to take it easy. Japanese schools can really suck the life out of kids, but at least it keeps them out of trouble.
Yeah, Calvary Chapel is great. I never attended one, but the church I had really based my foundation on (and where I met those girls I dated) was the Vineyard. Chuck Smith and John Wimbur had parted ways over some trivial theological disagreement, and so I believe Vineyard is an offshoot of Calvary. Regardless of differences, both are pretty sound. I'll give those links you provided a listening this weekend.
And yes, I have been pretty close to despair. My best experiences of fellowship with Christians was back when I was in college, in the young singles group at that church, back when I was friends with the girl from Ireland. I know that when one makes the decision to draw closer to God, the enemy will attack more strongly. That is what I have been going through, even fighting thoughts of accusation that she ended up so tragically because I didn't marry her instead of the girl I did marry. Satan is the accuser who brings guilt and condemnation, whereas God guides us with conviction. Big difference. I just cannot take past relationships lightly, even from so long ago, and I am convinced that it was God who prompted me to pray begin praying for her back in November so strongly, telling me that she was in trouble and in need of prayer. So I contacted her out of the blue. She didn't respond, but at least she gave her dad my contact info. He contacted me and confirmed that I do need to pray for her. That she thought enough of me to tell him about me contacting her gives me a glimmer of hope, some thread of affection between us for which my hopes and prayers might tightrope walk across the world to connect to her heart somehow. My name's not even Steve, but I'd named my pet fish after her brother when I was in college, thus my username/website name I've kept for so many years. I now shoulder her father's burden to pray for his family, and 3 of 5 of his children have turned away from God. Even the oldest daughter, who had encouraged me to fly to Japan to propose to the girl I am now married to.
I only have one child, and I fear that I'm inadequate by myself to raise her to follow God. There are just no positive church experiences I can provide for a young girl where there are only a scattering of tiny churches comprised of primarily elderly people. And when school club activities have students busy even on Saturday mornings, Sundays are her only chance to take it easy. Japanese schools can really suck the life out of kids, but at least it keeps them out of trouble.