I just happened upon this group. While I am a spiritual person, I don't find organized religion something that resonates with me as "right." There is too much hypocrisy and we seem to have lost the exceedingly personal message of God's messengers for the group speak of organization. This is the political nature of a right/wrong belief system. Maybe there is right and wrong in ALL of them?

When I am in the Q, for the limited number of days my schedule allows me, I find God in each stroke of the paddle, in the trees and horizons, in the dip of the water bottle. There are few places left on this planet that are accessible to most of us, where we can actually witness God's creation without being overwhelmed by man's.

I say Thanks!

Whatever gives you peace and balance and love is a good thing. True faith and religion are two very different things and finding a church that makes you feel at home instead of making you feel bad about yourself can be hard sometimes. The measure of a true religion is that it allows other beliefs and religions to exist and gives you free reign to choose. If the stroke of a paddle brings you happiness then I say amen to that . I find great comfort personally in the Lord Jesus Christ and the creation is something im extremely grateful for. I love the woods and I can clearly hear Gods voice as much there as I can in church ! p.s. Thanks for your post Maps guy :-)

The Rev at my church says the same thing. Church is wherever you can feel the spirit.

Depends on what "spirit" your seeking. Your own... God's.... I wish it was as easy as going paddling. I went on a trip specifically to "paddle in prayer". I found myself getting in the zone of paddling and the thoughts that go along with it. Several times I felt God's hand gently get my attention back to Him. At the time I didn't think it was so gentle. Haha. Had me screaming like a girl one time, haha. That said, I've had some of the best experiances too, kind of like Brad was saying. Because of my health I normally can't fast very well. Out there I have successfully fasted with great results. So yes you can when your heart is in the right place. After all, it's all about the heart! I'd suggest though you find a group were you can plug in. Most of us need at least someone to be accountable to. And I don't mean dictator accountable... just someone you trust and can mutually agree on what that might mean. Lastly, it helps immensely to have the Word with you and seek this Spirit through prayer and such. I don't think prayer is always prostate on the ground. You can talk to God as you paddle... Happy Paddling! Remember, Jesus went into the wilderness to be alone to pray often.

Mapsguy1955, Welcome to Soul Space... Some great people here! In reference to your post in my humble opinion it is not ours to judge what one person believes is right or wrong, or spiritual or not! I too find much needed quietness to become closer the Creator when I am in the BWCAW, or in the woods hunting, or many times just sitting on my front porch watching the hummingbirds feed. My personal relationship with Jesus and my belief that He died for my sins is what saves me. Going to church and attending organized religion did not... Yet I am in church every chance I get! It gives me a fellowship with like believers, as iron sharpens iron so man can make his brother stronger. And God says, where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there also.

I understand what you are saying, but don't be surprised that the "hypocrisy" is everywhere in life... Unfortunately that is the world today! Again, who are we to judge. I go to church to listen to our preacher (who I must say, preaches the Word!! no group speak to make people happy!), to learn more of what the Bible says, and for the fellowship with my brothers (we have a strong men's group that gets together weekly).

I hope and pray that you find a church where you can contribute your knowledge to others, and help them the peace you have found!

Take care my brother, and God Bless!
Bruce

The problem with churches is that they are full of people :-) We all fall short. Thank the Lord for grace every single day.

Some number of years back I stopped asking myself what am I getting from this church and started asking myself what am I giving to this church. Churches are full of hurting people and many people do come to a church because they are hurting. I have found three ways to serve at my church one of which is organizing trips to the BWCA. I hope to give people the gift of getting out into the wilderness. I very much enjoy my time paddling whenever and where ever I paddle. The wilderness is a great place to get away an be out in God's creation, but I am also discovering the peace and joy in small moments on my local river between the car going by, the dog barking, or the moment when I can cast my cares for a bit and let go of my worries. I was laid off for three months recently and God really taught me to find joy is the smallest of blessings in the current moment. If I do not attend a local church and share with others that they can also find peace and joy, how will they know?

Paddle often my friend, find peace and joy in the small moments.

quote IceColdGold: "The problem with churches is that they are full of people :-) We all fall short. Thank the Lord for grace every single day.

R

Some number of years back I stopped asking myself what am I getting from this church and started asking myself what am I giving to this church. Churches are full of hurting people and many people do come to a church because they are hurting. I have found three ways to serve at my church one of which is organizing trips to the BWCA. I hope to give people the gift of getting out into the wilderness. I very much enjoy my time paddling whenever and where ever I paddle. The wilderness is a great place to get away an be out in God's creation, but I am also discovering the peace and joy in small emoments on my local river between the car going by, the dog barking, or the moment when I can cast my cares for a bit and let go of my worries. I was laid off for three months recently and God really taught me to find joy is the smallest of blessings in the current moment. If I do not attend a local church and share with others that they can also find peace and joy, how will they know?


Paddle often my friend, find peace and joy in the small moments."

Amen!!

After centuries of intellectual thought process, people promote the philosophy that there is no objectionable truth. Taken to its logical end, there are no rights or wrongs. I find this depressing and cruel. To the contrary, the God of the Bible has intended people to accept the idea that there is indeed an objectionable truth. There is indeed right and wrong and we can know what it is. I find this benevolent. Jesus referred to this principle of the foundation of truth in his parable of the house built on the solid rock vs the house build upon the sand.
I believe nature is a powerful testimony to God's handiwork and evidence to his existence and presence. The purity of the wilderness points to a purity of his character. But this is a general revelation. The purpose of the church is to relay to us the more specific revelation of God as found in the bible. How well the church does this is a reflection on how well it is organized. The church's faults should not extend to a reflection of God himself.
There is no reason to believe the church is solely responsible for our reflection of God. Jesus said, "Seek and you will find". What is found is not always gift wrapped. There are at times effort needed to discover what God has for us to know. Personally, my faith has lead me to find many treasures of truth. Enough so that it has become not so difficult to spot problems within a given church body. It has become less of a matter then to avoid such wrong beliefs as stumbling blocks.
A discovery of truth is God's promise to every individual. It is his will that all would be saved and come to a knowledge of him.

Great post Yellowbird !