Wanted to get this topic back up for discussion...

Ok, Let's get back to the topic...

1) How can we as Lesbians in our society engage in meaningful and purposeful Worship? 

2) How can we enhance our sense of fellowship with those in our lives directly and those we touch through this group?

1) I think we first have to define what is meaningful worship and then what is purposeful worship and can they be synonymous?

 2) The second question has to do with our own sense of fellowship, how do you get connected to people you have never seen and really don't know?   This question was brought up in another conversation I had, can you talk to someone on the phone or internet and really know their soul?  

There has to be a level of trust established at some point for people to open up and bare their hearts to others.  Some people are not forthcoming with their feelings or even feel comfortable enough to post a comment or question on sites like this for various reasons.  Call it shy, introverted or whatever, it is a fact and it is ok to be wary and cautious.  You would think that people coming to our group and joining would be more likely to be trusted.  However, it is scary to put your thoughts out there.  So creating or developing a sense of fellowship can be extremely difficult for some. 

I am so glad that we have found each other and that we have been able, through this site and one on one conversations to begin to heal and grow in our faith.  That is exactly what fellowship is about.  I hope that through this thread we can actually start to look at some scriptures,  messages either through pod casts or other sources that can be shared to investigate and grow in our faith even more. 

To say that I have been blessed with this group is an understatement, I know that I will have long term lasting relationships with some of you and I hope more of you.  Let us continue to reach out and help one another.  I do hope that I will be able to meet more of you in person... that would be awesome!

Finallyfree,

  I second that !!!  God also led me to this site.  I had no idea there was a place for Christian Lesbians to fellowship.  I have been blessed beyond words.  All of you have given me hope for a bright future and I am once again excited about relationships !   Thank you !!

Hi everyone and a special Hello to Wandering RN,

I could not agree more and there is no better word to describe what we all share than fellowship. I came to this site initially to check out some cruises and had no intention of searching further. But I did. And God led me to my initial contact, who led me to the groups and here I am. Like Crusher, the friendships I have made and the support I have received has given me renewed faith and, for the first time in seven years, I am searching for a dwelling and a community to worship in and with. It has been the grace of God and the unconditional love and support from all of you that has me where I am today, which is present and grateful and at peace.

I look forward to continued fellowship with each of you.

Hello RN, glad to see your thoughts again... I am also very happy to hear you are heading to brighter times.  Amen!

I understand where you are coming from, not knowing if people like you or not can be very stressful.   Getting on this site and connecting with people was extremely stressful, I was so excited the first time someone actually responded to a friend invite or commented on one of my posts. 

I have found a group here that is exactly what I needed, God answered my prayers for fellowship and support.  I have had to look at myself from a different point of view because of some of these women and I will forever be in their debt for the insights and new ideas.  God has lead me to this and it is a blessing to have developed friendships here I never in my life would have expected.  Within these posts, my faith has been renewed, I have worshipped and had fellowship that has been lacking in my life. 

I hope that as this group grows we will continue to share with others as I am sure there are many out there who have gone through some if not all of what we have and through interaction and hopefully meeting in person, we can provide a continued circle of support for all who seek it.  Lord willing and by his hand...

Wandering,

   Glad to see you are on a better path now !!   God will help those who help themselves.   He will not do it for us, but will show us the way.  We just have to listen and follow his lead.   I am glad you took a step back and gave it another look !

Wow.. That is so very well said!  I have gone through some pretty dark times and am now heading to a brighter spot.  Through the Grace of God, and help of friends, I am looking forward to a future that is happy and sense of peace that I never had before. 

Part of my problem has always been taking things a bit too personally.  At work I could have sworn nobody liked me....until two of the Nurses told me that they prayed for me everyday because they knew I was going through a great deal of stress.  It was something that meant so much to me. It gave me the warm fuzzys.... But it ley me see that I perhaps had a schewed view.. And I took a step back to get a different view of things........

Interesting questions !

I think the best way we can engage in meaningful and purposeful worship is to live our lives for Christ.  Those around us will see what we are all about by our actions.  As people see that we are  trustworthy, treat people with respect and have a positive attitude, they will want to learn more about us and be around us.  They will soon learn what drives us,  living for Christ !  

There are a lot of people out there that are looking for the answer to a long happy life.  They have a lot of material "stuff".  They have a family and friends, what seems like the perfect life.  They just can not figure out what is missing. Well, it is obvious to me and probably you too.  They are missing the faith and grace of God.  People are curious when they run across someone who has a positive outlook and is happy.  They want to know what the secret is ! This is where we have the opportunity to praise God and thank him for the grace and glory that He  has blessed us with. 

  Just like the groups here on Olivia,  we tend to group together by interests.  As more and more people get interested in learning about our positive dispositions, they will soon take on their own.  As they come in to their own, they add more and more to the worship and bring in those who are following them.  This is how we reach people and fellowship with them. 

  Soooo, to make  looooong story short !!!  Just be your charming self, live for Christ, give Him the glory . . . .  and before you know it, you will have many friends in Christ !! 

Worship usually refers to specific acts of praise, honor, or devotion.  Any act that glorifies God can be an act of worship. 

Fellowship : the true meaning of koinonia as used in the New Testament -- sharing our common life in Christ, serving as spiritual partners to promote the gospel and build each other up, communing with one another in spiritual matters, and sharing with one another in material things.

How can we as Lesbians in our society engage in meaningful and purposeful Worship? 

How can we enhance our sense of fellowship with those in our lives directly and those we touch through this group?