Hi....

Hi,

I'm new to CC. I don't belong to any regular mainstream Christian church here in town. I study on my own with Shepherd's Chapel, Gravette AR. I've been studying with them for 18 years, 9 months now. I like the way they teach the Bible.
I thank the Lord for calling me back into His word in July 1998, just about every day now. This is an interesting place.

HI, I'm new too! I don't belong to any church either. I just started to really study the bible about a year ago, although I was raised Catholic. Definitely seems like an interesting place. I love a good quote from scripture.

Hi Dolemite,

Thanks for your reply. I was raised Lutheran, and my Mom, made us go to church every Sunday. But, I was stupid and fell away for a lot of years, when I was young, because of a lot of different things, I was angry and rebellious. I turned away for a long time. Those years were miserable, and I have no desire to enter back in through those doors again.

So, I thank my gracious Lord & Savior, and His Holy Spirit for calling me to come back to Him, through the memory of my Mother, in July 1998. I'm forever grateful for that, because it did not occur to me to just up and decide that I wanted to go back to church, on my own. And if He had not called to me, I would still be out here, floundering around, lost.

I went to churches, and I thought, aside from wanting to serve Jesus, one good reason was to try to make friends with people who are also believers of God, and Jesus Christ. I thought that was the sensible thing to do. I had many disappointments in the mainstream churches, and with people who claimed to be believers. Jesus said "Many shall come in my name"....you know. So, I'm still trying because for Christians, there is strength, through Christ, but also in numbers. I know that I know that God is the only God, and that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for me, and all, whomsoever will, for our sins; and He has allowed me to see the power of His hand, in answers to my prayers. I know that I know.

*** greeting from Texas*** read some bad stuff about Sheppard's Chapel***be careful, and study what they teach*** recommend Chuck Smith for expository teaching...

I thought the rules said we're not supposed to criticize each other's churches, beliefs. Well, that said, I've been studying with Shepherd's Chapel for almost 19 years, and I've yet to see anything aberrant about them. They are not a cult, as many claim. They have never harassed me for money, or anything. They've never sent people out to knock on my door to check up on me. They've never told me that I can't talk to anybody else. Pastor Dennis, Arnold Murray's son, has since taken charge of the church since Pastor Arnold Murray passed away in Feb. 2014. Like his father, Pastor Dennis teaches bible study strictly by chapter and verse from the King James Companion Bible. And yes, they do teach the Trinity!! I have learned more from them since I came across them one early morning on TV, then I ever have from the Lutheran church or any other MS church. And I would never, ever listen to any of the TV evangelists, but I liked Pastor Murray(s). So, just be careful about what you hear, when people spout a big bunch of gossip, and talk about churches they never listen to themselves, and know nothing about. I've read some of Chuck Smith, he's ok, but the person I really like is Matthew Henry!! His commentaries are absolutely eloquent. Of course, he was a prominent preacher in England, in the 16th or 17th century, but he never fails to hit the nail square on the head. Thank you anyway.