I'm curious to know what boomer women are doing to grow spiritually...

retreats, studies, books, church?

Wnat to share what you are doing and why it helps?

Good question! My answer? All of the above. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> Church is a given since I'm the pastor's wife. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I've learned I grow and study the most when I'm teaching, and have taught the adult Sunday School class for the last ten years. Believe me, that will keep you in the Word and on your knees!

This last time, instead of the usual Sunday School material, I'm using a Small Groups Study, and everyone is loving it! There's a lot more participation and in-depth study of a topic.

I'm also back at school. Yes...at my age! lol! It's a bit harder than I remember from 30 years ago, but I like a good challenge. Keeps us young, right?

Interesting question...I can say that I'm growing spiritually by going back to school, rereading the Bible, helping my family and friends toward a better understanding of God and why we're here and by trying to do what is right.

I'm thinking of changing churches, even denominations. When we moved here I started attending the church where I already knew people and that was wonderful. However, it took me a few years to come to the conclusion I'm not a good fit with this church. It's more of a "faith by works" than "faith by acceptance and works as evidence" type church.

What does it matter how many people I feed if I don't know Christ and I go to hell? I believe Christianity is about knowing Christ personally and then taking Him to others. Yes, I believe as a Christian I'm to do the work of Christ here on Earth but if I fail to tell people about Him, have I actually done what He asked/commanded? A lot of churches don't teach/preach salvation through Jesus Christ. They teach what I call "social Christianity" not personal relationship. I believe if I've accepted Christ into my heart then I'll do the rest of what He said.

All that to say, I've begun visiting a new church. They have a Friday morning Bible study that I want to try and am hoping to find women my age. Usually day Bible studies are younger women who bring their small children.

I try to read 5 chapters of my Bible every day; Psalms 116 I read several times a week as that's "my" chapter. I read C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Rick Warren, Kay Arthur and other Christian writers. I try to be in continual prayer...meaning if I'm awake I'm talking to God <g>. I don't do so well with down on my knees, face on the floor pleading prayers. Sometimes I feel though I should, maybe, be doing "big prayers" more. I don't know. I haven't fasted in years.

I would love to go to a retreat and have been to a couple that were just great. When we went to Russia I took Bibles of various flavors and "found" their owners. It was good to talk to women about Christ and to know we're praying for one another. I belong to a ChristianArtisans web list and that's been wonderful. We're very supportive of one another, helping each other in whatever ways we can even though we're all over the world.

I've taught Sunday School, adults and children and the pastor at church yesterday said they are starting a small groups all over this area. I'll find one of those to join.

Am I growing spiritually? I think I'm in the process of growing. For the past year I've been searching for a new group of Believers to join and have been attending a new church. I don't think we, as Christians, can thrive outside of a group of Believers. Our faith becomes weary and needs polishing by rubbing elbows inside a church. I don't know that I'm actually growing spiritually right now but I am being open to the path being prepared so I *can* grow. I mean, I realize I need to grow to the next level, whatever *that* is. Even within the body, some plant, some water and God reaps the harvest.

I'm ready to be watered so I can, in turn, water.

Speaking about retreats... My husband and I will be attending a "Family Retreat" from Sept. 24th-26th. It's a local church activity, so many members of our church will be there. Our pastor organized it.

Songbird, I'd love to do a retreat with my hubby. Enjoy yours! One of these days...

I'm going on a retreat this weekend with a friend I've known since first grade. Can't wait.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Thistle Cove Farm:
<strong> It's more of a "faith by works" than "faith by acceptance and works as evidence" type church.

What does it matter how many people I feed if I don't know Christ and I go to hell? I believe Christianity is about knowing Christ personally and then taking Him to others. Yes, I believe as a Christian I'm to do the work of Christ here on Earth but if I fail to tell people about Him, have I actually done what He asked/commanded? A lot of churches don't teach/preach salvation through Jesus Christ. They teach what I call "social Christianity" not personal relationship. I believe if I've accepted Christ into my heart then I'll do the rest of what He said.

Am I growing spiritually? I think I'm in the process of growing. For the past year I've been searching for a new group of Believers to join and have been attending a new church. I don't think we, as Christians, can thrive outside of a group of Believers. Our faith becomes weary and needs polishing by rubbing elbows inside a church. I don't know that I'm actually growing spiritually right now but I am being open to the path being prepared so I *can* grow. I mean, I realize I need to grow to the next level, whatever *that* is. Even within the body, some plant, some water and God reaps the harvest.

I'm ready to be watered so I can, in turn, water.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thistle, I have a feeling if I called you we could talk for hours! Your words and thoughts are mine!

As Christians we need to spend time being as well as doing. If we don't take time to be with God, how do we get to know Him better? How can we live like Chrsit if we don't know His stories and how He acted when he encountered others?

I agree that we need to belong to a community of believers. I also belive we need to take time to do our own homework.

If you take an ember and sit it in the fireplace all alone it will die and no longer have a flame or life of it's own. Is the same true of a Christian without a church home?

Thoughts?