The topic came up once when I had a conversation with someone during a car ride. The person mentioned to me briefly.

A series of events led me to read up more on this. While in the mist of struggling through some problems, one of the question that stood out most was altar call.
I realise I never really knew what it truely meant, and where it came from. (And I also realise how ill-educated I am on the history of church - not that its imperative, but its only good to understand why certain things were done. Not just blindly following).

Some weeks back, I googled and found this well written article talking about it.
http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/2006/08/30/finney-and-altar-call/

From the above link, there's another link talking about altar call and the christian
http://www.ryandebarr.com/blog/2006/08/29/depravity-and-the-altar-call-part-one/

With some quick reading, I find myself resonating with them. Quoting from ryandebarr, that "Rarely does a person give up a sin with a one-time act of the will."
I agree very much.
Then why altar call? Read up more about how it came about.

While altar call was birth out of one man's over eagerness to produce results, I find altar call more of a place of support. To have people pray with you and be of support.
The two articles have helped for me to articulate my thoughts. During those times I've mentioned earlier, I've had to struggle with no answers to why altar calls is always pressurising people to go up. Hints of now or never opportunity. And the list goes on.

I think it would be safe to say that God hears the sincere prayers of the people who went foward.

And then there's people who have gone foward to receive Christ. fundyreformed's post highlights a quote from another blog who quoted another person (so many quotes!).
http://www.theirvins.com/archives/2006/08/the_altar_call.php

More than often, salvation is reduced to a prayer. Period. Fullstop. One will have to pray that prayer to be forgiven and saved?! One does not/will not suffer from the consequences of sin, one does not/will not have problems, one does not/will not need to struggle and battle with sin on a daily basis, one does not/will not list goes on.

My conclusion is that altar call doesnt 'fix the problem'. (For Christians) More than often, we find ourselves there repeating after some prayer and then expect whatever was the stronghold or sin to be broken and things will be okay. And then finding ourselves sorely disappointed why Monday to Saturday feels like upmost crap because the same problems came back to haunt us.
The truth is that its still a daily battle we go through. Some won, some lost.
mostly importantly, learning how to fight the battles with God.

my mind...

We are color blind people.

Or rather, we are people who have prejudice.


And again, this is about me.

I don't know. Is it that I've projected as arrogant and that I am less credible?

More than often I've said things which people don't really want to listen. (Happens quite frequently that what I've said is true...).


I'm tired that I've always been given the lip service from people.
Maybe I just too easily believe others and take it at face value. And in the end, I'm the one getting hurt because it was my choice to believe and take it.

...........


I really don't get the mentality of people. If its from church, they'll gladly follow without questioning. If its from some where outside, they would either doubt or be non interested about it.
Biased is the word.


My heart feels like a 40 year old. So drained out by the craps of the world.

In the end, maybe I'm the fool. Choosing to believe in others, yet end up getting my fragile heart broken.

Sigh.

mooooveee

I know bitching is bad.

Its either I rant about work, or otherwise people in my life.

Either way, its kinda sad both ways.

And then, tonnes questions screaming for answers. Most of it has nothing to with me.

Actually, I don't know why I have the mentality everyone owes me a living.
Maybe because those people who I once trusted broke my faith and trust in them.

Sometimes, I just can't get over the fact that they came and trampled over - and go on with their lives like nothing happen. You're down here struggling to survive. And they are up there with all the luxury in all forms.

Is it a bad thing at all? To feel forsaken by the people you one once trusted so much?

One speaker commented that no one can make you angry - only you make yourself angry. Logically it doesn't make sense.

Then again, if someone really comes and mess up your life, and walks away scott free, how can you not be angry?

Running one big one and back to square one - there isn't any practical solution to all the questions. At the end of the day, we can't control how the other party reacts.

I always hope they know their fault in the problem and do something about it.
Why did I even picked up the fix-it mentality in the first place???
Oh right... hanging out with people who has that mentality for too long. Should have a warning label for this...

Bleah.

I really have to move on... moovee....

sigh.

so the day was suppose to be good.

it was. my first experience with kayak. it's nice to have the wind blown against you and all.


and then, I think I have get used to it the fact that some friends are meant for certain period of time, then no more.


You move on, but hoping the friendship stay. They too.
But somehow, priorites change and you get neglected.


Either way, I'm probably the freaking pathetic one.


Somewhere between beyond angst, and what not.


I'm tired. What on earth am I doing trying so hard for everyone where I'm the one last in the damm line while everyone else is happy with their life and all and I'm the least in the priority.

At the end of the day, yeah it's about me. After being a committed student, friend, worker and what not - all I get is the end of the line...


Everyone just takes. When is my turn? When???????

my oh mine...

I can't believe it.

I'm definitely out of touch with my so called alma mater.

My sec school logo has changed since last year and I ddint know.

I will miss that yellow golden red logo.

SOBS. I think they should have at least credited in the history that the logo was once there.

HAIS

damm tired....

Disappointed is the summary for the last few days.

Firstly, the late boomer in me was slow to realize that some friends are meant to keep that distance. Crossing the line meant a whole new world - usually an ugly one.

Secondly, people don't give a shit about how you went about doing it. As long as its an eye candy, it works the way THEY want it - its good. Period.

What I did was effort. Even if it had died a premature death, I would like to know why.

Why do I have to fee disillusioned almost every other day, every other PMS.


I need a life. Maybe I'm not done grieving yet.