Loosing my religion

[fat paul]

I play in a local r&b-blues band We have been together for over a year. WE are getting booked alot, some high profile gigs and we just got tapped to back-up a international blues act. Here is the problem, I feel empty. I dont play in church anymore, I have lost touch with most of my Christian friends and worst of all church attendance has become intermitant. It is nice to get a paycheck for playing music.....but I think I have given up to much of whats important
Thanks for letting me vent
God bless, Fat Paul

[teleduster]

What I try to do is "squeeze in" my Testimony as subtly as I can.
I quit playing music for a living for similar reasons as stated in your post.
Now, I just play for fun and make money in another manner.
It helped me to get a job with my Church- it more or less FORCED me to be there!

On the other hand, if you're strong enough, I believe you can reach people regardless of you situation, and your gigs may put you in contact with people who really need The Word.

[Muttcaster]

At some point in their walk, every Christian is faced with these tests.

Are you asking for advice? If so, my advice is to think long and hard about what's really important. One of these days you're going to look death in the face. Which will be more important then- the bar gig or your relationship with Christ? Can you have both? I'll leave you to study that, keeping in mind, of course, that you cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and mammon. If you can do the bar gig w/out sacrificing your relationship with Christ, go to it. But, if you can't.....

I have confidence that you'll be where you're supposed to be, but hey, don't listen to me- you've got a Bible, right? :D

1 Peter 1:3-7
Jude 24-25
Phil 1:6

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by fat paul

............Here is the problem, I feel empty. I dont play in church anymore, I have lost touch with most of my Christian friends and worst of all church attendance has become intermitant. It is nice to get a paycheck for playing music.....but I think I have given up to much of whats important
Thanks for letting me vent
God bless, Fat Paul

What I can see, and it is just my 2 cents worth, but a key ingredient is fellowship: being around other believers, and fellowshipping in the Word of God with those believers.

I find that fellowship with my brothers and sisters in the Lord is very important to my walk. Through fellowship, we examine ourselves, and encourage one another.

Its important that you fellowship with others that demonstrate Christ's Love, not some that just want to have the rule over you, and try to dictate what you do.

Hey, if you need any encouragement at all, or just wanna talk, PM me anytime!

[Kewlpack]

It is nice to get a paycheck for playing music.....but I think I have given up to much of whats important

Indeed. You stated it better than we could have. You already sense the tragedy you face and the above quote makes it clear. You can see the problem, but you have to take steps to alter your course, bro. Do whatever it takes to get back on track.

Praisecaster put it well - you need godly fellowship. A branch that is separated from the vine will wither and die. That is the simple truth. No one who follows Christ can thrive very long without the edification and spiritual reinforcement of other saints.

Scriptures are replete with warnings about "bad company" ruining "good morals", and "the deceitfulness of sin", and "have nothing to do with the unfruitful deeds of darkness - instead expose them."

Follow the example of the first Christians (as in Acts 2), who fellowshipped with one another daily. Hebrews 3 encourages fellowship to avoid hardening by sin; Hebrews 10 encourages it again in very strong language; it's all over the place in the New Testament - we need you and you need us!

As Christians, we are part of each other. And I will say this with reasonable certainty: since you have been "gone" from the fellowship of your Church and your Christian friends - they have been incomplete without you. God originally put you in the Body of Christ where (and as) He designed you to be. Right now, there is a hole in the precious Body of Christ that you can go back and fill once again.

I do not know you, but we are kindred spirits in Christ. I appeal to you that you not ignore this realization you've come to - it is the Spirit of God working within you to steer you back on course. Listen to Him and do whatever it takes to get your feet back on the narrow way. A decision to do so is one you will never regret.

It won't be simple. It won't be easy. You will be encouraged NOT to do what is right (resist those voices). Follow through and everything else will fall into place as it needs to.

If we don't meet here. I will see you on the other side! Keep the FAITH!

In Christ...

[bardani]

I believe teleduster has a good point:

Originally Posted by teleduster

if you're strong enough, I believe you can reach people regardless of you situation, and your gigs may put you in contact with people who really need The Word.

I know this to be true. Everyone starts somewhere in their Christian walk, some not being Christian at all until that one day that someone shows them the Love of God. Some not wanting to hear about Christianity because they might've had a bad experience with someone who was perhaps a bit overzealous. Some who believe the Bible is a bunch of balony. Some who won't go anywhere near a church because of some deep-seated hurt from the past. Whatever the reason, the vast majority of people who aren't church-going Christians are probably not going to walk into a church off the street without having some sort of initial (and pleasant) contact with a church-going Christian first. I'm talking about Christians who have fallen behind as well as non-Christians.

Fellowship with other believers is important - I don't deny that. My point is that there are many who will never come to know Christ unless somebody meets them on their level and isn't "preachy". Staying in fellowship keeps your own foot in the door, though. It wouldn't be very wise to befriend someone then not be able to lead them into Bible Study or fellowship because you've somehow lost your way in that regard.

[ravindave_3600]

"Lord, bless this brother and help him find the balance, the perfect arrangement that puts You first and lets You harmonize His life."

Choose to love God, and He'll sort out your bookings for ya! (Matthew 6:33, Ravindave Paraphrase :D )

[fat paul]

Thanks for your helpfull words. I know that at some point I will give up this destraction and get back to doing what I know i need to.
thanks and God bless

[ChurchPlayer]

Originally Posted by fat paul

Thanks for your helpfull words. I know that at some point I will give up this destraction and get back to doing what I know i need to.
thanks and God bless

FP,

Reading your post I couldn't help thinking about Christ's message in Revelation to the church at Ephesus - you seem to have lost your first love. The emptiness you express is real, and it's not going to get filled apart from being with and around believers. That's not to say that you should abandon your current gig. But to push onward here without finding a way of filling the vacuum it's leaving is a dangerous thing, IMHO. Your statement above indicates, to me at least, that you know the path you're on now is not the one God would intend you to be on. The problem, as I see it, is that God never gives us a guarantee that we'll have time to get back to those things - remember the story about the man who was ready to build bigger barns for all his stuff.

All I can say is that if you KNOW that you're bucking the will of God in your life then you need to get right sooner than later. If it's just a feeling then you need to get on your knees, get with some folks who can pray with and for you (like us, but who are "flesh and blood" and not "key strokes and ether", if you get my drift), and seek out God's decision on this.

I'm convinced that it's critical for Christians to get out into the world and be real to those who don't know Jesus, because while we can have a great time blessing each other none of us are going to get any more saved while we enjoy each others' company. But I'm just as convinced that we are pipeline for the light of Christ, and we can only put out as much as we've got coming in, and it sounds like your battery is running a bit low, brother. Get charged up first, then see what God would have you do.

"Lord, make Your will crystal clear in Paul's life. Then give him the strength, courage and resources - through fellow believers and through Your supernatural power - to follow it. Amen!!"

[Wahwax]

Originally Posted by ChurchPlayer

FP,

Reading your post I couldn't help thinking about Christ's message in Revelation to the church at Ephesus - you seem to have lost your first love. The emptiness you express is real, and it's not going to get filled apart from being with and around believers. That's not to say that you should abandon your current gig. But to push onward here without finding a way of filling the vacuum it's leaving is a dangerous thing, IMHO. Your statement above indicates, to me at least, that you know the path you're on now is not the one God would intend you to be on. The problem, as I see it, is that God never gives us a guarantee that we'll have time to get back to those things - remember the story about the man who was ready to build bigger barns for all his stuff.

All I can say is that if you KNOW that you're bucking the will of God in your life then you need to get right sooner than later. If it's just a feeling then you need to get on your knees, get with some folks who can pray with and for you (like us, but who are "flesh and blood" and not "key strokes and ether", if you get my drift), and seek out God's decision on this.

I'm convinced that it's critical for Christians to get out into the world and be real to those who don't know Jesus, because while we can have a great time blessing each other none of us are going to get any more saved while we enjoy each others' company. But I'm just as convinced that we are pipeline for the light of Christ, and we can only put out as much as we've got coming in, and it sounds like your battery is running a bit low, brother. Get charged up first, then see what God would have you do.

"Lord, make Your will crystal clear in Paul's life. Then give him the strength, courage and resources - through fellow believers and through Your supernatural power - to follow it. Amen!!"

Words of wisdom.

[noodle_world]

everyone goes through this seasopn.

just know God is always with you and watever you do. do it for His Glory.

[Telesaurus]

Originally Posted by fat paul

Thanks for your helpfull words. I know that at some point I will give up this destraction and get back to doing what I know i need to.
thanks and God bless

I believe that! I was in the same place. When you know. inside, that you need to change, I believe that the Lord will continue to work on you.
I was on the fence & it slowly kept getting worse & worse, to the point that I hated to go play in the clubs. I mean, it was a 2-3 nights a week thing,$15-$20K a year, but I was miserable. Even though I was miserable & hating it, all the extra money is a very hard thing to give up! But, as a personal belief, I think it was the Lord that was making my life miserable, because He knew He had something better waiting for me. No one can convince me any different.
This could get long, so to make it short...I gave it up & although I can't buy every whim that I have, the peace of mind, happiness & the feeling that I have KNOWING that this is where I belong is worth more than any amount of money.
I'm not rich, by any means, but this has taught me that peace of mine, contentment & happiness are more fulfilling than money. The extra money will do nothing to fill that hole you have in your life.
btw...anytime you feel like venting, please do!! There are a few on here that have been in the same place you are & even though we may not know you personally, this is still a good place to fellowship. Prayerfully, we may be able to help, without being to "preachy".

[chicknpikr]

The key to the whole thing is to always seek God first and everything else really will take care of itself...There now that I have preached to myself anyone else is welcome to read this also:0)

[Brett Valentine]

Wow! What a great post. You all are realy "aron sharpening iron." What a refreshing thing! I'm also in a similar situation. I've played with some Christian bands that felt draining, and others that felt like family! If you can, find a band with brothers and sisters that feels like family. You actually become like the first century churches in that you support each other and pray together!

That alone will get you through. I'm trying to make a living at it, but I find myself being directed more to church based things that are not paying/paying much, but I really get the sense that this is God's direction. It will probably mean having to do something else to pay bills, but the difference inside makes the decision academic.

If you're meant to go it the other way, God will put that burning need to do so in your heart.

Brett

[Platefire]

Just had to say a few words even though I think Fat Paul may have vacated this post. This seems to be a big problem with Christian musicians I know. Even though it has not been a temptation to me to go back in the world playing the world's music, I know a lot that has gone back doing what they were doing before they were saved. I don't condem them and I kind of understand how they feel but just speaking for myself---I would quit playing in a group situation rather than go back. God has shown me too much and brought me too far in my spiritual life to put myself back into what brought me down in the first place. There are some things you need to walk away from and some things you need to run away from. I think some of the problem is that a serious musician has a desire to do a lot of playing and in a lot of cases the church offers only a minimum support as far as using them to their full potential. I see little support from churches in my area in truly supporting christian groups and musicians in keeping them busy doing what they do best. It is discouraging to say the least. I've even thought about a Christians Musicians Ass'n that would be a way to support one another even when the churches fail. This would be to support Christian musicians to keep playing Christian music and encourage others to come out of the clubs by coming together on a regular basis at a meeting place with discussions, Bible study and lots of all kinds of Christian music. Platefire

[fat paul]

Wow, I am amazed to see this thred reappear. I am still playing in the secular band but I also have started playing back at church. This makes for a full scedual with some conflicts, but we survive. Some things have happend as a result of my playing with the secular band that makes me think that God has a plan to use even this. Guess that I have to wait and see. Thanks agen for your kind words and prayers
fat paul <><