I have a problem

[wiggins]

I have a problem. Normally, I sleep so much, that my parents have to get me up to go to church. Yesterday, I got them mad at me over money expenditure, and they won me that today they wouldn't wake me up. Today is a Sunday. I woke up, but didn't get up. Now, I just woke up and it is 12:45, the end of service at the church I go to... So, just because I didn't have my parents didn't wake me up, I didn't wake up to go to church. I didn't wake up for God. Is it because I don't love God enough? I know I've committed a big sin... I hope God will forgive me. I know it is within His Power. What should I do? Will God forgive me? And what should, can and must I do about it?

[JediSonic]

Know, I obviously don't know that much about the situation, but I can tell you... there have been days when I went to school and told people that my alarm didn't go off and my clock must be broken. But in retrospect what probably happened was the alarm went off, I turned it off, and fell back to sleep without ever really waking up! If thats what happened to you, I'm not sure if I'd call it a sin. As I said, only YOU know what was going through your head before you went to bed (or whether you own an alarm for that matter).

Anyway, what I think you should do [trying to be non-denominational here] is this:
1) Ask god for forgiveness (probably going to Confession, especially if you are a catholic and think you have commited a mortal sin)
2) Buy a really loud, drive-you-crazy alarm clock if thats what it takes to wake you up
3) DON'T put the alarm clock within arm's reach. If you have to get up and walk over to the alarm to shut it off, I think there is a much better chance of you staying awake!

Hopefully that helped

[Nia-chan]

I don't think it was a sin, besides, if it was so important than your parents should have woken you up.

[cbwing0]

I also don't think that sleeping in on Sunday is necessarily a sin. Is that the only time that you spend with God during the week? If not, then it is fine. Perhaps you might do an extra independent bible study to ease your conscience and "make up" for the time. In addition, you can find audio sermons to listen to at your leisure here:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video.html

I would suggest something by David Guzik or Walter Martin.

As for practical advice on waking up, I would ask you a few questions:
1.How late do you stay up on Saturday nights?
2.Do you have the same problem on weekdays?
3.Have your parents always had to wake you up?
If you tend to stay up late on Saturdays, it would probably be a good idea to make sure that you can get a good 9-10 hours of sleep that night, leaving enough time to get yourself read for church the next morning. That might mean you have less time on Saturdays, but I think that is a reasonable price to pay in order to wake up for church.

Next, I may be out of line for saying this, but I think it is wrong for your parents to punish you by not waking you up for church. That just seems rather harsh, and I daresay childish on their part.

I also do not believe that sleeping in means that you "don't love God enough." Our flesh is traitorous, so it is not surprising that it should betray us from time to time. However, if you get enough sleep as I said earlier, this problem might go away. In the end, though, it comes down to you. You have to get up, or you won't get up.

[LorentzForce]

or be like me; don't go to sleep at all in the first place. but that's not recommended.

[Shinja]

Read romans 7:14_ and on into chapter 8

[JediSonic]

cbwing, I would like to point out that some denominations take going to church every sunday very seriously.

[YesIExist]

Know, I obviously don't know that much about the situation, but I can tell you... there have been days when I went to school and told people that my alarm didn't go off and my clock must be broken. But in retrospect what probably happened was the alarm went off, I turned it off, and fell back to sleep without ever really waking up! If thats what happened to you, I'm not sure if I'd call it a sin. As I said, only YOU know what was going through your head before you went to bed (or whether you own an alarm for that matter).

Anyway, what I think you should do [trying to be non-denominational here] is this:
1) Ask god for forgiveness (probably going to Confession, especially if you are a catholic and think you have commited a mortal sin)
2) Buy a really loud, drive-you-crazy alarm clock if thats what it takes to wake you up
3) DON'T put the alarm clock within arm's reach. If you have to get up and walk over to the alarm to shut it off, I think there is a much better chance of you staying awake!

Hopefully that helped

Good reply.

I don't personally consider it a "big" sin.

[Marie-Novelle]

What God Expects Of Us
Sunday, February 01, 2004
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/moody_church_hour/

Check the broadcast archives for the discipline series (1/4/2004 - 1/25/2004).

[Orange Kitten]

This is just my opinion, but church is not required. If you miss a day or 2, you're still ok. Church is good because it keeps that fire inside your heart going, you learn more, and it's a nice environment to praise God.
Remember, you don't have to be in a church to praise God, you can do it from your own home as well. I don't think He will get **** cause you didn't drive across town.

What about all those countries that don't have a church anywhere within 50 miles with no means of transportation? Are the Christians in that area condemned? No. They can still worship on their own.

Again, I really don't think He cares WHERE you pray, as long as you do pray.

Just my opinions.

[madphilb]

I've struggled with this sort of problem for years... still do to a point.

1st.... generally missing church itself isn't a sin... the Bible tells be sure to not neglect fellowship with other believers (services, etc..... I think the etc. part is sometimes even more important), we're also commanded to keep the Sabbath (which is actually sunset Friday to sunset on Saturday), however the command to keep the Sabbath holy doesn't necessarily require being in Temple/Church.... it was commanded long before those where physically built. Worship should really be an extension of our lives rather than a thing we do... but that's another topic for another day.

2nd... this sort of situation will cause you all sorts of problems in the future if you don't deal with it.... I've had to put up with what boils down to name calling for years, sometimes from Christian leadership over such things. (and it's really only your responsibility to get yourself up, not anyone elses).

Related to #2.... here are some things to consider.

a) Move the alarm clock.... I've yet to do this myself (found in the past it didn't make a difference with me, but it might help).... this is one of those things that if it's right next to your bed and goes off, and you shut it off without waking up.

Personally I've found that with myself that there is a period of time before I'm fully awake where I've been known to hold conversations with people (athough not good ones I'm sure) and never even remember them (or very vaguely, after I've put lots of concentration to it).

b) Get a dual-alarm clock... one with a really loud buzzer. Walmart was great for this.... went down the line and set off all the alarm clocks, however I don't know how your store is setup (I think they even changed my store). Half the clocks there had those "chirp, chirp, chirp" alarms, or worse, the Timex ones sounded like a wristwatch!

Set the two alarms to go off about 15-60 minutes apart (you'll have to experiment with this to see what works best)... if you've got that hazy period before you're awake, the 1st alarm brings you out of the dead sleep, the second one you should hear.

c) ask someone if you snore. This may be a sign of a sleep disorder (or you may just be keeping yourself awake with you're own snoring).

Myself I think I may have Sleep Apnea, but I can't be sure since I can't afford to go to a sleep clinic and be properly tested.. however I've made some changes (specifically lying on my side) that helped. I'd sleep for up to 14 hours and feel like I'd not slept at all... worse, I woke up tired. If you do have sleep apnea, it's worth getting tested, as it's a very dangerous thing.... you literally stop breathing in your sleep and your body wakes you up so you start breathing again.

You don't know how POed I am that I listened to those who told me I was just lazy when I had a boss willing to send me to a clinci to be tested for a sleeping disorder.

d) Know your limits on sleep and keep your schedule around that.
This is important... at the time I was having problems I was attending a church who's motto was "Continuous Revival" and they forced that by having speakers there 3 1/2 weeks out of the month... every day but Saturday, then run the services to midnight or later (with me running sound and helping out other places)... then trying to get home, sleep, and get up and to work by 8am... all with no "wind-down" time in the evening (something I've also found I need).

The problem is, no matter how much the leaders of that church told me that I didn't need more than 5-6 hours sleep, and that God would wake me up... the truth was that I need a consitant 7-8 hours a night... and God's never bothered to wake my sorry butt up.

With me personally, I found that I can do 5-6 hours a night for a few days... but if I try to keep at that (and not ballance it out with a few 8-9 hour nights) then my body will crash on me and I'll not be able to wake up for just about anything.

e) Get rid of cafeen.... I never thought that it effected my life.. I've not been one for a buzz from it (coffee doesn't acutally "wake" me up)..... but it being in my system would effect my sleep. The extra tax on your body doesn't allow you to rest as well at night... I did this years ago, cut out Colas and whatnot. I was one of those who drank nothing but Coke or Pepsi, and I noticed a big difference when I switched over to drinking decaf Coffee and things like Sprite or 7-up.

If you want to go all out, cut out refined Sugar as well.... it'll make a difference, but it's much harder to do.

f) it's generally better not to eat before you go to bed... in addition to getting all sorts of hearburn problems when you get older, your body will have to work to digest food rather than doing what it needs to do when you sleep.... best bet is to give it a few hours (I've heard up to 4) before going to bed.... an hour or two should help though.

Hopefully this will help some.... know you're not alone on this... hopefully I can be there for others, Lord knows I didn't have anyone helping me with these things (I've found most of this through on-line research and reading articles... as well as applying things to my own life).

Oh, I guess I missed the most important thing... PRAY. God does know... he'll help, just not always in the ways we think.

[EireWolf]

The problem I'm reading here is not a sleep problem, but a problem with your view of God.

Don't get me wrong; it is right and good to fear God and obey Him in all things... But it seems to me that you think God is watching for every bad thing you do and waiting to punish you. That is not God's nature... You are His child, and He loves you.

Shinja posted a good scripture to read. Pay special attention to this part: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:1-3)

Through the blood of Christ, your sins are forgiven. Remember that your Father in Heaven loves you dearly. That's all I have to say.

[Lluvia]

Some of us work late nights, and can't make it to Church every Sunday morning. In some circumstances, there isn't a Church that supports one's denomination in their area. I could go on and on. So, obviously, in some cases missing Church is inevitable. But most importantly, missing Church on Sunday is not a sin, period.

[font=Verdana]See Colossians 2:16-17. Which is to say that when Jesus came, He fulfilled the Sabbath day, and that being His child, and getting closer to Him through His word and prayer, is all that truly matters. [/font]

[wiggins]

The problem I'm reading here is not a sleep problem, but a problem with your view of God.

Don't get me wrong]loves[/i] you.

Shinja posted a good scripture to read. Pay special attention to this part: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:1-3)

Through the blood of Christ, your sins are forgiven. Remember that your Father in Heaven loves you dearly. That's all I have to say.

Thanks, and I know that. I guess perhaps my view of God was a bit like that no matter how much I deny it . But the other part of me says shouldn't we as Christians try to do whatever we can to show our faith in Christ and love for Him, not to the world for worldly praise, but in all the little things we do, like in getting up on time. If viewed in that sense, wouldn't it be like betraying God and your faith in Him almost. Thanks for the reminder that by Christ's blood I amm forgiven of all my sins. If you see any other errors in what I believe in or think, please tell me as soon as possible - I want to become (for lack of a better word/phrase) as good a Christian as I can be for God, as well as, (I know this is kjinda selfish), myself. TThanks Wolf!

[wiggins]

The problem I'm reading here is not a sleep problem, but a problem with your view of God.

Don't get me wrong]loves[/i] you.

Shinja posted a good scripture to read. Pay special attention to this part: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:1-3)

Through the blood of Christ, your sins are forgiven. Remember that your Father in Heaven loves you dearly. That's all I have to say.

Thanks, and I know that. I guess perhaps my view of God was a bit like that no matter how much I deny it . But the other part of me says shouldn't we as Christians try to do whatever we can to show our faith in Christ and love for Him, not to the world for worldly praise, but in all the little things we do, like in getting up on time. If viewed in that sense, wouldn't it be like betraying God and your faith in Him almost. Thanks for the reminder that by Christ's blood I amm forgiven of all my sins. If you see any other errors in what I believe in or think, please tell me as soon as possible - I want to become (for lack of a better word/phrase) as good a Christian as I can be for God, as well as, (I know this is kjinda selfish), myself. Thanks Wolf!

[Straylight]

For me, it's always been about evening services - I can never get up during the weekend.

[wiggins]

Ehhh! I double posted! Sorry! Please don't ban me. I must have clicked too fast and accidentally double-clicked. How do you delete that first post?

[Saint Kevin]

Wiggins, I think you might want to read Romans Chapter 14.Click here to read.

Whatever you decide to do in this matter, you need to be fully convinced in your own mind about it. In other words, if you feel you should go to church every Sunday, and you are able to, then it is a sin if you don't. I cannot judge your stance on this matter, because you must answer to Jesus for your actions, and not to me. We each have to answer to God for our own actions, and I am fully convinced in my own mind on this matter, and until someone persuades me otherwise, I will continue to do what I believe is right. Go with your conscience, and do whatever you feel is right before God, but be fully convinced in your own mind.

If you have any questions or need me to clarify, PM me.

Also, if anyone believes I am misinterpreting what Paul had to say in Romans 14, feel free to respond or PM me, I could be wrong, and I will not despise correction.

[Fsiphskilm]

Dude. it's okay... God doesn't

[EireWolf]

Yes, Romans 14 is also a good passage to read. Wiggins, I neglected to mention that you should do what your conscience tells you... which is right; you should. However, I get the impression that you have no lack of guilt, be it warranted or unwarranted.

The Holy Spirit doesn't tend to use guilt as a tool.... at least, not guilt accompanied by more guilt, and more guilt.... The Holy Spirit nudges us when we do wrong, and then leads us toward Christ. The Holy Spirit does not smack us over the head when we do wrong, and then rub our noses in it. That kind of guilt is the work of the Enemy.

So if you're feeling guilty about something, it is right to examine your thoughts and motives, and pray for forgiveness and help in going the right way... but do not wallow in your guilt, for that is just what the Enemy would want you to do. Because then, you aren't going anywhere; you're just wallowing in filth. See what I mean? Instead, accept the forgiveness Christ gives you, and get up and keep walking with Him in His boundless joy.

[wiggins]

Thanks everyone!