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Assumptions are bad things. I never said that I was denying Jesus.

You're quite corect. My apologies.

To me, being a Christian is not organized religion but a relationship. A relationship between me and my Savior.

Dead on.

A church is just simply a building and organized religion is a man-made creation.

I'm surprised you believe that to be true. It was God, not man, who established an organized church in Matthew 16:18 (note that He calls it "my church") and Matthew 28. Then there's massive amounts of material in Acts and the epistles (50% of the content at the very least) that simply wouldn't have been written if there was no plan for an organized Church. What does that say to you?

I don’t need to visit a building twice on Sundays and maybe once on Wednesday nights to be saved by my Lord. If that were the case, then He wouldn’t be much of a Savior now would He?

True, but consider this: In Hebrews 10:25 we are told, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

In an age where there are many wolves in sheep's clothing, it may be harder to find the right fellowship than it used to be, but it is plainly not optional. And as the Day of the Lord gets closer it would seem to be even more important.

Regarding your last paragraph...sorry you felt you needed to leave the ministry. But here's a question, preacher to preacher: Isn't the church supposed to be a hospital for sinners, rather than a hotel for saints? And is your assessment that you have a stronger relationship with Jesus based on objective biblical benchmarks (such as the ones in 1 John) or on how you feel? I ask because I have a couple of friends who have gotten deep into new age stuff and they claim that their relationship with Jesus is stronger than ever. So does Oprah, IIRC. Are you sure you can put aside a core part of what Jesus established here on earth as unimportant and still develop the kind of spiritual life He intended?

Just trying to speak the truth in love. If you wish, take the conversation to freepmail anytime, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.