A denomination is not a church, and it is dangerous to treat it as though it is.  Then the denomination inevitably becomes opposed to the unity of the Spirit, for it confuses its own structures with the unity of God's church.

A church—that is, a congregation—is ruled over by God's Spirit through his Word. A denomination, because it rarely (if ever) meets for this purpose, is not under the influence of God's Spirit in the same way that a church is (or should be).  It is particularly easy, therefore, for a denomination to lose sight of its proper spiritual role.

Once a denomination has developed institutional structures that people come to think are ‘the church’, the trouble has begun.  Instead of being an expression of the unity of the Spirit, an outworking of the fellowship of those who in different places call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the denomination can then impede the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. History suggests that over time this temptation is close to irresistible.  There is a solemn responsibility on those who belong to such an association to ensure that the association works for good and is not allowed to quench the Spirit.  (excerpt from http://matthiasmedia.com.au/briefing/library/2687/)

   Can anyone relate to this?

Eph 4:1-7I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

   Was Paul Anti-Denominational?

If you consider that only 2/3s of the 150 million tax filers actually pay taxes, the 2009 economic stimulus package means that the government is going to borrow $18000 (on my behalf of my wife and children).  Of that, I am being heisted $5500 for tax cuts, $820 for schools, $22 for Amtrak, $12 for fuel-efficient cars for the government, $5.5 for fixing the state dept computers, $4 to spruce up the national mall, $1 for the endowment for the Arts, $8 for climate change research, $13 for digital TV converter box coupons, $8 to screen for sexually transmitted diseases, and much, much more. 

And I can't do NOTHING about it!  ---Don't you just love this country?!

Do you live in defeat?!  Why not claim the VICTORY that you can have, in the Lord?  Why ado we hear so many self-help, self-confidence, pull-yourself-up type messages in chruch?  Doesn't this go in the face of God?  I'm tired of all the 'slick' willy's that teach such defeat.