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ginnyrose
Member



Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Re: Nor Did They Know How to Blush

I also am new here, but as I scanned your article I was encouraged to see that others share my concern for the church or people who call themselves Christians.

You are ever so right that people too often look to the world for direction in life rather then the WORD of GOD.

We quit getting a daily newspaper because we have internet access and felt it was a waste of money. Recently DH bought one and I was appalled with Dear Abby's column..in fact it was so bad I did not read it in its entirety. Now how many look to her for guidance or allow her to shape your opinion? Even a casual reading of her columns will influence you ....

You are right on...God bless you. May we encourage each other to be faithful in face of opposition we are sure to encounter.


_________________
Sandra Miller

 2004/11/17 0:54Profile
Angyl
Member



Joined: 2005/1/26
Posts: 153


 Re:

I'll agree with everyone else here that your article is simply superb and right on.

 2005/1/27 14:40Profile
deltadom
Member



Joined: 2005/1/6
Posts: 2359
Hemel Hempstead

 Re: I like it

Hi my name is Dominic I have not watched TV in years and was bought up not having television, I have had years when I was addicted mainly to star trek and other stuff for so many years in my life and then decided not to watch television at all.
I find it has revolutionized my life and made it like the bible.
It is amazing how are appitites are dictated by what we watch. I have watched by buying habits move over from buying videos and clothes to spending money in the christian bookshop.
I have studied Marketing and the big example used is James Bond. Companies pay mega money to advertize.
What scares me how many christian books and christian music thou good is dictated by the worlds standards.

Quote:
Purify your hearts you double minded
or another quote



Quote:
Love not the world or the things in the world because the love of the father is not in you



We need to be pure in a wicked generation and to have a completly pure way of living

I agree with the article
Dom and wish someone would write a book about it
Angyl wrote:
I'll agree with everyone else here that your article is simply superb and right on. [font=Verdana]God bless you [/font]


_________________
Dominic Shiells

 2005/2/1 14:26Profile









 Re: Deltadom

Your testimony has blessed my soul today. Aren't you the one who was so concerned over his purity? Brother, you keep the dirt out, and soon that trash from the past will fade into obscurity. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ASK or think. You are on the narrow way. Just let Jesus continue to lead you. He has never led one astray yet, and He's not about to start with you.....or me. God bless you real good today.

You know, I think this article has been here ever since I've been coming to the SI Forums. I'm amazed that I am only now reading it. These same burdens have been on my heart for some time. I've said as much in other threads. However, this piece here is absolutely excellent. Thank you so much for your labor of love. He who has ears, let him/her hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying here. Take heed lest you fall, and how great is that fall. God cleans up the vessel, but it's up to us to guard it and keep the trash out. Praise the Lord, there are saints who hear from God and are willing to write what they hear. Alleluia. I am revived and refreshed. Thanks again.

In Him,

Lahry

 2005/5/3 10:20
dougkristen
Member



Joined: 2004/1/28
Posts: 360


 Re: Nor Did They Know How to Blush

Meghan,

This is very well written and powerful! I think about this everytime I take my family to the grocery store and have to flip the magazine over so that my young boys do not have to be assulted at the checkout.

Praise God for writing this and every Christian needs to read this.

IN Christ,
Doug


_________________
a Jesus freak

 2005/8/17 15:34Profile
baruch_48
Member



Joined: 2005/5/31
Posts: 78


 grocery stores

Quote:
I think about this everytime I take my family to the grocery store and have to flip the magazine over so that my young boys do not have to be assulted at the checkout.



the ole grocery store visual assault gauntlet .... what better place for Satan to attack Christians and continually program the minds of non-Christians

we've all gotta eat, don't we


 2005/9/2 6:44Profile
Ernestito
Member



Joined: 2005/9/6
Posts: 7


 Re: Nor Did They Know How to Blush

Dear Repenter,
I read your report. I didn't have to read very far to understand you. You seem burdened and tormented by unrighteousness.
"the fear of the Lord is hate evil". Prov. 8
You seem to fear God. I'm blessed to hear that.
I live in Southern California (escondido.....near san diego) and, though this city is full of churches, I struggle to find hardly a glimpse of any evidence of a legitimate rejection of this world for the sake of Christ.......and I'm talking about those in the "church".
It is an arrogant, self-serving, materialistic society with christian bumper stickers and weekly church attendence to justify what they picture as a "victorious life in Christ" but is really only the American dream at God's expense.....and to His mockery. It's literally nothing more than a subculture. Everyday I look at what is going on around me and I am filled with a frustrated sorrow to see my God mocked by the very lives of those who claim to be His.
However, I'm not sure if you've thought about this or not, I know you hinted at it, but I want to maybe offer something to think about.

When you look around you and you see the church behaving like the world, there's a reason for that- for the most part, they ARE the world.
They may go to a church building, they may speak in "christian terms" and include God in everything they say, they may be pursuing ministry, they may be involved in various functions, they may have their own church, they may shead tears during songs, they may read their bible constantly and be in continual prayer, they may demonstrate 'gifts', they may be many things that seem "sincere", BUT.......Is it God Himself that they are after?
They ,of course, would all declare that, but what do their lives demonstrate? What is the fruit they bear?

I've grown up in "church" since day 1. I've been to many kinds of churches and established many, many relationships with people.....many of them staff members, pastors, and musicians. Growing up around them, I became like them, all the way into my early twenties. I know how they think and why they do the things they do because my life was just that.
However, a couple years ago, God told me to leave "church" (which was hard cause I was on staff and it's been my whole life). Since then, He has been showing me what He's truly looking for out of man and His body. Even more, He's been showing me who He is and what it costs to follow Him.- Everything....including my life.

The harsh reality that I had to come to accept was that the "church", as I had known it, is not HIS church. It's a building, a subculture, and man-made programs composed of many people with all sorts of agendas. (not to say that there aren't some sincere people out there).

I've found that many people participate in "christianity" for various reasons.
Many are attracted to a god that will prosper their carnal lives......and I mean MANY.
Many are seeking a desireable life of "ministry"...aka, a career.
Many are looking to showcase themselves in various ways with arts and talents.....and you know what, every church has a stage and an audience.
Many are looking to "be okay" with God because their conscience is bothered over their self-seeking life.
Many just don't want to go to Hell.
Many are looking for an experience.
Many want a good show.
Many just like the "worship".
Many just like the music.
Many want to see miracles.
Many people were raised in church and just love the traditions they've been raised with.
Many just think it's a "good" thing to do.
Many want to have some sort of spiritual power.
Many are looking for a mate.
Many are just looking for a social venue.
The list could go on. But the question is, "who is looking for God Himself?"


After a lifetime in church, I have seen with my own eyes(spiritual eyes) that very few are looking to leave all behind to follow the real God. I find that almost everyone I've met, (even the most polished), have their eyes set on something besides God and are apart of the whole thing because they find earthly benefit for themselves.........and claim that they are following God Himself and justify it by twisting scripture to their will. I know it, I did the same. I speak christianeze quite fluently. However, beyond all my words, my heart was self-seeking.
They are following a god, but not the God of the Bible. How can I tell?
Because their god caters to their flesh.
Their god teaches them to call this earth a temporary "home".
Their god doesn't demand a denying of the self but rather favors self-esteem.
Their god loves money, exhibitionism, self-glory, numbers, fashions, business, big names, image, and a great life on earth.
Their god wants to pack the gathering of the saints with sinners........(a popular method, but contrary to the whole bible.)
Their god wants his children to flock to men to hear his words.
Their god wants his children to follow men.
Their god is concerned about earthly things.
Their god wants them to compromise, but calls it "finding the balance" or "moderation".
Their god doesn't slay their flesh and demand a life of pilgramage but is satified as long as church attendence and occasional prayer can fit into the American Dream.
Their god is a false god.

Their god is merely the priest that marries them to their true earthly loves.

The God I've come to know is a jealous God.
He NEVER appeals to the flesh, but only to the spirit.
He despises that which is temporary and ONLY is concerned with that which is eternal.
He does not glory in the strength of men but rather in their weakness.
He does not provide hope in this life but rather for eternity.
He hates when men seek a name for themselves at His expense.
He hates men making money off of his Holy Name through CD's, clothing lines, stickers, books,ect.
He loves when men become 'nobodies' that He can be seen through them.
He desires to lead His children personally. (I Sam. 8, Matt. 23:8-10.)
He slays the flesh of men by leading them away from their journey to become 'somebody' and demands it be left at the cross.
He requires us to hate our lives on this earth and to not look back to Egypt, but to look only forward to the eternal.
He is the real God, the God of the Bible, the God who will have His revenge on men who tried to get their way with Him and angered Him by claiming to the world that they are His.


I believe with all of my heart that those who are looking for the person of God Himself, God reveals Himself to them.
When God reveals Himself to them and they find "the desire of their heart" and follow Him, they will naturally bear fruit (the evidence of the Holy Spirit making them more like Jesus.)

They will look like God's children because that's what they are.


When you find yourself discouraged or upset when seeing a christian's eyes light up at the pleasures of this life.......it's most likely because they are not a christian. (I john 2:15)
A tree will bear it's proper fruit. If they look like the world and seem to love this world.....it's because, most likely, they are.

God's real children will bear fruit in the likeness of Jesus. God's real church, a global community of true pilgrems, will look and act like what christians should be- because, that's what they are.

Repenter, I encourage you to pursue God's heart without compromise no matter what anybody says. But when you are discouraged about the conditions of the "church", you need to ask yourself, "beyond the external appearances, is this even His church?"
Yes, God's real church is tempted by all the same things, however, their hearts do not love them.......and it will show. The allegiance they have to Christ will characterize their lives.....and you will know them by their fruit.
If you seek "church", you will find "church"......and be disappointed in that you've only found man.
But if you seek His kingdom, you will find His kingdom.........and thus, you will find His Church.
The real children of God are out there. Not as many as I once thought, they have always been a remnent and persecuted by the religious masses, but they are out there.

I appreciate your concern for God's name being properly represented. It's refreshing to hear. It's a jealousy you have for His name that He's put in your heart.
Keep seeking His kingdom.

a brother

 2005/9/8 5:54Profile
RandyJ
Member



Joined: 2005/10/1
Posts: 49
Peace River, AB, Canada

 Re: Nor Did They Know How to Blush

Dear repenter, I have just read your article and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would ask permission to print it and perhaps give it out. I have studied Charles Finney's Systematic Theology and am convinced of the possibility for man to perfectly obey the commands of the Lord. The law of the Lord is the ultimate standard for a person. Since being thoroughly convinced of this I have had a conscience like an open wound. I cannot say that I have always perfectly obeyed God's laws, a shame to me, but I know God's grace to me, that he will lead me in the way of everlasting if I follow, and have always been quick to recover. I can see no hiding place for the sinner before God Almighty. No sinner shall say "It's my sin nature" "I couldn't help it" or "the taught it to be OK". If all doctrines that teach or imply the necessity of sin were stripped from a person then he could not help but blush.
Randy


_________________
Randy Steinke

 2005/10/1 19:21Profile
jimbob
Member



Joined: 2005/9/25
Posts: 131


 Re:

RandyJ,

My computer was down for a while, thats the reason for no response to your last PM.

If the "Law of the Lord is the ultimate standard for a person", how do you propose you are going to keep that standard? And for how long? Did you keep it today, perfectly in THOUGHT and deed?

Is there a SOURCE of your righteousness that is apart from you? Are you the SOURCE of your own righteousness? Or do you DERIVE your desire to live righteously from your union with God?

One more thing, to look on sinners with scorn and contempt, wether they are in the church or in the world is one of the greater sins, how do you evaluate your walk in this light?

"I desire compassion and not sacrifice." Mt 9:13

The Lord bless you

 2005/10/21 20:59Profile
teamtoucan
Member



Joined: 2005/12/27
Posts: 42
Queanbeyan, Canberra, NSW, Australia

 Re: Nor Did They Know How to Blush

Dear Repenter,

I think your article is great – I just wish I could find a preacher in a pulpit who says what you say. So far I have not been able to find one. That’s sad.

Some years ago my wife and I:
- got rid of our TV
- started dressing modestly / economically / not in a showing-off way
- got rid of all our secular music (we now listen only to conservative Christian music where the people are interested in you hearing their message rather than showing off what great musicians and singers they are)
- Stopped going to movies (it is immoral for actors to kiss each other when they are not married, therefore it is immoral for my wife and I to spend money on a movie where that happens. And that’s just about every movie you see – so that generally means that we don’t go to the movies at all).

In case you are interested, a sermon called “Worldly Amusement and Christianity” by Catherine Booth (co-founder of the Salvation Army) is on a somewhat similar topic, is located here http://www.rescuepoint.org/WorldlyAmusement.htm if you are interested.

God bless you for your article. May it be published far and wide, and may ministers of religion take note that we want them to guide us like your article guides us.

God bless,

Brian


_________________
Brian and Tracey Clack

 2005/12/28 0:29Profile





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