Oh for goodness sake! Pastor took his wife away on a much over due vacation yesterday so he had one of the younger fellows preach. He was soooooo loud and legalistic, I don't think I can sit there ever again and listen to him. Fact is if he continues to preach, we are outta there.
First off- he got into men wearing sandals and screamed "Men, you ought not be wearing flip-flops on your feet. Fact is, you had better not be wearing shorts and showing your chest hairs on your chest." He said the Bible says if you show your thigh your naked. Excuse me, but didn't Jesus wear sandals?
Quite frankly he made it sound as if a burqua (spelling) was the order for the day for women and men suits and ties everyday all day long. Now he has only been saved for 10 years exactly. He was saved 9/11/01 that evening the terrorists changed our nation forever. So I would like to chalk it up to his youth and immaturity in Christ. He said when he got saved he hated everything and everyone. I wish someone had taped his message and played it back to him today. Not sure the Lord has changed that area of his life yet. I am beat down and finding it hard to have much joy today.
I love going to church and come out with the feeling that we have spent time with God. But that was missing last night. In a room about 20 X 35, he yelled as loud as he could to the point I could have sworn the roof was shaking. This good old boy needs to get out Galatians and do a bit of reading. You see, the truth is some people have so much grace they have no truth and then there are others who have so much truth, they have no grace. That was evident last night. Oh, what do?
Is he a false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, Galatians 2:4 Christ set me free from bondage and this whipper snapper did his best to bring us back in last night. I will not walk around ashamed should I be in a pair of capri's and a t-shirt. I dress for the occasion. I dress appropriately. I am nearly 70 years old and if I don't know how to present myself by now, I better stay home.
About a week ago two fellows with white dress shirts and ties came down the street here. I can guarantee they were not Christians. As I saw them lock up their bicycles with a padlock. Proving once again, clothes do not make the man a Christian. A couple of well dressed ladies stopped here with their Watchtower, which also did not make them Christians.
How will we know a Christian when we see them, by their love. By the actions they do, the works which they do to show and share their faith in Christ. We can't have rules, rules, rules and eliminate the work of the Holy Spirit altogether. We have the trinity for a reason. We know her, God the Son and about God the Father but we leave out the work of the Holy Spirit in some of our strict Baptist Churches today. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 Enjoy your life in Christ. PULEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Am I brave?
I am sitting here wondering if I am brave enough to share this blog with anyone. I think it is the fear of rejection deep within my soul. I am not looking for sympathy. I just needed a place to vent.
We were visited by the new Pastor and his wife this week. She is lovely and I think someone I could enjoy being with. She has a new knee and I am headed that way so it would be nice to have someone share intimately about the surgery and recovery time. He is altogether very formal. I worry when people show up at my door with crisp white shirts and ties. I want people to let their hair down and show me who they are. I guess it is because I carry my emotions on my sleeve and expect others to do the same. Although pleasant guests, I am not sure this church is for me just yet. I have heard you need to give it about a month or so to get a true picture. I will have to be in on trying or will make my boss ultra unhappy with me.
He is such a good hubby. I know he is our leader and I will go if I have to. But shouldn't I want to?!? Has anyone out there ever put up a "Fleece?" Well, sorry to say I did. You see, this is a new work starting about a year or so ago. It is also close to our home which is great. However, on Wednesday nights they meet in the members homes for Bible study until the new church is built. So last Sunday I said to the Lord, if this is the church for us they will make it a point to say, 'Here is my address come and fellowship with us." Well the they didn't. SELF says, see- they didn't invite you so this church is not for you. Would a truly dedicated Christian say, ''Where is Bible Study held and what time should I be there?'' Pastor visited Thursday evening and never said a word and neither did I. He was trying not to over stay his welcome but I had lots of questions for him that were not answered. Well, hubby is psyched about attending so I will add an extra dab of smile to my make-up in the morning and trudge along.
If this ends up being not the one I think I am done. I can't keep this up. I loved Women's Ministry and today I don't have an ounce of joy about that at all. I have organized some of the best times in our past places of worship. We laughed, loved, and grew to a closeness that will last forever. The thought of starting all over again has me burned right to the core. I don't even know if they have a Woman's ministry here. So many questions...
So If I get brave and send you this link, I am open for rebuke. Just not sympathy.
We were visited by the new Pastor and his wife this week. She is lovely and I think someone I could enjoy being with. She has a new knee and I am headed that way so it would be nice to have someone share intimately about the surgery and recovery time. He is altogether very formal. I worry when people show up at my door with crisp white shirts and ties. I want people to let their hair down and show me who they are. I guess it is because I carry my emotions on my sleeve and expect others to do the same. Although pleasant guests, I am not sure this church is for me just yet. I have heard you need to give it about a month or so to get a true picture. I will have to be in on trying or will make my boss ultra unhappy with me.
He is such a good hubby. I know he is our leader and I will go if I have to. But shouldn't I want to?!? Has anyone out there ever put up a "Fleece?" Well, sorry to say I did. You see, this is a new work starting about a year or so ago. It is also close to our home which is great. However, on Wednesday nights they meet in the members homes for Bible study until the new church is built. So last Sunday I said to the Lord, if this is the church for us they will make it a point to say, 'Here is my address come and fellowship with us." Well the they didn't. SELF says, see- they didn't invite you so this church is not for you. Would a truly dedicated Christian say, ''Where is Bible Study held and what time should I be there?'' Pastor visited Thursday evening and never said a word and neither did I. He was trying not to over stay his welcome but I had lots of questions for him that were not answered. Well, hubby is psyched about attending so I will add an extra dab of smile to my make-up in the morning and trudge along.
If this ends up being not the one I think I am done. I can't keep this up. I loved Women's Ministry and today I don't have an ounce of joy about that at all. I have organized some of the best times in our past places of worship. We laughed, loved, and grew to a closeness that will last forever. The thought of starting all over again has me burned right to the core. I don't even know if they have a Woman's ministry here. So many questions...
So If I get brave and send you this link, I am open for rebuke. Just not sympathy.
Monday, September 5, 2011
From my heart
I have been looking for a place to share things from my heart that might or might not interest anyone who would stop by. I am new to blogging and hope what I have to say isn't too boring for any one. You see, I am lonely I moved to SC over a year ago now. It is a retirement of sorts for my hubby and I. Although, shuffleboard and bridge are not on our daily agenda. The good thing, We found you don't have to shovel sunshine.
In our move we left behind everyone. 2 fantastic children with wonderful spouses and 8 equally fantastic grandchildren. All our friends, and Rand's family. EVERYONE! I was sure we would find our nitch and settle in to a grand lifestyle. But, no...it is quite the opposite. We moved too quickly in moving to this town. Everyone who lives here can't believe that it was basically a dart on the map that made us choose this place. When you only have a week to find a house, you do stupid things. The minute I decided to let the real estate agent take over we were done.
Sumter is a Military town. I had the feeling of being protected here at first. When you hear the F16's practice in your backyard daily, you get that sense of security. Sumter is a lot of old families as well who control things so new doesn't move in. Shopping is basically a tiny JCPenney's and Wal-Mart. Big deal. If you want anything special a trip to Columbia is the plan of the day.
Friendships have all been formed and you are the new guy trying to infiltrate their groups. At least that's the way they make me feel. Churches are a dime a dozen and although you may connect with a group, Sunday morning is the only time you have a chance to fellowship as their lives are already filled with "old friends."
The neighbors all keep to themselves. I have wondered where the southern hospitality you hear so much about is. The house across the street just sold. I have been axiouslt waiting for a moving van to come. I vowed to myself I would be a good neighbor when I meet the new folks. I even have a casserole dish of homemade manicotti's in my freezer to take to the new owners on moving day to make their burden light. Today I got excited when someone was there raking up the yard. I told my hubby I would be right back as someone was at the house and hopefully I would be able to find out when they are moving in. When I introduced myself to the lady she said the home was her sisters and she lives in Texas. They were only there to help her out for a few hours. I asked when she was going to move in and she said maybe 2 years or so, She said she is a nurse in Houston and just bought the house so if she died she would have something to leave her son. I am sure she saw the disappointment on my face.
To make matters worse, my hubby isn't satisfied with the church we have been attending so we are visiting many churches to find a fit. He doesn't understand just how hard that is for me. He is the leader of this home and I love him and will honor him by going where he goes but I am so lonely. Week after week we sit in a new Sunday School class and church listening for just what we need to hear and then it is on to the next. I know we will find what he is looking for soon but it is soooooo hard! Some of the sweetest people are in churches. But do I see fellowship outside of church with them, no.
It only makes me regret ever suggesting a move south for Rand's health. My life was my kids and family. Now they're all too far. I realize what my own mother went through when she lived in Florida all those years. Although I never really heard her say it, she must have been lonely too. For 22 years all I have done was babysit one grandchild after another. I don't know what to do with myself.
Today's lesson, is stop, think and pray! Ask God to show you His place for you. He knows where he wants you to live. If we had even stopped to pray and ask God if Sumter was where He wanted us to settle down, I am sure He would have guided us. It's really too late now as Rand has stuck in his heels and said, "I am not moving again, ever!" Don't live with the regrets I do for not seeking His will for my life. I just don't know how to get out of this slump.
In our move we left behind everyone. 2 fantastic children with wonderful spouses and 8 equally fantastic grandchildren. All our friends, and Rand's family. EVERYONE! I was sure we would find our nitch and settle in to a grand lifestyle. But, no...it is quite the opposite. We moved too quickly in moving to this town. Everyone who lives here can't believe that it was basically a dart on the map that made us choose this place. When you only have a week to find a house, you do stupid things. The minute I decided to let the real estate agent take over we were done.
Sumter is a Military town. I had the feeling of being protected here at first. When you hear the F16's practice in your backyard daily, you get that sense of security. Sumter is a lot of old families as well who control things so new doesn't move in. Shopping is basically a tiny JCPenney's and Wal-Mart. Big deal. If you want anything special a trip to Columbia is the plan of the day.
Friendships have all been formed and you are the new guy trying to infiltrate their groups. At least that's the way they make me feel. Churches are a dime a dozen and although you may connect with a group, Sunday morning is the only time you have a chance to fellowship as their lives are already filled with "old friends."
The neighbors all keep to themselves. I have wondered where the southern hospitality you hear so much about is. The house across the street just sold. I have been axiouslt waiting for a moving van to come. I vowed to myself I would be a good neighbor when I meet the new folks. I even have a casserole dish of homemade manicotti's in my freezer to take to the new owners on moving day to make their burden light. Today I got excited when someone was there raking up the yard. I told my hubby I would be right back as someone was at the house and hopefully I would be able to find out when they are moving in. When I introduced myself to the lady she said the home was her sisters and she lives in Texas. They were only there to help her out for a few hours. I asked when she was going to move in and she said maybe 2 years or so, She said she is a nurse in Houston and just bought the house so if she died she would have something to leave her son. I am sure she saw the disappointment on my face.
To make matters worse, my hubby isn't satisfied with the church we have been attending so we are visiting many churches to find a fit. He doesn't understand just how hard that is for me. He is the leader of this home and I love him and will honor him by going where he goes but I am so lonely. Week after week we sit in a new Sunday School class and church listening for just what we need to hear and then it is on to the next. I know we will find what he is looking for soon but it is soooooo hard! Some of the sweetest people are in churches. But do I see fellowship outside of church with them, no.
It only makes me regret ever suggesting a move south for Rand's health. My life was my kids and family. Now they're all too far. I realize what my own mother went through when she lived in Florida all those years. Although I never really heard her say it, she must have been lonely too. For 22 years all I have done was babysit one grandchild after another. I don't know what to do with myself.
Today's lesson, is stop, think and pray! Ask God to show you His place for you. He knows where he wants you to live. If we had even stopped to pray and ask God if Sumter was where He wanted us to settle down, I am sure He would have guided us. It's really too late now as Rand has stuck in his heels and said, "I am not moving again, ever!" Don't live with the regrets I do for not seeking His will for my life. I just don't know how to get out of this slump.
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