Apostolic Friends Forum - Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by Michael Phelps (Post 1171574)

How you treat me is your choice......how I respond to it is my choice.

Exactly! :thumbsup

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by AreYouReady? (Post 1171535)

Kept, I appreciate your words and not saying that you do this, but why is it that there are some people who automatically think that someone gets hurt and drops completely out of fellowship with other believers? Or that they do not try to find another body of believers? Or that some people want to be an island all their own?

No, I don't think this at all. I know that healing takes place in many, many different ways. But we cannot exist alone forever.

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Originally Posted by AreYouReady? (Post 1171535)

Sometimes after all efforts to find our (people in general) niche in the body and all efforts of people who have a Diotrephe's spirit to keep who they consider to be an undesirable or a nonconformist out of their presence, we must live without the camp. It doesn't mean those who live without the camp hates the camp, it just means that there are some who will not continue to allow the finger to poke the eye, or the foot to kick the rear any longer. Believe me, there are some people who feel they have the right to do that and the leadership of the church will violate scripture and allow it to happen.

You are right. And so, we must walk by the Spirit. Each of us are on a journey, and yours is different from mine. I can only share my experiences, but that doesn't mean everyone else must do it like me.

Again, being led by the Spirit is the crucial element here. The Lord himself knows exactly where you need to be. Asking for the direction of the Lord to lead and guide you where he desires you to be, should be our focus, not just finding a church building to attend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreYouReady? (Post 1171535)

There are always people to fellowship with we know and we get together. It is easier to find another body of believers when you live in a large community than when you live in a rural community. I would love to leave this area. It is spiritually dark, even with a church on every corner. It is dark because there is a Diotrephe's spirit that permeates this area. Until then...I have to keep on doing what we are presently doing. I find people everywhere I go and share the Lord with them and they with me. I never would have believed how many people there are that are just like some of us. They are everywhere. I listen to them and their story. Lots of lonely people out there who are not accepted by the church system.

Amen. And you no doubt are exactly where the Lord has led you to be. You are doing the work He has called you to do, ministering as you go about your daily business, and life. What greater calling is there? Praise God for the work that you are doing. You are the hand outstretched to those in need. This world is full of people who are coming out of organized religion, and desiring to find a real relationship with Jesus. Being led by the Spirit as you go about your daily routine, and errands, is wonderful. Only eternity will know how many souls you have ministered to!

:yourock

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by Michael Phelps (Post 1171563)

I think the major difference between dealing with problems in the church, and dealing with them in the world is that we are taught, either subliminally, or blatantly, to not engage in conflict in the church. Don't confront the situation, ignore it, pray about it, whatever, and it will go away. But it doesn't. The hurt festers, the wound gets infected, and it's just never a good idea to ignore problems, conflicts, hurts, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps (Post 1171563)

In my HUMBLE opinion, what creates more hurts and deep wounds in a church is the inability, or unwillingness to confront issues head on and work them out. If we could all do that, I think the church would be a much happier place. But, again, just my two cents.........

Agreed brother! :highfive

In fact, if we look at how the church was run in the book of Acts, confrontation and dealing with difficult issues was of paramount concern. Nothing was swept under the carpet. It was dealt with. Look at Annias and Saphira and again, look at the dispute between Paul and Peter. Disputes, arguments, clashes, confrontations took place. However, with those in leadership being led of the Spirit, those issues were resolved.

The problem today is that instead of praying, and seeking the Lord's directions on issues, they are either not dealt with or... as you have said, people are just told to go and pray about it and submit. Completely un-apostolic from how we see things dealt with in the book of Acts.

So, yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly, dealing with the issue is paramount, instead of sweeping it under the carpet... if the Spirit of God is leading and guiding. Any other method only brings more destruction.

So, we are left with a mess in most churches, because of this. Putting Band-Aids on huge gaping wounds never heals the wound, just more festering, and more infection, and a very SICK body... which is exactly what the church as a whole is today... very, very sick.

If the Apostle Paul, Peter, or Jesus himself were to visit any of these so-called apostolic or spirit-filled churches, they would probably never make it past the front door.

Which is why people are leaving churches in droves seeking out true fellowship and relationship with Jesus, and often feeling completely alone. I sense that here on this AFF forum, so many people who see the sickness of the church in whole, and want nothing to do with it.

I have no answers, but the only one who does is Jesus Christ and He alone knows the answer to the mess we are in.

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps
I think the major difference between dealing with problems in the church, and dealing with them in the world is that we are taught, either subliminally, or blatantly, to not engage in conflict in the church. Don't confront the situation, ignore it, pray about it, whatever, and it will go away. But it doesn't. The hurt festers, the wound gets infected, and it's just never a good idea to ignore problems, conflicts, hurts, etc.

I don't think there is anything subliminal about it. It is ALL very blatant. We, the riff raff in the pews, are told to NOT touch God's anointed. Thus any problem we have is OUR problem as they (leadership) can never be at fault, and if they are, then God is the only one allowed to deal with it -and HE rarely does because HE is probably marveling at how stupid we are to let the junk keep going on.

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by RandyWayne (Post 1171594)

I agree, but I'm not just talking about pastor/saint issues, I'm referring to saint/saint issues.

We were never taught how to be honest and open with people, and then move on. I think there is always that fear around "how will I face them if I get angry with them"......and "will they hate me forever"......my wife marvels that I can get into a heated discussion with friends, co-workers, bandmates, etc. and 10 minutes later we are laughing and having a good time.

Trust me - I did NOT learn that in the church! :happydance

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by Michael Phelps (Post 1171598)

......my wife marvels that I can get into a heated discussion with friends, co-workers, bandmates, etc. and 10 minutes later we are laughing and having a good time.

! :happydance

I think this is more of a guy thing. Most guys I know are like this. On the other hand most women I know steam for a very long time when they get in a heated discusion!

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by Michael Phelps (Post 1171598)

I agree about the saint/saint issue but I also think it is a man/man versus woman/woman thing as well. After all, men can go multiple rounds in the Octagon and hug each other afterwards but two women can show up in the same dress and thus starts a conflict which lasts the rest of their lives. LOL

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by RandyWayne (Post 1171604)

Good point!

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by RandyWayne (Post 1171604)

Lol -- too funny, but also probably right on!

Men let it go - women want to fix everything!

Re: Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

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Originally Posted by RandyWayne (Post 1171604)

I've only hit two women in my whole life and they started it. My daddy taught me not to start a fight, but that I could finish it. :thumbsup :heeheehee