Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

[Cindy]

Matt, hope you are having a better day. I will tell you that I struggle daily with some physical problems, and the stress of that causes emotional stress as well. I do know that a lot of people go off their meds, and look for help with illegal drugs. Lets face it, if we get high or mellowed it feels good. But, there are those lows that sneak up on us, when we come down. It's a never ending cycle it seems. There is hope for all of us in Jesus Christ. I do encourage you to try to find someone you trust, family, friend, or anyone to pour out your heart to. It helps to have someone face to face I know.

Praying for you, Matt.

[AreYouReady?]

I want to point out that many people stop going to church because the five-fold ministry basically is NOT present in many UPC churches, despite what they say.

Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Some of ya'll forget that there are some OP churches that are ....basically....corrupt. Go ahead and stone me if you want over that statement but I stand by it because I have seen it with my own eyes here in my own region. There ain't no five-fold ministry in those churches!

My debut into these forums here was after the internet led me here to read a whole thread about how a pastor in Georgia told horrible lies against a woman so her husband who divorced her could marry the pastor's daughter.

That is corrupt and an assassination of that woman's character by a UPC Pastor.


If a prophet steps foot into some UPC churches and if they could, they would stone him like the ancient Israelites stoned their prophets.

[AreYouReady?]

Well....I'd say that Matt is not an idiot. He's full grown adult who can sift through all the advice and take what he feels will work best for him.

Matt has already written in some post on these forums that he shared with one person in his church about his medication and that trust was betrayed. And if all he hears is for him to just keep praying ...So I have to wonder about just how much Christian in Action is going on there?

He should not have to worry about what his fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord are thinking about him. He made a mistake, he came for restoration and they should be spiritual enough to plead to the Lord for his case.

[bbyrd009]

Hey, he named his sin (kudos)
and maybe got some premises revealed.
How many idiots does it take to make a thread, I wonder.

[bbyrd009]

I spose that's gonna be limited to your def of church, too...

[Barb]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

I spose that's gonna be limited to your def of church, too...

We are the Church...

Origin:
1570–80; < Latin < Greek ekklēsía assembly, equivalent to ékklēt ( os ) summoned ( ek- ec- + klē-, variant of kal-, stem of kaleîn to call, + -tos past participle suffix) + -ia -ia

All who are Born Again, as the Scripture hath said, are called, summoned.

In order that we might not just run around with our own little agenda and whatnot, God designed that there be pastors, teachers, apostles, prophets in this called out Body.

This "assembling together," be it an edifice built specifically for this purpose, a dining room in your home, or a brush arbor, is often called "church."

But it is not THE Church...we are THE Church.

The place where we assemble is simply a place we have set aside for prayer, instruction, edification, giving, and fellowship of like minded disciples of Christ.

It is all scriptural, and CCI is absolutely right in this...assembling together and pastors, etc. is all scriptural.

To say otherwise is to pick and choose which part of truth we will embrace.

I am deeply sorry that many have been wounded by those who sought to follow their own way rather than the Word of God, or by those who lacked the love of God in administration.

Trust me when I say that I have horror stories in my family, and as I write, there is an ongoing issue that I am dealing with...NOT with my church or pastor!!!!

So I DO understand, but with all that is going on, I must remember that God's plan for the Church...the summoned and called, has not changed just because charlatans raise their ugly head.

God's Word stands as strong and true and right today as it did when the first century saints first read those letters of instruction.

I still be believe in the Church and I believe in her worth. If that involves having a pastor and attending services/meetings, I am honored to do so.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Barb

We are the Church...

Origin:
1570–80; < Latin < Greek ekklēsía assembly, equivalent to ékklēt ( os ) summoned ( ek- ec- + klē-, variant of kal-, stem of kaleîn to call, + -tos past participle suffix) + -ia -ia

All who are Born Again, as the Scripture hath said, are called, summoned.

In order that we might not just run around with our own little agenda and whatnot, God designed that there be pastors, teachers, apostles, prophets in this called out Body.

This "assembling together," be it an edifice built specifically for this purpose, a dining room in your home, or a brush arbor, is often called "church."

But it is not THE Church...we are THE Church.

The place where we assemble is simply a place we have set aside for prayer, instruction, edification, giving, and fellowship of like minded disciples of Christ.

It is all scriptural, and CCI is absolutely right in this...assembling together and pastors, etc. is all scriptural.

To say otherwise is to pick and choose which part of truth we will embrace.

I am deeply sorry that many have been wounded by those who sought to follow their own way rather than the Word of God, or by those who lacked the love of God in administration.

Trust me when I say that I have horror stories in my family, and as I write, there is an ongoing issue that I am dealing with...NOT with my church or pastor!!!!

So I DO understand, but with all that is going on, I must remember that God's plan for the Church...the summoned and called, has not changed just because charlatans raise their ugly head.

God's Word stands as strong and true and right today as it did when the first century saints first read those letters of instruction.

I still be believe in the Church and I believe in her worth. If that involves having a pastor and attending services/meetings, I am honored to do so.

Amen, although that surely just convinces you that I'm a schizo. I guess I have just been really lucky with Pastors--never had any of the problems described. Actually, I'm convinced that that is because I never worshipped any of them, knew that they were just men, and peoples' premises are for some reason transparent to me.

[Amanah]

Casting Crowns - Jesus, Friend Of Sinners Lyrics


Jesus, friend of sinners
We have strayed so far away
We cut down people in Your name
But the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners
The truth’s become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You
But they’re tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up
I’m so double minded
A plank-eyed saint with dirty hands
And a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world
At the end our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Break our hearts for what breaks Yours

Jesus, friend of sinners
The One whose writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away
And the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember
We are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy
Bring Your people to their knees

Nobody knows what we’re for
Only what we’re against
When we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs
Crossed over the lines
And loved like You did

You love every lost cause
You reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame
They’re the reason that You came
Lord, I was that lost cause
And I was the outcast
But You died for sinners just like me
A grateful leper at Your feet

‘Cause You are good
You are good
And Your love endures forever

And I was the lost cause
And I was the outcast
You died for sinners just like me
A grateful leper at Your feet

[bbyrd009]

Wow. Might even get me to listening to gospel again, ty Amanah.

[KeptByTheWord]

Beautiful song Amanah - thanks for sharing!