Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I think the point that is being missed is that what ILG has gone thru, among hundreds of others, is not a UPC thing, or a CHURCH thing, but a HUMAN thing.......people treat each other poorly, whether you're in the church or out of it. To blame an organization for the actions of its members is akin to blaming the government of a nation when one of it's constituents commits a crime. There may be a connection, but it's not a direct result of the organization.

I agree that the UPC indoctrinates its constituents to view others outside the Mother Ship as "less than", but it's up to the individual to govern his or her own actions toward others.

Now, I say all that to say this - the exact same thing happens in schools, jobs, neighborhoods, clubs, you name it......to expect that you'll ever find a place where no one causes you grief is to expect Nirvana on earth, and just like Santa Claus - that don't exist.

That's why Hemingway wrote this comment, and I'll post it again, just in case it got lost in the shuffle:

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward,
some are strong at the broken places.” Ernest Hemingway

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Now, I say all that to say this - the exact same thing happens in schools, jobs, neighborhoods, clubs, you name it......to expect that you'll ever find a place where no one causes you grief is to expect Nirvana on earth, and just like Santa Claus - that don't exist.

I'm never going to get over this one!

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I'm never going to get over this one!

[Nitehawk013]

For the record, no one called ILG or anyone else stupid or assinine.

I said her position was. The fact that so many cannot apparently tell the difference between attacking a position and attacking a person is frustrating. And the other poster criticzing ILG's position wasn't calling her names either.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

For the record, no one called ILG or anyone else stupid or assinine.

I said her position was. The fact that so many cannot apparently tell the difference between attacking a position and attacking a person is frustrating. And the other poster criticzing ILG's position wasn't calling her names either.

That's it in a nutshell, but she felt personally attacked. So words like stupid and asinine directed toward an idea or thought, may not be the best way to go.

[Cindy]

We are all entitled to our opinions, just try to remember to be kind to each other, please.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I think the point that is being missed is that what ILG has gone thru, among hundreds of others, is not a UPC thing, or a CHURCH thing, but a HUMAN thing.......people treat each other poorly, whether you're in the church or out of it. To blame an organization for the actions of its members is akin to blaming the government of a nation when one of it's constituents commits a crime. There may be a connection, but it's not a direct result of the organization.

I agree that the UPC indoctrinates its constituents to view others outside the Mother Ship as "less than", but it's up to the individual to govern his or her own actions toward others.

Now, I say all that to say this - the exact same thing happens in schools, jobs, neighborhoods, clubs, you name it......to expect that you'll ever find a place where no one causes you grief is to expect Nirvana on earth, and just like Santa Claus - that don't exist.

That's why Hemingway wrote this comment, and I'll post it again, just in case it got lost in the shuffle:

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward,
some are strong at the broken places.” Ernest Hemingway

I wish everyone who decides to walk away from the UPC, or whatever organization had this healthy attitude.

You know, we have been reading what some posters have been saying for year after year after year. Makes you wonder if anything could ever make them happy. We've all been hurt. But as long as we keep picking at the scab, the wound will NEVER heal.

Find an organization, or church, that will make you happy and thrive there. And I truly wish you well...

[CC1]

Originally Posted by ILG

If I have to chose between losing your respect and being abused spiritually as has been my experience in all the years I went to church, I chose losing your respect.

I'm sorry there has to be any choice at all but apparently there has to be.

So every single church you could attend would be "spiritual abuse"? Hogwash!

Has it ever dawned on you that if every single church is bad in your mind that maybe the problem is with you and not all the churches?

I am not diminishing the hurt and issues you had with church in your past. What I am saying is that you are using that as an excuse to not be in any church and that excuse is not biblical despite your convoluted logic regarding Jesus and the Sabbath.

[TGBTG]

Originally Posted by CC1

So every single church you could attend would be "spiritual abuse"? Hogwash!

Has it ever dawned on you that if every single church is bad in your mind that maybe the problem is with you and not all the churches?

I am not diminishing the hurt and issues you had with church in your past. What I am saying is that you are using that as an excuse to not be in any church and that excuse is not biblical despite your convoluted logic regarding Jesus and the Sabbath.

Bro, if you're trying to encourage her back to going to church, I don't think your tone is helping at all...just sayin'

For the record, she and her husband PASTORED a church, so it's not like she was just a member and then she does not want to go anymore.
They were ACTIVE in there. If she's not going right now, maybe she still needs times off to heal.

By the way, going to "church" does NOT mean you're in THE CHURCH
and not going to "church" does NOT mean you're NOT in THE CHURCH (by ONE Spirit, we are baptized into the CHURCH)

So instead of hammering her for what position she took, it'd be more helpful to consider her walk with the Lord. To see where she's at, to encourage her walk with the Lord, and then see where the Lord leads her as per gathering with other fellow believers...

[The Matt]

Heya....Sorry I haven't answered in a couple of days...my laptop screen broke. It took a few to find a monitor to hook it up to. Hi T2W, miss ya too! Church tonight...tonight starts revival. I've been ok for the most part for the last couple of days.