Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Persecuted for your faith? Let's hear your story.

And remember to tell us if you rejoiced in your persecution. Matthew 5:11-12. ;)

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

You do realize that persecution means different things to different people. To a person in China, it may mean having bamboo sticks shoved under their fingernails. On the other extreme I remember reading a post by Ruth R on another message board a few years back claiming she was being "persecuted" for her stance on holiness (all the others were doing were daring to question on a few things -they were much nicer than many here would have been).

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Yes, certainly. Here's my story:

I was having dinner with some coworkers, and someone asked which of us went to church. I said Yes, and another coworker made an "ick" face and said emphatically "No".

Lame, I know. But what can ya do? As for the second part of the question in the OP: I could hardly rejoice in that "persecution", now could I?

I was deprived. :lol

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

I'd have to say no.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Been made fun of a few times, but never persecuted.

I believe though, that it won't be long, before we, as
christians, actually do see some real persecutions begin.

The real question to me is...
will we truly have what it takes
to withstand?

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

...and to rejoice?

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

or more likely empty churches but full house churches.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

maybe not show it outwardly (maybe some will),
but in my heart oh yes...knowing what my final
reward will be.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

persecuted? me? what do you mean by persecution, then?

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Persecuted? no.

I have however found myself in the curious position of being the only white guy in an entire country...and there were more than a few who resented having a white guy in their country... so ive experienced some level of racism...some of it with violent intent.

I do rejoice in the Lord for taking to that place and bringing me thru it. my perspective was forever altered.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Not going to happen.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Underground churches then, maybe?

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

going to happen, and you are going to help.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

For the question, I mean whatever the answerer thinks it means. ;)

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

:foottap

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

That's more like it. Every man for himself. Don't tell the choir director, the pastor, or the sunday school director where you are meeting. People gna turn you in for their weekly portion of government cheese.

Leave your mobile phone at home. If you can, find other means of transportation. Do not take your personal vehicle. Your mobile phone and your vehicle will give away your location.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

I'm probably "persecuted" more for my views, rather than for my religion.
No, I surely didn't rejoice in it because I did not want to be a carbon copy of other people.

I suspect that not too many Apostolics are thrown in jail for refusing to worship idols in this country....yet.

:hmmm

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

I've had some fun poked at me for needing special accomodations in uniforms (skirts only) at work and I've had my hair called a mop :( I have been unvited to a couple of company parties because everybody wanted to get drunk without me worrying about them... But mostly no. I've been loved, cared about, respected even though I was percieved as different.

I do believe that I may live to see persecution of Christians. It is our main impetus for having the farm... so that if there is ever a time that belivers can not buy or sell and are hungry there will be a place to feed them. We've been made fun of for that by Christians and non-Christians alike but I think most of it is good natured... or part of the fear that considering such a world brings.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

BTW, persecution from fellow believers doesn't count. (Or does it? :lol)

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

That's not something I'd be sharing. :icecream

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

I have been yelled at, fingered, and threatened ministering on the streets. I am grateful I personally have not been physically assaulted at this time. In the Church I associated with in the late 70's (Ceylon Pentecostal Mission) it was not unusual in this world wide Church for one to be killed by Hindus.

Yes the day is coming we in America will pay a heavy price for our faith in Christ Jesus. It is very rare to hear any teaching about how to endure suffering so I think initially many will be shocked and offended and turn away. Jesus predicted this.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

I would assume your stocking up on ammo too? (Don't laugh -I'm serious. We started.)

It is also one reason we got our solar panels, with the full intent of adding some manner of battery back up when it becomes even semi-affordable so we can keep our fridge and ceiling fans going during long blackouts.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

lol

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Yup.I am led to say that when you become aware of the tiny persecutions, the ones we all participate in every day mostly unawares, verbal ones maybe, and bring them under control (gl with that), that when the big persecutions come you will better shine like...Joan of Arc going to her fate (where the heck is this coming from, lol) I guess I have read an account that she went...radiantly.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Why not Houston... I think you might be close enough to benefit :)

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Yes, being mid to post tribers we are locked and loaded so to speak. ;)

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Good old car batteries and a converter works fine. Hook the windmill/car alternator up to them, too.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Well, we may just have to do house church afterall. :) I would not be advertising as I am a pacifist, but ya'll will be fine, locked n loaded.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

The Bible calls us, "Sheep". When sheep are afraid, they run and are not known for fighting.

Don't you think that people are no different when they are threatened? We would like to think of ourselves as strong and courageous, but in reality people can run from the persecution that others boast about facing.

Jesus went to the 1 lost sheep who sought refuge away from the 99, and I think sometimes we might be too critical of those who become afraid when they are helpless and abused by other Human Beings, calling them weak or cowards. I remember being abused by my drunken father, running from him and finding a place to hide.

In life, I think people, whether they are adults or children, they respond to persecution in different ways and most of their reaction to this stress is the result of how they were raised.

No offense, but if someone wanted to rip my toenails out in the name of my Faith, I might not turn the other cheek! And, I don’t think any of us truly know what we would do if someone decided to torture this flesh that feels pain.


http://www.westernfolklife.org/weblo...gway-small.jpg

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Only by "Old Age!"

My Get-Up-And-Go Has Got Up and Went

Old age is golden, or so I’ve heard it said,
But sometimes I wonder, as I crawl into bed,
With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up.
As sleep dims my vision, I say to myself:
Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?
But, though nations are warring, and Congress is vexed,
I’ll still stick around to see what happens next!

How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
When I think of the places my getup has been!

When I was young, my slippers were red;
I could kick up my heels right over my head.
When I was older my slippers were blue,
But still I could dance the whole night through.
Now I am older, my slippers are black.
I huff to the store and puff my way back.
But never you laugh; I don’t mind at all:
I’d rather be huffing than not puff at all!

How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
When I think of the places my getup has been!
I get up each morning and dust off my wits,
Open the paper, and read the Obits.
If I’m not there, I know I’m not dead,
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed!


How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
When I think of the places my getup has been!

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

We believe that pacifism is the best example of a Christian. I also know that I would have have terrible regrets at not defending and protecting innocents (children, the elderly) and have prepared for such. I have a gun and know how to shoot it. I pray I will never need that knowledge. God will decide if I do or not.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

I don't believe this at all. I do not think that the martyrs were really any different than us. God provided the supernatural ability to withstand the pain and death they suffered. No one, save Christ Jesus, will face death alone. He has already done that for us.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

As much as I'd like to think this, Christians are dying for their religion every day. Today really is the last day of the rest of your life.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

I didn't say we wouldn't die. I said that we would be given strength to face what we must and that we would not die ALONE read without God.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Amen to that.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

What a man said when he was persecuted and in deep trial:

After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

And Job spake, and said, Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein. Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day: Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

I'm not so sure that Job was singing the victory or rejoicing when he was afflicted and persecuted by his wife and friends.

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

Ii think I would call this persecution when people of the same faith make fun of your daughter for not beleiving in televsion..or other people making fun of ur daughters for having long hair.. its ok we live for Christ but to be persecuted is gonna happen, well we just move on and shake it off..

Re: Have you ever been persecuted?
 

yes, but when this persecution is no longer attributed to "church," which I see a revolution in at the moment, the Church will see a big...latter rain.