looking for a balance who can relate

[Sister Alvear]

When I get to be pastor I shall make the men walk the straight and narrow... ha...

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

You changed your standards because you had wrong spirit about it?

A couple things, no where does bible mention balance. Its not a question of balance but obedience, whether that makes us balanced or not means little.

Something should not be questioned if a salvation issue or not, but does it please God.

I think its great you realize your attitude stunked to high heaven as mine has as well before. May God guide you on your journey.

I agree with most of your post, but totally disagree with the concept that the Bible doesn't mention balance. The Bible speaks quite often about moderation, putting off the unnecessary standards forced on us by men, maintaining the necessary things, etc. Paul says, in fact, "let your moderation be known unto all men."

The concept of moderation and balance is extremely prevalent in the Bible.

[berkeley]

no skirts and no makeup are standards for men??

BWAHAHAHA!

cos men don't wear that stuff to be holy?

it is the women who look so different because they do not blend in with their surroundings. apo men are as easy to spot as a soldier in camo hiding in the brush.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

When I get to be pastor I shall make the men walk the straight and narrow... ha...

Amen, sister!!!!

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by berkeley

no skirts and no makeup are standards for men??

BWAHAHAHA!

cos men don't wear that stuff to be holy?

it is the women who look so different because they do not blend in with their surroundings. apo men are as easy to spot as a soldier in camo hiding in the brush.

i had to come up with something since the feminazis were breathing down my neck. lol jk
but nowadays with the metro look and transvestites, no skirts or make up on men shouldn't be a peculiar standard. just ruminating.

[berkeley]

Men don't wear skirts or makeup in our culture. No need for a standard. Is the metro look still in? what is that exactly? maybe I'm a metter-sek-shal and don't know it!

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

When I get to be pastor I shall make the men walk the straight and narrow... ha...

Make them all wear kilts. make them all part their hair right down the middle.

Threr shall be no hunting of any animals for all who hunted animals in the bible were bad men.

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

Make them all wear kilts. make them all part their hair right down the middle.

Threr shall be no hunting of any animals for all who hunted animals in the bible were bad men.

[Jay]

l4h, there is a sad misconception that if you have high standards of dress andentertainment, that you are naturally going to be a bitter, sour, and despicable individual. That might be true of some, but if you remember that we are all human with all the faults and have a little grace, you would soon realize that there are really only a few that are so stuck on having it all their way. Most of us understand that there is room for disagreement, and so we fellowship others, but tend to be closest with those who are most like us (we all do it, birds of a feather and all of that).

However, there are obviously some things that bring larger seperations, and much depends on the hypothetical hill peoople are willing to die on. This should also be understood when considering why people seem to cut ties, It is often that some have a line that to cross beyond ends fellowship.

Variations on sleeves, as long as they are at a minimum of a quarter length is typically understood to be an issue of agree to disagree, as are wedding rings, exact necklines and hemlines. These last are typically below the knee and around the collar bone for the lowest points. Most conservatives have variances with one another on these, with some holding a higher standard on one and not the other. A few will hold to high standards on all of these. The exact use of video (not for watching Hollywood/Commercial entertainment as a given) and internet are othe points where good gentlemen will disagree.

The issue of television is another ball of wax all together. The accepted rule of thumb is to have a standard (generally set in the middle of the variations) that will apply to things such as youth camp so that all sides are in comfortable.

Are there horror stories of some things getting out of hand, and people saying God said things that He did not say, or saying something at time when it should not have been mentioned? Yes, I have more than a few of those myself (no I will not tell who said what where and when). It ought not be so, but it is.

It once again comes down, as I said before, to attitude. Are you demanding a standard that you can not live up to, then that is hypocracy. You have made one rule for you and another for them. Are you trying to compete with another person's standards? You should not do so unless you are able to abide by them, and God has dealt with you on it. Standards should be checked to see if they need tightening, but one should not loosen those that are already high.

I know that some are going to be irritated with this post, and othes will only pick out part to read, but inward holiness and outward standards are both important. You want to know if a certain article of clothing meets my standards, sorrry you know what you were taught, and you have to answer to God for what you did with it.

I base all of my standards on three points 1) what does the Bible say about the topic and are there principles that apply, 2) will it cause my brother or sister to have a stumble or fall, and 3) will it bring a reproach to the Lord, His Word, or His church.

[AreYouReady?]

Let's see what God says about outward appearances.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. I Samuel 16:7
and

Colossians 2:20-22

20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using; ) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

And

The entire chapter of Romans 14 tells gives us lessons about judging our brother. (and in this case...our sisters)

good excerpt:

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.



My husband says that when a person receives the Holy Ghost, we do not need to harp on her modesty. If a woman is truly honest in her heart, the Holy Ghost will teach her modesty. Modesty is not a grocery list of do's and don'ts, handwritten and passed out by men and women who think they ought to tell others how to live.

I will add this:
Too much focus is placed upon the woman's attire and looks. If we believe the Holy Ghost draws, convicts and Jesus saves souls through His blood shed on the Cross, why should anybody try to make women feel intimidated by shunning, pointing fingers, etc because she does not cow-tow to other people's demands of their convictions/ standards onto her?

I have learned that I was so busy trying to dress to please the other women just to try to fit into the church system that I became very unhappy because it was never enough. There was always something that someone did not like about me. Even clear nail polish and hair adornment such as chop sticks or bows was on the hit list. It was taking my eyes of Christ and springing up a root of bitterness because of all the pettiness over attire... Sucking the spiritual life out of me.

I am still working on ME because I cannot help what other people say or do. I don't answer for them, but I will have to answer to God for me and what I have said or done. It is a sobering thought.

David was a man after God's own heart because he repented and asked God to forgive him when he done wrong. God was always faithful to forgive, as I remind myself I must forgive those who have hurt me over the nonsense of what other people thought I should do or don't do.

live4him is seeing that winning souls, being truly happy in Christ and having a meek and humble spirit is more important than wearing dresses to the ground, collars to the chin and sleeves to the knuckles. She has the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost will convict her (nobody else through intimidation) of any of her clothing attire should it ever become inappropriate.


Peace to you my friend.