Have you ever been persecuted?

[KeptByTheWord]

I have never been persecuted to the point of fearing for my life. But, the closest I have come to persecution has come from other Christians, many of them my family... because our doctrinal beliefs differ.

I do believe that in preparation for the coming days, it is wise to now begin to prepare both spiritually and physically for those difficult times. We must not bury our heads in the sand, and think that the things that happen in other countries around the world will never come here.

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Ha it is a sad fact that Western Christianity, at least, is known chiefly for its persecution.
http://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-the...ristian-Models
I consider myself a "creation~centered" Christian now.

Well I have been kicked out of churches a few times, does that count?

Does being called a false prophet, Jim Jones and other similar names count?

I also have been banned from Internet places does that count?

It is kind of funny, I have received the most grief from people claiming to be Christians, even Apostolic ones.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

Well I have been kicked out of churches a few times, does that count?

Does being called a false prophet, Jim Jones and other similar names count?

Jim Jones??? Why would anyone associate you with Jim Jones???

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

It is kind of funny, I have received the most grief from people claiming to be Christians, even Apostolic ones.

I agree!

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Jim Jones??? Why would anyone associate you with Jim Jones???

I agree!

I have no idea, but every time I used to come around a certain group of people they used to say, "Here comes the Reverend Jim Jones."

Maybe they were kidding, but I am not sure.
They probably thought I was a slick minister out to take people's money.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

I have no idea, but every time I used to come around a certain group of people they used to say, "Here comes the Reverend Jim Jones."

Maybe they were kidding, but I am not sure.
They probably thought I was a slick minister out to take people's money.

LOL - were you?

[KeptByTheWord]

I once was a part of a group of people who were also accused of some of the same Jim Jones' stuff, and they had good reason to be accused of such... thankfully I am no longer associated with that group!!

[houston]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I once was a part of a group of people who were also accused of some of the same Jim Jones' stuff, and they had good reason to be accused of such... thankfully I am no longer associated with that group!!

You ALSO left the UPC?

[houston]

jk

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by houston

jk

Well after watching the video Hoovie posted of the snake handlers... I think they take the cake for crazy.... the group I came out of has nothing on those snake handlers!!!

[Jay]

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

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!

I read this to the tune They are Coming to Take Me Away! by Dr. Demento.





I do not wish to say that I have ever truly faced persecution for my faith. However, my maternal Grandmother has on occasion (especially when growing up) attempted to shake our faith in what the Bible says. However, we never yeilded, and I received a complement from her on defending what I believe. I was told that I had achevied a rare point. I remember a time when she asked why I did not want to go swimming. I compared bikinis to ladies underware with decorations, and then asked if she wanted me to be looking at women in their underware. Needless to say, I never have had to turn down another trip to the swimming pool on vacation again. I love her very much, and what I have faced was nothing to what my mother did when she got in church.

I have had difficulties with the dress code for one of the places that I do security as the company mandates long sleeves in the summer, and I do not wear anything that comes above my elbows. This has lead to at least yearly confrontations (sometimes monthly) over my sleeve lengths. This and my desire to attend church as often as possible (both my scheduling manager and branch manager are RC) have been my most enduring struggles. It is an inconvenience but nothing more.