__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
I would love to visit Bro. Epley's church. I know he would treat me like a person should be treated.
LOL!!!! Yup. Like a bobbed haired jezebel who needs to be dragged to the altar and shaken like a rag doll until she repents and speaks in tongues!!!!!!!
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway View Post
I believe submitting yourself to a pastor is kind of like submitting yourself to your spouse. You're committed to them, but if they become controlling and abusive, you need to find help. Sometimes a direct talk with them makes things even worse!
There may be SOME similarities in that analogy but only some. Submitting to a pastor is NOT "to death do us part" nor should it be even in the case where the pastor is an exceptionally Godly and humble man who leads by example and invites himself to be challenged. Occasional change is a GOOD thing lest we become stagnant.
To be honest, Steve Epley is someone I'd consider for a pastor if I were in his area. I believe he has a true heart for people. Real people. In real life.
LOL!!!! Yup. Like a bobbed haired jezebel who needs to be dragged to the altar and shaken like a rag doll until she repents and speaks in tongues!!!!!!!
Whatever it takes, brother, whatever it takes.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
I have tried it both ways, I stayed over a year past the time I should have left, submitting, and doing all things I was told and asked to do by leadership. I got the same result...it was not enough to be worthy.
The second time - I left straightway without wasting my time and energy on a control freak - God-man- who insisted on unquestioned loyalty and obedience.
I feel better with the second way of leaving because I have no history or any hurt feelings...it is over and I shook the dust off my feet, whereas, the first time when I stayed - I left part of my heart behind because I had so much vested in it and the only one who cares is God.
Blessings, Rhoni
P.S. It does no one any good, i.e., family, friends, or others to stay and be miserable and make leadership miserable wanting you to leave so they will feel more adequate/comfortable.
What do you mean by - "I tried it both ways"?
How do you "try" things out if you are supposed to be following God's direction? Not trying to start an argument here. It's just a very interesting observation and conversation for me.
Either God says "stay" or He says "Go" and points you to where He wants you to go. I've never had it happen any other way in my life.
Now, that it not to say that I have NOT become tired, aggravated, afraid, angry, tempted, made mistakes, etc. He just kept pushing me through all of this, kept speaking to me, forgiving me, moving me forward. I've never had to make a decision on my own. He makes them for me. I don't know how to do that any other way.
I can't look back and ever say - "I" tried something. It sounds like I'm the one making the decision. How do I know where I am supposed to be in 10 years if I don't follow His direction?
We were also in a situation where we had to stay one year after we resigned our positions. We didn't feel a release to leave, it was not a pleasant situation to say the least. Looking back, I can see that God was using that for people to draw on later down the road - how things were handled. God just knows what needs to be done and what He is doing in every individual life.
I've taken it as far as having to speak at a ladies meeting and I have said to God, "If you don't give me something to say, I'm going to stand up and tell them I have nothing to say. I'm not going to get my thoughts from a previous message, a book, etc." I feel that strong that He has a pointed message every time we come together.
I feel as strong that we have a path He has chosen and I need to stay on it - thick or thin! Not by my choice, but His.
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