Why Such A Fuss Over Standards!!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

So what do you do when God doesn't tell you what to eat in the morning? Just NOT eat? Or has there never been a time when He HASN'T told you what to eat?

I can't help but feel that post was a little TIC.

Now you are being ridiculous.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by ILG

Apparently it was more important to not "be loose" than to make sure her children were in church. This defies logic.

It goes to the heart of the original thread (and others like it), that standards DO take on a level of importance equal, and usually greater, than all other doctrine.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

It goes to the heart of the original thread (and others like it), that standards DO take on a level of importance equal, and usually greater, than all other doctrine.

Right.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

So what do you do when God doesn't tell you what to eat in the morning? Just NOT eat? Or has there never been a time when He HASN'T told you what to eat?

I can't help but feel that post was a little TIC.

Actually, I have had the same types of things happen to me. Now, I just don't talk about them much. I am also trying to figure out how much is attributable to God. I think that more is attributable to God than you might think but on the flip side it can make for emotional instability if one attributes everything to God as well. So, I'm not sure where the balance is.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by ILG

Apparently it was more important to not "be loose" than to make sure her children were in church. This defies logic.

Facts are that many die-hard conservatives feel that you are better off "back-slid" than attending a "loose" church. At least then you know you're lost.

I would like to have a dollar for every time I've heard that point made.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Case in point: Last year a person who will remain nameless told me about their teenagers being mistreated by the youth leader. This particular youth leader had a negative history with the man of the house, and seemed to be taking it out on his children in their youth group. (Sort of holding the father's personality against the kids.) Several specific examples were given. My response was that the teenagers should be allowed to attend a different church or youth group, where they could develop an independent relationship with the leaders/pastor. JMO, of course. The mother was quite shocked at my suggestion, as the other churches in the area are "loose", and I suppose, subpar as a result.

So, one of the teens has now quit attending at all. *shrug* Perhaps the mother should have used her good sense to insure the spiritual health of her children, instead of letting her pastor dictate whether or not they're allowed to attend elsewhere.

BTW, I would have been shocked as well. When God puts us in a place it's for a reason - He is building a church! Sometimes, as in our lives and in our experience, He has told us to stay and sit tight and others times He has instructed us to leave. We don't make our own choices - that's how people get out of the will of God and that is, IMO, what is going wrong in the church.

All you are doing is teaching someone to "chunk" it, if you don't like it. We taught our children - "We will see this through. We will do what God has instructed us to do."

How will we teach our children to bear up through tough times in their future lives if we leave because someone is rubbing us the wrong way? We taught our children to stick things out - don't cut and run!

What if Jesus wouldn't have endured the cross, despising the shame because he was sick of it?

Who is driving whom? Are we driving God or is He driving us?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Well, I guess I couldn't listen to this advice. I have never had the experience where God didn't tell me where I was going to live, who I was going to marry, that I would bear a son, what church to attend and how to pray for people.

By example, we were living in a particular house. I was cooking dinner and reached up for the salt, the Lord spoke to me, "You are moving from this place." The next day, our landlord came by and told me that he was going to sell the house because I refused to buy it. God let me know the day before so that I wouldn't be stressed out. That's particular care.

Another example, we were going to buy a car. My husband and I were looking around on opposite sides of the car lot. I spotted a car and knew it was the one we would buy. My husband walked up and asked, "Did you find a car?" I said, "Yes, I feel this is it." He said, "That's the one that I was settling on."

So, this is my life and how it has always worked for me. I don't know how to live any other way, I would be helpless.

I must be too stupid to think for myself, so He has always told me what to do. I just do it, learn and keep walking. He is all together lovely!!!

Well, I certainly didn't mean that you're stupid for living your life that way. If God speaks to you on a regular basis, you're a blessed woman. I have no bone to pick with that.

My point is that He doesn't deal with us all the same way, so I think it is perfectly in line to suggest that we can find answers on our knees or in the Word--or on the receiving end of wise counsel--or by following a godly husband--or....

So to make it sound as if it's wrong to change churches unless God commands you to do so directly is making it a bit more difficult than it should be. (Which is how I understood your original comments.)

I also look to God to direct my paths, PO. I just don't find His direction only in prayer. He provides guidance in so many other ways, and often directs me in ways I don't understand until after the fact. I remember when my husband was offered a new job in the town we're in now--it was a bit of a pay raise, and he started the job on 9-10-01. The very next day, well...you know what happened. Guess what industry he'd been working in? Aviation. The previous company laid off large amounts of workers within the next few months, but my husband was safe in a new job, provided just in time, in the automotive industry.

As far as I know, my husband didn't put a fleece before the Lord prior to accepting the new job. But he certainly credited Him with guiding us, and it's been a rich testimony to share with our children about the Lord's provision.

In fact, there's something to be said for not needing all the answers before you make a decision.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Facts are that many die-hard conservatives feel that you are better off "back-slid" than attending a "loose" church. At least then you know you're lost.

I would like to have a dollar for every time I've heard that point made.

Yes, I have heard many say exactly that. It's truly amazing.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Well, I certainly didn't mean that you're stupid for living your life that way. If God speaks to you on a regular basis, you're a blessed woman. I have no bone to pick with that.

My point is that He doesn't deal with us all the same way, so I think it is perfectly in line to suggest that we can find answers on our knees or in the Word--or on the receiving end of wise counsel--or by following a godly husband--or....

So to make it sound as if it's wrong to change churches unless God commands you to do so directly is making it a bit more difficult than it should be. (Which is how I understood your original comments.)

I also look to God to direct my paths, PO. I just don't find His direction only in prayer. He provides guidance in so many other ways, and often directs me in ways I don't understand until after the fact. I remember when my husband was offered a new job in the town we're in now--it was a bit of a pay raise, and he started the job on 9-10-01. The very next day, well...you know what happened. Guess what industry he'd been working in? Aviation. The previous company laid off large amounts of workers within the next few months, but my husband was safe in a new job, provided just in time, in the automotive industry.

As far as I know, my husband didn't put a fleece before the Lord prior to accepting the new job. But he certainly credited Him with guiding us, and it's been a rich testimony to share with our children about the Lord's provision.

In fact, there's something to be said for not needing all the answers before you make a decision.

You are continuing to overlook the fact that the whole point is that you made a commitment to serve Him and He directs your path. He provide jobs, etc. He opens doors, etc. He doesn't have to write it on the wall, but He does guide and direct. His hand is in everything we do, when our heart is for Him.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

So to make it sound as if it's wrong to change churches unless God commands you to do so directly is making it a bit more difficult than it should be. (Which is how I understood your original comments.)

I think the reason that some make decisions this way (even though it is, indeed making it more difficult than it should be) is because they are taught they must make the decisions that way. However, the blame is not to the ones making the decisions but to the ones that teach that it must be done that way. The decision makers are trusting their leadership and I believe that unless they can see differently by the grace of God that God respects that process and works within it. It is only later when eyes are opened that it was made more difficult than it should be that it is seen for what it is and that the process that was taught is abusive within itself. But, the people following the process are only doing what they are taught. If you followed all of that. LOL!