Your experience when you dropped "dress standards" - Page 11

HeavenlyOne · #1 06-05-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

let me remind you that many of us come to Him broken and in pieces, yes even some of us that were raised in church. We come to Him so that He can put us back together.
You are his child and staying away from Him breaks His heart. It isn't the church building or the people that you need to worry about. You need to simply live to please HIM. What does He want from you? your heart. He wants your love. He wants you to shine His light and be His example to others. Yes the fellowship of others is good but your relationship with Him is most important. Once you realize that you are living for Him and not for others it makes it easier to live your life and worship in freedom.
I will be praying for you that God give you peace and that you find yourself renewed in Him.

Thanks so much. Sadly, I'm a person who needs church or I'm just not a good person. I've noticed a difference in my everyday life and I'm not happy with it.

OneAccord · #2 06-05-2008, 09:06 PM

Not saying anyone here is judging, but... just a comment from one whose opinions carry about as much weight as helium.

Judging is s real problem... in the ways that you are thinking, and in ways you may not have ever thought of....

I've told this here before... bear with me (this is for the newbies). I was out work one time when a mann had a sizure. A crowd gathered around and a few stooped down to help the man. I was in the back of the crowd and thought how good it was for those men to help him. I judged them to be the "good guys". I was wrong.

Turns out they were only helping themselves- to the mans wallet and other personal belongings. Judging is a two edged sword. We "judge" people as holy who are, in reality, anything but. And we judge people as unholy who may very well one day become Peters assistant at the Gate who says, "No... he/she judged me, Peter, I think they need to spent some time in Purgatory" (As if there is a purgatory)!

I go back to Dr. Kings dream of a day when his children would be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. I, too, have a dream that one day we (....no, I) will get to the place when we (I) won't judge people at all! I got a long way to go! But, I'm learning, at least, to wait before I judge. I wait for their words, because, it's from the mouth the heart speaks. Our words, not how we look, reveal whats in our hearts.

I disagree with some folks here. I think they are way yonder to liberal on some things. But I don't judge them on that basis. I've read and seen some things outta some of these so-called liberals that show a godiness and a holiness that I only hope and pray to attain someday. The same goes with those who are more conservative than I. That godliness and holiness doesn't come from them- any more than godliness and holiness come from the strickest of the strick ultra-cons. That godliness, that holiness comes... well, we all know Who it comes from!

jaxfam6 · #3 06-05-2008, 09:34 PM

One Accord, thank you for your post. That touched me, as many have on this thread.

When it comes to 'standards' I would like to remind everyone of ACTS 15 and especially the following verses.

28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

and also of Philippians 2

12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

I think if we all keep these things in mind we will all be able to walk our own walk with God and get along with others too. With my physical family I do not always agree but I still love them and associate with them because they are my family. The same goes with my spiritual family. I may not always agree with you but I love you and will associate with you and will one day spend an eternity giving God praise and glory with you.

freeatlast · #4 06-05-2008, 09:22 PM

A very wise minister stated, concerning how people dress...it's none of my business.

It's none of your business..it's between God and them.

There is not one STANDARD of modesty.

It's a little different in each one of our minds.

I came from 2 of the most judgmental churches in Pentecost. for closeto thirty years i judged the worth of a sister buy her dress lngth and hair length......I have cried God forgive me.

Today, as the worship leader at our church, I have girls and women on my platform as praise singers with cut hair/ modest amounts of jewelry/ sleeves would be considered not long enough by some and neck lines to low.

I've had female guest singers in slacks.

In the hearts of these people is a great love fr God and thank God, they don't know the judgementalism of old time pentecost.

I and my pastor both wear shorts (knee length) when it's hot and humid

and next time I play Monopoly I'm throwing out my "pentecostal spinner" and rolling the dice. ;-)

jaxfam6 · #5 06-05-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeatlast

A very wise minister stated, concerning how people dress...it's none of my business.

It's none of your business..it's between God and them.

There is not one STANDARD of modesty.

It's a little different in each one of our minds.

I came from 2 of the most judgmental churches in Pentecost. for closeto thirty years i judged the worth of a sister buy her dress lngth and hair length......I have cried God forgive me.

Today, as the worship leader at our church, I have girls and women on my platform as praise singers with cut hair/ modest amounts of jewelry/ sleeves would be considered not long enough by some and neck lines to low.

I've had female guest singers in slacks.

In the hearts of these people is a great love fr God and thank God, they don't know the judgementalism of old time pentecost.

I and my pastor both wear shorts (knee length) when it's hot and humid

and next time I play Monopoly I'm throwing out my "pentecostal spinner" and rolling the dice. ;-)

Thank God cause I don't think we would want to see you in short shorts.

CC1 · #6 06-05-2008, 10:50 PM

FB - I also want to thank you for sharing your journey. I have no doubt it will speak to someone reading it in a powerful way.

RandyWayne · #7 06-05-2008, 11:30 PM

Can a few of us men who are blessed with long flowing beautiful locks, put on a "short hair" wig in order to attend a UPC service?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

I do have to say that this kind of thing is happening less and less. I know of wonderful UPC churches. Sadly, they aren't in my area.

We just started our "church search" this past weekend. Our first being a typical mega-church which felt more like a mall with a christian book store in one section, a coffee shop in another, a day car in yet another, and a TV-section of a typical SAMS club with all the stations set to the same preacher (this it turns out, is the main chapel).

HeavenlyOne · #8 06-05-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Can a few of us men who are blessed with long flowing beautiful locks, put on a "short hair" wig in order to attend a UPC service?

Hahaha. That's cute!

Quote:

We just started our "church search" this past weekend. Our first being a typical mega-church which felt more like a mall with a christian book store in one section, a coffee shop in another, a day car in yet another, and a TV-section of a typical SAMS club with all the stations set to the same preacher (this it turns out, is the main chapel).

Wow. Never been to a mega church. You applying for membership yet? LOL!