Met Truly Blessed & Felicity Yesterday

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

I agree,this is wisdom to ponder. I was just praying along these lines this morning-and this sentence was very helpful to hear.

We are privates in His army NOT generals and privates are given orders on a 'need to know basis." Sometimes I think we think we are God's MacArthur or Patton but really just foot soldiers is what we are. He is the Captain of the Lord's host and I am His servant and advisor.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Felicity

We have no plans to get back in the UPC at this time but we do plan to fellowship more. It's really whatever God wills Thad. In some ways I would love to be part of the UPC again, but I realize that there would be issues to deal with and no - standards is not one of them for me. I'd have no problem at all in lining up with the standards. I might have a problem though in enforcing some of the things that are taught as 'holiness' on others. That would be a biggie for me.

I'm going to paste in here part of what I shared with someone in a PM last evening because it at least partly expresses some of my feeling about this.

"I was sitting in service this morning thinking a bit about everything that's happened over the past few days (in regard to the UPC conference held at our church) and I'm very aware of the "box" so many of them are in and how that we don't have to deal with the issues that so many of them (in the UPC) are having to deal with and struggle with in regard to the exclusivism and standards and lack of liberty in regard to some things.

I'm thankful we don't have to deal with all of that.

At the same time, I miss some of the dynamics of UPC fellowship, worship, preaching, passion and sold-outness that i don't see in the group we belong to."

Besides what I expressed to a forum member above, I also realize that the UPC seems to be in bit of a rut and that there are issues and a lot of discontent within. The truth is ... there is nothing perfect in this life.

I don't know what all God has for us. I know He has a plan and I want to stay in the center of His will. If we're OUT of His will He's able to move us back into it. We're certainly open. If being part of the UPC again is part of His plan, we're open to that.

Time changes a lot of things and changes us too. People make mistakes on both sides of issues and it's easier to see that after some time passes. We've received some positive feedback and attitude about all this from our home district but no plans at present to apply for UPCI license.

I do know that there has been a lot of reconnection with the UPC on different levels in just the last couple months. Old friends (UPC) have been contacting me and then there was this conference and reconnection there as well that was pretty overwhelming I have to say. I just can't express the love and warmth and concern that was displayed to me Friday night and the way some of those women prayed with me. I needed that. God knew that!

I KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was God ordained that we host this conference and that the connections we made there have a divine purpose. I fully believe that. Nothing happens by chance.

We follow Him one step at a time. I don't know the future, but HE certainly does.

At the same time, I miss some of the dynamics of UPC fellowship, worship, preaching, passion and sold-outness that i don't see in the group we belong to."

My goodness, isn't this everything? I wouldn't leave if I had to miss all of this.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Just a note. I think we should be careful with so many questions to the intents of anyone. Our lives are in His hands and we look to Him for direction and most of the time God does not give us a detailed out line of our marching orders for our entire life that is why he said "Take not thought for tomorrow."
Hopefully where He leads I will follow. There is such a thing as Divine Providence.

Amen, Elder E...let us let Almighty God be God...

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

We are privates in His army NOT generals and privates are given orders on a 'need to know basis." Sometimes I think we think we are God's MacArthur or Patton but really just foot soldiers is what we are. He is the Captain of the Lord's host and I am His servant and advisor.

Absolutely! Love you Bro. Epley. In the Lord of course!

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

We are privates in His army NOT generals and privates are given orders on a 'need to know basis." Sometimes I think we think we are God's MacArthur or Patton but really just foot soldiers is what we are. He is the Captain of the Lord's host and I am His servant and advisor.

Elder this is a MUCH needed message! Some of need to take our self appointed badges off and go find a towel. This is good preaching. We all need to realize who the real general is!

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by CC1

That is not true. You look lovely! You have a nice smile and didn't look like you had just been shaken like a rag doll with oil poured over your head by a couple of enthusiastic Pentecostal preachers!

You're very kind but I look terrible and that's the truth. I was telling someone who commented on the pic that I've put on 20 lbs in the past couple months or so. Arrggghhh!

So I'm getting a handle on that. Lots of sit-ups and crunches. Etc.

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by Thad

lol !

what was the reason for having this event in your church?
was this pre planned ? who contacted whom? are you and your husband getting back in the UPC???? do you want to ? does HE want to ??
what about signing the affirmation?? where does that come into play ?

Thad, I appreciate your interest in how God is working in our lives. I believe a person who lives before God with an honest and open heart can be assured that even when they don't always fully understand why certain things happen there is a divine purpose being worked out in their life. We have always made the will of God a priority in our lives.

I believe that it was necessary for us to leave NB and come to BC so that we could be away from both UPC influences and the influence of friends who had left the UPC. As a result we have been able to gain a new perspective on events that have happened in our lives during the past 10 years. I won't bore you with details unless there are those who are interested in hearing more of how God has led us in regard to all of this.

I will say that our passion is missions and in particular a love for and desire to reach the Chinese with the gospel. I have set up a ministry that has great potential in China. We do not know what the future holds in regards to this ministry. However, I do know that if I had the means to do so, and God directed me to do so, I would love to give full attention to New Direction China Ministries.

We have in the past few months seen several college students come to Jesus Christ in China. I have a vision for establishing a network of housechurch fellowships in China and believe God will make the resources available to see that vision fulfilled.

For the present we have a great challenge to pastor a church that has great potential, but needs to overcome some obstacles to realize that potential. I invite you to pray for me as I spend time right now in prayer and fasting for a fresh word from God for Peoples Church.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

Elder this is a MUCH needed message! Some of need to take our self appointed badges off and go find a towel. This is good preaching. We all need to realize who the real general is!

I feel the need, Jeanie, to a degree I cannot adequately explain.

If we truly believe what we say we believe, that being that the coming of the Lord is at hand, it would behoove us to make sure our house is in order, our motives pure and holy, and our eyes fixed on the prize.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

Thad, I appreciate your interest in how God is working in our lives. I believe a person who lives before God with an honest and open heart can be assured that even when they don't always fully understand why certain things happen there is a divine purpose being worked out in their life. We have always made the will of God a priority in our lives.

I believe that it was necessary for us to leave NB and come to BC so that we could be away from both UPC influences and the influence of friends who had left the UPC. As a result we have been able to gain a new perspective on events that have happened in our lives during the past 10 years. I won't bore you with details unless there are those who are interested in hearing more of how God has led us in regard to all of this.

I will say that our passion is missions and in particular a love for and desire to reach the Chinese with the gospel. I have set up a ministry that has great potential in China. We do not know what the future holds in regards to this ministry. However, I do know that if I had the means to do so, and God directed me to do so, I would love to give full attention to New Direction China Ministries.

We have in the past few months seen several college students come to Jesus Christ in China. I have a vision for establishing a network of housechurch fellowships in China and believe God will make the resources available to see that vision fulfilled.

For the present we have a great challenge to pastor a church that has great potential, but needs to overcome some obstacles to realize that potential. I invite you to pray for me as I spend time right now in prayer and fasting for a fresh word from God for Peoples Church.

Your post has moved me to tears, Elder...thank you and Felicity for your transparency in these matters and know that I am praying for you as God continues to direct your path.

[Rhoni]

This picture is just awesome...thank-you for sharing!

Blessings, Sis. Rhoni