Last yr I was in OKC... we are now in Dallas... neither one of those are hard to find LOL...
Well, I preached a Camp in OK last year (and going back to a meeting near OKC this coming year) and I have a 'Son in the Gospel' now Pastoring in the Dallas area so I've preached there a couple times lately.
The truth in this last statement is one of the most frightening things that a real Pastor has to deal with. Can't seem to get it out of my mind after reading it this morning.
It has burdened and saddened me for quite some time.
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
PRAISE the Lord! Remember me telling you about my Catholic Brother-in-law who golfs with the Apostolic preacher? Well, I just received and e-mail that he and my niece [10 years old] are getting baptized in Jesus name this weekend.
PRAISE the Lord! Remember me telling you about my Catholic Brother-in-law who golfs with the Apostolic preacher? Well, I just received and e-mail that he and my niece [10 years old] are getting baptized in Jesus name this weekend.
God is so good *crying happy tears*!
Blessings, Rhoni
Great news!
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
Hav'nt read the whole thread so this may have been discussed.
In my early years in Pentecost Back sliding was a very often heard message.
It seemed at first this all I heard about.
It caused me to fear God in an unhealthy sense of the word fear.
I just knew i could'nt make it. No way could I ever live up to what was expected of a Christian.
Every year on my new birth anniversary I would be astounded that I survived another year, and NO I was not a weak Christian. i lived and thought of God 24/7. I won over a dozen souls to Christ my first year.
But yet I was not free, in my knowledge of Christ, that He would not smite me at the slightest sneeze and then I would also be one of those awful backsliders I constantly heard about.
My point ? If we'd preach and teach liberty and victory in Christ more than we teach, "if the righteous scarcely be saved" we'd see less of what we call backsliders in our congregations.
Some of our preaching creates a defeated mindset in our people.
We have put in the minds of some that they must be "Mother Thersa on steriods" or you just ain't saved.
The word backslider has not been used in my congregation for years.
We don't have any. We got a few that are a little delinquent in their walk. Maybe not pleasing their father as they could.
But we will not label them "backsliders" and relegate them to the back pew.
__________________
God has lavished his love upon me.
PRAISE the Lord! Remember me telling you about my Catholic Brother-in-law who golfs with the Apostolic preacher? Well, I just received and e-mail that he and my niece [10 years old] are getting baptized in Jesus name this weekend.
This is another great post that I evidently overlooked in the flow of things.
To emphasize just one aspect of the truth in this post... Isn't it strange that some people can reach the place that they even fear God's will for their lives?
"If I come back God's going to make me preach" (Ironically, I don't think it works that way), "If I come back I'm going to be used of God in ways I'm not comfortable with". Believe it or not, I've heard both of those used as an excuse to why certain individuals can't sell out.
Fear... without trust.
Good insight, Ferd.
Steadfast, as I was thinking along these lines, I remembered an incident that happened when I was a kid. This family started coming to church. They received the Holy Ghost and were really getting involved and doing well.
One night we had a tremendous service and someone gave a message in tongues. It was clear this was the real deal but no interpretation came.
The pastor stood up and said that he felt that someone had the message and he implored whomever it was to give it.
Still nothing was said. We waited on the Lord and this new fellow eventually stood up and said “It’s Me!” and ran out.
To this day, he has not come back to church. What a sad and curious thing. He literally feared being used by God more than being lost in eternity.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Hav'nt read the whole thread so this may have been discussed.
Quote:
In my early years in Pentecost Back sliding was a very often heard message.
It seemed at first this all I heard about.
It caused me to fear God in an unhealthy sense of the word fear.
I just knew i could'nt make it. No way could I ever live up to what was expected of a Christian.
Every year on my new birth anniversary I would be astounded that I survived another year, and NO I was not a weak Christian. i lived and thought of God 24/7.
I won over a dozen souls to Christ my first year.
But yet I was not free, in my knowledge of Christ, that He would not smite me at the slightest sneeze and then I would also be one of those awful backsliders I constantly heard about.
My point ? If we'd preach and teach liberty and victory in Christ more than we teach, "if the righteous scarcely be saved" we'd see less of what we call backsliders in our congregations.
Some of our preaching creates a defeated mindset in our people.
We have put in the minds of some that they must be "Mother Thersa on steriods" or you just ain't saved.
The word backslider has not been used in my congregation for years.
We don't have any. We got a few that are a little delinquent in their walk. Maybe not pleasing their father as they could.
But we will not label them "backsliders" and relegate them to the back pew.
WOW!!!! I went through the same thing!
I would weep and cry at the alter just about every service. Then we would sing that song, "What ever you have to do to me
Don't let me lost through eternity....
Far above all else....I must be saved."
I must have rededicated my walk with God 100 times.
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