Why would a Pastor do this to me ? - Page 44

Pressing-On · #**431** 03-27-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstew

I am consistent.

Yes, you are!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC1

You must eat lots of fiber.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstew

I eat lots of everything...oh well, there's always New Year Resolution v.2010.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

He said he's consistent, not that he's regular.

StillStanding · #**432** 03-27-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

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.

I believe that God allows us to make a choice. None of us know where we'll be in ten years, but with God's help we'll make choices that will be pleasing to him!

The problem with your point of view, it that a submissive person can be controlled by the will of a strong personality telling you what he believes is God's will for you.

In reality, you can choose to submit or choose to go another direction! The choice is yours, and God only wants what is best for you!

Pressing-On · #**433** 03-27-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

I believe that God allows us to make a choice. None of us know where we'll be in ten years, but with God's help we'll make choices that will be pleasing to him!

The problem with your point of view, it that a submissive person can be controlled by the will of a strong personality telling you what he believes is God's will for you.

In reality, you can choose to submit or choose to go another direction! The choice is yours, and God only wants what is best for you!

I do agree with you that God does allow us a choice. He hopes that we choose His will and not our own.

If a person is termed as "submissive", I would hope that they would be submissive to the Will of God and not be controlled by the false and overbearing will of man. In the sense of, listening and placing more trust in the direction of man and not God. Being quiet under this type of situation is not always a person being submitted to that man, but to the will of God in that situation.

Submission is a misnomer, IMO, and is being defined in the wrong way in many instances.

I believe that if a person is truly committed and submissive to God, He will show them the error of the controlling person and show them how He wants them to handle that situation. That is true submission.

There were some instances where I would have done more harm than good to speak out, to get up and leave, to fight back.

I wonder what we would actually define as true "submission" for a saint of God, which also includes a pastor?

.

ILG · #**434** 03-27-2009, 02:20 PM

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Originally Posted by MomOfADramaQn

Imagine him as your pastor!!! That would be a whole new forum!

If he was my pastor, he would only be for about 1 second.

EA · #**435** 03-27-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimples

Interesting observation it's always the same preachers yelping on these type threads.

What a silly statement.

And I love how you declared your own observation "interesting."

How many preachers actually post on AFF ----AT ALL?

Btw, as a charter member of AFF, I think I've been around long enough to declare it is always the same POSTERS who whine about ministry.

ILG · #**436** 03-27-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC1

One thing I don't get is all of the angst from some of the crazy things a few extreme pastors do.

I am not a church jumper. I attended only two churches over a 25 year period and only made that change because my job moved me.

However, if a pastor did some of the nutty things I read on this forum that hurts people and is definitely not biblical, out of line, and over the top. I would leave that church in a flash and find one with a godly pastor with the heart of a shepherd and priest.

When you let nutjob control freaks affect your life in a major way as some people let happen you are just as wrong as they are letting it happen or not removing yourself immediately from the situation and going to a healthy one.

Now I know many times it is not that easy as family members and friends are involved but I still feel it is wrong to give these people that much control over your life, happiness, walk with God, etc.

You will never find the perfect pastor or church but you certainly don't have to settle for submitting yourself to a train wreck.

It is wrong to give people that much control over your life, but sometimes you only learn that in time. When you are young, don't know too much, grew up in a dysfunctional family and see those dynamics as normal, then they are taught as the Word of God, it takes time to figure things out. By that time, much damage can be done. However, if a person learns that it is wrong to give people that much control and they stay because it is comfortable THEN they are just as much at fault as the pastor.

ILG · #**437** 03-27-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

I would love to visit Bro. Epley's church. I know he would treat me like a person should be treated.

I am sure Steve and I would get along fine in person. We would go out to dinner and argue over top of dinner and have a good time doing it. But I would still not become a member of his church. He would kick me out and I would be stupid to join!

ILG · #**438** 03-27-2009, 02:34 PM

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Originally Posted by RandyWayne

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.

I agree.

ILG · #**439** 03-27-2009, 02:35 PM

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Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

Just had to log on to say, "Wow!".

Hey Brad. Good to see ya!

Steve Epley · #**440** 03-27-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

I am sure Steve and I would get along fine in person. We would go out to dinner and argue over top of dinner and have a good time doing it. But I would still not become a member of his church. He would kick me out and I would be stupid to join!

I haven't been known for kicking folks out. I have preached a few out but wasn't happy about it.