Help! My Best Friend is a Liberal!!

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

I think I would find it (standards) a matter of convenience... if I were going to the beach but knew if I went with my Pentecostal friend and was going to spend half the day looking for a secluded beach to avoid mixed bathing, or I could go with my other friends and just park in the first spot that looks good, I would probably lean towards my non-Pentecostal friends.

If I was doing something where standards didn't matter (like playing games at someone's house), then it would just depend on if I wanted to go or not.

I am not ashamed to be seen with my conservative Pentecostal friends with a strict dress code except when it comes to water sports, skiing, etc.

I refuse to be associated with women swimming in blue jean skirts or skiing with skirts on over snow suits. That is just lunacy one step over the line.

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

Not sure if this fits here, but recently my mom begged me to go to their Anniversary service in the city where my dad pastors about 60 miles away.

I am a guy that is normally in bed by 9pm every night of the week and up by 5am.

My wife and I went to the service and they didn't even start the preaching until after 9pm... then around 11pm they were having a reception in the back with cake and stuff... I believe I came off as rude to some of my mom and dad's preacher friends, but I'm honestly just not used to staying up as late as Pentecostal people do... plus I am a morning person anyway... I start out my day full of energy and my batteries run down and I get cranky the longer I stay up.

It wasn't so much that I didn't want to participate in their "moment" as that all I could think about was when I could go home and go to sleep. Next time, I think a firm "no" would be better than appearing to be rude to the church people.

I brought this up because this is an example of a non-church type person trying to socialize with church-type people...

It fits just fine, in a sense. One of our biggest issues with "church" was the hours kept. Not all of us were preachers, some of us have to, and like you and I, enjoy getting up in the morning.

[CC1]

I have no problem with conservative Pentecostal friends. If I want to go to the movies and I am with Elder Epley I can go see Transfomers and just leave him in the parking lot placing "You are going to hell for being here" tracts on the windshields of the cars.

Then afterwards we can just go grab some good food and have a good time talking and fellowshipping!

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by Theophilus

You're right, I'm fairly strong, but when you start to factor in family fellowship you start to wonder what effect it might have on the children. We teach them tolerance, but it's hard sometimes for them not to see compromise. I just don't want to send the wrong message in my efforts to maintain a friendship with an individual or their family. Just an extra factor thrown in there for the challenge. Thanks Rico.

I think an honest talk with your friend would be helpful. Them him/her that you desire to keep your friendship, but at the same time you must keep your moral and religious standards. If he/she is a real friend, they will respect you and your beliefs.

If not, you just found out that your friendship was conditional.

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

Honestly I have no idea... I don't really see that I have a walk, and the problem is I don't even desire one... I just want to be a good person and continue to improve myself as a person, that's the extent of my ambition spiritually. (I think my "spiritual" needs meter is broken).

I'm willing to discuss this further if you feel it will help you understand your relationship with your friend.

I have friends similar to you. You can have a personal walk with the Lord without traditional "church." Though just being a good person will not allow you to move on beyond this life to see and experience what the Creator of the Universe( you and I included ) has in store, it is a excellent quailty and can very well be a point of departure in beginning or redeveloping a walk with the Lord. I spent 16 years trying to do it on my own. Though he was always there for me, my life since actively seeking and walking with him is totally different for the far better. Just my POV that I wanted to extent to you.

Originally Posted by Pianoman

I think an honest talk with your friend would be helpful. Them him/her that you desire to keep your friendship, but at the same time you must keep your moral and religious standards. If he/she is a real friend, they will respect you and your beliefs.

If not, you just found out that your friendship was conditional.

Good point, even in general.

Originally Posted by CC1

I have no problem with conservative Pentecostal friends. If I want to go to the movies and I am with Elder Epley I can go see Transfomers and just leave him in the parking lot placing "You are going to hell for being here" tracts on the windshields of the cars.

Then afterwards we can just go grab some good food and have a good time talking and fellowshipping!

Now that's funny, I don't care who ya are...

Originally Posted by CC1

I have no problem with conservative Pentecostal friends. If I want to go to the movies and I am with Elder Epley I can go see Transfomers and just leave him in the parking lot placing "You are going to hell for being here" tracts on the windshields of the cars.

Then afterwards we can just go grab some good food and have a good time talking and fellowshipping!

Reminds me of the Looney Tunes cartoon where "Sam" the sheepdog and Wile E Coyote clock in together with their lunch boxes and then are mortal enemies for most of the episode and then clock out.

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

Reminds me of the Looney Tunes cartoon where "Sam" the sheepdog and Wile E Coyote clock in together with their lunch boxes and then are mortal enemies for most of the episode and then clock out.

LOL!

Hey, I've been thinking about that series all week, though it has to do with a situation at work.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

Reminds me of the Looney Tunes cartoon where "Sam" the sheepdog and Wile E Coyote clock in together with their lunch boxes and then are mortal enemies for most of the episode and then clock out.

Exactly!!

I have no doubt I would be skewered if ever in a service that my ultra con freinds are preaching. Not neccesarily because I would be a target (though I am sure that would be tempting and influence them somewhat) but just because of the nature of their beliefs and usual preaching.

BTW - Did you see my post where I said that you would not hate Christ Church? I don't think it would make you depressed, angry, etc.

I can't remember where you live but if it is the Dallas area you ought to check out Mike Hayes Covenant Church.