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[QueenEsther]

Originally Posted by Thadisdaman

That is becaue the UPCI wants to stay in debt! If you ever get a chance to take the Financial Peace university do it, it is awesome. If you are a pastor it would be great for your church. I offered it to my church and it was a great community outreach tool. Dave is Awesome

Amen!! We are taking it right now through our church!

[Nina]

Originally Posted by timlan2057

I'm just now to the point where I think I could find a bit of satisfaction going to church again - DEFINITELY with more structure, liturgy, history and tradition than what I came out of.

Tim,

Anyplace in particular sound satisfying?

Nina

PS What do You think of Church of Christ?

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Nina

Tim,

Anyplace in particular sound satisfying?

Nina

PS What do You think of Church of Christ?

The music is not so great!!!! Very few churches can pull off the acapella singing and have it sound good.

[mizpeh]

Sounds like the Roman Catholics have just what you're looking for.

[Nina]

Originally Posted by timlan2057

I'm just now to the point where I think I could find a bit of satisfaction going to church again - DEFINITELY with more structure, liturgy, history and tradition than what I came out of.

Originally Posted by Nina

Tim,

Anyplace in particular sound satisfying?

Nina

Hey Tim,

You know You opened Yourself up for this question.


The reason for the question about Church of Christ is that I am reading the transcript of the Jackson- Bayer Debate in Fulton MS from 1979, and I wondered how someone like You would debate today.

Nina

PS I know You will find what You're looking for.

[AmazingGrace]

Ok..........

This thread is back to the top so I must add.......................GOEWBTB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by timlan2057

Griffin, what do you mean you look like Santa Claus NOW?

You looked like Santa Claus 32 years ago.

What have I been up to?

Oh yeah, you threw me off with that "he HELPED edit."

I forgot you were a one-year wonder.

Because the next year (when your brother showed up in your stead) I was editor of the whole enchilada - such as it was.

After grad in 1978, I evangelized 8 and one-half years.

Pastored 4 and 1/2.

Had two great kids out of a marriage that was mostly pure hell but because of the kids, I'd do it all over again the same way.

Debated, spoke at the 1990 Oneness Symposium with Hall, Bernard, Urshan and the other usual suspects. Wrote a little and served in a couple district offices.

Divorced in 1992, got in the car business.

Was sales manager and finance manager at John Decker Lincoln-Mercury for 14 years until a corporate buyout in 2004.

Moved to Baton Rouge and worked for a complete idiot trying to be general sales manager of a couple dealerships rife with nepotism, cronyism and general incompetence.

Came back to Alexandria in 2006 where I am now a humble car salesman at the local Toyota dealership.

I spend my days twiddling my thumbs and trying to get a couple kids through college.

Wolfe helped me out some; I sing bass in the Red River Chorale, the most elite group of singers in central Louisiana.

Well hey, it beats being the piano player in a non respectable place.

How in the world did you end up in Houston?

I do make it over there on occasion. I think Westheimer is one of the most exciting streets in the world.

I'm just now to the point where I think I could find a bit of satisfaction going to church again - DEFINITELY with more structure, liturgy, history and tradition than what I came out of.


Uh ... you?

True, but 32 years ago it was sans white hair and beard, a situation now remedied.

Long story short about ending up in Houston. After leaving the UPC and ministry in 1983 or so I held a series of exotic jobs in exciting fields such as fast food. At age 31 my father died which snapped me out of my lethargy. While working full time, and raising a family, I acquired an AA and BA in about 9 months, I aspired to go to law school and since there were none in central Florida at the time, and I knew I was going to have to work full time while attending I moved to Houston and matriculated at South Texas College of Law. (Answering your question about ending up in Houston)

Worked for Harris County DA office while in school and since no one wanted to hire a 38 year old first year associate, went into what I knew, criminal law, and a series of jobs both prosecutorial and defense. (Most recently felony prosecutor in Victoria) Went through an amicable no fault divorce, remarried to someone just met, and promptly separated. Broke everyone of God's commandments but perhaps murder. Experienced everything up to and including clinical depression. Quit criminal (though still licensed). Spent 9 months learning the 4 years of accounting necessary to sit for CPA (in process of obtaining both that and CFE) Starting a few years ago, began journey of restoration. I too stayed married mostly for the benefit of my step-daughters. (Wife number two patiently waited for years for me to reach place where I really wanted marriage to work.)

Even though it has been 25 years since I had been in an Apostolic pulpit, doors are opening. Largely through the ministries of Wendell Hutchins and Jonathan Suber I have experienced what is lacking in most Apostolic circles. The ability to be real and transparent and still be surrounded by unconditional love.(Most Apostolics attack their wounded).

I have no doubt you will be successful in your journey back into your own unique ministry. Persons of candor, wisdom, and intelligence are needed in Christendom.

As far as a ritualistic, structured, church with liturgy and tradition might I suggest your local Apostolic church. Most seem to have unconsciously developed their own.

[Nina]

Originally Posted by timlan2057

I'm just now to the point where I think I could find a bit of satisfaction going to church again - DEFINITELY with more structure, liturgy, history and tradition than what I came out of.

Tim Landry,

Just in case You missed this question, here it is again.

Have You seen anything out there that meets these requirements?

Respectfully,
Nina

[Dora]

Originally Posted by Nina

Tim Landry,

Just in case You missed this question, here it is again.

Have You seen anything out there that meets these requirements?

Respectfully,
Nina

Somebody call Dan Scott, QUICK!

[timlan2057]

Originally Posted by Nina

Tim Landry,

Just in case You missed this question, here it is again.

Have You seen anything out there that meets these requirements?

Respectfully,
Nina

Hi Nina.

I'm sorry that I missed this.

I haven't been checking here since Thad left a couple weeks ago, and of course he starts so many threads with multiple exclamation points that things get lost.

I would probably attend some place like the Episcopal Church and I wouldn't rule out attending the Roman Catholic Church.

I sing in the Red River Chorale with the Catholic Bishop, Ronald Herzog. He is one of the most christian and down-to-earth men I have ever met.

He has a doctorate in education, was a chaplain and reached the rank of brigadier general in the US army.

Yes, my thinking regarding my own personal views on God and religion has changed dramatically.

Jim Griffin, you hit it on the head.

How in the world do we think that just because we yelled and screamed and carried on that that made it "heart worship."

Repeating the same tongues-mantra from church to church from one end of the country to the other - praying in that same singsong: "Haaave your WAAAaaaAAAAY, GooOOOOD (repeat a million times) -

I have been humbled and affected singing not only old traditional hymns but religious compositions by Mendelssohn and others in my chorale repertoire.

They are classics for a reason. They've stood the test of time and they move me like some of these nursery-rhyme little songs or doggerel like "I'm a Pentecostal" never could.

Yes, we all are conditioned like Pavlov's dogs, to bark when a pentecostal preacher says "dead, dry denominationalism."

You know what? I'm SICK of every preacher saying God has talked to him directly about every opinion he pulls out of a cocked hat.

I think God is a lot bigger than that and is much more a mystery than any of us can figure out and I would personally feel I was expressing my faith a lot better, a lot more sincerely, and a lot more humbly, by worshipping through what a lot of uninformed, ignorant and prejudiced folks would call "dead and dry."

At this point I have not started attending regularly anywhere.

But this is what I meant when I said I would be happy in an environment with much more liturgy, structure and tradition.

I spent much more time on this than what I intended since I have a busy day today, but you asked what I feel is a sincere question so I wanted to explain what I meant and how I was feeling.