Let's see what 'Spiritual Wisdom' we really have Available...

[secretplace]

Special circumstances call for special action. I pray that this ladies hair will not be long growing out again. I have a little idea how she must feel and empathize with her.

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

I floated this one a minister's only forum to see what responses I got. Let's try it here and see what relevant opinions pop up.

"Yep... I'm one of them. I'm one of those outdated, spiritually oppressive, neanderthals who still preaches against women cutting their hair. Any of it. I'm the kind that preaches against burning it off, cutting it off, trimming the dead ends or... well... you get the picture.

...Almost...

Here is where I need the opinions of the Esteemed Spiritual Scholars among us. I have a fairly young Mother, about 35 or so, who recently was placed in the hospital for a dire medical situation. It was a hospital stay that required that she lay there for a few weeks immobile. Now, the interesting part. Due to the amount of time she lay there, in spite of the fact that they tried to keep it 'up', her beautiful long hair became hideously tangled. Upon her release her family (and eventually most every female Saint in our Church) tried to untangle it.

Now, almost 4 months later (as well as numerous 'anointing with oil' sessions, a few all night prayer meetings and 3 extended fasts by this precious Saint) what we have is a rock hard ball of hair about the size of a softball strategically covered up by other parts of her hair.

Now this precious Saint is pleading with me for an answer. She has the same conviction about cutting her hair as I do. Yet, we also know that she has to do something now or else she's going to end up bald (the 'ball of hair' is now pulling the good hair out).

Do we consider this a medical situation such as a cancer that affects the hair? Do we take the 'no cutting' stance and hope that it eventually just falls out on it's own? Do we play a 'Solomon' and 'divide it' down the middle with a sword and see what happens... perchance we can salvage some of it? Obviously we take it seriously and consider the hair issue as much more than a matter of 'preference'.

I need to make a decision. She needs to have an answer. I'm interested to see what the illustrious Spiritual Scholars among us have to say...

... Your turn."

I think I can support this idea from scripture, but it seems that there are laws and truths and then there are greater laws and truths.

For example the Syrophoenician Woman with the demon possessed child, it really was not in the dispesnation for healing or to have the children's bread, but the Lord did give her a miracle regardless. To me the truth of covenants and dispesnations was overshadowed by the law and truth of faith.

In the case of this sister, the spirit of the law (her heart and motivations) is greater than the actual technical requirement of long, uncut hair which is sympbol of submission to her spiritual authority.

If she is submitted to her authority, the symbol can be fractured, even removed for reasons outside of the normal control of the beliver, but if the law and truth of submission is upheld by that same believer, they are right in the sight of God.

I don't know if you will respond, after my pho pah, but I hope you do.

[IAintMovin]

Originally Posted by keith4him

I think I can support this idea from scripture, but it seems that there are laws and truths and then there are greater laws and truths.

For example the Syrophoenician Woman with the demon possessed child, it really was not in the dispesnation for healing or to have the children's bread, but the Lord did give her a miracle regardless. To me the truth of covenants and dispesnations was overshadowed by the law and truth of faith.

In the case of this sister, the spirit of the law (her heart and motivations) is greater than the actual technical requirement of long, uncut hair which is sympbol of submission to her spiritual authority.

If she is submitted to her authority, the symbol can be fractured, even removed for reasons outside of the normal control of the beliver, but if the law and truth of submission is upheld by that same believer, they are right in the sight of God.

I don't know if you will respond, after my pho pah, but I hope you do.

Off the subject - Welcome Keith!!

Originally Posted by keith4him

I think I can support this idea from scripture, but it seems that there are laws and truths and then there are greater laws and truths.

For example the Syrophoenician Woman with the demon possessed child, it really was not in the dispesnation for healing or to have the children's bread, but the Lord did give her a miracle regardless. To me the truth of covenants and dispesnations was overshadowed by the law and truth of faith.

In the case of this sister, the spirit of the law (her heart and motivations) is greater than the actual technical requirement of long, uncut hair which is sympbol of submission to her spiritual authority.

If she is submitted to her authority, the symbol can be fractured, even removed for reasons outside of the normal control of the beliver, but if the law and truth of submission is upheld by that same believer, they are right in the sight of God.

I don't know if you will respond, after my pho pah, but I hope you do.

Keith,

I do appreciate your reasoning on this one. Her biggest problem at this point is beating herself up. I do find, however, the 'submission' element of your post to be most interesting and an angle I can offer her in that she is STILL wholeheartedly submitted to her convictions, her Pastor and the voice of God.

If anything the need to remove the knot has made her more submissive... and that, itself, gives me some 'balm' to ease her conscience.

Blessings.

And, yes, a 'Steadfast' welcome to Keith is in order too.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Keith,

I do appreciate your reasoning on this one. Her biggest problem at this point is beating herself up. I do find, however, the 'submission' element of your post to be most interesting and an angle I can offer her in that she is STILL wholeheartedly submitted to her convictions, her Pastor and the voice of God.

If anything the need to remove the knot has made her more submissive... and that, itself, gives me some 'balm' to ease her conscience.

Blessings.

It certainly has seemed to give her a greater appreciation for her convictions..... and God's purpose at times is greater than our understanding... I would assure her that God has a greater purpose in
all of this...

Originally Posted by revrandy

It certainly has seemed to give her a greater appreciation for her convictions..... and God's purpose at times is greater than our understanding... I would assure her that God has a greater purpose in
all of this...

That, my friend, has already been done.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

That, my friend, has already been done.

I figured as much ...Just throwin my two cents in...

I am amazed at times what folks go thru.....

When I read your dilemma.. it reminded me of the Word where men tried to trap Jesus concerning the law.. when men tried to trap him concerning the woman who committed adultery... the law called for Death.. but Jesus simply began to write in the sand... and when he was finished the accusers were gone... He asked the woman...where are thy accusers.... she said their gone.. he said to her do.. and don't sin any more...

Sometimes it seems that life trys to trap us concerning the Law...but...

Where the law demanded & condemned...... Grace & Mercy forgave...

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Keith,

I do appreciate your reasoning on this one. Her biggest problem at this point is beating herself up. I do find, however, the 'submission' element of your post to be most interesting and an angle I can offer her in that she is STILL wholeheartedly submitted to her convictions, her Pastor and the voice of God.

If anything the need to remove the knot has made her more submissive... and that, itself, gives me some 'balm' to ease her conscience.

Blessings.

If her heart condemns her, then God is greater, it is clear that her conscience is very sensitive in this matter, which it is better to have sensitive conscience than a seared one, but the preferred is an informed one.

Originally Posted by revrandy

I figured as much ...Just throwin my two cents in...

I am amazed at times what folks go thru.....

When I read your dilemma.. it reminded me of the Word where men tried to trap Jesus concerning the law.. when men tried to trap him concerning the woman who committed adultery... the law called for Death.. but Jesus simply began to write in the sand... and when he was finished the accusers were gone... He asked the woman...where are thy accusers.... she said their gone.. he said to her do.. and don't sin any more...

Sometimes it seems that life trys to trap us concerning the Law...but...

Where the law demanded & condemned...... Grace & Mercy forgave...

I typed a long response out to your post but somehow lost it! I appreciate your response and thought it was funny how an Pastor with real convictions at at time like this is just like Jesus... looking over your shoulder waiting for someone to say, "See! I knew you really didn't believe that!"

Blessings!