Movie: Hunger Games

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

And I appreciate that brother... but with all the transition going on in the Apostolic church and other Holiness movements (which I've been a part of for almost 20 years), do you honestly think that you guys saying you view it as some kind of bondage, or not necessary is the first time anyone has said that to me?

There are many that originated in the Holiness churches that now feel they have the liberty to do many things beside dress differently, listen to secular music, go to movies, even drink and go to a club. Over the years I've had many say something to the effect, "I've been delivered from that bondage and realized it doesn't take all that to get to heaven, " or "Jesus showed me he never lived like that," etc.

But I don't read the book that way. There is no bondage in my life except this old retched flesh that likes to continually crawl off the altar where it should be crucified.

I'm not gonna change these convictions until I find them in the book, and in over 20 years of living for the Lord, I haven't found it yet.

And just so you know, I wasn't raised Holiness. Was raised that could dress anyway you want, live anyway you want, and you were eternally secure. Was raised Baptist. It was after I got the Holy Ghost and began to study the Word... at NON HOLINESS SCHOOLS by the way, that I saw this as God's mandate for my life.

No hard feelings here. Just not sure why, in a place that should be pretty tolerant as most want tolerance, there isn't that same degree of tolerance extended. Why try to change me? Why not accept me as I am and not malign how I'm trying to live for Jesus if I'm not maligning you?

Once again, you misinterpreted my earlier statement.

I've never once criticized you for the way you live, but if you put your convictions out on a public forum, then you definitely should expect some discussion around them. There will be others who do not agree with your assessment of "The Book", and I'm one of them, but I have yet to read where anyone on this forum has said to you "You should NOT do that".

All I said was that it seemed to me that you were engaging in self-flagellation. And, even then, I said that if you were happy with your lifestyle, by all means, you should continue to live it.

What I did say was that such a lifestyle is usually much more pleasing to man than God, because it serves as a way for us to think we're much holier than what we really are. I mean, even the Bible says that man judges on the outward appearance, and God judges on the heart.

So, please, don't think for one minute that I'm trying to dissuade you from your mission, I'm just making an observation, which is quite common on public forums.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

That was kind of my point exactly... Heck dude I'd need my own forum to list all my failings... but the fact that you felt you had to share that with people you were just 'meeting', as if it somehow defines you... that was the weird part.

Exactly........

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

That was kind of my point exactly... Heck dude I'd need my own forum to list all my failings... but the fact that you felt you had to share that with people you were just 'meeting', as if it somehow defines you... that was the weird part.

maybe in Apostolic circles, but it's part of my testimony. Full Disclosure. Better than taking the chance of not saying anything, and then some self righteous wing nut posting... "I know what you did", or "you made a mistake that I know about."

Where I come from, and the circles I was mentored in, you don't dwell on it, but full disclosure is a wise move.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Once again, you misinterpreted my earlier statement.

I've never once criticized you for the way you live, but if you put your convictions out on a public forum, then you definitely should expect some discussion around them. There will be others who do not agree with your assessment of "The Book", and I'm one of them, but I have yet to read where anyone on this forum has said to you "You should NOT do that".

All I said was that it seemed to me that you were engaging in self-flagellation. And, even then, I said that if you were happy with your lifestyle, by all means, you should continue to live it.

What I did say was that such a lifestyle is usually much more pleasing to man than God, because it serves as a way for us to think we're much holier than what we really are. I mean, even the Bible says that man judges on the outward appearance, and God judges on the heart.

So, please, don't think for one minute that I'm trying to dissuade you from your mission, I'm just making an observation, which is quite common on public forums.

The assumption though that it's done to please man, or that there is a holier than thou feeling from it, or where another poster called them rediculous are very incorrect and lean in the direction of condescention.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

The assumption though that it's done to please man, or that there is a holier than thou feeling from it, or where another poster called them rediculous are very incorrect and lean in the direction of condescention.

Well, I would agree to disagree on this one.

But, I'll say one thing - I find it amusing that the ultra cons can tear down the liberals all day long, and they are earnestly contending for the faith.

But, when a liberal questions the legitimacy of some self imposed restrictions, it's condescending.

Come on brother, you're above this.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

maybe in Apostolic circles, but it's part of my testimony. Full Disclosure. Better than taking the chance of not saying anything, and then some self righteous wing nut posting... "I know what you did", or "you made a mistake that I know about."

Where I come from, and the circles I was mentored in, you don't dwell on it, but full disclosure is a wise move.

That is the most bizzare thing I've ever heard... well maybe not ever but it gets an honorable mention...

Hi, I'm Sister Titus and I was not a virgin when I married...

Hi, I am Bro. Bob and I spent 4 years in High School peeking through a hole in the girls shower.

Hi, Nice to meet you. I am Sis. Smith and I've had an abortion...

God help us, if that were the case we'd be worse then the Catholics who at least give you a booth, some privacy and one guy to talk to about it who is sworn to secrecy.

Full disclosure... I would never go out in public again if I had to bear hearing everyone's past sins... ewww...

As far as anyone else dropping a dime on you... Well... that could still happen if they have some juicy details and can find someone who does not have enough of their own issues to want to hear them.... That would NOT be me and if it's your friends I highly suggest you seek and find new ones.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Well, I would agree to disagree on this one.

But, I'll say one thing - I find it amusing that the ultra cons can tear down the liberals all day long, and they are earnestly contending for the faith.

But, when a liberal questions the legitimacy of some self imposed restrictions, it's condescending.

Come on brother, you're above this.

Funny how that is, isn't it?

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Well, I'm not really assuming - it's basically what you've said already.

then if not assumption, you misunderstood what I was saying..... Where I said, "and it keeps me from being seen in a position where someone might wonder what I was doing there... I'm not living for man's approval, but I'm very, very, very protective of my witness..." has nothing to do with trying to please anyone, or that I'm making decisions based on past failure. No where did I say that, but you assumed it.

I just take a very different view on our witness that apparently some here do, and that's okay as long as we can respect one another. I believe we are all supposed to be very, very, very protective of our witness in this world. And to not be a people that live in contradiction or double mindedness. And that we must be aware that there are two kinds of people (at least) that are always watching us.

One, those that are ready to take anything in our lives and find fault. These are religious folks that live their lives in pointing out others failures while ignoring their own. We don't live to please these folks, but for God's sake we don't need to give them amunition. The enemy uses these folks to tare up churches and destroy people's reputation.

Two, lost folks. I have had many lost folks come to me when they needed someone to pray, and have won people to the Lord, and they have said to me... the way you live your life inspired me, and made me seek God in my life. And they are watching....

I just don't want to be a hypocrite. If I say that I oppose gambling, then I don't need to be taking money for scholarships that is the result of gambling. If I don't believe we should drink alcohol, then I don't need to be in places of business that sell alcohol, when I have alternatives that are just as good. If I say that I think people should be in church on Sunday, then I don't need to be going to stores and restaurants on Sunday and be the reason people are having to work.

I'm actually just trying to back up what my mouth says with what I live. Trying to be consistent in what I believe.... that's all. And I believe that we are to be blameless, have a good report from within and without... and people are watching. We don't live for them, but we're ambassadors before them.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

then if not assumption, you misunderstood what I was saying..... Where I said, "and it keeps me from being seen in a position where someone might wonder what I was doing there... I'm not living for man's approval, but I'm very, very, very protective of my witness..." has nothing to do with trying to please anyone, or that I'm making decisions based on past failure. No where did I say that, but you assumed it.

I just take a very different view on our witness that apparently some here do, and that's okay as long as we can respect one another. I believe we are all supposed to be very, very, very protective of our witness in this world. And to not be a people that live in contradiction or double mindedness. And that we must be aware that there are two kinds of people (at least) that are always watching us.

One, those that are ready to take anything in our lives and find fault. These are religious folks that live their lives in pointing out others failures while ignoring their own. We don't live to please these folks, but for God's sake we don't need to give them amunition. The enemy uses these folks to tare up churches and destroy people's reputation.

Two, lost folks. I have had many lost folks come to me when they needed someone to pray, and have won people to the Lord, and they have said to me... the way you live your life inspired me, and made me seek God in my life. And they are watching....

I just don't want to be a hypocrite. If I say that I oppose gambling, then I don't need to be taking money for scholarships that is the result of gambling. If I don't believe we should drink alcohol, then I don't need to be in places of business that sell alcohol, when I have alternatives that are just as good. If I say that I think people should be in church on Sunday, then I don't need to be going to stores and restaurants on Sunday and be the reason people are having to work.

I'm actually just trying to back up what my mouth says with what I live. Trying to be consistent in what I believe.... that's all. And I believe that we are to be blameless, have a good report from within and without... and people are watching. We don't live for them, but we're ambassadors before them.

That sounds better... I feel healing in this place

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Well, I would agree to disagree on this one.

But, I'll say one thing - I find it amusing that the ultra cons can tear down the liberals all day long, and they are earnestly contending for the faith.

But, when a liberal questions the legitimacy of some self imposed restrictions, it's condescending.

Come on brother, you're above this.

Brother... this comment, considering the context of the conversation infers that I fall in this group... and I not once in this thread have "tore down the liberals". As a matter of fact, I said I don't push my lifestyle holiness convictions on anyone, and it's me working out my own salvation with fear and trembling....

If you can find one place I "tore down someone for being liberal", then I'll publicly apologize.

Even in my thread about Easter Egg hunts, my comments were that I was just so surprised to see them in Apostolic churches, when my impression prior to coming in the movement was very different than what I saw once I got here.

You'll not find one place on this forum where I've tore down a liberal for their belief... and believe me, there are many on here I disagree with. I've never lifted up my personal convictions to be superior once... show me where I have.

The problem is, because I resemble others of common conviction, that you've obviously had negative dealings with, I get thrown in the same box with them and become guilty of the same treatment they give... even though I haven't given it. That isn't fair... and I would assume you are above that.