I've mentioned in a previous post that I still attend my church (though not as regularly) and fulfill my responsibilities there, working with young people.
So, in keeping with a duty that was assigned to me, and from which I couldn't escape, tomorrow morning, bright and early, should see me at the church's monthly Prayer and Fasting service, giving a 10-minute presentation on the topic, "Jesus - a friend to all."
Someone has a very strange sense of humour.
1 hour ago
17 of your thoughts:
what a great opportunity!
are you going to give your honest thoughts? or are you going to do the song and dance until your time is up? just curious which route you were going to take with it...
Best of luck with that. I know I could never get through something like that with a straight face. Although you'll likely have an easier time than I would, being that you're still connected to that community.
You can so do this. Good luck.
This is exactly why I am out as an agnostic with atheist leanings to my Christian friends and my family.
Actually, I think I could probably do it though as Jesus did say some cool stuff. Any "good" Christian cherry picks Jesus' words, so you would be expected to as well.
I can just sense how uncomfortable this would be for you.
Welcome JJ and Mike!
Well guys, it wasn't as bad as I thought. And JJ, I did manage to keep a straight face, although I was thinking, 'If y'all only knew.' I didn't offer any personal thoughts, and Jon, I can't be totally honest just yet. It's not that easy to come out of the closet, I'm realising. However, if anyone should ask a certain type of question in the future, I'm prepared to say that I don't believe the way I used to, and that I'm reexamining my faith.
Might even stir up a bit of controversy in my Sabbath School class by asking controversial questions, just to get them thinking. ;)
When I told my mom I'm not going to her church anymore, she said "What am I going to tell everyone when they ask why you're not there?" I said "that John Calvin burned people at the stake". "But we don't follow that." "So that 'Calvanism 101' class was anti-calvanist? I don't think so." It's always about keeping up appearances - that's why I just got tired of caring. But I do agree with you, it is hard, especially when a lot of people you are close to are involved.
@ The Nerd: Welcome!
As a Christian, I was sincere about my beliefs and my relationship with Jesus, so for me, it wasn't about appearances. Even now, that I'm deconverting, it still isn't about that. I enjoy working with the children and young people. I love the sense of community. I know some really wonderful Christians, even those who are SDA! What I hate is the dogma and creeds and bigotry.
If anyone should ask why my attendance isn't as regular as before, I'll answer as diplomatically as possible, because some may not be able to handle the truth.
Still, it feels a bit hypocritical (is that the right word?) because the timing isn't right for me to be totally honest with most persons, especially those close to me. It's hard because several of my friends aren't open minded and won't be so understanding. I guess I'm not ready to handle being "burned at the stake" yet. ;)
sweet new look! i love it!
@ Jon: Thanks! :D
Is that a self portrait? It really is a beautiful abstract. I wish I had time to explore my blog and fix it up a bit.
;-)I'm so slow to find how to do everything. I resent the time spent.
But this is the only place I am finding a whole lot of people unhappy with the way we are.
God is real and relationship with God is there for the asking to the sheep according to the Bible. What we see in churches today is not what is exhibited in Christ's walk.
He hung out with the humiliated the poor the destitute the hurting the hated. He sat in the ancient bars of his time eating and drinking with those who needed a physician. He went TO them. He didn't set up shop in an expensive building and expect those who were in need to come mingle with those who weren't and feel humiliated some more. Note:: He sat and ate and drank with them ... that means He didn't preach or pass through and hand out tracts. That meant He made friends and sat and gently taught and loved. Whenever we can deliver love, and healing through that love, in His way, people will flock and hear. I don't think He violently put His hands on anyone and pushed them over to HEAL them. It seems He healed with great compassion and love and gentleness. He was quiet with those in need of a physician. He was and is real love. It amazes me that our men today are so caught up in nothing relevant at all. The women are more involved in churches but many of our men sit back and stare. I think I know why. Real men want something real. They don't want hypocrisy. And church is a playground to indoctrinate our children to think like the church they are attending and feel shame when they err from ... not God .... but from the church rules.
Any real man who wants a real relationship with God and is in the church org. is a frustrated man.
I thought I had met one who was the real essence of love as Jesus I imagine was ... so I zoomed in to take a closer look ... it turns out he is one of the greatest actors of all. His quiet and gentle demeanor are only a cover to get something he wants or needs from others. He even admits that he is not loving. Men always tell on themselves when you give them enough time to do it. A lesson, women ... always listen to what men say about themselves ... they are telling the truth about themselves.
But then again I sit here with a mentally ill son and I have prayed for him. And I have searched out pastors and their knowledge to pray for him. Most all of them ignored me. Such is the stigma of mental illness. One came to see us but he was wind without rain.
Another came without anything either ... I thought he had love in his heart for us, but it turned out he was just looking for something to glean for himself.
So that is our sorry state in our bountiful lands.
Why is God only in Lakeland right now?
Aren't we in an age of the spirit being poured out on all flesh?
Is this a tourist scam in Florida?
HA now that is a little on the skeptical side, huh! LOLOL
Love your blog ... there now, I guess I've introduced myself ...
God Bless You :-)
@ Valorosa: Welcome! Thanks for sharing your heart. I appreciate your insight as well, and am inclined to agree with some of what you stated.
@ Valorosa: No, that's not a self- portrait. I found it on a website and fell in love with it, lol. I love abstracts. :)
I'm fascinated by the "Prayer and Fasting" service. What's that? I mean I know what prayer and fasting are, but there's a service for it? Is it a regular thing with Adventism? I know about a lot of sects within Christianity, but Adventism I didn't delve deeply into. I read some Ellen White stuff, even owned some of her books.
@ MOI: In SDA circles, churches may hold such a service to fast and pray about various issues of concern. It can be held monthly or quarterly, and may be an all-night, or all-day, or half-day session.
The service is usually broken up in segments dealing with each issue/concern, may have a speaker giving a brief charge, and have special musical selections to make it more interesting.
If you decide to delve into Adventism to learn more about it, I'd love to hear your views.
LTLG:
I'm always interested in learning more about Christianity and the various subsets of it. :-)
Was your family Adventist or did you convert?
@ MOI: I was raised Methodist and converted to SDAdventism. When I told my mother of my plans to get baptised into that faith, she looked as if I had shot her in the heart. She has since tolerated and supported my decision, but it was a severe blow. So, you can well understand that I'll never tell her that I'm an ex-Christian (and a closet one at that). It would kill her, and I will not hurt her in that way.
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“Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.” ~ Bertrand Russell