A Lost Little Lamb

[Chateau d'If]

Deacon, I really needed this. Thanks.

And as for our self-appointed "strait shooter"...

Sir, I think your choice of usernames is appropriate and revealing. You want to viewed as someone who "tells is like it is." Someone who stands for truth at all costs and holds tight to the old paths of Apostolic Identity.

I actually feel sorry for you. You seem so angry and locked in to this culture war within your miniscule movement.

I remember a time when I expended a lot of energy and passion on AFF. I debated issues almost 24/7. Over time I realized that I was wasting myself on these issues and with people who did not care for me personally. So I gave up. I now only occasionally visit, posting very infrequently.

Straight Shooter, life is short, and I'm feeling charitable, so here is a free piece of advice. Love your family. Work hard. Love God. Vacation frequently. Live with no regrets. Accomplish your goals.

The Apostolic Identity war is over and nobody won. Gradualism took its toll.

Most of the things we used to fight about are now widely accepted. Jewelry, movies, TV, shorts, ball games etc.... What a waste of keystrokes!

Save your anger for something meaningful.

[aegsm76]

SS - I believe you took this the wrong way.
Rules without relationship results in rebellion.

[strait shooter]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

SS - I believe you took this the wrong way.
Rules without relationship results in rebellion.

You are exactly right...this is what legalism is.

Legalism is not a set of standards to live by.

Most everyone has a set of standards.

Legalism is as you said rules without relationship, and the belief that those rules will save you without having a relationship with Christ.

Unfortunately too many throw the baby out with the bathwater. In their attempt to avoid legalism they slide into antinomianism and license becomes the only rule they live by.

[Evang.Benincasa]

From reading the story about Sherry (may the Lord help her) standards were the least of her worries. Are people who believe in standards still getting thrown under the bus?

Hey, Ed Gein's mom use to make him listen to her read the Bible, and he ended up digging up dead bodies and creating living room furnishings out of the corpses.

Should we abstain from reading the scriptures to our kids?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

From reading the story about Sherry (may the Lord help her) standards were the least of her worries. Are people who believe in standards still getting thrown under the bus?

Hey, Ed Gein's mom use to make him listen to her read the Bible, and he ended up digging up dead bodies and creating living room furnishings out of the corpses.

Should we abstain from reading the scriptures to our kids?

If I remember right Carrie's mother also locked her in the prayer closet every time she disobeyed her. And look what happened come Prom time!

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

If I remember right Carrie's mother also locked her in the prayer closet every time she disobeyed her. And look what happened come Prom time!

Ah, yes, Stephen King's Carrie White, and Hollywood's accurate portrayal of a single Christian mother, and her telekinetic daughter, complete with statue of Saint Sebastian, and velvet tapestry painting of the Last Supper.

[Sarah]

This is a sad, sad story Deacon. I think we all have too many 'Sherrys' in our background....and it's heartbreaking.

I do thank God, though, for the kids that I saw struggle with the things Sherry struggled with..and some with even worse things..and are living a holy, clean life several decades later. And they give God and His church the glory for the victory!

Praying for all the 'Sherrys' out there....especially the ones I know!

[HolyFire]

Originally Posted by strait shooter

You are exactly right...this is what legalism is.

Legalism is not a set of standards to live by.

Most everyone has a set of standards.

Legalism is as you said rules without relationship, and the belief that those rules will save you without having a relationship with Christ.

Unfortunately too many throw the baby out with the bathwater. In their attempt to avoid legalism they slide into antinomianism and license becomes the only rule they live by.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Please forgive me, but don't we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling?

Does the church and home environment we live in have to be regulated, and micromanaged like it was a exotic salt water aquarium? What I'm trying to say is this, even in churches which have no standards you have sad stories of youth going in the opposite direction of what they were taught.

Whether they be in Pentecost, or Buddhism, children grow up and ultimately make their own choices on how they are going to live. My father was an atheist, my mother believed in her own brand of "spiritualism" and I was raised with the bare essentials of Catholicism. Still I chose a path which my peers, and my interests had taken me. I believe the Lord Jesus Christ speaks to everyone, and draws everyone, we all have free will to do as we very well please.

I thank the Lord Jesus for His mercy and blessings, and pray that everyone listen and obey to the still small voice. The Lord doesn't wish that any should perish, nor does He take pleasure in the death of the wicked.

Yet, no matter who we are, or where we are, the Lord is trying to reach us, but it is up to us to allow Him to influence us to the saving of our souls.

[houston]

Welcome back