Your experience when you dropped "dress standards"

[StMark]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

I cannot wear my hair up. For one thing, it's not long enough. For another, my medical condition won't allow me to wear anything on my head. It gives me headaches, even tiny clips and barrettes.

And that's part of the reason why I don't bother going to church. Don't you think that's sad, Mark? Don't you think it's sad that since I cannot 'pay the price', I feel I have to just avoid church altogether?

I'm not worried about wearing pants when hunting.

well for starters you could take those ear bobs off
gather it back and put a clip on bun on the nap of you neck.
It wont hurt you to do that for a few hours. when your with
the natives you wear the get up- just do it I know you can!

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

It's difficult to talk about because I don't want people to misunderstand me. I don't want to be this way, but I can't help it. In fact, I don't even consider myself saved right now because I'm not 'living right'.

I long to attend a church where I can worship God in complete freedom and liberty. Right now, I can't. People just want to pray me through (not that I don't need it anyway).

The UPC is all I know. To me, going elsewhere isn't going to save me. In my mind I think that anyway. It's difficult to explain unless you come from where I come from, right?

I attended a local church I thought was non-denominational but later found out it's Baptist. Anyway, I had a good time, loved the service, the people were wonderful, warm, and welcomed me and my friend that accompanied me, but I never went back. It's like I feel I'm worshipping the trinitarian god or something...and the women with short hair and pants on....like me...well, it's hard for me to take in a church setting where all my life I was taught those people weren't saved.

Wow... I could have written this myself. I started attending church again at my wifes request. In all honesty, I hadn't been in a church service in years until just after Lola passed away. She asked me to start going. And I did. I visited some Baptist churches, even answered the "invitation" to rededicate my life at one. Why? ...because I felt convicted when the preacher preached and felt like I needed to. I know.... some will think I'm just awful, but what do you expect from a man who, as a boy, started his Christian life out by reading prayers from a Catholic Prayer Book?

But.... I'm not Baptist, and I don't wanna go to a Baptist Church. Like you, sister, and I call you sister because you are, even though you don't consider yourself "saved.), I want a good Pentecostal church....I think I've found it though its pretty good piece from where I live.

I understand, Sister, 'cause I know exactly where you is comin' from.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

It's difficult to talk about because I don't want people to misunderstand me. I don't want to be this way, but I can't help it. In fact, I don't even consider myself saved right now because I'm not 'living right'.

I long to attend a church where I can worship God in complete freedom and liberty. Right now, I can't. People just want to pray me through (not that I don't need it anyway).

The UPC is all I know. To me, going elsewhere isn't going to save me. In my mind I think that anyway. It's difficult to explain unless you come from where I come from, right?

I attended a local church I thought was non-denominational but later found out it's Baptist. Anyway, I had a good time, loved the service, the people were wonderful, warm, and welcomed me and my friend that accompanied me, but I never went back. It's like I feel I'm worshipping the trinitarian god or something...and the women with short hair and pants on....like me...well, it's hard for me to take in a church setting where all my life I was taught those people weren't saved.

Ah, the BORG...the mothership...it's done a number on you HO.

Your post is classic cult mentality......if it was a devil I'd rebuke it out of you, but it's not ...just old time pentecostal brainwashing.

I do pray for you to be liberated from it.

[StMark]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

Ah, the BORG...the mothership...it's done a number on you HO.

Your post is classic cult mentality......if it was a devil I'd rebuke it out of you, but it's not ...just old time pentecostal brainwashing.

I do pray for you to be liberated from it.

This is the kind of post that gives AFF a bad name and has driven away some great minds and contributors to the forum

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Rico

Again, not asking as a slam, but an honest question. Is there any point at which you do describe yourselves as believing apostolic doctrine?

Not exactly sure what you're asking, Rico, but I'll try to answer. We do not use the wording "apostolic". Do we believe the doctrine you're talking about? We believe in true repentance (changing your mind and direction), being baptized in Jesus' name, and living a holy life by the power of the Spirit. We do believe that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is for everyone today, but we don't believe that you will split hell wide open if you haven't spoken in tongues.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by StMark

well for starters you could take those ear bobs off
gather it back and put a clip on bun on the nap of you neck.
It wont hurt you to do that for a few hours. when your with
the natives you wear the get up- just do it I know you can!

This is the kind of post that gives AFF a bad name and has driven away some great minds and contributors to the forum

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

It's difficult to talk about because I don't want people to misunderstand me. I don't want to be this way, but I can't help it. In fact, I don't even consider myself saved right now because I'm not 'living right'.
Okay so your not living right but why are you trying to live right? Why not just start living for Him and let Him do His work in you. Let Him change you to how He wants you to be not how someone has told you that you have to be.

I long to attend a church where I can worship God in complete freedom and liberty.
You need to simply worship and not worry about THEM. They do not make your walk with God, you do.

Right now, I can't. People just want to pray me through (not that I don't need it anyway).

The UPC is all I know. To me, going elsewhere isn't going to save me.
You are right it isn't going to save you to go anywhere else. As a matter of fact no church UPCI included isn't going to save you. JESUS is the only one that can do that. You simply need to renew your relationship with Him and not worry about others.

In my mind I think that anyway. It's difficult to explain unless you come from where I come from, right? I have been there, I know.

I attended a local church I thought was non-denominational but later found out it's Baptist. Anyway, I had a good time, loved the service, the people were wonderful, warm, and welcomed me and my friend that accompanied me, but I never went back. It's like I feel I'm worshipping the trinitarian god or something...and the women with short hair and pants on....like me...well, it's hard for me to take in a church setting where all my life I was taught those people weren't saved.

let me remind you that many of us come to Him broken and in pieces, yes even some of us that were raised in church. We come to Him so that He can put us back together.
You are his child and staying away from Him breaks His heart. It isn't the church building or the people that you need to worry about. You need to simply live to please HIM. What does He want from you? your heart. He wants your love. He wants you to shine His light and be His example to others. Yes the fellowship of others is good but your relationship with Him is most important. Once you realize that you are living for Him and not for others it makes it easier to live your life and worship in freedom.
I will be praying for you that God give you peace and that you find yourself renewed in Him.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Not exactly sure what you're asking, Rico, but I'll try to answer. We do not use the wording "apostolic". Do we believe the doctrine you're talking about? We believe in true repentance (changing your mind and direction), being baptized in Jesus' name, and living a holy life by the power of the Spirit. We do believe that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is for everyone today, but we don't believe that you will split hell wide open if you haven't spoken in tongues.

Yup. I personally prefer to state that I believe CHRISTIAN doctrine. "Apostolic" doctrine can mean different things to different people.
The Roman Catholic church uses that term extensively yet I doubt Rico would consider that Apostolic doctrine.

[StMark]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

This is the kind of post that gives AFF a bad name and has driven away some great minds and contributors to the forum

You poor poor dear... so blind to yourself

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by StMark

You poor poor dear... so blind to yourself

Thad, you're a ..... nevermind