Has The UPCI Served It's Purpose.

[rgcraig]

Well, I can't say anymore or I'll be taking up for freeatlast and Michael.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

You know all that and I think we know you mean all that, but if you take that highlighted in red all by itself......it reads like it reads.

I've figured it out. You type too fast and we read too slow.

I feel that focus has been lost and we're seeing the reaping of that.

Let me explain a little more of my point of view.

When the statement is made - "I feel the focus has been lost...."

Lost is a word of finality in my eyes. Something rises up in me and I want to scream - NO!

I started a small candle business a little over a year ago. I've talked about some things on a thread I started. No one could imagine the cost, time, experimenting and mistakes that go into this! I have actually cried more than once!

Jars orders coming in wrong, wax that mottles, label changes that aren't working, dyes that don't work in all waxes, fragrances that come in and are not what you ordered, too much additive locking up the scent, too little additive locking up the scent etc., etc.

But something in me rises up and I say - "NO, I WILL NOT GIVE UP. I WILL NOT QUIT!

Since I am a part of the UPCI, something inside of me says, "NO, WE ARE NOT LOST. WE WON'T GIVE UP. SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY, WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS WORK AND IT NEEDS TO WORK THE RIGHT WAY."

I want God to change us into what He has purposed. I want to look back and have that name still listed as UPCI! I want to win!

So, this is what is behind my thinking when we talk about these things. We have His Spirit - somehow God is going to make it work. And don't forget, I did say some things need to change. I see things changing and I'm glad for it.

I'm not giving up until God says - "Your time here is over." If He ever does that, I will start a thread and we can all rejoice!

[Encryptus]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

Lest anyone misinterpret what follows as UPCI bashing, I refer to my earlier quote saying I sincerely believe its best days are ahead.

I agree with what Pel said in the context I think was meant.

The UPCI is part of 'the church' as opposed to being THE CHURCH as so many of us were raised.

And his issue was specifically addressing being a force to society at large, and shaping the destiny of nations. No one is denying 10s of millions of individuals have been impacted. (And despite impressions sometimes given here, usually in a more positive way that not lol).

Historically it has also been very isolationist, interpreting spiritual separation to mean dropping out of society for fear of being contaminated by “the world”. So while reaching individuals we did not reach our culture.

Fortunately, the last 20 years or so have seen an unparalleled rise in Apostolic professionals. These men and women have the potential to change the environment “outside the church”.

The reason I have to keep using quotation marks is to pay homage to “our” lingo. Many have not yet grasp the church is not the four walls. It is the people. And they are still “the church” outside the four walls of where they choose to congregate.

The single greatest charge I would lay at the UPCI is that of squandered potential.

Being the quixotic person I am, I once again believe that is changing.

Good post.

[Hawkman]

I think the upc has focused more on getting people converted to the doctrine of salvation far mor than they have focused on people being converted to the god of salvation. I think the doctirne that united them has become their golden calf and is more improtant to them that god himself. that's what I think.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Let me explain a little more of my point of view.

When the statement is made - "I feel the focus has been lost...."

Lost is a word of finality in my eyes. Something rises up in me and I want to scream - NO!

I started a small candle business a little over a year ago. I've talked about some things on a thread I started. No one could imagine the cost, time, experimenting and mistakes that go into this! I have actually cried more than once!

Jars orders coming in wrong, wax that mottles, label changes that aren't working, dyes that don't work in all waxes, fragrances that come in and are not what you ordered, too much additive locking up the scent, too little additive locking up the scent etc., etc.

But something in me rises up and I say - "NO, I WILL NOT GIVE UP. I WILL NOT QUIT!

Since I am a part of the UPCI, something inside of me says, "NO, WE ARE NOT LOST. WE WON'T GIVE UP. SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY, WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS WORK AND IT NEEDS TO WORK THE RIGHT WAY."

I want God to change us into what He has purposed. I want to look back and have that name still listed as UPCI! I want to win!

So, this is what is behind my thinking when we talk about these things. We have His Spirit - somehow God is going to make it work. And don't forget, I did say some things need to change. I see things changing and I'm glad for it.

I'm not giving up until God says - "Your time here is over." If He ever does that, I will start a thread and we can all rejoice!

It wasn't the "focus is lost" comment that raised my eyebrows, it was the "If the UPC is finished, God is finished" comment.

Just for the record.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Lol, I'll be putting them on at 3:00 pm today, whoo hoo!

Seriously, PO, I think you type things and don't realize how they read to others.

But, that's just my "stereotypical" response, hehehe.

That's because you want to read them that way. It might work better for me if you ASK me what I mean like FreeatLast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You'll notice that I didn't agree with you on a thread this morning. I responded to Sister Alvear and put out my thoughts. I could have come after you, but I didn't because I'm so stinking polite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hawkman]

Until Jesus takes center stage again and becomes more important to the upc than anythings else, they'll continue to be insignificant as far as world changers.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

It wasn't the "focus is lost" comment that raised my eyebrows, it was the "If the UPC is finished, God is finished" comment.

Just for the record.

Well, my response was to being "lost". So many posters around here give me the impression that they think we are the stupidest and most idiotic thing going.

I've been in services, and recently, where the Holy Ghost was so strong we couldn't move and could only cry.

We are not LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

That's because you want to read them that way. It might work better for me if you ASK me what I mean like FreeatLast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You'll notice that I didn't agree with you on a thread this morning. I responded to Sister Alvear and put out my thoughts. I could have come after you, but I didn't because I'm so stinking polite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bwwahhhhaa~! You made me smack my leg and hurt my knee!

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

That's because you want to read them that way. It might work better for me if you ASK me what I mean like FreeatLast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You'll notice that I didn't agree with you on a thread this morning. I responded to Sister Alvear and put out my thoughts. I could have come after you, but I didn't because I'm so stinking polite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't notice..........let me go back and read.......which thread?