What is wrong here?

kristian's_mom · #1 06-15-2010, 04:56 PM

I can imagine the person that is so deeply in need of Jesus. Everyday it is a struggle just to get out of bed, she has to pop a couple of painpills just to make it. She steals from her own family to support her habit, knows that it is wrong but does it anyway. She neglects her children so her mother takes her children from her. She has been to rehab twice, but keeps going back to this lifestyle.

You have been trying to get her to come to church with you for a long time but she won't. She remembers the way people treated her as a child growing up in church just because she wanted to wear pants. She didn't have any church friends because their parents forbid their children to hang out with her. Why? because she wore nail polish and cut her hair. She has never known Jesus and the people who were supposed to represent him has treated her like she was a cancer.

A man was raised Catholic. His parents divorced at a young age, and both remarried. His mother was an alcoholic and he barely saw his father. As he grew up and got married to a Pentecostal woman, he began to attend church and seek after God. They told him he must speak in tongues to be saved, so he would go to the altar and plead with God over and over, people whispering in his ear, telling him how to receive this gift. You need to do this, do that. He never spoke in tongues after years and years of seeking this gift.

He decided to grow a moustache. His pastor told him he had to shave it off because it was a sin. He finally stopped going to church, and hasn't went back in 20+ years. He still believes in God but has said he lost his faith a long time ago. He is so depressed he won't leave his bedroom. He doesn't attend birthdays, weddings.... won't answer the phone.

His father also fell into a deep depression and shot himself in the head at the age of 76. He seems to be on the same path as his father.

These are real people who I love with all my heart. Religion has failed them, man has failed them. The only thing I know to do is pray for them and represent Christ the best I can. I get so sick and tired of going to church and hearing about dress standards. Who cares!! I personally myself didn't find Jesus at a church. He found me, at home.

I don't entirely blame what happened to my Dad and sister on SOME people of the UPCI, but this whole "you must dress and groom yourself a certain way or you're going to hell" has caused so much damage to people it is unreal.

Who knows where they would be today if those "Christians" had represented Christ's love like they were supposed to.

I have plenty of family and friends who I would love to bring to church with me but they won't come. They feel people will judge them on their appearance. I have Catholic friends and family who do not speak in tongues that manifest more fruits of the spirit and are more loving than a lot of the Pentecostal people I grew up with. Why is that?

pelathais · #2 06-15-2010, 05:26 PM

You are correct. I tremble when I look at the wake of destruction left behind by so many of our "Apostolic" efforts. Judgement Day will be a real shock for a lot of "properly" dressed people when they find themselves suddenly naked and bare because their dress code didn't include the one garment that mattered (Matthew 22:11-14).

Sam · #3 06-15-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristian's_mom

...I have Catholic friends and family who do not speak in tongues that manifest more fruits of the spirit and are more loving than a lot of the Pentecostal people I grew up with. Why is that?

Jesus said
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 13:34-35

According to Jesus, we can tell the real from the fake by seeing the love manifested by the real.

crakjak · #4 06-15-2010, 11:30 PM

First and foremost, folks must believe that God is, and that He will reward those that seek after Him. Most of the rest is religious fodder.

I am reading the book, "Alcoholics Anonymous", and it is eye opening how simple coming to God is, and how POWERFUL that simplicity is in the life of folks that are considered "hopeless". And this is from the mouths of those that have actually experience the transformation.

Am not an alcoholic, I don't even drink, but the words of these rescued by God from the depths of addiction is very inspiring. And the simplicity of really depending on God is helping me trust Him more completely.

Every Christian should read this book, and equip themselves to minister in this area of our culture, these folks are so grossly misunderstood, therefore most attempts to minister to them is counterproductive. You can get these books at Half Price Books for four bucks, and hand the out to those around you suffering with addiction, BUT PLEASE DON'T DO IT WITHOUT READING IT FIRST, you're not equipped unless you understand the correct approach.

commonsense · #5 06-15-2010, 11:33 PM

km,
I've known similar stories and it's sad that we major on the outward and not true Christianity.
The key is the love that they see manifest..........and prayer.

crakjak · #6 06-16-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crakjak

First and foremost, folks must believe that God is, and that He will reward those that seek after Him. Most of the rest is religious fodder.

I am reading the book, "Alcoholics Anonymous", and it is eye opening how simple coming to God is, and how POWERFUL that simplicity is in the life of folks that are considered "hopeless". And this is from the mouths of those that have actually experience the transformation.

Am not an alcoholic, I don't even drink, but the words of these rescued by God from the depths of addiction is very inspiring. And the simplicity of really depending on God is helping me trust Him more completely.

Every Christian should read this book, and equip themselves to minister in this area of our culture, these folks are so grossly misunderstood, therefore most attempts to minister to them is counterproductive. You can get these books at Half Price Books for four bucks, and hand the out to those around you suffering with addiction, BUT PLEASE DON'T DO IT WITHOUT READING IT FIRST, you're not equipped unless you understand the correct approach.

Bump?

Sister Alvear · #7 06-16-2010, 09:55 AM

reminds me of a few visitors we have had here in Brazil that only told me of our faults..they need to go back to Calvary and sit under the shadow of the cross and let the blood drip on their pretty garments and hear him cry out for water and tremble with pain...

Melody · #8 06-16-2010, 10:00 AM

Dress is the least important, but that doesn't dismiss its importance.
I cringe when I see individuals who have no leadership capacity setting things straight,
God will lead,
Just get them into His presence, unless He has a chance to move on them, they will be lost, and the place He moves doesn't have to be the normal "4 walls"
Wounded, broken pieces only God can repair,

"Empty and broken I came back to Him
A vessel unworthy so scarred with sin
But He did not despair He started over again
And I bless the day He didn't throw the clay away

chorus:
Over and over He molds me and makes me
Into His likeness, He fashions the clay
A vessel of honor I am today
All because Jesus didn't throw the clay away

verse two:
He is the potter and I am the clay
Molded in His image He wants me to stay
But when I stumble and I fall and my vessel breaks
He just picks up the pieces He doesn't throw the clay away

Sister Alvear · #9 06-16-2010, 10:52 AM

amen...

kristian's_mom · #10 06-16-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crakjak

First and foremost, folks must believe that God is, and that He will reward those that seek after Him. Most of the rest is religious fodder.

I am reading the book, "Alcoholics Anonymous", and it is eye opening how simple coming to God is, and how POWERFUL that simplicity is in the life of folks that are considered "hopeless". And this is from the mouths of those that have actually experience the transformation.

Am not an alcoholic, I don't even drink, but the words of these rescued by God from the depths of addiction is very inspiring. And the simplicity of really depending on God is helping me trust Him more completely.

Every Christian should read this book, and equip themselves to minister in this area of our culture, these folks are so grossly misunderstood, therefore most attempts to minister to them is counterproductive. You can get these books at Half Price Books for four bucks, and hand the out to those around you suffering with addiction, BUT PLEASE DON'T DO IT WITHOUT READING IT FIRST, you're not equipped unless you understand the correct approach.

I'll have to check this out, thanks!