FresnoJoe (08-23-2015)
IF we only had a God we could pray to and get people healed... if only we had a God Who took all our infirmities and sicknesses upon Himself so we would not have to bare them... that would be so cool if we had that.
Exactly... He has come to live inside of us and has written His laws upon our hearts to empower us to overcome whatever sin we may be tempted withIt has nothing to do with "the law" but with the power that grace gives to help us stop sinning.
That the problem with most grace teaching these days is the leave the implication that it's no big deal if you sin and no repentance of confession of sin is needed to be washed clean of willing sin committed after the initial born again experience.
And now, we have a bunch of folks claiming to be Christians who are sin friendly and friends with the world.
FresnoJoe (08-23-2015)
That's all you are going to get too. Most of this is Obama-babble. Just opeeeeeenion! Nothing of substance.
The old lady broke the rules. One may not like the rules but they are there and agreed to by the church. If she don't like the rules then GET OUT AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! QUIT CAUSING TROUBLE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD!
God does not make allowances for age so why should this church? At the pearly gates we will all be judged by the same Bible.
FresnoJoe (08-23-2015)
James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.
That might come as a surprise to some righteous believers when they stand before God's throne on judgment day. As Cardinal TT would have put it.
FresnoJoe (08-23-2015)
Yes mercy, but no not to break the rules. That is helping lawbreakers and is not true mercy. If you love it so much, then show some of it in your posts. Most here who want it don't ever show it .
BTW, who decided that mercy is to be shown at 90. Why not 80 or 100 . Where is that found in the Bible. Maybe it should be shown all the time for all ages. So now what are we hearing on here. Mercy has become an excuse to break the rules Maybe I will try that at the stop light. I will just ignore the red light and mercy will get me off and I won't have to pay a ticket.
Don't count on it!!!!
FresnoJoe (08-23-2015)
I really cannot fathom that you wrote this.
We are talking about a specific woman...a 92 year old woman who clearly had health problems and lived as a shut-in. What astounds me is how you and BAP cannot clearly see what is so clearly evident. That is this. Churches that have strict requirements in order to grace their doors is not what a real family is. A REAL CHURCH FAMILY has a heart for the weak. This scripture from Matthew 23:4 comes to mind (I am posting different translations for emphasis):
In this case, you know, the one from the OP, clearly the "Church" is wrong. The fact that you cannot just say that is astonishing. 12 pages later and your all appalled at this thread. Yeah, so am I, and the fact that you keep doubling down is, well....unbelievable. I honestly thought we'd have 100% agreement on this one because it's incredibly self-evident that the "Church" is in the wrong.Matthew 23:4 ►
New International Version
They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
New Living Translation
They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.
English Standard Version
They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
New American Standard Bible
"They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.
King James Bible
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people's shoulders, but they themselves aren't willing to lift a finger to move them.
How about the "Church" ask the elderly lady how they can help? Maybe cook and clean for her? Maybe give her some financial assistance? God help us if even mature Christians like you and BAP cannot even see this.
But whatever.
PS and btw.....we had a woman in a wheelchair with MS who came to our Church when she could. She lived in the inner city, in the projects. Our Church helped her move, painted her apartment, took up donations for bed linens, plates, dishes, decorations, etc.....because she needed us. I don't think she ever gave a dime to the Church, but I can't be 100% certain. This is simply what the Church is supposed to be about.
That's the difference when you view someone as family versus when you view someone who has to be charged in order to receive love, kindness, and acceptance. And to disengage someone from Church rolls all because they are sick and shut in, is extraordinary beyond belief. Add to that, she had been in the Church for 50 years, clearly keeping the "law" according to the Church by-laws or whatever, is even more of an insult.
Catchy, clearly this is their "hill" they are willing to die on.In this case, you know, the one from the OP, clearly the "Church" is wrong. The fact that you cannot just say that is astonishing. 12 pages later and your all appalled at this thread. Yeah, so am I, and the fact that you keep doubling down is, well....unbelievable. I honestly thought we'd have 100% agreement on this one because it's incredibly self-evident that the "Church" is in the wrong.
How about the "Church" ask the elderly lady how they can help? Maybe cook and clean for her? Maybe give her some financial assistance? God help us if even mature Christians like you and BAP cannot even see this.
But whatever.
What I don't understand is WHY they are removing Mrs. King from the membership roll (who from the YT clip, was KNOWN to be sick and couldn't attend), but probably have other folk (younger and healthier and probably more financially stable--not RICH but more stable than some) sitting up in that church REFUSING to pay tithes? Yes, we all know that there is a certain % in every church that "carries" the ministry "load", financially and otherwise...why not go after them and leave Mrs. King alone? UNLESS...(I could surmise some things here but am being led to stop)
FO, this is one of the more puzzling threads I can recall in recent memory. It is hard to fathom the "Church" and their stances, and you raise all good questions.....ones I simply can't answer.
BTW, I don't have time as I'm about to rush out, but I did want to comment on your post about how your previous Church took care of their elderly and shut ins...that is a beautiful thing. That's what Church FAMILY is supposed to do!
FaithfulOne (08-14-2015), FresnoJoe (08-23-2015), Pentecali (08-14-2015)
THANK YOU...when my DGM stopped attending church because she wasn't physically able to anymore, she still sent her 'dues' (yes, that what she called her offering) every month without fail..never mind the fact she was an usher for over fifty years, I mean FAITHFUL USHER, and active in many other ways...she LOVED her church and would have been very badly hurt if she had gotten a letter like that. But this goes back to what you said about "family" Catchy, not a business (which unfortunately many churches are now operating in that mindset)
CatchyUsername (08-14-2015), curly sue (08-14-2015), FresnoJoe (08-23-2015), papabrett (08-14-2015)