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Post by BrnSuga on Oct 7, 2008 8:40:19 GMT -5
You know I love you soror! You hold a special place in my heart. Maybe one day we'll actually get to meet! I remember all of your encouragement and prayers during my life's storms and I appreciate you. We will definitely have to plan to meet up. I love you too, Soror. |
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Post by kingdelta on Oct 7, 2008 8:42:42 GMT -5
That is so sweet! I'm in tears!! Isn't it wonderful how God places people on your life to help you through? Okay, I quit!!
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Post by Cambist on Oct 7, 2008 8:42:44 GMT -5
Y'all bout ta make me cry up in here!!
Group hug...I SAID GROUP HUG!!!!!
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Post by Cambist on Oct 7, 2008 8:44:30 GMT -5
Anyway...y'all know I ain't emotional like that..... **looks around....holds hand over Brn's mouth**
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Post by BrnSuga on Oct 7, 2008 8:51:22 GMT -5
Anyway...y'all know I ain't emotional like that..... **looks around....holds hand over Brn's mouth** OK, I won't bust you out cause, you know I was about to.  |
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 7, 2008 8:52:01 GMT -5
Leja you are too much! Good morning to you! hey there! Good ta see ya 'round these parts |
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Post by T-Rex91 on Oct 7, 2008 10:42:10 GMT -5
I define Stepford Christians as those who hide behind the mask of Christianity. Always smiling and stating "I'm blessed and highly favored"; perfect hand wave, bible place correctly so and always stating the "right" thing. When in actuality they are hurting and need a release like the rest of us. I believe churches get so weighed down by people hiding behind the mask that we can't break through. Nobody wants to admit they are in need or having a problem. You dont' have to tell your business but the strong are to carry the burdens of the weak. It's okay to ask for help, for prayer, for deliveranc, for whatever you stand in need of! Ooops! My apologies......I thought KD meant those who portray perfection or look down at you because you don't meet their view of a proper Christian (dress, speech, activities, style of worship, etc.). Y'know, the holier than thou crowd . |
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Post by kingdelta on Oct 7, 2008 10:43:07 GMT -5
Dst 91, that's part of it too. The bottom line is the fakery!!
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Post by No Screen Name on Oct 7, 2008 10:50:16 GMT -5
People who look at me crazy when I show up to church in a t-shirt, cargo shorts and flip flops. Just because YOU care what I have on doesn't mean that HE does. Besides, I wear a suit EVERY DAY! When i'm at church, i'm at home.....and I should feel that way. Now, i'm not going to wear my PJs but then again, if somebody showed up in them....I wouldn't look at them funny!! As long as they brushed their teeth before they said, HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!! LOL!! I am SOOOOOOOOO agreeing with this. I hate to say it, but I am not big into clothes. There are so many times I didn't go to church because my clothes weren't right. But if I felt comfortable throwing on some jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt, I would have been there. I'm not saying it's right, and I should just do it anyway, and not be concerned with what people say. |
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Post by Bathroom Model on Oct 7, 2008 10:58:37 GMT -5
People who look at me crazy when I show up to church in a t-shirt, cargo shorts and flip flops. Just because YOU care what I have on doesn't mean that HE does. Besides, I wear a suit EVERY DAY! When i'm at church, i'm at home.....and I should feel that way. Now, i'm not going to wear my PJs but then again, if somebody showed up in them....I wouldn't look at them funny!! As long as they brushed their teeth before they said, HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!! LOL!! I am SOOOOOOOOO agreeing with this. I hate to say it, but I am not big into clothes. There are so many times I didn't go to church because my clothes weren't right. But if I felt comfortable throwing on some jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt, I would have been there. I'm not saying it's right, and I should just do it anyway, and not be concerned with what people say. I have a similar issue. Cause sometime I go to the club the night before. And when I go to the club I step correct. I can never wear jeans to church if I won't wear jeans to the club (most of the time) So I can't be fly for Club Nine but a bum for 10am service. Naw, I'm going to be fly for Jesus too. And no matter how late I get in from the club I try my darnest to make it to service that morning. If I break my neck to get to the club (free before 11) I darn sure can break my neck to get to church and look presentable. Cause Jesus your worth it. Same thing applies for tithes. paying $20 to get into the club and put 2 dollars in the offering. You should be ashame of yourself ,GLAM. |
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Post by No Screen Name on Oct 7, 2008 11:13:47 GMT -5
I think that's more of a personal thing than what God really cares about. There's a verse in the Bible that says, "Man looks at the outward man, but God looks at the heart". Getting glammed up for church, thinking, "I'm doing this for God" is almost like getting glammed up for your pet, thinking, "I hope my cat likes this outfit". NOT to compare God to an animal, but just like a cat isn't really paying attention to your clothes (he's probably thinking about taking a nap or chasing mice) God isn't thinking about clothes either (He's focused on your HEART).
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Post by Cambist on Oct 7, 2008 11:32:28 GMT -5
I think that's more of a personal thing than what God really cares about. There's a verse in the Bible that says, "Man looks at the outward man, but God looks at the heart". Getting glammed up for church, thinking, "I'm doing this for God" is almost like getting glammed up for your pet, thinking, "I hope my cat likes this outfit". NOT to compare God to an animal, but just like a cat isn't really paying attention to your clothes (he's probably thinking about taking a nap or chasing mice) God isn't thinking about clothes either (He's focused on your HEART). I love you @--;-'-;---- |
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Post by kingdelta on Oct 7, 2008 11:46:55 GMT -5
NSN, I don't necessarily think it's getting "glammed" up for God but actually giving Him you're best. I know what the word says about coming as you are but I often see that as a scapegoat scripture because you didn't want to get dressed. It's like when nobody comes back to your missionary program we say " the word says where two or three are gathtered." I can relate to what Cam says about feeling at church at home but I dress for worship because I feel I owe God that effort. We dress up for work; Cam says he wears a suit everyday. Doesn't God deserve the same if not better. If all you have are flip flops so be it. But that's just me; you do you!
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Post by Bathroom Model on Oct 7, 2008 12:08:59 GMT -5
NSN, I don't necessarily think it's getting "glammed" up for God but actually giving Him you're best. I know what the word says about coming as you are but I often see that as a scapegoat scripture because you didn't want to get dressed. It's like when nobody comes back to your missionary program we say " the word says where two or three are gathtered." I can relate to what Cam says about feeling at church at home but I dress for worship because I feel I owe God that effort. We dress up for work; Cam says he wears a suit everyday. Doesn't God deserve the same if not better. If all you have are flip flops so be it. But that's just me; you do you! That's exactly what I'm saying. If I can make the extra effort for MAN I definetly should so the same for GOD. God doesn't care about what we wear , but I think it says something when you put in more effort to "impress" man than GOD. thanks KING DELTA |
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Post by Cambist on Oct 7, 2008 12:21:09 GMT -5
I hear what you're saying, King and my grandmother feels the same way. I don't go to church without bathing or brushing my teeth or combing my hair....(well, actually, I haven't combed it in a few years but...)
My point is that I dress for work, not because I want to impress anyone but because it's the dress code. I don't dress for Church because...well, I really just don't want to . Nor do I feel the need to.
Does God deserve my best? Of course. He deserves my best effort at doing his will. He deserves my obedience in serving others. He deserves my humility in his presence. So to me, by going amongst those who are flashy, wearing my cargo shorts and t-shirt, is my best. You get me in the raw. No flash, no pretense.
I agree with the analogy about the cat. To me, it's the same thing with money and flashy cars and stuff. This stuff is sooooo irrelevant to God.
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Post by Highly Favored on Oct 7, 2008 12:49:51 GMT -5
NSN, I don't necessarily think it's getting "glammed" up for God but actually giving Him you're best. I know what the word says about coming as you are but I often see that as a scapegoat scripture because you didn't want to get dressed. It's like when nobody comes back to your missionary program we say " the word says where two or three are gathtered." I can relate to what Cam says about feeling at church at home but I dress for worship because I feel I owe God that effort. We dress up for work; Cam says he wears a suit everyday. Doesn't God deserve the same if not better. If all you have are flip flops so be it. But that's just me; you do you! I agree. I do make a special effort when I am dressing to go to church, just like I do work. In fact, in some cases, my work clothes and my church clothes are the same. On the other hand, I do not look at people who choose to do differently in any certain way. I don't think clothes should be a hindrance to anyone coming to the house of God, but I do understand it is an issue in many churches. |
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Post by kingdelta on Oct 7, 2008 13:45:02 GMT -5
I agree somewhat Cam. Material things are irrelevant to God. But if we are prosperous from his goodness and blessings, whynot show it? Not in terms of "look what I got" but "look what God has done." Sometimes we look so tore down as believers that we can't draw anyone else. But like I said, you do you. If you feel that God gets you are your best in cargo shorts, go for it! I know there are times when I've been dressed up and heart and mind was raggedy.
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Serenity
OOA pledge
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Posts: 158
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Post by Serenity on Oct 7, 2008 13:59:40 GMT -5
My point is that I dress for work, not because I want to impress anyone but because it's the dress code. I don't dress for Church because...well, I really just don't want to . Nor do I feel the need to. Does God deserve my best? Of course. He deserves my best effort at doing his will. He deserves my obedience in serving others. He deserves my humility in his presence. So to me, by going amongst those who are flashy, wearing my cargo shorts and t-shirt, is my best. You get me in the raw. No flash, no pretense. I agree with the analogy about the cat. To me, it's the same thing with money and flashy cars and stuff. This stuff is sooooo irrelevant to God. I SO feel you on this! I think that PEOPLE determine that dressing up for church is giving their best, but I don't believe that God sees things this way. God is not superficial, He looks much deeper than one's clothes and hair. If your heart and spirit isn't right, He could care less about your attire. I would much rather spend the extra time I would spend to get my fly outfit together in prayer, in meditation, and preparing myself to receive God's Word - that's giving my best. If people would focus as much on getting their hearts, minds, and spirits in line with God's will as they do on their physical appearance, the body of Christ would be much more effective in winning souls for Christ. I mean no disrespect to those who feel it necessary to dress up for church - each must do what they feel is right. |
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Post by kingdelta on Oct 9, 2008 7:47:55 GMT -5
Serentiy, no disrespect taken but I will always belive that we should give God our best in all things...including how we present ourseleve in His house. I'm not saying you have to agree or that you are wrong in your feelings. My analogy was we spend time getting dressed up for whatever else we deem important.. isn't God just as important?
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 9, 2008 11:31:02 GMT -5
how you dress when you gather with others to worship should reflect your purpose in that worship.
If you're just going to hear the word be read, drop some coins in the plate and maybe shake a hand or two on your way out, then by all means...wear your cargo shorts and flip flops.
If your purpose is higher, then your entire presentation (including demeanor, style of speech and so on) should be higher.
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 9, 2008 11:48:30 GMT -5
It's a balancing test, like everything else. The Apostle Paul said in 1st Timothy that the external adornment and outer garments should by no means be the focus of our worship. Rather, we should all cover ourselves in a way that "befits [people] professing to reverence God." If it were just up to each individual to decide for himself, it doesn't seem that God would've bothered to inspire Paul to write an apostolic injunction about it.
There are factors which influence what types of dress "befit" ministers of God (which all baptized Christians technically are) including cultural norms and so on. But I think it can be agreed that the dress befitting ministers of God engaged in worship and that of pole dancers (and beach bums and basketball players and oil refiners and factory workers and so on) should be distinctly different.
Whatever the norms may be, when someone sees me engaged in my primary activity (the worship of God), I want to reflect soundness of mind and invite no questions such as "is she really here to worship? is she in the wrong place? is she taking this seriously?"
And in case you're wondering why I care about other folks' thought processes concerning my attire, it's because God commands us to. We are ordered expressly to arrange our behavior to comport with our neighbors' faith as well, taking care not to stumble one another.
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Post by kingdelta on Oct 9, 2008 13:53:00 GMT -5
how you dress when you gather with others to worship should reflect your purpose in that worship. If you're just going to hear the word be read, drop some coins in the plate and maybe shake a hand or two on your way out, then by all means...wear your cargo shorts and flip flops. If your purpose is higher, then your entire presentation (including demeanor, style of speech and so on) should be higher. Never looked at it like that but I'm digging it! |
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Post by Cambist on Oct 9, 2008 13:53:55 GMT -5
I hear you and as usual, mi'jah...well put. I have a different thought on the issue but since we would be baseing our discussion on two different givens...we can agree to disagree. You know my position although i know you disagree.
For many though, your post is right on.
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 9, 2008 14:11:05 GMT -5
Quite so, Osito. I know your givens and you know mine. You know what I base mine on, I can't say I know what you base yours on (other than your personal convictions...which is cool to). Either way, yes. Let us agree to disagree.  |
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Post by Julie Art on Oct 10, 2008 16:32:28 GMT -5
If the church has taken up an offering FIVE times before the preacher has even started to preach, I"m headed for the door.
If the church takes up FIVE offerings period in once service, I'm out the door.
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Post by grits n gravy on Oct 16, 2008 8:04:17 GMT -5
I absolutely love the interactions on this board. I love it. I really do. Its beautiful. I need to come back more.
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Post by Oldskool on Dec 20, 2009 16:42:11 GMT -5
I just hate when the announcement clerk reads all the announcements and then tell you that the announcements can be found in the church bulletin or you can log on to www.insertchurchhere.org. If I can just read my bulletin, why does she have to read them.? You know how long that takes.....  |
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Post by peppermint on Dec 20, 2009 19:21:11 GMT -5
^^^ Not everyone can read, hence the announcement for the adult literacy meeting Thursdays at 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall Room 239. |
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Post by Oldskool on Jan 28, 2010 14:01:05 GMT -5
^LOL you have a point peppermint patty.
How about this....Recently we have acquired a different Associate Minister who is responsible for handling the "opening of the doors". Well instead of doing his job, he wants to sing. OMG! There are at least 35 capable voices sitting directly behind him and he chooses to "let the spirit lead him to screech in the mike. I am going to send him an anonymous letter asking him to refrain from "turning us off".
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Post by 123Diva on Jan 31, 2010 14:22:06 GMT -5
This is a great thread. How one dresses for church is definitely one of the (perhaps few) topics where I sincerely and legitimately see and understand both sides.
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