tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8753004819658029330.post5438109518219271420..comments2023-10-23T10:01:52.259-04:00Comments on Life in the Journey: The OutsidersAlan Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07452247058550736803noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8753004819658029330.post-34418440435112631412008-12-23T09:31:00.000-05:002008-12-23T09:31:00.000-05:00When I read your post it seemed as though I might ...When I read your post it seemed as though I might have written it just this past weekend.<BR/>I have also felt as though I was an outsider in the church where I attend (when I do attend!)<BR/>I have expressed myself very plainly concerning my feelings about church and the lack of relationships within it.<BR/>Because of my frankness I have offended many people. <BR/>However, I do not feel as though I owe them an apology just because they are offended.<BR/>Some church members feel as though the "sheep" should follow without complaint. However, I feel as though the shepherds should lead with concern for their flock.<BR/>Some shepherds tend to view those who express their unhappiness as being troublemakers and therefore are treated with expressions of displeasure such as the "funny looks" that your wife was picking up on. Withdrawing friendship and love is a tactic to make the deserters repent. <BR/>My family often used this on me and in fact when my father died they told me that I was no longer a part of the family. It's a long story as to why they did itso you'll just have to wonder about that. Let me suffice to say that I went through many years of depression and despair over it. Then after about 15 years they suddenly decided that I had suffered enough and offered to welcome me back into the family. But by then I had decided that they had done me a favor and I didn't want a relationship with them. <BR/>Maybe your church is doing you a favor, too.<BR/>LenLenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357748641692725670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8753004819658029330.post-73706234825817952652007-09-26T01:17:00.000-04:002007-09-26T01:17:00.000-04:00Try working in a church in a town that's going tow...Try working in a church in a town that's going towards a real retirement population. I'm not just real young anymore, but we have those that feel the world has not had anything redeeming left in it since about 1957. God is gracious, no matter, what, even to the "uptight". That was a hard one for me to get over for a long time, but it's true. It's grace that gets you through, too. It's always grace, so bask yourself in that for a little while, and then look around and see what sort of service is right for you all, under the Lord's guidance. You don't have to be a "martyr" to a cause.C. Marie Byarshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09402541164388777896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8753004819658029330.post-4950284576835298662007-09-23T18:42:00.000-04:002007-09-23T18:42:00.000-04:00Lew,Brother, I know you, and I love you. Here's my...Lew,<BR/><BR/>Brother, I know you, and I love you. Here's my advice. If you are not seeking God, then do it; and if you are seeking God, then continue to do it. Don't allow the institution, the building, or any of the people who covet those things cast dark shadows on your walk with God. Love them as yourself, but don't allow their attitudes to bring you discouragement or cause you to sin. I am in a similar boat with my church. I often wonder if people consider me a big disappointment because I went to seminary and didn't go into vocational ministry. I wonder...but I don't care.<BR/><BR/>GaryGary Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09191825877916821285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8753004819658029330.post-84847918187441164012007-09-21T10:09:00.000-04:002007-09-21T10:09:00.000-04:00Thanks everyone for the comments.I know they have ...Thanks everyone for the comments.<BR/><BR/>I know they have encouraged this couple.<BR/><BR/>God's Glory,<BR/>LewUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15413576090381577180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8753004819658029330.post-81049129884762278712007-09-21T07:25:00.000-04:002007-09-21T07:25:00.000-04:00Have been there... have several friends there righ...Have been there... have several friends there right now. May we all learn to run hard after the Lord and close our ears to the opinions of men.Joel Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8753004819658029330.post-12278494133223896992007-09-20T18:17:00.000-04:002007-09-20T18:17:00.000-04:00I've also been told I should "plan my life around ...I've also been told I should "plan my life around church commitments" - and received SMSs to ask me where I was if I didn't pitch.<BR/><BR/>When I told them that I am not under the law anymore, I also got those glaring eyes.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17660791820637869300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8753004819658029330.post-52743844750903641372007-09-19T00:47:00.000-04:002007-09-19T00:47:00.000-04:00Lew,Brother! Welcome to the club.Lew,<BR/><BR/>Brother! Welcome to the club.Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.com