I thought I was basically 'alone' on this ...

[Deleted]

I just read in another thread that someone else (I think it was Sister Darlene?) did not want their children going to the children's SS classes, the children's church or the youth group. I was beginning to think I was 'odd' for feeling that way; it's nice to see someone else does too. Is that the general feel of the members here?

We visited an I.F.Baptist church last Sunday. I do not agree with everything, but it was so nice to at least hear the Bible being preached. I asked the children if they wanted to come with me and they all said they'd just try out the children's SS class but come with me for the service. They were all unhappy with the classes. Very watered down, bribes for learning verses and brining their Bibles (although they didn't even use them), and cartoon characters being used to teach the lesson of the week. They said they did not learn a thing and it was dumbed down pretty good. I wonder why they do that?? Children are not stupid (pardon me for using that term) - if you teach them, they will learn! Yes, they can even learn to understand the KJV! (some find that hard to believe)
Anyway, I am going to ask the Pastor when he comes for a visit if they can go to the adult SS class instead. If they cannot, we will not go there anymore. I also plan to ask him why they seem so violent (eye for an eye). I just don't understand.

Thanks for 'listening' - you all have a great day.

[prv31wife]

I'll pray that your visit with the pastor goes well and that your questions will be answered. I'm curious though what you mean by the church being "violent".
Can you give an example?

[Deleted]

Mostly general comments about the war in Iraq - a few times a pastor has commented on how many Iraqi's we've killed. One time a pastor was offended by something a democrat said on television (I do not watch tv, so I had no idea what he was talking about - everyone else there seemed to though). The pastor said 'if I was there, I would have wrung his neck' and 'I can't believe no one there didn't smack him'. The last church we went to the pastor made a comment like 'eye for an eye - if someone kills, they need to be killed' - a lot of the men and women said 'amen'. There's more examples, but those are the ones that really stick out.

I just get confused when I read Jesus teaching about loving our enemies, turning the other cheek, etc. and then hear these guys talking so violently.

I hope that answered your question?

Have a great day

[George]

My goodness, I would think there would be a general feeling of some sadness because of the fact lives are being lost. Although the Bible says that we must be under the authority of out leaders and when our leaders say we must go to Iraq, we must go. I don't believe there ought be any type of zeal for what has to be done.

I think it necessary to look on each one of the lives lost as a loss of a person who may have been won for Christ. I know that is most likely wishful thinking but I do know that there is some witnessing and there are some who are being converted to Christianity.

Each one of the Muslims who looses their life over there is bound for eternal damnation. It is also sad that some of our soldiers face the same fate.

In Christ,
George

[benshelpmeet]

Dear sister Joanne,

Amen sister... sounds like we have alot in common. We do not like the brash speech coming from the pulpits either, or the as you say dummed down teaching, they must feel the need to get on their level. Thats the same philosophy as reaching the youth of today with the music they like thus having ''christian rock, pop, rap etc. concerts to draw in the youth that they might win them. The church should pull others up not step down to their level. Godly children and teens who are taught the word need more and they surely do not need to be mingling with a peer group that does not even care about the Lord or living a life that brings honor and glory to God.

It seems even preachers are trying to fit in and be on the level of their congregation instead of setting a higher standard and trying to encourage others to come up higher. They get TV's, they take on the worldly speech of the day saying things words and phrases that they can relate to, though they may not want to go all out into so called christian rock, pop, rap etc. they still drop the standard a little on music so folks will enjoy the service. The pastors wife trys to fit in too, she wears fashionable clothes and gets trendy hair dos to fit in.

What has happened to Gods people? What has happened to our churches? Those with unbended knee have now where to go to church, because of all the compromise and worldliness.

Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

I hope your meeting goes well, there are some good pastors still out there that are more concerned about the individual than their programs.

We have gone to churches before where they did not mind us keeping the children with us. We stopped letting our now 19 year old son go to SS when he was in third grade because they talked about dating ( the children would talk about their girlfriends) the teacher said cool, and this is a trip...

May the Lord bless you, I'm glad to have you on this site, we often pray for the Lord to send like minded people or at least those going in the same direction.

May the Lord bless you sister.

Love your sister and friend, ~ Darlene ~

[Brother Ben]

Amen.