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| Free to be You or Squashed? |
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A new lady went to a legalistic church one day and was confronted by somebody because she wore makeup. She was told that only prostitutes wear makeup. She never went back.
A gentleman went to a legalistic church one day and was told that tatts (tattoos) defiled the temple of the Holy Spirit. He thought that he was decorating the temple.
A preacher was at a church convention in Poland where they had a formal ball one evening. He asked the band if they could play Kossack music, so he could dance a Kossack dance. They eagerly complied. He swirled his jacket around his head and danced his heart out, only to be told later that he was not acting dignified enough for a preacher. That dancer was me.
A middle aged church man wanted to become a champion poker player. He enjoyed this recreation of his and was doing rather well. What he did not realize was that some Christians were gossiping about him behind his back saying he had a "gambling addiction." I should have asked if they had a "gossip addiction." I have not told him what they said. It may devastate him.
The music is "too loud, to fast, too slow, or too repetitive." I thought the Hallelujah Chorus was repetitive, but I still liked it. The singers were "a little off pitch," the joke was "the worst joke I ever heard," investing in shares is "just gambling," the preacher becomes Sunday roast and the church destroys itself from within. The judgmental, restrictive yoke that many churches have become, tends to squash people into a prison of negativity and discouragement.
On the other hand, I once visited a church where a loud, awkward teenage band was the special music for the day. The adults applauded and encouraged. There was not a hint of criticism, even though the music was clearly NOT the heart music for most of the people. They were into building up not tearing down. What a contrast! What a mature church!
Some Christians tend to squash others into a little box of their making. "Don't use religious titles. Don't wear makeup. Don't raise your hands. Don't sing so loud. Don't gamble. Don't go to the horse races. Don't dance. Don't get a tattoo. Don't, don't, don't!"
Others tend to understand GRACE! What about you? Are you FREE in Christ, or in a religious prison, squashed, oppressed, stunted? You are FREE to be the real you. Wear that cowboy shirt if you want! Wear that eyeshadow! Dance, raise your hands, praise people and God, love and be loved. Give others freedom and take the freedom that Christ gave you!
Ignore the wowsers with their ungodly, man-made rules. Be YOU, just as God created you to be, and choose where he has given you the freedom to choose to be! |
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| To add a comment to "Free to be You or Squashed?" |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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| LOL. Go ahead, just don't spit in my direction. LOL. |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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Grant,
I thought you said you that live on the other side of the world from me... lol, I'm in New York and have experienced and witnessed all of the above and more.... I've seen so many, many people turned away from God and put down, talked about, made to feel inferior in Christ. My heart breaks just thinking about it.
Pastor Aminata |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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Dear P.A.,
LOL. I think it's a universal and purely human approach to Christianity. The only thing that would give away that I'm from another place was my intentional use of the Australian/New Zealand word "wowser." It's a local word for a legalistic religious practitioner who just puts a damper on everything. |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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"It's all about Grace"
That's actually out church motto.
Thanks, Grant! |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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Some Christians tend to squash others into a little box of their making. "Don't use religious titles. Don't wear makeup. Don't raise your hands. Don't sing so loud. Don't gamble. Don't go to the horse races. Don't dance. Don't get a tattoo. Don't, don't, don't!" It's funny. I can't tell what they stand for, but I know what they stand against. I'm glad God has matured me enough that part of me feels sorry for them. |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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Grant,
I'm telling you... it's all about "freedom" to be a prisoner in Christ! Some folk just don't get it. I'm free in Christ. Man will hog tie you if they can (and some do with their legalistic selves) negating the very sovereignty of God, to do as He choose, use who he choose..
We're not being effective as the Body of Christ... cause the 'ego" won't allow us to come together... Pray that the Church will cease to cause injury to the injured, stop applyng pain to the afflicted, resist offering additional grief to those that mourn.. and allow Christ to do His perfect work in His children.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Jhn 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Pastor Aminata |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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AMEN!! I wrote a couple of poems about this!!
Blessings,
Forgiven (Cathy) |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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Thank you all! The reason I wrote this is I was spurred by something a person told me the other day. I was holding myself back, afraid to offend, afraid of what people might say, afraid to be who God made me to be. The person told me I was free to be me, the Grant that God made me to be, just as you are FREE to the the YOU God made you to be. That is soooooooooooooooo liberating!
Wear that loud clothing! Be enthusiastic! Be filled with fun and joy and laughter and life, and don't let anyone steal it from you! |
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