As Dumb As A Spare Tire

[HAMel]

Wouldn't it be nice to attend a church where there was no strife? A front door with several lockers where members could “stow their personal agenda's” before entering the Lord's Worship Center? What is the definition of “Worship” anyway? How are we intended to “worship”? What is the proper protocol?

In most Baptist Churches the service begins with two songs, maybe one from the Choir. Then a brief time for announcements followed with the opportunity to tithe. Another song and then the Preacher takes to the podium.

By 12 noon or shortly thereafter the service ends, the congregation begins to depart passing by the Pastor who shakes hands with everyone. That's it. End of subject until the evening service.

Did you ever realize that by tithing..., that's a form of worship? When you tithe..., you're giving to the Lord. Course, if you give grudgingly it's to no avail but the act of giving with a pure heart to the Lord, seems to satisfy my question of, what is worship? If you give of your time wouldn't that be a form of worship? It seems to me that it would be.

It does appear that should any of us attempt to do anything for the Lord, grudgingly, even to the slightest degree, we are going to be held in contempt. With a grudge we are displaying and reflecting a reluctance/unwillingness to give of ourselves to the Lord. Giving then is worship? Any feeling of ill will leads to resentment which adds fuel to the fire that stifles the work of the Holy Spirit.

...so why even go to church if you've any “ill will” over any issue?

Church members should be forced to study the habits of sheep. You know, sheep are one of the Most Dependent lot of creatures on the face of the planet. Should any sheep become heavy with wool and fall over, they can't get up. The only thing sheep can do for themselves is eat grass. Have you ever realized that a sheep can drown from drinking? Yep, they sure can. Sheep are in need of everything provided to them by their Herdsman. Everything! They respond ONLY to the voice of their caretaker. They follow ONLY him. But we're smarter than a herd of sheep, huh?

How much do we depend on our Heavenly Herdsman for our needs? Do we follow Him as we should or are we running through the meadow only to turn back on occasion asking Him to hurry and catch up? It does appear that often He just lets us run on ahead until we finally “fall over” and then can't get up.

What a sad lot we are all the while considering ourselves smarter than Lassie when in truth, we're as dumb as a worn out spare tire.

 

[TCassidy]

Wouldn't it be nice to attend a church where there was no strife?

I do. If yours is such a mess, as you describe, get out. Find a good church. If not you have nobody to blame but yourself.

 

[HAMel]

TC..., what part of "I already have left the church...," did you miss in a previous post of mine?

If you missed it, then you have nobody to blame but yourself.

 

[TCassidy]

TC..., what part of "I already have left the church...," did you miss in a previous post of mine?

If you missed it, then you have nobody to blame but yourself.

But you are still whining about it. So, if you are no longer a member, are you just gossiping?

And if it is such a terrible church why did you join it in the first place? Your screed sounds just a bit self-righteous to me.

And your screed does not say you already left the church. But nice try.

 

[HAMel]

"...still whining"? Personally, my post was ALL ABOUT wishful thinking. Not Whining.

In the meantime TC..., you need to get a life and I don't really care if I get banned from this site for the rest of my life! Now, is there any part of this you don't understand?

Would I belong to your church knowing up front YOUR attitude? Give me a break.

So, use your Administrator Privilege and do me in if that will make your day.

 

[TCassidy]

In the meantime TC..., you need to get a life

I have a life. A very full life. My wife, my family, my kids and grandkids, my church, my community, our travels together. A very full life.

and I don't really care if I get banned from this site for the rest of my life! Now, is there any part of this you don't understand?

Still whining?

Would I belong to your church knowing up front YOUR attitude? Give me a break.

I don't have a church. I attend Christ's church. Maybe that is your problem? A man follower rather than a Christ follower?

So, use your Administrator Privilege and do me in if that will make your day.

LOL! You flatter yourself!

 

[HAMel]

Socrates once stated..., "I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing".

It would appear to me, TC..., that you seem to have all the answers, not to mention a great life; a great family; great kids and grandkids; a great church; a great community and great travels together. A very full life indeed. You seem to want for nothing.

...well, let it be known that not everyone fits into your mold. I realize that's a shock to ya' but it's true.

It would also appear to me, TC..., that you consider those of us not up to your standard as somehow worthy of scorn. It would also appear to me, TC..., that you must have first hand experience and know exactly what I am referring to with regards to my original post in this thread. Seeing as how you immediately jumped on board as you did.

So..., you win. I'll throw in the towel. I'm done with the nonsense.

 

[Rolfe]

"...still whining"? Personally, my post was ALL ABOUT wishful thinking. Not Whining.

In the meantime TC..., you need to get a life and I don't really care if I get banned from this site for the rest of my life! Now, is there any part of this you don't understand?

Would I belong to your church knowing up front YOUR attitude? Give me a break.

So, use your Administrator Privilege and do me in if that will make your day.

A post to perfectly fit the thread title if ever there was one...

 

[TCassidy]

Socrates once stated..., "I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing".

It would appear to me, TC..., that you seem to have all the answers, not to mention a great life; a great family; great kids and grandkids; a great church; a great community and great travels together. A very full life indeed. You seem to want for nothing.

...well, let it be known that not everyone fits into your mold. I realize that's a shock to ya' but it's true.

It would also appear to me, TC..., that you consider those of us not up to your standard as somehow worthy of scorn. It would also appear to me, TC..., that you must have first hand experience and know exactly what I am referring to with regards to my original post in this thread. Seeing as how you immediately jumped on board as you did.

So..., you win. I'll throw in the towel. I'm done with the nonsense.

You really don't understand a lot, do you?

Here, let me help a bit.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

[Aaron]

I do. If yours is such a mess, as you describe, get out. Find a good church. If not you have nobody to blame but yourself.

This doesn't sound like someone who ever found himself on the losing side of a church split, where members have been falsely accused and confidences betrayed, not by enemies, but by one's equal, one's guide, one's acquaintance, one with whom sweet counsel was taken, with whom one walked in company to the house of God.

It's something to whine about.

 

[Aaron]

Wouldn't it be nice to attend a church where there was no strife? A front door with several lockers where members could “stow their personal agenda's” before entering the Lord's Worship Center? What is the definition of “Worship” anyway? How are we intended to “worship”? What is the proper protocol?

In most Baptist Churches the service begins with two songs, maybe one from the Choir. Then a brief time for announcements followed with the opportunity to tithe. Another song and then the Preacher takes to the podium.

By 12 noon or shortly thereafter the service ends, the congregation begins to depart passing by the Pastor who shakes hands with everyone. That's it. End of subject until the evening service.

Did you ever realize that by tithing..., that's a form of worship? When you tithe..., you're giving to the Lord. Course, if you give grudgingly it's to no avail but the act of giving with a pure heart to the Lord, seems to satisfy my question of, what is worship? If you give of your time wouldn't that be a form of worship? It seems to me that it would be.

It does appear that should any of us attempt to do anything for the Lord, grudgingly, even to the slightest degree, we are going to be held in contempt. With a grudge we are displaying and reflecting a reluctance/unwillingness to give of ourselves to the Lord. Giving then is worship? Any feeling of ill will leads to resentment which adds fuel to the fire that stifles the work of the Holy Spirit.

...so why even go to church if you've any “ill will” over any issue?

Church members should be forced to study the habits of sheep. You know, sheep are one of the Most Dependent lot of creatures on the face of the planet. Should any sheep become heavy with wool and fall over, they can't get up. The only thing sheep can do for themselves is eat grass. Have you ever realized that a sheep can drown from drinking? Yep, they sure can. Sheep are in need of everything provided to them by their Herdsman. Everything! They respond ONLY to the voice of their caretaker. They follow ONLY him. But we're smarter than a herd of sheep, huh?

How much do we depend on our Heavenly Herdsman for our needs? Do we follow Him as we should or are we running through the meadow only to turn back on occasion asking Him to hurry and catch up? It does appear that often He just lets us run on ahead until we finally “fall over” and then can't get up.

What a sad lot we are all the while considering ourselves smarter than Lassie when in truth, we're as dumb as a worn out spare tire.

Am wondering how things would be if everyone spent serious time in prayer for their churches . . .

 

[TCassidy]

This doesn't sound like someone who ever found himself on the losing side of a church split,

Never been. The churches I was a member of were examined carefully before I joined them, and the one I pastored for 27 years was governed biblically. It comes as a shock to some people but when we do things God's way it works pretty good.

 

[Rob_BW]

This doesn't sound like someone who ever found himself on the losing side of a church split, where members have been falsely accused and confidences betrayed, not by enemies, but by one's equal, one's guide, one's acquaintance, one with whom sweet counsel was taken, with whom one walked in company to the house of God.

It's something to whine about.

I've been through two, and yes they are something to whine about.

But generalizing every church, especially rural churches, as having the same problems as the church one just left is not quite a proper reaction, either.

Bro Hamel, I pray that God grants you healing from the wounds this split has caused you.

 

[Aaron]

It comes as a shock to some people but when we do things God's way it works pretty good.

So Judas among the disciples was because Christ did something unbiblical? And Alexander the coppersmith with Paul. The same reason?

 

[Salty]

I have been thur a few church splits - but instead of whining - I look at it as a learning experience. Now, when as a pastor, I need to make a decision - I can look back on these experiences and trust those mistakes will not happen again.

Ok, I will give you a few examples -
1) Moved to new military assigment - attended one week - went to field for 3 weeks - came back and church had split while I was in the field. (pertty sure, I had nothing to do with that) The orginal pastor left and took about 1/3 of the church. That pastor later ended up in a German jail.

2) I was a member of a SBC church in Germany. PCS back to States. 18 months later, I had returned to the same unit. New pastor had been at the church. His wife came down with cancer - he resigned to take her back to States. A member of a sister SBC church had a brother who was a missionary in the Middle East. He was run out due to political problems. (+ bullet holes in his POV) He drove to K-town to stay with his brother. So this pastor (IFB) spoke at our church - everyone liked him - then was elected as interim pastor - could not be pastor since he was not a SBC school grad. - He met another small Baptist church in town- that church "merged" with us. Now he had enough votes to change the constitution. There was one trustee - the new pastor had him sign a new rental contact - then they changed the locks on the building. We the actua; SBC members reluctantly left and re-formed into a new SBC church .
3) Arrived at a Stateside post - start attending a small IFB - really enjoyed it. We met in a house trailer - at the time about 15 in attendance. After a few weeks, we were up to about 25-30. (should have renamed the church Sardine Baptist) One day after service - I mention to someone how we were growing and would need a better facility. That Sun night - the pastor "stabbed me in the back" during the service. Said I was trying to run him out. WOW. Not sure how he came up with that . I left the church, as I did not want the church to have to take sides.

 

[TCassidy]

could not be pastor since he was not a SBC school grad

I take it that was something in the local churches constitution and by laws? The SBC certainly doesn't require anything regarding pastoral education of its member churches.

 

[Salty]

I take it that was something in the local churches constitution and by laws? The SBC certainly doesn't require anything regarding pastoral education of its member churches.

Yes, it was our local church constitution. It was to insure that the church would remain SBC. I'm guessing it was a recomendation of the European Baptist Convention and/or our mother church. About half of the members were non- SBC- yet (until this IFB pastor) we were able to work together very well - As preaching Christ to our community was the priority.

 

[Revmitchell]

So if he was as intelligent as one of the other tires that was not a spare would that make him smarter?

 

[Rob_BW]

So if he was as intelligent as one of the other tires that was not a spare would that make him smarter?

I reckoned on the spare being the smarter tire. I mean, they're all arriving at the same destination, at the same time, but the spare takes a lot less wear and tear to get there.
Roflmao