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Post by jxr on Apr 11, 2006 8:39:45 GMT -5
Does anyone else wonder why one invariably gets sideways looks on an attempt to start a spiritual topic of conversation outside of a meeting testimony? You know the look. Like they think you're about to offer for the work.
I find most conversation outside official meetings is invariably secular in nature. And since a testimony is not conversation as such, that makes nearly all 2x2 conversation secular.
What is your experience?
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Post by jxr on Apr 11, 2006 8:40:13 GMT -5
Who cares?
(I post that, so others' needn't bother.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2006 9:09:04 GMT -5
Who cares? (I post that, so others' needn't bother.) cares? good point.  |
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Post by bowhunter on Apr 13, 2006 21:08:37 GMT -5
Does anyone else wonder why one invariably gets sideways looks on an attempt to start a spiritual topic of conversation outside of a meeting testimony? You know the look. Like they think you're about to offer for the work. I find most conversation outside official meetings is invariably secular in nature. And since a testimony is not conversation as such, that makes nearly all 2x2 conversation secular. What is your experience? The same.I tried many times to turn conversation to scripture or pose a question about scripture and usually got blank looks or changed topic bythe same person I tried to visit with.Only occasionally would someone reciprocate.Very discouraging but very telling also. |
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Apr 13, 2006 21:45:02 GMT -5
That has never been my experience. In fact, after meetings, we usually talk a bit more (conversationally, not the formal style) about the scriptures... and at gatherings... and sometimes on the phone. In fact, I just got off the phone with a friend of mine- we chatted about different things, including scriptures, the end days, etc.
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Post by nadine on Apr 14, 2006 10:29:25 GMT -5
My own mother (professing) gets uncomfortable when I try to bring up spiritual topics. Even when I was growing up, she never initiated a conversation about the Bible. On the other hand, just this weekend, my mother-in-law (Pentecostal) felt free enough to start talking to me about Easter and Christmas. We had a wonderful little talk. My colleagues at work also initiate spiritual conversations with me.
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Post by think2much on Apr 14, 2006 13:06:25 GMT -5
Nadine, it is peculiar behavior isn't it, since the main reason for our association is supposedly a common love for God and his Word?
I grew up in a home where both parents and most siblings professed, but I can't remember there ever being spritual conversations. We would talk about the friends and workers, of course, but never about what was on our hearts or how Jesus had helped us in our daily lives.
Perhaps part of this comes from having parents that belonged to a generation where you didn't let your emotions show too much and you didn't share your innermost thoughts. However, I can't help but think a good portion of this behavior is related to the fact that while many professing folks are enamored of "the way" (the friends and workers), many seem to lack a real "heart" relationship with Christ (IMO). It's much easier to get up and give a little "speech" about our faith on Sunday morning than it is to actually talk to others about where we're at spiritually.
I wrote in an earlier thread that you can talk about your job, your upcoming camping trip, or other f&w's after meeting, but if you enthusiastically exclaimed what great things God has done in your life you would be looked at askance, as jxr stated in the initial post.
I never realized how weird (and sad) this was until recent years...
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Post by jxr on Apr 16, 2006 4:58:35 GMT -5
I also find it interesting that the f&w are reluctant to publicly acknowledge any state of material wealth as a God-given blessing. I guess that undue attention to material weath is sinful. This is fair enough in principle, but in this case it appears to be taken to the extreme. Thus any benefits of such material blessing mustn't be recognised. I find it a little sad.
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Post by bonnie unlogged on Apr 16, 2006 9:20:38 GMT -5
If the conversation was among professing people it would be o.k. If you don't profess anymore and you talk about scripture, spiritual things, etc... Some, not all of the friends feel that you can't possible understand and that they need to be careful about what you tell them. Remember that you are fallen away.
I too realize how bad it can be. My own beloved spouse is the hardest person to talk to about what I've learned in scripture, and what does he think about it.
It is frustrating but I completly understand because I was there in the same place just a few short years ago. Now I'm blessed to be free to speak about the thing that is most important to me with people I use to think didn't have a clue.
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Apr 16, 2006 22:08:45 GMT -5
My family has always been really open in talking about spiritual things, even when my brother and I stopped going to meetings about some time, there was still an open conversation.
I cannot imagine being in a family that was suppose to be very spiritual and Godly, but never talked about God, Jesus, or spirituality outside of church!
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BC
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Post by BC on Apr 17, 2006 4:02:58 GMT -5
I'm with Withopeneyes on this one.
We have many conversations outside of meetings with many different people on spiritual subjects. If we have friends for a meal or cuppa we often have part of our conversation about spiritual things. My friends that I have a lot to do with socialy who fellowship with me often have spiritual chats as we go about natural activities such as a game of golf or having coffee out or a few drinks at a BBQ or what ever.
It is no big deal, I mean that is my live, my reason for being on this earth, the most important thing to me is my saviour so why shouldn't I want to talk about it?
[shadow=red,left,300]Regards BC[/shadow]
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Post by happy on Apr 17, 2006 7:41:23 GMT -5
Thanks for starting this thread JXR. It was a pet peeve of mine for a long time. I had that same experience of the odd looks etc. Yet...don't go to the internet or a scholar who doesn't profess, for your answers...don't have fellowship with "outsiders".... It is paralyzing when a person has questions and needs a sounding board and those closest to you don't want any part of it. That is what lead me to the dreaded, sinful internet in the first place.
I hope to find a group who will openly discuss and share and question and answer and pray together and learn....etc.etc.
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Post by not mine on Apr 17, 2006 13:38:07 GMT -5
"I also find it interesting that the f&w are reluctant to publicly acknowledge any state of material wealth as a God-given blessing. I guess that undue attention to material weath is sinful. This is fair enough in principle, but in this case it appears to be taken to the extreme. Thus any benefits of such material blessing mustn't be recognised. I find it a little sad."
My experience is somewhat different. In fact almost the opposite. Not a f;launting of wealth, but certainly a public thanks to God for it.
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Post by really on Apr 17, 2006 14:35:36 GMT -5
"I also find it interesting that the f&w are reluctant to publicly acknowledge any state of material wealth as a God-given blessing. I guess that undue attention to material weath is sinful. This is fair enough in principle, but in this case it appears to be taken to the extreme. Thus any benefits of such material blessing mustn't be recognised. I find it a little sad." My experience is somewhat different. In fact almost the opposite. Not a f;launting of wealth, but certainly a public thanks to God for it. And this happened among the friends??! Hard to imagine... |
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Post by imagine on Apr 17, 2006 14:44:49 GMT -5
Why hard to imagine? I too have seen this. You must be in a backwater?
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Post by MsMarie on Apr 18, 2006 5:10:41 GMT -5
Everyone's experiences are different but I would add my agreement that apart from the very mission beginning before professing, it was very hard from then on to have spiritual conversations with friends or workers.
Looking back now, I would say it is because everyone is afraid of saying the wrong thing and being judged on it. We know if several instances where some opinion expressed in a fellowship meeting, has been reported to a worker if not considered 'in line'. The very least criticism was that a 'wrong spirit' had been perceived. Letters of admonition could follow from a worker. In depth spiritual conversations which could be considered as displaying any questioning whilst professing, are best limited to trusted friends. I know that will not be the experience of everyone, but it definitely was mine.
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Post by as i c it on Apr 19, 2006 0:59:09 GMT -5
"not mine" & "imagine",
Gotta go with "really" on this one. Just can't imagine a friend giving public thanks to God for their wealth. (And I'm not in a backwater...)
Different--very different--than what you'd ever hear in my area...
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