|
Post by Guests on Jun 4, 2006 15:24:39 GMT -5
I am wondering if there really is joy in going to meetings why does everyone look and act so sad? Many look and act so heavy burdened. If this fellowship is wonderful, why aren't people more uplighting and joyess? Isn't the way of Jesus suppose to be encouraging and full of joy?
|
|
|
Post by the bun on Jun 4, 2006 15:46:55 GMT -5
For women, the reason for many looking so burdened is because they wear their religion on the back of their heads.
Yes, Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit
|
|
|
Post by Guests on Jun 4, 2006 15:56:21 GMT -5
And why so many wonderful words in the testimonies about how they want to do this & that and be more of a Christian, and then after meeting these same people walk right by you without acknowledging your presence and being Christian-like??
|
|
|
Post by Guests on Jun 4, 2006 15:58:50 GMT -5
Actions and words/testimonies are so different. Why?
|
|
|
Post by Simple on Jun 4, 2006 16:00:49 GMT -5
I am wondering if there really is joy in going to meetings why does everyone look and act so sad? Many look and act so heavy burdened. If this fellowship is wonderful, why aren't people more uplighting and joyess? Isn't the way of Jesus suppose to be encouraging and full of joy? The fruit of lies and deception is fear and delusion. Why would you love Jesus when his "only true servants" (workers) keep you trapped in a box in God's name? Gotta come outta the box to find the Truth. Gotta trust God alone, this requires faith, they use up all their faith on the workers, which is more tangible to their flesh, but worthless spiritually. They are so busy limiting God's love to themselves alone, it is a wonder how their flesh keeps them running and hiding from Jesus. Seduced by the devils lies, in concert with the wickedness of their pride. Pretending they alone found the narrow path. So easily manipulated by the devil Well I guess they are in need of Jesus, who isn't?
|
|
|
Post by Greg Lee unplugged on Jun 4, 2006 16:22:50 GMT -5
Most of the workers' meetings are about the death of Jesus and the dieing to self of the believer. Death being a sad thing, you kow.
|
|
|
Post by ClayRandall on Jun 4, 2006 16:36:45 GMT -5
I am wondering if there really is joy in going to meetings why does everyone look and act so sad? Many look and act so heavy burdened. If this fellowship is wonderful, why aren't people more uplighting and joyess? Isn't the way of Jesus suppose to be encouraging and full of joy? I'm always wary of generalizations, but I wonder if this is partly a matter of perception of an observer. In other words, what I might see as reverent silence and piety, another sees as "having no joy". By the same token, maybe there are those who think that a worship service is supposed to be the equivalent of a football match where everyone stands up and cheers constantly...? My memories of the Friends were that they were uplifting, sincere people, fwiw... Clay
|
|
|
Post by learning mode on Jun 4, 2006 18:10:50 GMT -5
Do you suppose it is because they feel burdened with sacrifice? There are so many do's and don'ts that that may be their focus and they are unable to get to the joy because of they are so bound by legalities.
|
|
|
Post by ClayRandall on Jun 4, 2006 18:23:14 GMT -5
Do you suppose it is because they feel burdened with sacrifice? There are so many do's and don'ts that that may be their focus and they are unable to get to the joy because of they are so bound by legalities. I try not to suppose such things - I'm not very good at mindreading...
|
|
|
Post by One who knows on Jun 4, 2006 18:45:43 GMT -5
I constantly am asking WHY do, especially the women, have to look like a bunch of sad-sacks. A better word is sour-puss. That is not these particular people's normal look so WHY in a meeting. Who are they looking like that for? Certainly not the God of heaven. Why can't they just be nornal looking? That would satisfy at least me if noone else. MHO
|
|
|
Post by Guests on Jun 4, 2006 18:58:18 GMT -5
It seems to be acceptable to have a double life for most of these people. Be one way outside of meeting & completely different in meeting. Especially the women are like this. Why can't they come as they dress and do their hairstyle during the week? That being with modesty, of course. Long hair should be worn the way they choose, not the way chosen for them. Standards are good however some of the rules are ridiculous.
|
|
|
Post by jxr on Jun 4, 2006 19:49:18 GMT -5
I constantly am asking WHY do, especially the women, have to look like a bunch of sad-sacks. A better word is sour-puss. That is not these particular people's normal look so WHY in a meeting. Who are they looking like that for? Certainly not the God of heaven. Why can't they just be nornal looking? That would satisfy at least me if noone else. MHO I agree that some of the women look frumpy, but mostly the F&W have a happy disposition. The quietness before a meeting is mostly out of respect, or an aversion to drawing attention to ones self. As an F&W who has fulfilled the doorperson role on many occasions, this aversion to attention is most evident when trying to herd folks to the front rows of the hall.
|
|
|
Post by Roy on Jun 4, 2006 19:52:09 GMT -5
jxr, It's easy to get people to sit in the front. Put up chairs "on-demand", then there will be no problems.
|
|
|
Post by jxr on Jun 4, 2006 20:04:29 GMT -5
jxr, It's easy to get people to sit in the front. Put up chairs "on-demand", then there will be no problems. I wasn't alluding to any specific technique for getting F&W to sit up the front. I was pointing out the general disposition of the friends. Mostly the same number of seats get put out week after week. I find the clattering from putting out chairs on-demand is unnecessarliy distracting. My philosophy is to put all the chairs out first, which eliminates any options. If you arrive late and the last rows are full, tough, you'll have to march down to the front.
|
|
|
Post by happy on Jun 4, 2006 22:03:52 GMT -5
I like the quietness before a meeting. I haven't found that in other churches. I think there is a time for joy, but there is a time for reverence too. I know this is completely a matter of preference and opinion. Happy
|
|
|
Post by justamom on Jun 4, 2006 22:09:42 GMT -5
When I first went to another church I had a hard time with all the talking before the service began... I am one who also enjoys the quietness before a service.....
|
|
BC
Senior Member
Posts: 852
|
Post by BC on Jun 5, 2006 8:03:27 GMT -5
I actually spoke on this quietness last Sunday. How that it gave me time to gather myself and think quietly and soberly on the life and death of my Saviour. How many have actually sat still and quiet and just thought on the awesome sacrifice of our Saviour. Not just as a death of someone who was hung on the cross but as someone very near and dear to us who gave their life so I could have a hope for eternity. It is a very sobering thought and one I like to think on before a meeting.
Yes now here comes all the "well you should think on this all the time" etc. The very sad truth is that we as humans are very busy with OUR lives that we often don't get many chances to just sit and think on the things that should be most important in our lives. So I will take any moment that I can and before the meeting is a perfect time for this.
[shadow=red,left,300]Regards BC[/shadow]
|
|