PICK A SIDE ...YOU CAN'T DO BOTH
my friend brought up an INTERESTING POINT...
he said if you're gonna keep HANGING on to a HABITUAL SIN, then you need to stay away from church.
At first i thought, what???
then he explained, look ... if you're gonna sin, then sin.
when you figure out that sin won't take you where you thought it would, then maybe you'll quit.
in the meanwhile, don't LIE TO YOURSELF and to GOD.
Going to church, well that will just screw up those around you as YOU BRING SIN into the camp. He Said, "I MEAN, if you don't plan on quitting and repenting, then why be a POSER AND PRETEND?
WHATDOYOUTHINK???
83 comments:
WELL WELL WELL.
I GUESS IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR, WELL THEN, WHY BOTHER PLAYING CHURCH.
This is hard for me. Why? because I sat on the fence leaning toward the side of habitual sin for MOST of my life. I did go to church, mostly out of obligation to one person or another, but I did learn some things along the way and those things that I learned I think eventually led me to WANT to jump over to the other side of the fence.. where I wasn't sinning out of habit anymore, where I wasn't kicking God out the door. I was Pretending and I was great at it! But I was also LEARNING (very slowly) that God wanted me, not the me that was hiding from Him. I found out, when you keep sinning, and don't ask for help, have no help, no one to turn to, sometimes your sin CAN MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER! YOU BELIEVE THAT MOMENTARY LIE! If you have a support, like church, friends in Christ, while your path out will still be difficult, these people have all sinned too, we all know what it is like and we can all be lamps for each other. Does that make since? I guess what I am trying to say is, we want to hang on to sin because it FEELS so good! It hurts when we let it go, but then there is IMMENSE JOY after we do! We don't think far enough ahead to see the joy part, we just think about the pain of the loss. I know that's how it was for me, and that's why it took so long to stop. But the JOY is far MORE that the pain ever was!!!!
I've been thinking on this as I worked today, I suppose because it's the last thing I did before I left. lol. You know, what helped most about being in church was that I was able to find a foundation to build my relationship with Jesus on. That ultimatley led to releasing me from my sin. But I had to want it, you are right, the church couldn't want it for me. Staying away wouldn't have helped though. Even though the individuals may not have been helpful, the whole was helpful in laying out the fabric of what is now becoming my personal relationship with God. I could not have done that without nudging, without guidance. Now church is a place where I can go to praise, to glorify, to learn. A lot of people ride the fence, but we don't know why, maybe they are hiding like I was. That's why WE don't get to be the judge, GOD does.
I THINK THIS IS JUST WRONG. IF YOU HAVE SIN, THEN THE BEST PLACE TO BE IS CHURCH, THAT IS UNLESS YOU GO TO CHURCH WITH HYPOCRITEES. SO I JUST GO AND LEAVE AS FAST AS I CAN. I SIN. JUST NOT AS MUCH AS OTHERS.
B.
Everyone either is or has been a hypocrite at one time. Even me. I do sin. I can not say my sin is better than anyone elses because God equates ALL sin as pretty much equal. When I sin, I can confess, ask forgiveness, and not do that sin anymore because I have learned from my mistakes, knowing that it is not held against me is a huge aspect in moving forward. I used to spend more time disecting other peoples lives looking for their sin to make mine look tiny. The truth is that no sin is worse than another! They are all against the law of God and they all hurt Him! Do people shout "hypocrite" in my direction? some do... does it hurt?... a little... but I know that with everything I have I am moving toward the place where God wants me. And we are all guilty of sin... even me.
I think thT SUBJECT IS MORE OF WHEN YOU HAve been walking a path that is getting you closer to Christ and you are living a double life say porn or drugs then you really are not walking like you think i feel that going to curch just to go is a false appearance but being in the atmosphere of church and hearing Gods word there you have a better chance than staying away but church is not the only answer you need mentors to show you life lessons.
I agree, church is not the only answer. without the friendships of individual Chritians to help guide you your walk is so difficult, it's just like trying to walk alone. Even if you are striving to walk with God, He did put people here to help us. But it doesn't mean you shouldn't go either.
bravo.
bravo. i like the flavor being mixed in this pot. the aroma is mixed, the points of view are mixed, and quite frankly i may be mixed up to.
i see both sides. i think the fence is a safe way to say, hey, i'm okay... perhaps the idea of being around people who are striving to walk better HELPS.
like i told my friend, its extreme, but i think extreme fits sometimes. if i'm gonna play and pose, might as well do it in isolation. this way i don't trip up another person.
I can see both sides too, I've just spent so much of my life in solitude, in isolation that I know that's where danger lies. That's where you start believing you are worthless... no one wants you. I suppose that's why I prefer not to be isolated anymore.
Look , my other friend said, I see it both ways. Bottom line is being around good people is better than being around Not so good people. I think he was referring to influence
I know that for me when I was habitually sinning I didn't care who I influenced, I was selfish.
maybe thats the point
we only care about ourselves
-hb
bs, i don't wanna go where people jugde you and stuff. i am better off anyways, the people in church are doing the same stuff i am.
at least i don't have to lie about doing it. maybe i am better because i don't lie and pretend i am someone better than i raelly am.
bs
you're right, bs, it's nice going somewhere and not having to hide who you are, just being yourself
if you are delibertly sinning and you have no intention on quitting then ny all means dont go to churh but if you are wanting to qit and can not seem to be able to and dont know how to and are tired of doing it then i feel church is where you need to be its like a car you broke something and you cant find a way to fix it your self it needs to go to the shop but you dont have the money and dont have the time and you cant be with out you car then you drive it till it just dont work anymore thats sin. fb
a great analogy, fb,
it really simplifies this whole topic.
could you help me and possibly others by using this car word picture, could you help by developing the idea?
for instance, what would your example look like for the guy or girl who is sitting on the fence?
ya know, they don't wanna commit.
I THINK MOST OF YOU ARE POSERS. I THINK THAT YOU TRY TO SOUND GOOD , EVEN HEREE , BUT YOU ARE JUST POSING TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL BETTER AFTER YOU TAKE OUT THE SPLINTERS FROM SITTING SO LONG.
tb
everyone is a hypocrite.
everyone is a sinner.
everyone in undeserving.
this is why God's Grace is a GIFT not something you can EARN.
anyone who doesn't admit that they are any of these things is essentially a liar.
To be honest, I have met quite few people who believe they are NOT any of these! The Bible states we are born into sin, yet, more and more people I have met tell me they are not sinning. I wonder what their definition of sin is?
great question, girl
what is a working definiton of sin?
for me,
i will simplify and say anything i do that GOD said NOT to do.
OR
anythink i DON'T do that GOD said TO DO.
OR
NOT doing WHAT GOD SAID, WHEN HE Said for me to do it. (DELAYED OBEDIENCE)
OR
ANYTHING that i think is wrong, and i do that thing, then to me, IT IS SIN.
SO YOU'RE CALLING ME A HYPOCRITE?
REALLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TOO. I KNEW SAMWISE HAD ISSUES. BUT YOU TOO, GIRLINTHEROOM???
tb
even I AM a hypocrite
you don't seem to understand the point
we ALL do things and then look at other people and shake our heads
I don't think I have met any one person innocent of that
WELL THEN YOU DON'T KNOW ME.
tb
I GOTTA SAY THIS. WHY IS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE SO BAD?
Who do you think you are, tb?
You are so quick to criticize and seem to think your rules apply , regardless of a higher standard.
I'm wondering why you haven't created an identity...
Why you go by initials rather than a name.
Seems easier to hide, is that it?
OKAY, SAVVANAH. I NOW HAVE AN ACCOUNT. HOW'S THAT? NOW YOU KNOW MY NAME. SO WHAT... WHAT MAKES YOU OR ANYBODY ELSE BETTER THAN ME?
DO YOU SIT ON HTE FENCE SAVANNAH?
GIRLINTHEROOM, YOU SOUND HAPPY TO BE A HYPOCRIT. WHY IS THAT?
You are missing it.
I am not happy to be a hypocrite.
I am happy to be saved by the grace of God.
I am happy to KNOW that through all of my FAULTS that through all of my SINS that I am still loved and still wanted.
I am happy that there is a place for me because I confess that I am NOT PERFECT but I TRY everyday to become BETTER.
I would say sittin in the middle is dangerous. Bad??? I dunno. I think its dangerous , you never know which way the "wind" blows- you could fall on the wrong side. Simply, stay close to the edge & Your Chances skyrocket that You'll go to far. That you'll forget you ever had a relationship with God, thru His Son, Jesus.
This is JCFollowerKS...cant remember my log in so I"m logging in anonymous. Interesting comments....here is my two cents for what it's worth. At first I leaned toward aggreeing with the original post...if you have NO intention of repentance and you're just playing a game then what's the point...but think about this. "Faith comes by hearing" Romans 10:17....even if they are living in sin...habitual sin...if they are hearing God's word...it is God's word that does the changing in a person's heart. I think so many people in the church today are confused exactly because of those who ride the fence...they see no difference in those who attend and those who don't. This shouldn't be guys...but if we all quit going to church and quit hearing God's word, then we really are in trouble...remember God's word does the changing in us...the Holy Spirit works in us convicting us with God's word. If we don't hear it, then we will never realize...hey...that's me...God's trying to get my attention....this is wrong...I need to change. Matthew 9:12 tells us "It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick." Jesus was saying they need to come and hear my word...they need to realize that they are sick...sometimes this is a LONG process. I know it is annoying to watch someone come and pretend and then over and over go right back to the same sin, but if Jesus didn't turn them away...should we??? I'm one that kept going even though I knew I was living in sin....eventually the Holy Spirit got through to me. Praise God...I've never been the same. I've not arrived yet but thank God I'm not where I once was. :)
Jcfollower, I am intrigued by your response. Sad how I'd gorgotten that verse, that concept, that promise that hearing comes from the Word. Maybe you're right. However, the friend who brought me this idea had a certain type in mind.the guy he had in mind knew the Word, maybe even taught the word. But over time, he fakes it. He walks in/ he walks out. Like going to Kleen Kar Wash & saying , & don't clean my car, I just wanna let it go thru on the conveyor belt."
What do you classify as a habitual sin?
I need to know, that way i can clarify my answer. I don't want to begin my opinion if i my understanding is incorrect.
Okay okay.
Not bad, jcfollower. That is the best answer this post has had to offer. Maybe you have a level head on your shoulders.
These other quackers , I just don't know. I like the way I live. I don't hurt anybody. I do some bad stuff, nothing you ain't done.
So, I guess either you sit on the fence or just lie about not. BTW, I'm not referring to jcfollower.
I think we all ride the fence from time to time. Everyone wants to feel accepted and it's a lot easier to jump to the side you need to be on if your in the middle. I don't like being this way but I know that I am sometimes(way more than I like). I don't think the answer is staying away from church. Hard to get healthy if you can't get to the hospital.
vh
This is JCFollower again...maybe I'll remember my login sometime.. :) Samwise...I guess I would have to question if the person you are describing is actually a believer. In the book of 1 John 3:9 it says... "No one who is born of God continues to sin." All of 1 John 3 is a good one to read on this topic. This doesn't mean we'll never sin, but when we do and we become aware that it is sin, the Holy Spirit should start tugging at your heart...letting you know that you are sinning. If the Holy Spirit does not convict you then, maybe you don't know Jesus. When we continue to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit, our heart becomes hardened...this is what I think maybe has happened to the person talked about in the original post. Has anyone gone to him about this? Tanner...I have a couple of questions for you. First, are you a believer? Second, you say you do some bad stuff but you like the way you live. What are you considering bad stuff? Have you talked to the Lord about it and found out what He would say about it? I think when we are TRUE believers we seek to stay on the right side of the fence. Paul talked continuously about the sin nature that lives in us but even though he struggled with sin, he didn't continue to live in sin just because he liked it. Romans 7 talks clearly about Pauls struggle. 2 Corinthians 13:5 paul is talking to those who claim to be believers and tells them to test themselves to see whether they be in the faith. Read Romans 1:18-32...it is scary to me...he is talking about believers who decided that they didn't need to listen to God so their hearts became darkened or hardened...is it worth holding on to sin? Look what happened to these people in Romans...it so sounds like our generation...I don't want to be deceived, I don't want to become hardened. Have I made any sense Tanner? I'm just trying to help with God's word and not just my own thinking. Not trying to be offensive in anyway just trying to offer some insight from God's word. Thanks for allowing me to share. :) JCF
Believer? Who are you to ask. Man , I was just starting to like you too. Look I believe in God. And Jesus too. My sins are covered by the same blood as yours. And ???
Me and the Lord are alright. My bad stuff, come on, makng some remarks somehow makes me a criminal. I try to be good. Try to do good. I'm just sayin , I don't have to be a holy roller. Besides I don't skate.
Well since i recieved no answer regarding habitual sin, and after reading a little closer... here goes.
I believe that if you do a sin, or something wrong over and over, well then you are probably stuck in a rut.
Maybe what you need is a little push.
Maybe God does it, maybe He uses a stranger. Either way, if you're gonna play games, why not play somewhere else.
God is too serious about imitating Him, per ephesians 5:1 .
He didn't go to all the trouble of sending Jesus (john 3:16-18) just to point his finger at us and say, NO, NO.
The fence divides what side your on. Whose property you reside at. So i figure, declare your allegiance and stay put, but try PLAYING games, God will deal with you.
JCFollower again....sorry Tanner...I had a feeling you might get offended but I figured if you were a Christian a Jesus follower then it wouldn't bother you. I wasn't trying to offend just trying to share what God says in scripture. Be blessed. :)
So what? Now cuz you think I got offended, Now I'm not a jc follower like you? What is up with you type of christians. No wonder people reject you guys.
well, I haven't been to this blog in a few days and I can see a lot of conversation has happened!
Julie, A Rut is probably the best way to describe it!
I sat on the fence for a very long time, not knowing where to go, not knowing where to turn when I needed answers, when I needed help, when I needed a shoulder, when I needed to cry out... and sometimes that fence got so shaky I DID fall down on to the wrong side! But eventually I somehow I got back up there and by GRACE I made it over to the other side of the fence. I don't find myself sitting on that shaky post anymore. When I have a problem I know exactly where to go and that is straight to God. I didn't always know that and I sure didn't know it while I was stuck in a rut or when I was stuck on the fence. We all slip up, but it doesn't make us any better or worse than anyone else. We just have to know where to turn, it makes it much more difficult when you are stuck in the middle.
Frodo here, I have been following this blog to see where it is going and I would like to adress Tanner. I have been where you are at not so long ago. holy roller bible thumpers. what ever you want to call the so called christians that speak as though they are above you. I despised them. I believed in God and Christ jesus was supossedly saved at a young age gave my heart to Jesus was baptised all that. Guess what it didn't change me at all for many years all i knew different was that i felt more guilt then usual. I quit going to church and told people if God wants me in church He put me back. I was tired of hypocrites Lighting up in the parking lot right after a service and people looking down on me as if i was the worse sinner they knew. But bout ten yrs ago i got a lady pregnant, did the right thing and got married. still no change after having our son she got pregnat with twins. I could not mentally handle that. unfortunatly we lost them at bout twelve weeks. long story short it took that event with a couple of others for God to be able to soften me enough to get me back in church. and ten yrs later I am now help leading tribalinc and am no where near where i should be in my walk with Christ but at one point in time i decided to get off the fence and try walking on the other side. and the blessing He has blessed me and my family with out weigh any thing i could accomplish on my own. yeah i stumble and i fall but at least i have someone that is there to pick me up when i do. you judge us with out knowing us you call us hypocrites and yet you choose not to look in the mirror or even try to walk the road you claim your on. God has plans for you but you must seek him with your whole heart not just part of it. we have all sinned and are sinners but we are saved by the blood that was shed not just for us but all that belive in christ. I wrote this not to offend but to let you know been there done that and got scars to prove it!!
Frodo, what scars do you have?
FRODO HERE, well since you ask both parents are dead they never got to see me become the man of God i have become the twenty something years i tried to do it my way and the people i hurt along the way family and friends. a first marriage that God wasnt a part of theefore I have a ex step son that may never know Christ and a exwife that probably wont
Sound like scars to me. Why do you think you relate to me, frodo? Why is no one real? And what does leading tribalinc mean?
I have been flowing this blog for q while now. I have read all the posts two or three times to make sure I fully understanding everything being said.
In the case of FRODO, I am also a leader in tribalinc. What this means is that Frodo, Samwise, and I plan the lessons, what activities we do, also what direction we go. What I mean in that is, we are always in prayer and following the direction GOD is taking us. It was GOD'S plan to have this blog and our web site. HE put it into motion and we just rode the train.
Now for you Mr. Benson. From reading your comments I have concluded that you are on the fence and you like being there. I know you would say that I do not know you and that is right I don't. It sounds like you are trying to justify your sin and why you are on the fence. On July 3rd you stated "These other quackers , I just don't know. I like the way I live. I don't hurt anybody. I do some bad stuff, nothing you ain't done.
So, I guess either you sit on the fence or just lie about not." You are right you are not hurting anybody else. But we are concerned that you do like to hurt yourself.
You remind me of the teenager who wants to commit suicide. But is not really serious about doing it. They cut their arms going across the arm. This is not the way to kill yourself. You cut up the arm to make sure you get the blood vessel. You are doing the same thing but you are siting on the fence. You want the attention but you are SCARED to make a commitment. The word SCARED I used means that you like what you are doing because it makes you feel good, but you do not want to stop doing it. We are concerned we do not like seeing people hurt themselves for stupid reasons. Make you choice, on the fence or off and stop jumping back and forth.
Julie; I think you definition of sin is fantastic, you hit the nail on the head. There are to many times that we like the sin we are in, but we know you have to drop the sin to move forward in your walk with GOD.
As for the answer to the original question. I think you need to be in church. I sat on the fence for YEARS, it lead me to not going to church for sometime. Then I made the decision to get off. Now there are times I do sit on the fence and do have a hard time getting off. But when I do see that I am on that fence I make my decision and get off. Being in church does help, BUT you have to be listening to let it help you. Going through the motions will NOT get you off the fence. You have to have your ears and heart open to hear what GOD is telling you to do.
So to sum this up we as CHRIST followers need to get off the fence, get into church, and repent our sins. One last thing for Mr. Benson; I really do not care if I offend you (trying to be real here). If I did then what i said must be the truth. I am not out to hurt feelings but to help people grow.
Frodo here, listen tanner I relate to you cause I was you I dont know you from Adam but I can tell you are confused about Christ and the entire Christianity thing. I would bet that noone has ever come up to you and showed you what being a Christ follower looks like we are not any better than anyone else the difference between us and nonbelievers is that we are saved by the blood of Christ on the cross which means we are adopted sons and daughters of the one and only God. we strive to be followers spreading salvation by mouth and by actions once your are saved you CANT keep living the same way it is impossible because you recieve the holy spirit as a guide to help you move forward in your relationship with God. But alot of times we struggle with this. because we are sin its not what we do it is who we are ever since adam and eve ate the fruit. But being in church learning His word and prayer is the first step, being discipled and mentored is also a good step. problem with alot of us its like stepping off a cliff. that is where faith comes in. you have to learn to put your faith in Christ. let him lead you ACROSS this canyon. with out Him you will fall but He is the one that can carry you. i would like to talk more with you if you would like you can email me at frodo@tribalinc.org hope this clearifys a little for you
Boromir, frodo, sam wise ? Okay okay, I guess you three are big fans of LOTR. I find this whole fence idea is pretty important to many of you. I feel people hide inside a glass house of prayer. They never want anyone to have a rock in their hand around their house, but have no problem carrying one around mine. Let me make this clear, you have your belief ... Great. I choose to be real. I sin, I try not to , but often I fall into the same pattern. I am not gonna pretend I can still behave inappropriately and live in church world like everything is okay. Cause its not. If I'm gonna play both sides, then I need to stay out of the pew.
Frodo here, Tanner that is your decision and the neat part about it is you have that choice. you only get one shot at this life and if that is the road you choose so be it. but i would venture to guess you have a scar from a previous church experience that has given you this view of church. I had the same view foir along time. but not all churchs are the same. as sam put one time just got you got bad service at a restraunt do you quit eating out. if so hope your a great cook. if church dont work try podcast, life group, mentorship. you cant walk alone find you some one you can trust to help you. we at tribalinc disciple men help them learn to walk as we learn encouraging each other no predjudices no accusing just helping each other move forward. monday nights if interested contact me.
Tanner;
You can carry you rock and throw it at my glass house whenever you want. I keep a bag of rocks with me at all times. I choose to be real too. I sin just like everybody else. We are not that far from each other. We both try not to sin, but it is our nature to do so. If you choose to stay out of the pew than do so. You were not meant to be there in the first place. I choose to be there because I need every piece of advice to help ME on my walk with HIM. Good luck to you on doing it alone. If you do find that you need help e-mail me at boromir@tribalinc.org
and I would be happy to meet with you and help you on your walk.
Frodo, and Boromir, WHY are you so interested in what Tanner thinks?
Frodo here, Well Julie its simple really. Thats part of what we are about. he has questions and we try to answer to the best of our ability trying to further the kingdom through wisdom maybe. Alot of people are giving believers a bad rap because of bad expiernce. we as believers do not have to defend ourselves but it help when we can clarify our faith. He sounds to me like alot of people i know and me about 15 20 yrs ago when i was searching for the right path the wrong way. I am hoping that something i say might just help him some how. to not be in church is one thing but to live a disobiedient life because you got a bad taste in your mouth for church and christians is another. Christ came not destroy but to give life. sometime people just need to be the light or find a lightout of the darkness of confusion. hope this helps answer your queston.
Hanging on to a habitual sin ...
I think this conveys one simple idea. The one hanging on doesn't seem to wanna let go. That being said, why should he?
I mean look, if he's hanging on, it's probably one or two things... he likes this sin, or he's afraid if he lets go that he won't be able to function.
I think his situation is prevalent and is indeed scary. Maybe What you hang onto carries the same judgement, it just doesn't scare you.
bob
Julie
Like Frodo we care about the questions that he has. I also care about your opinion and your questions. I just hate to see someone who wants to live in sin and not try to change and walk away from it. So if you are also living in sin and do not walk away from it that concerns me as well.
boromir, are you clear?
Did you really mean your statement on july 8, towards mr. benson?
the one that said "...do not care if i offend you"
i am not sure being real is what mr. benson deserved.
i think you meant well, however, i'd probably reserve that type of statement if he actually emails or emailed you.
mr. tanner. perhaps he is correct.
other bloggers. i would point you towards the piece of wood that each follower of christ is supposed to carry, see mark 8:34
you will either carry the wood, or your bag of broken promises, BUT YOU CAN'T DO BOTH.
Samwise
Yes I was clear. If I offend you, you personally know that it was meant to help you grow. In Mr. Benson case it was meant for him to grow and to show that as Christians as not soft and wimpy. That we do not conform to that stereotypical view.
i know that, primarily because i know you personally, boromir.
mr benson may not know this, at the time you wrote it, because he doesn't know you personally.
my yellow light here is so that no one NEEDLESSLY get slammed by an offense.
offenses often come when we don't mean to.
i believe mr. tanner has been silent, perhaps for other reasons. point is, until he gives you a GREEN LIGHT, i'd move slower thru this intersection.
love ya
i was wondering if lying to my wife about texting certain people is an example of sitting on the fence.
-hb
hb, Yes I think it's wrong. Maybe you're not even near the fence.
Why would you lie to your wife?
What do you have to gain?
Have you considered what you could lose?
Frodo and Boromir, I see why you're interested in Tanner. I think you were offensive, Boromir. Maybe this is why Tanner has been absent. Maybe not.
Tanner, do you have scars? Did someone like some of the bloggers offend you before?
Julie, i have scars. My best friend , at least I thought he was, abandoned my after my first divorce. He said he couldn't hang around a guy who could do such a thing. What a loser, right?
hb, why don't you man up and stop hiding? What's the point, you think she won't figure it out?
Hey samwise, I can be silent for whatever reason I so choose. I don't need an excuse, so just come down of off your high horse. You must think you got it, or me, for the matter, ALL FIGURED OUT. You make me ill, dude.
Boromir, bite me. You don't know me. What if I was just seeing what kind of answers I could generate? What if I was speaking up for the guy or gal who is afraid or is too ignorant to figure out how to post a comment? Maybe you should check yourself. Oh yeah, if I offended you ... SORRY (YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Frodo, how can you think that we are similar? I mean just because you have testicles doesn't equate twins or two peas in a pod. I can't really describe how your clique responds.
Girlintheroom, after reading your personal blog, I guess you are legit. At first I thought you were like the clique. You came from some tough situations, and it seems like you don't credit yourself. You certainly have survived.
Keep up the blogs, because I want to see just where this leads.
Frodo here, Whoa Tanner wait a min. this is a blog about getting off the fence. wether you should be in church or not. its not a platform for you to jump on people just because you dont like the comments. you yourself ask the questions to which i replied along with others. I cannot see why you would be offended by what someone has written to you that does not even know you or your walk or lack of. I tried to explain to you to where you might be able to grasp the concept of walking a life with Christ. but you choose to blast us for trying to answer your question.Dude your are wrong,These blogs are to invite and to air out opions and questions. not to bash on people. you need to either check out something else or tone it down. if you disagree then, you have that right. but don't bash people for their input. just choose to disagree. as for you, if your are a Christ follower, buddy you following the wrong path. the path you are on will wind you up farther from Him than you will ever want to be. if you choose to follow Christ, THEN MAN UP ABOUT IT OR SHUT UP ABOUT IT.
I find it interesting that so many different opinions can come off one post. Is there a right or wrong answer? I can speak from personal experience that riding the fence always makes me feel like a hypocrite. It's like at school, when you want to fit in with the popular kids you act a certain way, and then you show who you really are to your real friends! Not saying I haven't rode said fence, just saying it's real uncomfortable with that wood wedgie! VH
I DON'T LIKE THE WHOLE FENCE CONCEPT. IT GIVES THE ILLUSION THAT WALKING WITH GOD AND WALKING WITH SATAN ARE LIKE ONE STEP APART.
IF YOU'RE CLOSE TO WALKING WITH SATAN, THEN YOU ARE MORE LIKELY FARTHER APART THAN JUST SOME CRUMMY FENCE.
rachel
Tanner I am sorry that you are divorced. I bet that really hurt. Standing on a ledge here, YOUR POST implies you've had more than one divorce. If that is so, yeah, you must have some deep painful scars. I just want you to know that your value doesn't depend on this at all. YOU SEE, your value is based on who you are.
Incredible. I got to make the first post about a month ago. Now after reading all these posts. I am somewhat not sure if I know if I was right or not.
SO HERE IT GOES... AFTER ALL OF THIS, AND AFTER WATCHING MORE AND MORE PLAY CHURCH, I AM LEANING TOWARDS MY ORIGINAL STATEMENT.
I can't tell her. If I told her she would get mad, then we'd have this drag out fight. Forget that. Besides how can texting really be bad? - hb
so hb, let me ask it this way...
if being honest equalled living in the house.
and if the fence, surrounding the house represented the POINT WHERE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO BE CONNECTED TO THOSE IN THE HOUSE.
where would you place yourself right now. assume your wife is in the house. the fence is the boundary of the house... where do you think being decietful is?
Inside the fence surrounding the house of truth. OR is decietful outside the fence?
Outside the fence is decietful. I get it. But I waana ne connected ,I just don't like to hear her nag about it.
I have been hanging around the fence lately. I know better, but I seem to enjoy playing my silly little games. I see a pastor go off on my friend and it makes me wanna stay here. I know I can't let other people's actions dictate mine, however, I feel like distancing myself from church people. I guess just this pastor . The other people didn't do this... he did.
Yeah you're right, he did. Question is what will you do? I just watched BRAVEHEART again. I remembered something I'd forgotten ...
Robert the Bruce, played on the fence. One day he's with WALLACE, the next he's wearing a helmet(a metal mask) to HIDE his Identity.
Maybe what we do when we ride the fence is Mask our appearance and just hide behind our Identity for fear that we may have to choose one or the other.
Here's one for you ... why is there a fence?
hb, are you still keeping secrets from your wife??? Maybe you're riding a fence in your married life... like you think it's greener on the other side of the fence. Is this it? I mean why would you do something you have to hide? It takes a lot of work and extra caution to pull that off.
I don't want confrontation. Staying near the fence or even on the wrong side shields me from this. I'm on the right property most of the time. I believe that counts for something, right?
-hb
Hb are afraid because of the reprucussions of your actions? is it fair to those aroound you and to her? put yourself in her shoes. would you like for her to be this way. marriage takes ALOT OF WORK!! but it will never be what it is intended to be without trust and truth. If you have kids what kind of example are you setting for them? I can speak from experience. I hate confrontation of any kind. But it always comes out less harmful than i thought it would be and always makes things better when I face my fears. Take the first step in making your marriage real not just a partnership. Get off the fence.Try it you might just like it.
Tanner glad to see ya back. to answer your question. the fence refers to the decision to stay idloe,neutral,or mediocor. picking which side of the fence your on determines who you want to live for you or God.Living for yourself means that you have no reagrd for the Creator who created evrything and everyone. We were made in His image to fellowship with Him. We as his creation look to him for our fullfilment of what and who we are. Being able to have a Open line of communication with the Creator of all living things is an awesome experience. to see God work in and through a person is an enjoyment and a adreline rush only one who has experienced csn relate to. But our God is a jealoous God and wilol not share himself with this world and its view. So to be on the fence means you don,t really take Him serious.
I gotta agree with sam wise's friend. If I am gonna hold on to bad behavior , then what business do I have playin church ? Too many people doing that now. -sy
From where I come from, if you leave the one's you call friends and family, well then, we call ya a TRAITOR. So if the idea is to leave GOD at home and play in someone else's yard, especially the EVIL NIEGHBOR who would just love for you to play where GOD says NO TRESSPASSING, well then I guess you're a TRAITOR too.
---Davis
Just heard about another preacher who slept with his secretary. Guess he fell off the fence. I was thinking, maybe preachers are easy targets because they stepped on a pedastool.
samwise, i bet you're next.
Sorry about removing the last comment. I tried to edit it and found all i could do was DELETE.
anyways, here goes, what if the fence was ELECTRIC?
what if each time we walked past it, we felt this incredible amount of pain?
what if we feared sitting on it?
i wonder if this would help us stay closer to the porch?
probably not ...
What you got no reply, samwise?
You probably are spineless too.
Electric fence?
I BET YOU'D BE FRIED BY NOW.
Oh yeah, frodo, I'm sure you're gonna add your piece, so do me a favor and save it. Look samwise is a big boy, let him defend himself.
So what do ya say, samwise?
well tanner, i hate to admit, but you're right.
i was next... i had an affair.
i am so depraved and i am the hypocrite you probably have seen in and out of your own circle of people.
i regret to share this, but in sharing, i hope to apologize to the ones i devastated.
especially my wife. especially the man, who was a good friend of mine. i am so sick of me. i feel rotten inside, as if i am rotting.
i passed the fence a long time ago, for me it wasn't about if sitting on the fence was bad, it was what can i do to make me happy.
shame, shame , i am ... ashamed to be me.
YA KNOW IN MY LIFE I HAVE SMASHED UP A LOT OF CARS AND FENCES---
I HAVE PLAYED GOOD COP/BAD COP WITH THE BEST OF EM---
ONE THING I'VE LEARNED IS THIS, IF YOU'ER MAN ENOUGH TO MAKE A MISTAKE, BE MAN ENOUGH TO CLEAN IT UP---
IF THE BIG GOD IN THE SKY CAN CLEAN UP OUR BIG MESS, WELL THEN MAYBE WE OUGHTA GO INSIDE AND TALK WITH HIM MORE OFTEN---
I BET HIS FENCE'S DOOR IS OPEN
---DAVIS
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