ThePastorsWife

I would let him know that his gossip needs to STOP and then stop telling him anything. Once you've discovered a gossip in the family, you've got to cut off their supply... that doesn't mean they won't get it elsewhere or just make it up, and honestly not realize they're doing anything wrong! I would get very stern about it each time you confront them (I think it takes more than once because gossips are truly addicts). You might even have to hurl a fit at some point or even threaten to end the relationship, if the gossip is that harmful to you. And never think pastors can't be gossips!! I am married to one and he's the worst gossip I know.

Maybe it's been said but I, too, believe life is sacred... HOWEVER, the death penalty really does seem appropriate in some cases, the crime is that henious. And how I justify this as a Christian is this: maybe the condemned will get his/her soul right with God before the sentence is carried out. In that regard, I think we do that person a favor... as harsh as that sounds. It may be the only chance that person would have for salvation.

What's in your heart about it? It's hard to believe that was 10 yrs ago. What I remember most are the photos of the two killers right before they went on their rampage. They looked demon-possessed to me. Do you think that's possible? I still wonder about the parents of the killers. How they ignored the signs--the hate and death decore in their rooms, their withdrawal, the legal problems in the year before the rampage. I don't know their personal situation, but TO ME it shows the problems with contemporary parenting... the focus on being a friend instead of a Godly, disciplining parent. Thoughts?

Totally true!

Perhaps you could post some New Testament Scripture that commands the tithing of money? or at least provide the verses that state the tithe was amended to include those outside the borders of national Israel? If the Scripture was provided to show that we are to tithe our money, it would end debates concerning tithes once and for all. The debates continue, as in this thread, and I don't worry about it. I know in my heart, as do the other tithing Christians, what God expects from us. And, again, I cannot say enough about the blessings we've experienced in our home because we have never failed to tithe. But to each their own!

Hello anita, It is my opinion that Christian Rock has no place in the church of our day. For I don't deem it right to mix the message of the world with the pure message of the church as we are not to have fellowship with the world and it's ways. God does not want that for us and we mix the ungodly songs of the world with godly music that truly glorifies the Lord. Mixing worldly singers as you've mentioned above with the purity that is in the cross to me is wholeheartedly wrong. OC What then about churches that are non-instrumental? Aren't they practicing pure worship by not permitting instruments that have been used to play secular music? Does it depend on the instrument? I love the idea of stealing rock for our own use, because it speaks to younger people and even old me. I inhale the Spirit when I hear it, nearly drowning in His love, but I think the hymns are just awful....MY OPINION!! A few are old favorites to me, too, but a lot of them are dry versions of each other and I personally get nothing from what I am trying to sing. These are songs from the 1400-1700's! I grew up with them in the Lutheran church and when I ran into Christian contemporary music, it was like a Spiritual i.v. to a totally dehydrated believer.

Hi, ThePastorsWife. Perhaps you can point me to the Scripture that says that tithing was for the upkeep for the tabernacle? From what I read, the tithe was specifically for the Levites who were not allowed to have an inheritance and not for the upkeep of the tabernacle. I would think freewill offerings would be more for the upkeep of the Church, etc.. Again, I do not believe that tithing means 10% of any income as the only tithe God required was of crops, flocks and herds. Many would be shocked to find that neither Christ, nor His Disciples were required to tithe according to the laws God set forth concerning tithing. I am really not concerned about what the OT says about tithing other than I am commanded to do so with what benefits God, His church, right now. Bringing a cow to church won't do any good. If I sell a cow, however, I need to tithe that income... that is my belief. If someone else wants to debate the practice or question its applications, that's up to them. I just think they are really missing out on God's blessings and a marvelous means of learning what faith really is.

I know about that looking perfect thing. At first I really resented it, but since then I've come to the realization (suggested to me by another PW) that the church hired him not me. But I can believe that til the cows come home... I still have to behave. The best thing for me has been running the sound system, power point and videos which, of course, keeps me in the back of the church. I dress in jeans and feel ok about being myself (nose stud and all). I am really blessed, though. Our congregation is older and conservative about some things but they've totally accepted quirky me! NEVERtheless, I still feel like I have to hide my depression, doubts, and occasionally feeling bad about not being a more traditional PW.

I was raised Lutheran with the KJV as THE [one and only] Bible. I think the difficulty of the English made the Bible seem all the more profound and mysterious to me. And I think that's the hook, too. There are some people out there who think God's word should be something a little out of our reach so it doesn't become too familiar/taken for granted. It took me a while to accept the NIV. I thought for sure I would go to hell, though! Now that I've left my Lutheran roots behind, I use the NIV, the Contemporary English Version and the new English KJV at the same time. I have to haul a lot of Bible around, but I like to compare each text in our Bible studies to I get the richness of what was written. I really recommend having at least two versions of the Bible.

In the last five yrs or so, I've become a big fan of "Christian Rock" music. I think I might be mid-genre with my tastes: on the softer side, Casting Crowns. Harder stuff for me: Kutless, DecembeRadio, CREED (though they never called themselves "Christian"). Chris Thomlin is about as soft as I'll go. I've been making videos for our Sunday services for about two yrs now and taking the congregation a little more toward rock each time. It has been interesting watching their growth, since many are in the 45-65 age group and fairly conservative (though more open-minded than most). What do you think about Christian rock? Is it too much? Disrespectful? We do contemporary choruses in our services as well as hymns... but those hymns, woo, they dry me out. anita

Curious how being a PK or PW affected your faith. What has been the most difficult part of your experience? Did you feel obligated, even pressured, to play the part? Did you fail or succeed at it? And, of course, I'm curious how many of us there are here!

I appreciate this debate based on scripture! The tithe has an interesting history, for certain. I believe strongly in the tithe and I've done it for the last ten years. It has nothing to do with my spouse's profession because he gets a base salary no matter what, nothing more or less. I see for myself that tithing keeps the church doors open, the heat on, the coffee perking... I had to learn firsthand what tithing is all about. It's about faith because, imho, tithing means 10% of any income I receive (including monetary gifts, tax refunds, etc) PLUS sum... NO MATTER WHAT, it's the first check I write. The plus part is determined by the Spirit. I can always sense what it needs to be. The additional part is the part I give to others directly... and to whom, how much and where varies. Often, it's determined by the needs that are revealed to me. The blessing that comes with tithing are astounding...from being financially sound to a unique sense of purpose with my money. The plus part simply enriches that feeling.