None

No thats not what i am saying, i am saying that churches, and religious people make mroe of a issue of being naked than there really is! I don't know thats the case. I do know that it shouldn't matter one whit! if your doing Gods work, then a bikini won't make a difference. You see, one thing for me I have found my soulmate, someone i love with all my heart mind and soul, and i could look at some of the most beautiful women on earth naked, and they don't hold a candle to my sweet love! I wouldn't even have a lustful thought for any other person on earth! The thing is, I've heard this before, many times. By people who ended up cheating...many times, on this "soul mate" of theirs. Better "out of sight, out of mind", don't you think? Why else would God make Adam and Eve clothing before He sent them off, out of the sinless Garden of Eden, into the world. He obviously knew more than someone who thinks it "wouldn't matter one wit" if they were still naked.

The Holy Spirit DOES speak to and from each of us Christians. He uses many mediums, not just the Holy Bible, as you already know. ...and sometimes they speak the Word of God only to turn around and see that it is God speaking to them, and no one else. Personal experience and also testimonies from fellow Christians.

Though, it's inappropriate to dress in clothing that might cause other members to desire flesh. Swimwear or nonswimwear. Quite frankly, someone that wants to desire flesh is going to desire flesh whether a person is dressed in a swimwear or sackcloth and ashes. It is nothing more than where the state of that persons heart is to begin with! So, lets all just go naked. Is that what you're saying? Lets not even try? No limits? Garden of Eden style service. "They'll lust for it, anyway..." I agree, we should never judge by the tangible senses, and people will see what they want to see and think what they want to think no matter WHAT you're wearing... If a person can sit in a church in a bikini and feel no guilt whatsoever that they may be sending out wrong signals, well, maybe God hasn't spoken to their heart yet. If God doesn't speak to them about it maybe God is not IN that church in the first place and, you're right, the people there probably have sin corroding their minds already. I'm sure a church of wolves DOESN'T mind a half naked sheep wandering in.

Well, what I'm saying is: you ever notice how certain people post mainly about certain things?(I'm sure you have noticed) When someone is constantly posting about hypocrisy and other people's sins, it tells me that they themselves need to be looking in the mirror a bit better because MAYBE the message they're preaching to others is, in fact, a message from God to THEM.

People think too much about other people and their sins. We all need to just worry about our own sins and keep in mind what Jesus spent on our own sins, on the cross. It keeps us ALL from being slanderers and hypocrites.(both of which are sins) Philippians 4:8-9 8)Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9)Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Though, it's inappropriate to dress in clothing that might cause other members to desire flesh. Swimwear or nonswimwear.

Jesus did say that wolves like to dress up as sheep. Sheep are sweet, pretty, fluffy, they talk softly, "harmlessly"... Also, lucifer dresses as a beautiful angel of light. A master deceiver. Not some red beast with horns and a tail, spouting profanities.

And one more thing, hope you don't mind, this post reminded me of a song. I'd like to share it: I'm Gonna Make A Change, For Once In My Life It's Gonna Feel Real Good, Gonna Make A Difference Gonna Make It Right . . . As I, Turn Up The Collar On My Favourite Winter Coat This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind I See The Kids In The Street, With Not Enough To Eat Who Am I, To Be Blind? Pretending Not To See Their Needs A Summer's Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top And A One Man's Soul They Follow Each Other On The Wind Ya' Know 'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go That's Why I Want You To Know I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change) (Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah) I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love It's Time That I Realize That There Are Some With No Home, Not A Nickel To Loan Could It Be Really Me, Pretending That They're Not Alone? A Willow Deeply Scarred, Somebody's Broken Heart And A Washed-Out Dream (Washed-Out Dream) They Follow The Pattern Of The Wind, Ya' See Cause They Got No Place To Be That's Why I'm Starting With Me (Starting With Me!) I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror (Ooh!) I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Ooh!) And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change) I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror (Ooh!) I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Change His Ways-Ooh!) And No Message Could've Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make That . . . (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make That . . .) Change! I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror, (Man In The Mirror-Oh Yeah!) I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Better Change!) No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make The Change) (You Gotta Get It Right, While You Got The Time) ('Cause When You Close Your Heart) You Can't Close Your . . .Your Mind! (Then You Close Your . . . Mind!) That Man, That Man, That Man, That Man With That Man In The Mirror (Man In The Mirror, Oh Yeah!) That Man, That Man, That Man I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways (Better Change!) You Know . . .That Man No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change) Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah (Oh Yeah!) Gonna Feel Real Good Now! Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah! Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah (Ooooh . . .) Oh No, No No . . . I'm Gonna Make A Change It's Gonna Feel Real Good! Come On! (Change . . .) Just Lift Yourself You Know You've Got To Stop It. Yourself! (Yeah!-Make That Change!) I've Got To Make That Change, Today! Hoo! (Man In The Mirror) You Got To You Got To Not Let Yourself . . . Brother . . . Hoo! (Yeah!-Make That Change!) You Know-I've Got To Get That Man, That Man . . . (Man In The Mirror) You've Got To You've Got To Move! Come On! Come On! You Got To . . . Stand Up! Stand Up! Stand Up! (Yeah-Make That Change) Stand Up And Lift Yourself, Now! (Man In The Mirror) Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Aaow! (Yeah-Make That Change) Gonna Make That Change . . . Come On! (Man In The Mirror) You Know It! You Know It! You Know It! You Know . . . (Change . . .) Make That Change. - Michael Jackson

Cajun::::Begging your pardon None, We ARE the World ! We are each responsible for each of our little part IN it. I believe if we , With HIS help, stay clear and repented of what HAUNTS our "Bigger" sins, we are easing the crisis, but we each have to get involved in some way. "Lord give me the wisdom to change the things I can change!" Nothing "haunts" me. I gave all my problems to God and now I AM doing things to make my surroundings better, with God's help. He teaches me what to do every day and I depend fully on His guidance. I have many reasons to complain about things going on in my life right now but what good does complaining do? no good whatsoever. True, it's good to get small aggravations off your mind once in a while, to a trusted friend, but then it's good to release the problems to God. He can handle any size load we "bear". It feels good to know that and I'm reminded everyday when He delivers that promised peace. (PS:Thank you, Leonard, for that spelling tip. )

When I think about the "cross to bare" I think about everyone in the whole world and what everyone in the world is "baring". If you change your perspective from just you and see the world as a whole, your "cross" becomes significantly smaller. I'm not concerned about minor problems as much when I look at much worse problems in this world around me. Since we can't change the world, we can only depend on Him to do it, and He will.

You're fine. It's the meaning of your words that matters, not how you say them. (i tease everyone else but in reality I am the worst speller in history)

I take that figuratively and not literally. If you take it from a figurative point of view, you can see the connection of that metaphor to this one: 28)And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29)My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. The Bible is filled with artistic metaphors. Jesus taught in artistic metaphors. Then Jesus said: 25)At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26)Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28)"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29)Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30)For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Amen, Joe. I agree wholeheartedly with this. As Christians, we tend to judge way too much by tangible appearances, disregarding God's warning that only He can judge a person's heart. It's good to be "slow to speak" on a person's behalf or, if we must, let it be only good. How we judge others is how we'll be judged one day. God prefers mercy and kindness.

Maybe is true in some instances, but some churches are filled with people who will lead other down a bad path. Not all churches are good and not all congregations are filled with good people. If God tells a person to get out, they should listen. I'm reminded of the people who excaped suicide cults... You never can tell, every case is different.

Welcome to Worthy!

My daughter and I loved that one.

My language skills can still use more effort, on my part, I'll admit, but what I speak of isn't what I used to speak of. The content of my conversation has significantly changed. If I detect myself slipping into a weakened state, usually with the help of peer pressure, I repeat over and over(in my head), "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

It depends on how destructive they become in your walk with God. Lets say your spouse becomes interested in satanic worship and becomes demon possessed and is perfectly happy this way. Say he/she's calm in their demon worship and seem perfectly harmless to others but your house becomes a spiritual warzone, daily. In this instance, I can see how a Christian might want to distance themselves from their spouse. Every case is different, there are no easy answers. Cajunboy::: Sooooooooo where would YOU draw the line None? Does it not tell us in our Bible where to "draw the line?" I wish I knew. My friend in Christ.......You DO know! You know God's word. I'm praying that in what you're not saying that your wife is not in bad enough state to warrant your leaving the relationship? I'm saying, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." No matter what he does, he's a nonbeliever. I'm not going to put up with things that are, say, against the law, but as far as his sinful lifestyle, I'm patiently waiting for God to work on him. I was an imperfect teen and a horrible young adult. I made mistakes and I'm grateful for God's mercy on me and His love and kindness in my life. Who am I to judge another human being for not being where I'm at in my walk with Christ? I can be patient, too.

Cajun:::So None, are you saying that you still maintain a relationship with your wife and that she is NOT being influenced by God? Or are you saying that you chose to "hang in there" for the sake of your marriage/wife in hopes that she will find her way? Just curious if you found your wife drifting further with the "bad influential friends, at what point would it have to get before you "disassociate yourself" from the marriage, or not at all? Thanks in advance for your openness and honesty In God's care Cajunboy I'm saying, my husband is a nonbeliever and I married him a nonbeliever(before I became a true child of God, Christian) and I'm waiting for God to work on him, as He did me. It's very "vexing". It's not easy at all. I pray every day and night and I have faith that, some day, things will be different. I don't know what God has planned but I know God is telling me, I can only speak for myself, to "hang in there".

If your spouse keeps friends who are a bad influence, as mine does, it can be quite taxing on your walk with God, also. Men can be more "silly" than these women Paul was so fond of preaching out against.

depression is not all you are feeling. In is a state of being. Anger turned inward. Sadness unidentifiable, fear not dealt with. Do you ever sit and try to figure out what other feelins you feel? Deprssion masks reality of emotions we do not even know is there. I found it Hard to deal with anger...Be angry and sin not so often we turn it towards ourselves because we do not know what else to do.. I always though in my younger years I was not angry, not allowed to be and some Christians condemn anger. It is a emotion as well as sandess, frustration, love envy,jealousy and so on. Then you fear your anger which both are usually in the same proportions. Think abot it. Jesus can Heal... Does Heal and will Heal, He payed the price over 2000 years ago and His Blood was for the father and us..Praise the Lord... There are some forms of depression that are chemically induced and can only be treated with drugs. That is why generalizations are so difficult Also, depression can be an effect of being vexed by the sin all around us in the world, as was Lot's case. 2 Peter 2:7-8 7)And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8)(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

It depends on how destructive they become in your walk with God. Lets say your spouse becomes interested in satanic worship and becomes demon possessed and is perfectly happy this way. Say he/she's calm in their demon worship and seem perfectly harmless to others but your house becomes a spiritual warzone, daily. In this instance, I can see how a Christian might want to distance themselves from their spouse. Every case is different, there are no easy answers. Cajunboy::: Sooooooooo where would YOU draw the line None? Does it not tell us in our Bible where to "draw the line?" I wish I knew.

Trust your heart. If you feel God is telling you something is wrong in that church, there probably is. Maybe you could begin a fellowship at your home for any other members who are feeling as you do about the church, since there aren't many options where you live.