what is your opinion on modern day feminism? what about men's right movement?

[Heleadethme]

16 hours ago, DustyRoad said:

Amen, sister. You write truth.  

I emphasized part of your post since this directly applies to my own experience with church buildings. I'll explain by offering up the following which happened to me almost two months ago now. This will be a long read so my apologies in advance! I wrote about this experience before but feel it's worth going over again since what you wrote above hits the nail on the proverbial head!

Until I darkened the door of a little denominational church in a nearby town, it had been close to 24 years since I last stepped foot into a place like that. Considering my testimony, some will know that I'm alone out here with regard to being known by the Lord's name; after the fiery trial when I faced a clan of degenerates (the first time I felt comfortable referring to others as "children of the devil!") I prayed to our Father that I might find at least one other in this dry place who calls upon his name. Young or old, man or woman, I cared not; it's difficult to walk this narrow path alone and I yearned for the company of my brothers and sisters! Just to hear one of you speak is enough for me. 

I knew what to look for in a church: an inconspicuous little building. If I were living in the city I would seek fellowship with brothers and sisters involved in homeless outreach (and pitch in however I could); unfortunately this is not the case at this time. Nothing but a handful of humans, rattlesnakes, ravens, owls, and coyotes out here! The occasional bear comes wandering down from higher elevations once in a blue moon, but that's about it. I live at 7000 ft. (2.1 km) above sea level along the slopes and foothills of a mountain range in a climate zone which blends subalpine meadowlands with "high" desert (desert at high altitude). The closest civilization of note is that nearby town of 1000.

Out of all the church signs in that town (six churches are found there), the sign for the Assemblies of God church was careworn and partially concealed by a gnarly tree. Yes, this had to be the place! I followed the fading arrow and found myself gazing upon a dumpy little stucco building in need of TLC. Not a cross in sight, and the sign out front was hand-painted and chipping with neglect: good. This was the place where God wanted me to go.

I returned that Sunday, bracing myself for what I was likely to face. AOG is a charismatic denomination and while I've been out of the loop for decades I'm not exactly wet behind the ears. I walked up to the door, steeled myself, and then passed inside trusting in the Lord.

I didn't encounter what I was expecting to find.

There was such a spirit of meekness about the place that I started to weep when I took a seat at the rear of the little sanctuary. Shortly thereafter I was greeted warmly by a gracious lady who identified herself as the pastor's wife (the first and last time I would meet her). People started filtering in one by one; some were elderly, others were closer to my age, while a younger couple rounded out the sparse congregation indoors: fourteen in all, not counting myself or the pastor and his wife. He arrived several minutes later, making the rounds and personally greeting everyone in the sanctuary. He seemed a warm and kind man when I shook his hand. 

He was followed by two men whom I ascertained to be deacons; this was verified later on when I observed them bearing containers for offerings. They seemed like good men and greeted me just as warmly as the rest of the little congregation had (those who could walk came over to greet me sweetly) and to be honest, I was blown away by it all. God never ceases to astonish me with his works!

I do my best to be unobtrusive when I'm in the company of others and so I usually seek a seat well out of the way which permits me to shift around a little (back pain took a turn for the worse after I passed 40). I tested the spirits and was satisfied with the pastor and his teaching that day: be doers of God's words, the man said, and not just listeners. This was good. A few days later when I was praying according to God's Spirit out here (I wrote about this elsewhere), the Lord parted the veil and I saw myself praying in agreement with the deacon whose task it was to lead that little congregation in prayer. We were in the midst of a great light and I saw a host of angels nearby. The vision ended but the words of the Lord were clear: I was to return to that place and wait upon him. 

Which was exactly what I did until the third Sunday of my visitation arrived. This was the day when I found myself involved in the aforementioned vision: the congregation was quietly praying to themselves while I continued my tradition of praying in agreement with that particular deacon (the prayer leader). I was to stand with him and agree with whatever he said. The deacon cried out that he felt the presence of God --- God is here! --- and I was aware of a great light in our midst. The Lord bid me to remain standing and continue agreeing with this usually quiet man while he ran in front of the pastor's lectern and proceeded to issue three demands with a loud voice. While I wasn't mentioned by name I knew he was calling to me, but I waited until the moment was right to respond.

I walked up to the man in answer to his third demand whereupon Jesus Christ healed my pains (making me an inch taller in the process), removing the greatest affliction of them all: my doubt. I was stunned for days afterward, speechless before the assembly and the entire world. Every time I turn around the Lord astonishes me!

The following week I waited, prayed, meditated and prayed some more, seeking the Lord's judgment so that I'd know what I ought to do next. No, I'm not in the habit of testifying about anything at all! My default response is to remain tight-lipped about those works of God I witness knowing full well the extent of my myopia and blindness. I wouldn't see a thing at all unless the Lord reveals it plainly before my sight! I'm in agreement with Agur the son of Jakeh: surely I'm the most ignorant of men.

I prepared testimony to deliver to the congregation but the Lord told me to dispense with it and not to concern myself any longer with it. I should return the following Sunday the same way that I had before: quietly sitting in the back row and keeping to myself. 

The pastor was out of town and so a substitute was called in to oversee services that Sunday, a woman who drew upon gameshows and TV series during the sermon she delivered. Quite frankly I was mortified, caught between a state of staying put so I could pray for this person or bolting out of the door (the roof could cave in!). When the people in the congregation started praying for signs and wonders I felt positively ill but dutifully remained seated in a state of shock; how could this be happening, Lord? I just couldn't understand. Instead of joy my heart was burdened with grief for their sake! 

I waited upon the Lord while keeping my tears a private affair. I thought about that pastor and how nice he seemed to be but in response the Lord pointed to whom the man entrusted the flock he was ostensibly to watch over, evidence of poisonous fruit. His words and even his doctrine had seemed fair but clearly his heart and mind were fixated upon concerns which had nothing to do with the welfare of those who trusted him. It was a bitter lesson and my first brush with disappointment since my birth in Spirit.

That's why I wrote the following elsewhere: disappointment is a gift from our Father in heaven. We should treasure every gift and give thanks to the Lamb for all that he does!  

 

 

Praise the Lord dear brother, I am glad for your healing!  \o/  Nothing is too hard for the Lord, and He is kind and good! 

I didn't know how to answer concerning the rest until I saw a little post called "Sparrows" in the General Discussion area this morning, and it came to me what the Lord is doing with us in this dry dessert season.  Could it be that He is taking from us all that we have and are until nothing is left except what is of Him.....and then He will resurrect our dry bones for the glory of His name.  Like the Israelites who died in the 40 years of wandering in the dessert....flesh cannot enter the Promised Land/kingdom of God, so it has to die out until nothing remains but Spirit.  Every little notion that we have anything of ourselves to offer, every little speck of "religious-ness" or pride, etc, etc, needs to die.

Instructions I have received from the Lord include to forget what lies behind and reach for what lies ahead.....He is going to do a new thing and make streams and rivers in the dessert.....and also back when I was praying about being alone and begging Him to have some fellowship, complaining about being alone and wanting some sense of purpose of what I am supposed to be doing for Him at this time.....He answered me out of the scripture that says, "When I called Abraham, I called him alone..."  And of course, it wasn't what I was wanting to hear. 

Test these things, but this could even be the meaning of the ten virgins who "fell asleep"...they all fell asleep including the wise...but only those who had paid the price for extra oil would be "resurrected" so to speak and enter the wedding....?  This is the time to be preparing for His return.....time to purge our hearts, paying the price, healing areas of lameness, seeking His righteousness and whatever we have need of, and be adorned with nothing but what is of the Lord, His Spirit.  When Esther was undergoing her preparations and then went to the King, she took nothing with her but what the eunuch, keeper of the harem (Holy Spirit) gave to her.  We have nothing of our own.  I'm not young any more and often spend time in prayer just weeping for my shortcomings...I feel as though I have failed in life and failed in my service to Him.....that I have laboured in vain....and pleading to be purged and healed, forgiven and cleansed to the roots of my being, and made useful in His kingdom with what time I have left on earth.  And not to mention that it would be dreadful to stand before Him on judgment day with shortcomings.  So in conclusion  I encourage us all to consider this terrible long, desolate, oh-so-dry season in the wilderness as an answer to prayer and desire for righteousness.  Praise the name of the Lord, for He alone is worthy!  His will be done, amen.
 

Edited October 21, 2019 by Heleadethme

[Heleadethme]

On 10/20/2019 at 8:25 AM, Jubilea said:

Well said.

2 Chronicles 7:14  If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (emphasis, mine)

Amen! 

[Adam777]

17 minutes ago, Prodigal Son said:

Feminism is cancer to society, slowly killing it in an insidious fashion.

What society, the one that killed the Lord and His Apostles..

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

 

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

 

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this worldare become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

[TraceMalin]

On 10/17/2019 at 12:15 PM, Equippers said:

I remember i was on this other Christian forum about 2 years ago. i was kicked off the forum among many reasons (some legitimate which i accept)

but one accusation i got from a moderator there was i misogynistic

i never received a proper explanation on how i was misogynistic.

but one of the things i have posted on that forum at the time was mine misgiving about the metoo movement

how the movement promote this idea all allegations of sexual misconduct should not just be taken seriously as in an impartial and thorough investigation must be carried out. But all allegation must be believed as in taken at face value. Which goes against  the fundamental legal principle (which i believe is also a Christian principle) that is a person is innocent until proven guilty.

not to mention as human beings, we all have sinful nature, and that means false allegations do happens.

i have heard on many US college campus, metoo movements means proper procedures when investigating complaints have been set aside. which have resulted in young men being wrongfully accused and got kicked out of school etc

anyway, i am rambling on a bit, but i have always wondered whether that staff member on that Christian forum is a feminist, and want to shut down opinions that are different from His, even though it does not violate the forums rules.

anyway, so what is your guys' opinion on the current state of feminism and what is your opinion of men's rights movement?

Due process of law is of paramount importance in a just and ordered society. Increasingly, young people are being taught the Machiavellian, "the ends justifies the means" attitude. This, especially from a leftist mindset.

Like John Wayne, I always thought I was a liberal. He once said,"I have found a certain type calls himself a Liberal...Now I always thought I was a Liberal. I came up terribly surprised one time when I found out that I was a Right-Wing Conservative Extremist, when I listened to everybody's point of view that I ever met, and then decided how I should feel. But this so-called new Liberal group, (expletive removed), they never listen to your point of view."

I thought of myself as a liberal in the sense of the Renaissance, French Revolution, American Revolution, and being open-minded to discovering truth over tradition. I'm registered as an independent voter and I've voted exactly 50% Democrat and 50% Republican in Presidential elections. Jesus, Himself, was more liberal than parochial. Today's liberals are no longer liberals. They've moved so far left that they are socialists at best, anarchists at worse. Machiavellian, "the ends justifies the means" attitude is taking over politics and the media. Leftism has become rebellion with too many causes and a poor understanding of the issues. Out of the chaos has emerged a lack of due process. Social media has given unchecked weight to voices. When what we read and what we saw once carried the weight of editorial review, now any voice in Twitter carries the weight of a Faulkner or a Hemingway. 

I've dated women who were victims of real rape. When I lived in Miami, I met a girl I'll call "Rebecca" scuba diving in Islamorada in the Keys. She had been a model, but had been raped when she showed up for a gig. She quit modeling and went into the H.R. field for a successful Miami restaurant. She was so traumatized, sex was out of the question. She appreciated dating me because I was willing to not have sex with her, and I saw her for the beautiful girl she was on the inside and not just a pretty face and fit body. Sometimes, we'd be kissing and then she'd just need to curl up in a ball, lie on my lap, and cry, while I stroked her hair. One of the loves of my life, Susan, was a flight attendant who died of cancer. She had been hit over the head while in college and dragged into the bushes and gang raped by three or four Spanish-speaking males. They forced her onto her face and beat her severely so she didn't remember much due to the beating and her level of intoxication walking back to her dorm from a party. The model never reported her rape because she felt like it would be too much of a burden to prove and she was afraid of losing her career at the time. Susan reported hers, but the perpetrators were never caught. 

While the #MeToo might have empowered Rebecca to come forward, there is also the danger of false accusations. 

I was accused of rape myself. I dated a girl I'll call, "Holly," who, at first, seemed perfect for me. She was a bookworm journalism major while I majored in English. At that time in my life, I was most attracted to petite blondes and she was 5'2" and 98 lbs. She was a well-bred Christian girl from old Southern money. Her grandfather had been a very famous and powerful man. They had TV evangelists over for dinner. She was crazy about me and I really loved her, but after a while, I became unsatisfied. Anyway, I decided to break it off. Weeks later, I felt bad about breaking her heart and I just wanted to let her know I still cared about her even if things weren't going to work in the long run. She responded, "I can't believe you are talking to me after what you did to me." I apologized for breaking her heart. She replied, "Not that! The fact that you raped me!" (Paraphrasing)

"Raped you? We never even had sex."

"Yeah. But, you wanted to. That's coercion."

"What? How?"

"That time you tried."

"You mean the time I started kissing my way down your stomach and I asked you if you wanted me to stop and you said, 'Yes. No. I don't know ...' Then, when you said, 'Okay. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Stop. I'm not ready,' and I stopped?"

"Yes! That's rape! I learned that in my gender studies class. I asked my professor about it. I made myself clear when I said, 'No.'" 

"'Yes. No. I don't know,' was clear?"

"You should have known what I wanted."

"Let me get this straight. You and I dated for two semesters. We never had a fight. We never said a hurtful thing to one another. I treated you like gold. I love you and showed you nothing, but love and tenderness. Yes. I wanted to have sex with you. I was in love with you and you're hot. That night I stopped as soon as you knew you wanted to stay a virgin. I never penetrated you or threatened you. I did nothing but go slowly and want to please you. How is that rape?"

"Because ... you broke my heart!"

This was 30 years ago in VA where there is no statute of limitations on sexual assault. Can we please keep due process in the age of #MeToo?

Now, my grandparents who were staunch Christians would say, "See. This is what we warned you about and why you should wait to get married to have sex." Yes, they are right. But, sadly today, men are falsely accused of marital rape, and worse, molestation of their children by their ex-wives in angry divorces and custody battles. 

Courts are imperfect and the truth doesn't always come out, but it's so easy to make a false accusation that can ruin a life. 

Edited October 21, 2019 by TraceMalin

[Heleadethme]

On 10/21/2019 at 10:36 AM, TraceMalin said:

Due process of law is of paramount importance in a just and ordered society. Increasingly, young people are being taught the Machiavellian, "the ends justifies the means" attitude. This, especially from a leftist mindset.

Like John Wayne, I always thought I was a liberal. He once said,"I have found a certain type calls himself a Liberal...Now I always thought I was a Liberal. I came up terribly surprised one time when I found out that I was a Right-Wing Conservative Extremist, when I listened to everybody's point of view that I ever met, and then decided how I should feel. But this so-called new Liberal group, (expletive removed), they never listen to your point of view."

I thought of myself as a liberal in the sense of the Renaissance, French Revolution, American Revolution, and being open-minded to discovering truth over tradition. I'm registered as an independent voter and I've voted exactly 50% Democrat and 50% Republican in Presidential elections. Jesus, Himself, was more liberal than parochial. Today's liberals are no longer liberals. They've moved so far left that they are socialists at best, anarchists at worse. Machiavellian, "the ends justifies the means" attitude is taking over politics and the media. Leftism has become rebellion with too many causes and a poor understanding of the issues. Out of the chaos has emerged a lack of due process. Social media has given unchecked weight to voices. When what we read and what we saw once carried the weight of editorial review, now any voice in Twitter carries the weight of a Faulkner or a Hemingway. 

I've dated women who were victims of real rape. When I lived in Miami, I met a girl I'll call "Rebecca" scuba diving in Islamorada in the Keys. She had been a model, but had been raped when she showed up for a gig. She quit modeling and went into the H.R. field for a successful Miami restaurant. She was so traumatized, sex was out of the question. She appreciated dating me because I was willing to not have sex with her, and I saw her for the beautiful girl she was on the inside and not just a pretty face and fit body. Sometimes, we'd be kissing and then she'd just need to curl up in a ball, lie on my lap, and cry, while I stroked her hair. One of the loves of my life, Susan, was a flight attendant who died of cancer. She had been hit over the head while in college and dragged into the bushes and gang raped by three or four Spanish-speaking males. They forced her onto her face and beat her severely so she didn't remember much due to the beating and her level of intoxication walking back to her dorm from a party. The model never reported her rape because she felt like it would be too much of a burden to prove and she was afraid of losing her career at the time. Susan reported hers, but the perpetrators were never caught. 

While the #MeToo might have empowered Rebecca to come forward, there is also the danger of false accusations. 

I was accused of rape myself. I dated a girl I'll call, "Holly," who, at first, seemed perfect for me. She was a bookworm journalism major while I majored in English. At that time in my life, I was most attracted to petite blondes and she was 5'2" and 98 lbs. She was a well-bred Christian girl from old Southern money. Her grandfather had been a very famous and powerful man. They had TV evangelists over for dinner. She was crazy about me and I really loved her, but after a while, I became unsatisfied. Anyway, I decided to break it off. Weeks later, I felt bad about breaking her heart and I just wanted to let her know I still cared about her even if things weren't going to work in the long run. She responded, "I can't believe you are talking to me after what you did to me." I apologized for breaking her heart. She replied, "Not that! The fact that you raped me!" (Paraphrasing)

"Raped you? We never even had sex."

"Yeah. But, you wanted to. That's coercion."

"What? How?"

"That time you tried."

"You mean the time I started kissing my way down your stomach and I asked you if you wanted me to stop and you said, 'Yes. No. I don't know ...' Then, when you said, 'Okay. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Stop. I'm not ready,' and I stopped?"

"Yes! That's rape! I learned that in my gender studies class. I asked my professor about it. I made myself clear when I said, 'No.'" 

"'Yes. No. I don't know,' was clear?"

"You should have known what I wanted."

"Let me get this straight. You and I dated for two semesters. We never had a fight. We never said a hurtful thing to one another. I treated you like gold. I love you and showed you nothing, but love and tenderness. Yes. I wanted to have sex with you. I was in love with you and you're hot. That night I stopped as soon as you knew you wanted to stay a virgin. I never penetrated you or threatened you. I did nothing but go slowly and want to please you. How is that rape?"

"Because ... you broke my heart!"

This was 30 years ago in VA where there is no statute of limitations on sexual assault. Can we please keep due process in the age of #MeToo?

Now, my grandparents who were staunch Christians would say, "See. This is what we warned you about and why you should wait to get married to have sex." Yes, they are right. But, sadly today, men are falsely accused of marital rape, and worse, molestation of their children by their ex-wives in angry divorces and custody battles. 

Courts are imperfect and the truth doesn't always come out, but it's so easy to make a false accusation that can ruin a life. 

Yes, we don't want anyone falsely accused or having to face consequences for something they didn't do...that would be unjust.  And God is not unjust...He is against injustices.

But your experiences sadly go to show what a prevalent problem sexual abuse is....and to think that is only the tip of the iceberg of all that is perpetrated against women and children in this world.  It's no wonder the wrath of God is going to be revealed against the wicked.  Marriage is God's way of restricting lust from having free reign....He is a wise God.  I encourage you to seek the Lord while He may be found....the longer I live the more I observe that He is so right....about absolutely everything.  It would be so nice to meet you in heaven one day...and your grandparents would be overjoyed.  This little life is so short, and full of trouble for most..... and there is all eternity to enjoy for those who will seek Jesus and open their hearts to Him.  May the Lord bless you with His salvation.

[Adam777]

36 minutes ago, Heleadethme said:

Yes, we don't want anyone falsely accused or having to face consequences for something they didn't do...that would be unjust.  And God is not unjust...He is against injustices.

But your experiences sadly go to show what a prevalent problem sexual abuse is....and to think that is only the tip of the iceberg of all that is perpetrated against women and children in this world.  It's no wonder the wrath of God is going to be revealed against the wicked.  Marriage is God's way of restricting lust from having free reign....He is a wise God.  I encourage you to seek the Lord while He may be found....the longer I live the more I observe that He is so right....about absolutely everything.  It would be so nice to meet you in heaven one day...and your grandparents would be overjoyed.  This little life is so short, and full of trouble for most..... and there is all eternity to enjoy for those who will seek Jesus and open their hearts to Him.  May the Lord bless you with His salvation.

Women are made wonderfully by the Lord, and those with the peace of Christ in them will have all ability to hear the weakness and darkness in the words of the uncharitable,who consider Christ layed His sinless life down for them, while they are busy sinning and accusing, when it is satan that is the accuser that is cast down.

 

Only those who also lay their lives down can know the love of God, and instead of hating on anybody else, begin to love them, as love defeats all that love is not, and for anyone to really open their hearts to him, they need to be that example the Lord gave u, of a lady who had her heart opened by the Lord, to help in the cause of the Lord, which is every just cause..

 

Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

[lftc]

3 hours ago, Heleadethme said:

He is a wise God.  I encourage you to seek the Lord while He may be found....the longer I live the more I observe that He is so right....about absolutely everything

Yes.  And he spoke to the issue of Law governing these things many times.  Who is listening?

[lftc]

On 10/20/2019 at 5:10 PM, LadyKay said:

There's a men's right movement?

Contrary to other statements here, a simple search reveals that there is such a thing.  I know nothing about it.

[TraceMalin]

20 minutes ago, lftc said:

Contrary to other statements here, a simple search reveals that there is such a thing.  I know nothing about it.

I first heard about the MRM when I watched this documentary: The Red Pill Movie

Edited October 22, 2019 by TraceMalin

[ReneeIW]

11 minutes ago, lftc said:

Contrary to other statements here, a simple search reveals that there is such a thing.  I know nothing about it.

Oh, there have been groups of men gathering and referring to themselves as “men’s right movements” for decades in order to raise money. 

I thought LadyKay was inquiring about whether or not there was a legitimate movement that was being covered in the press, enacting change and producing results. Or a movement based on legitimate issues that need to be addressed.

 

Whatever  men’s movement is going on is not a real thing. And the #Metoo movement has not gone far enough. There are still women being threatened with prison and bankruptcy, among other things, if they come forward.