I am truly glad you are happy! I tryed Calling you twice, talked to your sweet wife once. I know you are a Possitive Thinker. Take the time to call people by there name, and I love that in you.
However, I am a memeber of the Lords church and feel comeplled to talk to you about a few things.
Quote:
"Actually, the AG has not changed its stand on divorce and remarriage but now allow divorced and remarried to be credentialed if their divorce occured because the following: (1) Pre-Conversion divorce (Does not a person still need to Repent? Living with another man's wife is still wrong if its not a Scriptural Divorse Matt. 19:9(2) Deception at the time of marriage(Where is the scripture for this?)(3) Abandonment by an unbeliever (4) Adultry in the marriage"
C7 I would have just as much trouble withone these being wrong, as I would with ALL them being wrong.
I guess you can say I am not as happy as you are about preaching for the AG.
I am sorry if this Offends you, I don't mean for it to, I want it to be taken in the love it was intended.
I understand your stance. I was baptized in the Church of Christ. The one that I went to saw Pentecostal as demon possessed.I'm not sure if that is the view tha tall of these take or not. In Nov. of 75 I joined the service. I was totaly backslidden. EVery word out of my mouth filth. I lived to be high. It was so bad that in Sept of 76 the military let me know I was no longer wanted and would be getting a medical discharge and would be leaving.BEfore exiting, I was to go on a 30 day war game at the Eglin Airforce Base. I was in the infantry and stationed at Fort Stewart ,GA.
While in the field I felt drawn to read my New Testament from cover to cover. I did. It took the entire time. At the end of the last week my sergeacnt moved me in a tent with a little soldier. From the conversatin I realized he was gay. Isensed in my heart to sleep outside and give him the entire tent ..I did. About a couple hours later something wonderful happened that I'll never forget/
As I was laying there In my dummy slleeing bag...my inner man {Conscience } whatever said, "Look out the sleeping bag and tell me what you see." I ignored it.After 2 more times to satisfy my conscience, I unzipped the bag and looked out. And this is what I saw..I saw with my eyes wide open the Lord Jesus Christ. His robe was white with 2 sashes over each shoulder...I put my head back in the bag becasue I was ashamed because of my sin..It was very sobering..I was actually wishing it wasn't real for I was undone. The inner voice said "Look again." I did, and He was still there and glanced at me. I later hid my face again .I wanted like crazy to be a Christian now but did not have the power..
At this time a Charismatic Catholic had been sowing seeds in my life. Two weeks later he encouraged me to run to Chapel 2 and seek God.I did. When I arrived I saw a fair skinned black man praying in a corner. I had a pack of cigerettes in my pocket and went to the alter.I said.."God help me" .."Amen." and started to walk out.
The black man with a glowing face said ,"Isn't Jesus wonderful?" I said,"I guess." I then noticed the huge amount of peace and joy on his face.I said ."Man, how long have you been like that." He said ."About 5 months, I was prayed for and receved the gift of the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues." All of sudden the Church of Christ teaching arose in my heart..DEMON..DEMON . But deep in my heart I sensed something telling me ..that is no demon. And. I was desperate. He said,"Would you like me to pray with you?" I said, "Yes" and nothing happpened..except a warm peace in my heart.
Two weeks later while I was playing Have you been washed in the blood. five black guys stood in front of me calling me a fool. I felt VERY nervous.I could hardly keep the pick from shaking out of my hand. God is my witness here.In my heart I heard my inner voice say,"Keep on playing for me son." I glanced up at the black fellows and a BRIGHT WHITE LIGHT was between them and I . MY inner voice said,"THAT DOESN'T BELONG THERE." I looked again..it was still there and I shouted "Oh My God!" My words were not enough to express the power and the glory for what was taking place...SO I hit the floor hard on my knees opened my mouth and honestly spoke in pure tongues..for about 45 seconds.The 5 went backwards..saying "DON'T ever make fun of him again." This is serious stuff man."
In the next 14 months the military had changed their mind. I was given 3 ranks {And made the Executive Officer's personal jeep driver..I got pics} after 14 months I was later sent to the Honor Guard in Washington D.C. under President Carter. I worked in the Arlington Cemetary and was part of The Old Guard. I no longer drank, cussed and had smashed all my worldly music.
When I went home my Church of Christ elder who I thought would be elated said.."I'm sorry Chuck, since you are in the wrong church you are still going to Hell." That was my last contactwith him.
So yep, I understand where you are coming from.
Have a great day ,
Chuck7
Also,
The Assembly of God does not hand out credentials to every Tom ,Dick and Harry. This is why I mentioned steps..I may not even get through step 2 . However; I will do whatever they tell me to get them..if it's possible that I can get them.
If it means going back and taking extra courses..I'll do it..If it means cleaning toilets for 2 years..I'll do it. If it woul dmeanto stop huntng for 2 years I'd do it.
IF the district says No...I plan to get plugged into an Assembly anyway..and I can acceptNO as well.NO does not mean that I'm a failure..but that God has a different plan .I found an Assembly that I plan to conmtinueto attend.,a little country church not far from where I hunt. But before I throw myself in I'm waiting for the district's councel.They may know a church that would love a zealous old man..
"Promotion does not come from the east nor the west, promotion cometh from the Lord."
Don't know you that well Chuck, but you seem like a guy who would be a good pastor. We'll pray for you that you are given the opportunity to answer God's call. Whatever happens, remember that God is still with you and will find some way for you to serve.
__________________
Proud parents of our own "Daddy's Little Girls"
I heard Jesus He drank wine and I bet we'd get along just fine.
Chuck, just let go and let God. If it's in the plan, He will make the way. I've went through that over twenty years ago and this subject is very dear to my heart. Don't let religion dictate what God mandates. Many will come in the name of the Lord professing to know what God has put in your heart, but listen to God, not to men.
I was baptized in the Church of Christ.(Really, very interesting)
The one that I went to saw Pentecostal as demon possessed.(I don't believe that, and I don't think the scriptures teach it. I don't know how anyone today would discern Demon's)
When I went home my Church of Christ elder who I thought would be elated said.."I'm sorry Chuck, since you are in the wrong church you are still going to Hell."(An Elder in the Lord's church should have have been more tackful. I can'timagine him handlinga situation like that.)
How long had it been from the time you were Baptized into Christ and you started Cussing, Drinking, Drugs till you had the experiences?
About your Experiences really not much to say.
My thoughts about them are Maybe the Drugs Lasting effects, With a lot of Emotionalism, its nothing I am Familiarly with. Or as the Bible teaches God could have sent One or Both of us a Strong Delusion that we might believe a Lie(I am sure their are some here who believe just that)
C7 as always you handled yourself very well. I pray I have done the same.
For C7 With Love
