Blast from the Past

Funny, I didn't picture you are the rebellious type - LOL

 

only with my ears

 

I do understand what you are saying. I just think if someone is gonna be picky, I'd rather know before rather than later.

 

Yup - I'd rather know right up front if they are adding man-made rules to the word of God, and as someone said, they need to know right up front is I am not going to comply.

 

You may disagree with other believers, but that is your right. The groups took the Scriptures, they made some interpretations and applications, and when they were approached by others for their time, experiance or funds, they made requirements.

You may have disagreed but none of us have no right to go to them requesting something while at the same time rejecting their requirements.

The point I was trying to make is this - if you want to fly, join the airforce. If you want to sail, join the navy.

If you want the above requirements on your life, join those groups, if you do not want those requirements on you, do not join.

 

I remember one statement from when I was entering the ministry: "IF you can do anything else, do it..."

It seems that years ago, candidates for the mission field, had so much visible compassion for Christ and the mission, there were few questions to ask. The Bible colleges were solid and the training complete.

I don't see the same compassion to-day as we did 50 years ago. There are always a few exceptions, but this is my opinion from my own observations.

Cheers,

Jim

 

But the message I'm getting is this: If you want to fly, join the air force. If you want to sail, join the navy. If you lived a squeeky clean life and want to be judged about your ability to be a Christian witness by a bunch of man-made rules, apply to be a missionary.

The first two make sense. That last one doesn't.

The last one should be "Do you want to dedicate this portion of your life, if not all of it, to helping people and sharing the Gospel? Apply to be a missionary." But I, for one, can answer from personal experience by saying, "That's what I wanted, and I did apply, but I was rejected every time because I didn't meet the man-made standards of the missionary organizations."

 

Been there, done that, got that footprint on my backside.

Nevertheless...

You have to allow them the same liberty to interpret the Bible that you claim for yourself. One day they expect to stand before God and answer for what they've done. If they have convictions against this or that, and they supported it anyway, such a judgment would be a fearful thing.

Besides, no one can stop you from fulfilling God's will for your life except you.

 

Well, that and God has His plans, not mine, and I've learned since then that I'd rather go with His, anyway.

But I occasionally still use this in my computer bio: NP is intimately familiar with mission critical applications. He tried to get involved in missions but they were too critical of his applications.

 

"Been there, done that,...etc."
How about being truthful?
You certanly have a lot of experience and express yourself very eloquently for an eight year old (who according to BB rules cannot post on this board). So which is it? If there isn't truth in your profile, are we to trust what you post?

 

I looked at the profile and it says 9 years old. Maybe he made a mistake and fixed it.

 

No, he turned 9 at midnight. Today is his birthday.

 

There is clearly a mistake someplace - pipedude says he was saved in 1969, so I guess we can trust his veracity.

I guess these kind fo questionnaires are helpful to help clear the waters.

 

I didn't notice that gem buried down there.

Birthdate: 1998
Age: 9

Those are the two things that show up first and somewhat most prominent. It's kind of hard to be born again in 1969 when you are only born in 1998. :laugh:

 

When we switched over to the new BB format, I remember a lot of folks had trouble with their birthdates. (lots of 29 year olds) Maybe Pipedude did too and just didn't know he did

 

This is cool I get lots of free attention on my birthday and I didn't even plan it this way.

Here's the scoop. I don't care to disclose my age (although I readily admit that I'm old, fat, and tired). But the system wouldn't let me register without a birthdate, if I remember correctly. So I chose one that would mislead nobody, so honesty is not an issue, since no one would suppose that the number was accurate.

And DHK, if you still wonder "If there isn't truth in your profile, are we to trust what you post?", the answer is, Of course not! This is the Internet. For all you know, I'm actually a Jesuit from a Chick tract sent here to undermine the forces of anabaptism.

 

When we switched over to the new BB format, I remember a lot of folks had trouble with their birthdates. (lots of 29 year olds) Maybe Pipedude did too and just didn't know he did
----------------------------------------------

Yeppers, Bitsy, I had trouble with profile thingy....Fact is, I haven't a clue wot mine reads and don't even know how to get to it. I even got two photos for the price of one....I tried to change the young bloke for a more up to date character....ended up with both!!!!!

Cheers,

Jim

 

The scriptures

I hope you don't mind if I butt in here, but I really think the scriptures will give you a godly perspective on this. I earnestly think the following should be our attitude concerning these things:

1Co 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1Co 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1Co 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.


It is hard (almost impossible) to get to the mission field without support from many churches. This may mean you need to hold yourself to a higher standard of living that you may not believe is necessary. Still, in the end; what does it hurt to me extra conservative?

 

The system may require a birthdate, but it does not require it to be public. It gives you the option of making it public or private. That was your choice at the time of registration.

Everything that is in my profile is true. There is no required information that is missing, and no information that contradicts any other information. If you are a Christian, it is Christ that holds you to a higher standard than the rest of the world. It is not ethical to say one thing on one line and then contradict yourself on another, which is in effect lying. Now, if there is an honest mistake that was made or as some suggested a computer glitch in the system, that is another story and an apology may be in order. But you have in two different places: birthdate (1998), and age (9), which clearly contradicts the statement: "God saved me in 1969." So where does the truth lie?

Happy birthday. But which birthday are you celebrating? You don't have to answer that, (if you don't want to disclose your age), except to say that the info concerning the birthdate and age is clearly wrong. Why is it a big deal? Because there is a minimum age for members to join this board.

I also will question such people who put down as their denomination "Baptist" and their home church as "Pentecostal." I believe honesty and truth ought to go together, and one's profile should reflect that.

 

I assume you meant "be extra conservative". I don't really know what you mean by that. But I know it CAN hurt if they add man-made rules to your witness, because they're asking you to communicate the wrong message to those for whom you will be a witness. You're not a Christian or even a better Christian because you don't play cards or don't attend movies. God doesn't deliver you from playing cards or attending movies because these aren't sinful acts. Why communicate that false message to others?

I recall witnessing to a fellow in Missouri who was convinced that he'd have to give up smoking in order to accept Christ. Where do you suppose he got that idea? It's a rhetorical question. He told me. Someone said smoking was a sin because our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. That takes the verse totally out of context and communicates something absurd. And it was also a part of a bigger lie that he'd have to become sinless to accept Christ.

Then there's divorce, the unforgivable sin, which will get you booted out of consideration every time.

So, yes, I think it can hurt. Not necessarily, but it's possible.