I'm Truly Bothered!...is it me? or is something completely WRONG?

Comment

Comment by Cherlyn Kelly on December 22, 2008 at 9:01pm

Dear CeCe - I think it's Hezekial Walker that states that church has become such big business that it's forgotten about what it was called to do - and that's "soul business". It's okay as long as you have something to bring to the table and it comes packaged the way the man or woman of God wants it packaged. But what happens when you're "not quite the same" as the rest of the people - but believe you have powerful message to share that can help people know they're not alone in their suffering - that people understand them. And what about ministers that get up and teach and condemn people who suffer from mental illness by saying that it they're on prozac then they don't know Jesus - but if you have to take an aspirin or pain pill that's different - or if you have a heart condition or other ailment - you know Jesus - but not mental illness.

Didn't Jesus say he came to heal the brokenhearted, the oppressed and crushed in spirit. He came to give us life. I don't expect perfection out of ministers - they are only men and women - but what I do expect is that I not be pushed to the side and told I can't offer anything at the table because I don't come packaged like the rest of the congregation, or I'm not as pretty as the other people and the only want pretty people on the pulpit, or you don't have a degree so how can you know anything about anything - somewhere - somehow I don't ever rememeber Jesus having any degrees - even the Jewish pharisees condemned him for not having an education. We just have to pray that when it's time the Good Lord will open doors and places and give those of us room that have been through great ordeals in our lives in order that we can help other people coming behind us. Because if you haven't walked in my shoes how can you counsel me - how can you feel me - except that you are anointed by the Holy Spirit with the gift of empathy and compassion - the fruits of the Spirit. But I believe we all have a tesstimony in us to help someone else - it's just that it's a shame that most of us aren't allowed to use our gifts in the Church - because we don't belong to clique. God Bless you CeCe and know you're not wrong at all -

Comment by Celeste Wilson on December 15, 2008 at 4:18pm

Yes!! It seems that many of our leaders are operating with no conviction whatsoever....Is there conscience seared..or what?

Comment by Laura J on December 10, 2008 at 11:36pm

Preach Sis,

This reminds me of Eli and his sons Hophni and Phineas whom God told Samuel that he would curse the entire house. They were priests and they daily defiled the temple of the Lord and misused people and slept around and thought they could get away with it. He prevented their generation from living past the age of 98. What a slap in the face to God. Right?

The book of 1st Samuel continues to say that it is one thing to sin against each other, by which God can intercede, but if one sins against the Lord who can help them.

It is unfortunate but true that blessing and cursing used to flow through generational curses and now because of the gift of grace through faith in Jesus, it is a choice. If he is doing what you say he is there is nothing nor anyone who can pray that curse off of him.

Why do we think it is just ok to pray using Jesus' name when we are defaming His character? Where ist the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Mannnnnn.....Heartbreaking and really just shows that what is going on today is indicative of what took place in the old testament and new testament as well. Jesus called them "White washed walls"

Stay bothered girlie. Stay in tune to the Spirit of truth

Laura J

Comment by Pastor Mel on December 10, 2008 at 11:04pm

My Sister, My Sister, it's not you but Christ in U who is speaking to His church. Judgment must first begin at the House of God and whenever we don't judge ourselves we set ourselves up to be judged by God and others as well. You are so onto what has happened in the church while we slept at the wheel....we've turned God's House into 'ministry for entertainment purposes only.' Many ministries are not much more than businesses while others are not much more than jokes and this matter has God's full attention because of all the souls that we have manipulated, abused and destroyed while using His name. There's more than one way to take God's name in vain besides using curse words. We also take God's name in vain when we use His name to endorse our own selfish and fleshly desires in order to have more weight when we speak.This is only manipulation and sorcery in the name of Jesus! The church at large is in such a state of denial and confusion today. We confuse the temporary with the eternal, possessions with success, the emotional for the spiritual and crowds with churches. Long ago, the more seeker friendly we became and the more we were willing to water down the uncut word of God to draw in the bigger crowd; the more it seemed like the church was being impacted by the world rather than the world being impacted by the church. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church; not the crowd! Crowds are swiftly going to hell but His church is supposed to stand in place until He comes! Last week I had a conversation with an associate minister who insisted that he was only accountable to God. I begged to differ and shared with him that I was accountalbe to every part of our membership by virtue of my responsibilty as pastor. Not that I am THE model but because I am called to follow THE model who is Jesus, both my Lord and Savior. If I am in authority then I must be under authority or else my own authority is a false one. Lord save us from leaders who think that they don't have to give an account for anything that they do; this teaching is far from the scriptures and needs to be challenged on every front. I'm finding out more each day that when my God purchased me I lost the right to live for myself. Daily there is a cross with my name on it and though it never does look too appealing to my flesh, yet i know that it is the way of my Lord so it must be good enough for me.

I Just read a powerful book that I recommend to all concerned leaders: Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership, Gary McIntosh.

Psalm 139:23-24 is my personal plea; 23. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me , and know my thoughts; 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Stay BOTHERED my sister.....God is too!

Comment by Shuronda Cauley on December 10, 2008 at 4:55pm

No baby speak your mind...Cece I rarely even comment on blogs I just enjoy reading them but I had to comment on this topic...In my opinion Cece its wrong to be a man or a woman of the claw as they say and do any and everything behind closed doors. They are to be an example. I myself would be ashamed to even call myself a preacher, a leader, teacher ior an evangelist, etc...you get my point..Dont they know that they will be the first to be judged. That's why its so important that we pray & fast...as my mother always say...you better count up the cost because baby its a price to pay when you're truly truly sold out. The attacks come on every hand then. I'm not judging at all because God sees all and he knows all...most of all he knows our heart. Yes Cece something is completly wrong with that picture... And by all means we need to keep our leaders lifted up and covered in the blood daily.