Could it also be the "Yeah, I know the worship is mediocre, but I will pass it off on your weakness and play however long and drawn out I want with no thought of quality vs quantity" worship leader? lol :) I guess you would know which one it is based on the pastor. If in every sermon he or she makes a statement about how we are not there to judge the music but to worship God, you probably have Type 2. :)
Our worship leader actually told us that if it was "too tough to stand for the entire worship set" we could feel free to sit. Out of fear we would be seen as weak, of course we all stood. I think that would be something darker than a "black" belt...Midnight Belt? Moonless Night Belt? I dunno.
Oh how I would love to write volumes on this subject. I will do all of you a favor and keep it brief. ;) My current marriage is the end result of the sin of which you speak. I was not what you would consider a "Christian" when the affair began. My spouse DID consider themself to be. Many tragedies and traumas occured in each of our lives prior to the affair and since. The end result is a long-term marriage that provides a stable environment for 2 children who desperately needed one. I am not in any way condoning what was done. I am trying to say that God will work ALL things for good. Please, know that if you never have an affair,it is by God's grace that you were saved from that (or given the character to avoid it). If you know someone who HAS, please be filled with God's grace in dealing with them. Judgement is His. God bless you, Jon. Thanks for this post :).
Oh, Lyli I soooo agree. Great observation!
"Vengeance is MINE, sayeth the Lord." And ours is to love thy neighbor (read ALL neighbors. All sinful, fallen neighbors...mirrors of our own sinfulness we sometimes refuse to see) as we do ourselves. I am with you, Jon. Too loving? Too graceful? No such creature exists.
Me too, Rebecca! I feel as though I am in the fight of my life right now to just be "normal." Realizing I am not alone in that fight is incredible in terms of being able to go on. Just this morning I said to a friend that God must be so devastated when we are at our lowest moments. "Can't you see this battle is mine? Don't you know how much I love you? Have I not shown you time and time again??" Hang in there, kid. :) (Oh, and you are beautiful right where you are ;)
Thank you, Stacie. I alwys tell the church to use it "wherever." I always thought the very same thing you described. I really appreciate that you verified that for me :)
Ole'!! Love her, love this. It brought me to tears. Sweet relief! Thank you, Jon. Spot on as always, and perfect timing for me. This should be mandatory viewing for every human. It is NOT about ME.
The gift of grace. (Oh, and those coconut nests from Russel Stover that are sinfully delicious in their artificially colored green splendor. Yummy!)
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Thingamajig