Hi Ron,
Thanks for your response, I agree that the churches do have a purpose and it is not my intention to bash the people who are still walking in the moonlight. Once the Lord begins to open our eyes to His real plan and purpose for His creation why would we continue to expose ourselves to the half truths and outright lies that are so predominate there?
The reason I started this thread and the "Neighborhood Watch" topic was that when the Lord calls us out of Babylon sharing His sacred secrets with us in regard to the infinite Love which is God, how could we sit silent as He is being portrayed in the pulpit as impotent, mean, cruel, unforgiving, a torturer of children and the elderly, and unable to create perfection even as He wills it. I could not bear hearing untruths about my family and friends week after week, how could one listen to these things about our Lord and Saviour?
Hello Peggy,
I do believe that you are right on target with your observations, this is what I remembered about the Catholic churches I attended as a youth, the SDA church for the couple years I was there and especially the Baptist church I attended at my wife's prompting a little over 2 years ago.
At that time she had attended this church (alone) for maybe 3 years, she was in the choir and a couple women's study groups and volunteered for many of the functions, she would drag me over there for some of the activities but I always couldn't wait to get away.
About a week or two before I stumbled onto Bible Truths I had finally given in to her requests to start attending with her, I would just sit and read my bible through the little skits, talent shows, announcements, and requests for $$$ to fund some pet project or other. I had noticed that in this approximate hour at the church about 6 to 8 minutes was actually devoted to His Word, maybe that was the pastor's way of tithing the church's time to God.
I think it was my 4th or 5th visit to this church when the 2 compartments of hell business came up, I had been consuming Ray's papers like a man might consume water after spending a few dry days in the desert, anyway my groans could be heard 5 or 6 pews away as this heresy was being spoken. I was muttering "chapter and verse please?" My wife was elbowing me in the ribs as I continued to moan and ask questions out loud, I sure got an earful in the parking lot as my wife was REALLY UPSET with my behaviour, I told her, "then I imagine you won't mind the fact that I am never going back."
Needless to say she was not overly enthusiastic about Bible Truths and L. Ray Smith!
My wife bemoaned the fact that it took her years to get me to attend with her and it took Bible Truths a week or two to get me back out.
Well, now my wife no longer attends, the hypocrisy, the cliques, the insatiable money demands (or offerings if you prefer) that were asked for in public to help shame the members into giving over and above the tithes. Although she reads her bible daily and we do discuss many things she still is not convinced about the Truths I have come to embrace. God has a plan for her and in His time it will be done.
Sorry for getting a bit long winded here....
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe