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NeitherFirstnorLast · 12-15-2013, 08:57 AM

Good morning,

I wanted to write this morning to speak to the purpose of this particular thread; as it is something that the Lord had put on my heart to begin. I had started this thread with the burden that we don't spend right time on this forum in proper worship. Rather, a lot of time has been spent on this forum defending our calling out of LSM's Local Church movement; and little time really ministering to one another.

For those who come to visit that are still in LSM's LCs; there is little "sharing of our common faith", perhaps I might even say there is little evidence that our faith - the faith of those who've left - is actually stronger and not weaker since leaving. That our peace with God is not less but greater; our walk a better testimony to the genuineness of our faith than when we were amongst them. I started this thread as a ministry, I believe at the Lord's leading, to show them that indeed we are still Christians, not perfect but being perfected through trials by Him.

How is this done, if not by lecturing and exposing? Through proper heart-felt, mountain-moving worship. God is the one who turns hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. We can't do that. Jesus Christ is the one who gives sight to the blind and restores the withered hand of the diseased. Our Lord is the one who calls out the dead into eternal life. Saving people from false teachings and false teachers is His work, not mine... not any of ours... But if we pray together, if we worship together, if we stay in the Word together, perhaps He will have mercy. Perhaps He can use what we share to soften, to enlighten, to restore, and to enliven... After all, it is said "the prayers of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16)

The songs that I share here are the songs of saints. Genuine saints who were not ever a part of LSM's LC... and they're people undeniably touched by the Holy Spirit and converted. LSM would reject fellowship with them (unless they came and joined with them, and became like them); but this thread was started to prove that this should never be. This thread fights LSM's hypocritical sectarianism and explodes the lie that God only works in LSM brand LCs... the lie that grieves the Bridegroom by calling His Bride a Whore.

To that end, I offer this for all the saints as a reminder of what we are called to in Christ; by living out his example.. and a reminder as to who we were apart from His Grace.

***************************
Jesus Friend of Sinners<-- Link here.

Casting Crowns' frontman, Mark Hall wrote "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" to address the idea that the world knows those who follow the Christian faith more for what they oppose than what they support; he stated that the song is a "reminder that we need to do something about that". He also commented that, despite the use of "strong words"in the song to grab attention, the true focus of the song is the chorus, which calls the church to be more aware of the world and to let their hearts be "led by mercy". While Hall noted the song was "one of the more direct songs [Casting Crowns] have written",he said that "it also speaks truth. And I think believers should speak truth to each other as long as we do it in love". Additionally, Hall noted that the band isn't simply criticizing others within the church with the song; he commented the first verse of the song speaks about himself.

"...the world can't see Christ in us because we're too busy pointing our fingers at each other; at other believers. The unity and love that Christ spoke of in His church isn't there as it should be." - Jennie.

12-15-2013, 08:57 AM	#19
NeitherFirstnorLast Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 348	The Purpose of This Thread Good morning, I wanted to write this morning to speak to the purpose of this particular thread; as it is something that the Lord had put on my heart to begin. I had started this thread with the burden that we don't spend right time on this forum in proper worship. Rather, a lot of time has been spent on this forum defending our calling out of LSM's Local Church movement; and little time really ministering to one another. For those who come to visit that are still in LSM's LCs; there is little "sharing of our common faith", perhaps I might even say there is little evidence that our faith - the faith of those who've left - is actually stronger and not weaker since leaving. That our peace with God is not less but greater; our walk a better testimony to the genuineness of our faith than when we were amongst them. I started this thread as a ministry, I believe at the Lord's leading, to show them that indeed we are still Christians, not perfect but being perfected through trials by Him. How is this done, if not by lecturing and exposing? Through proper heart-felt, mountain-moving worship. God is the one who turns hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. We can't do that. Jesus Christ is the one who gives sight to the blind and restores the withered hand of the diseased. Our Lord is the one who calls out the dead into eternal life. Saving people from false teachings and false teachers is His work, not mine... not any of ours... But if we pray together, if we worship together, if we stay in the Word together, perhaps He will have mercy. Perhaps He can use what we share to soften, to enlighten, to restore, and to enliven... After all, it is said "the prayers of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16) The songs that I share here are the songs of saints. Genuine saints who were not ever a part of LSM's LC... and they're people undeniably touched by the Holy Spirit and converted. LSM would reject fellowship with them (unless they came and joined with them, and became like them); but this thread was started to prove that this should never be. This thread fights LSM's hypocritical sectarianism and explodes the lie that God only works in LSM brand LCs... the lie that grieves the Bridegroom by calling His Bride a Whore. To that end, I offer this for all the saints as a reminder of what we are called to in Christ; by living out his example.. and a reminder as to who we were apart from His Grace. ************************* Jesus Friend of Sinners**<-- Link here. Casting Crowns' frontman, Mark Hall wrote "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" to address the idea that the world knows those who follow the Christian faith more for what they oppose than what they support; he stated that the song is a "reminder that we need to do something about that". He also commented that, despite the use of "strong words"in the song to grab attention, the true focus of the song is the chorus, which calls the church to be more aware of the world and to let their hearts be "led by mercy". While Hall noted the song was "one of the more direct songs [Casting Crowns] have written",he said that "it also speaks truth. And I think believers should speak truth to each other as long as we do it in love". Additionally, Hall noted that the band isn't simply criticizing others within the church with the song; he commented the first verse of the song speaks about himself. "...the world can't see Christ in us because we're too busy pointing our fingers at each other; at other believers. The unity and love that Christ spoke of in His church isn't there as it should be." - Jennie.