[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by OBW

And, in some sense, it is my nature. If everything is as I think it should be, I am happy that others are saying it. No need to pile on.

But when I think there is something being missed. . . .

Yeah. I know. It often comes across as "whatever did you think you were saying."

In this case, I understood CMW quite well. And without complaint. She was knocking the LSM down from their high-horse as THE publisher of THE ONLY MINISTRY OF GOD. And I applaud her for that.

You WHAT ???

The problem is the rest of us as we read. For us who have been out for some time now, it is not such an issue (at least not in all cases). But for those still inside, or only barely out, the mind is too polluted by the LRC/LSM garbage that makes any kind of "church organization," or for that matter "organization" as essentially against the tenets of scripture.

Got it. But if they were to take an honest look at their organization which it is, they would have to acknowledge they ARE a religious business organization because they have a board of directors, they get tax exemptions, they sell their publications and charge $$ to their "trainings".

Was the early church a business organization? I hope not! The church is the Body of Christ with Christ (GOD) as the Head & His Spirit guiding us, teaching us, enlightening us, anointing us through His Word and His speaking to our spirits.

Then, add to it that I needed that tongue-in-cheek smiley (that they don't have) when I suggested that she had just insulted so many good Christian/church organizations by suggesting that they were on the same level as the LSM. But if I were Lifeway Bookstore, Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade (or whatever it is called), or any other number of Christian organizations, I would have been somewhat insulted to be lowered to the level of the LSM (wink, wink, nod, nod, say no more )

It is 'funny' but actually it is sad. It is sad because the LSM through Lee elevated itself as being better 'than thou'.

That said, Revelation 2 & 3 points out the problems in the church that exist to this day among all believers.

I found this telling but sad interview in the Blaze, by Ted Haggard, a former mega church 'star'.

Here is an excerpt:

When Bill Bright led me to the Lord when I was 16, I learned that I had become a new creature, a new person, and that I did not need to be concerned about anything in my past, that it was all covered by the blood.”

But Haggard said that his past was still impacting his life.

In the end, the former megapastor claimed that his Christian training was delivered by people who didn’t respect the mental health and neural science professions. This translated, he wrote, into a counterproductive situation, as he was taught to view all issues as being entirely spiritual in nature.

“If I prayed and fasted, I was more tempted. If I just worked in ministry, I experienced relief and was not tempted,” Haggard continued. “I thought it was spiritual warfare. It was not. My struggle was easily explained by a competent therapeutic team.”

Haggard said that he believes wholeheartedly in the Bible, but that Christianity has “abandoned the application of the gospel” and that, as a result, too much time is spent on image management and damage control.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/16/ex-megapastor-ted-haggard-says-something-is-very-wrong-in-christian-culture-following-pastor-isaac-hunters-suicide/

Come Lord Jesus. The sooner, the better!

Blessings all,
Carol