Here are some things which must be done before one leaves a church: 1. We must check our motives very carefully. 2. Our reasons must be well grounded and clearly articulated. 3. We must be in regular, earnest prayer about the matter. 4. We must guard our tongues very carefully. 5. We must be extremely careful that we do not unnecessarily create unrest in other members. 6. Our discussions with the leadership must be characterized by love. 7. Our attempts to correct matters must be with great respect, care and patience. 8. If our concern is over personal preferences, rather than biblical matters, we must consider others’ interests more important than ours. 9. Great care should be taken that we submit to the leadership of the church, unless we determine with proper counsel that there is a serious biblical issue at stake. 10. If the leadership will listen, we need to give them plenty of time to consider the matter. 11. If the leadership will not listen to us, or will not take proper action to correct the matter and we are thoroughly convinced that there is a serious biblical issue, we should ask for a meeting of the church in which to express our concerns. 12. We should ask ourselves what we have personally done to correct any wrong or deficiency in the church with which we are concerned. 13. We should evaluate if our leaving would do harm to an otherwise good church. 14. We should never leave, nor encourage others to leave, unless we are thoroughly convinced that one or both of the following conditions exist: 1) that the church has become an apostate church (where serious unbiblical teaching or practices are allowed), or 2) that we are convinced that, over the long haul, we cannot find a place to serve in the church, or that our families will not be spiritually fed in that body.
Curtis Thomas

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THE OLD PATH Friday

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#1 · October 7, 2005, 3:59 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

"THE OLD PATHS"
 
 
I like the old paths
 
When Moms were at home
Dads were at work
Brothers went into the Army
Sisters got married BEFORE having Children!
 
Crime did not pay
Hard work did
And people knew the difference
 
Moms could cook
Dad's would work
Children did behave
 
Husbands were loving
Wives were supportive
Children were polite
 
Women wore the jewelry
Men wore the pants
Women looked like ladies
Men looked like gentlemen
And children looked decent
 
People told the truth
And hated a lie
They came to church to get IN
Not to get OUT
 
Hymns sounded Godly
Sermons sounded helpful
Rejoicing sounded normal
And crying sounded sincere
 
Cursing was wicked
Drinking was evil
And divorce was unthinkable
 
The flag was honored
America was beautiful
And God was welcome !!
 
We read the Bible in public
Prayed in school
And preached from house to house
 
To be called an American was worth dying for
To be called a Christian was worth living for
To be called a traitor was a shame !!
 
Sex was a personal word
Homosexual was an unheard of word
And abortion was an illegal word
 
Off color jokes were only told among dirty men folk
Preachers preached because they had a message
Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY !!
 
Preachers preached from the Bible
Singers sang from the heart
And sinners turned to there Lord to be SAVED !!
 
A new birth meant a new life
Salvation meant a changed life
Following Christ led to eternal life
 
Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God
Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus
Being a sinner meant someone was praying for you !!
 
Laws were based on the Bible
Homes read the Bible
Churches taught the Bible
People quoted the Bible
 
Preachers were more interested in new converts
Then new clothes and cars
God was worshiped
Christ was exalted
And the Holy Spirit was respected
 
Church was where you found Christians on the Lord's Day
Rather than in the garden,
On the creek bank
 On the golf course
Or being entertained somewhere else.
 
Yep I still like the old paths the best !
Amen
 
 
 

"Soul Food"
 
I love the taste of T-bone steak,
Delicious every bite,
But there's nothing like the Word of God,
For my spiritual appetite.
 
The Word of God has milk and meat,
And even ice cream and cake.
Take a slice of the Bread of Life,
And coffee to keep us awake.
 
Open your Bible and turn to Psalms,
For David's famous buffet.
You can drink all the wine of the word you want,
And still feel fine the next day.
 
There's enough of the Word for everyone,
And no one has to cheat.
The Word of God is a smorgasbord,
So take all you are able to eat.
 
Let's have a little longsuffering,
Job gives the recipe.
Patience is the main ingredient,
Self denial is the fee.
 
Wrap that up in temperance,
It may not make much sense,
Cover that with contentment,
Then add some joy for strength.
 
Let's have love for dessert,
Jesus made this dish,
Cream of joy and peace together,
Sift out all selfishness.
 
Add some deeds of righteousness,
Enough to make it sweet.
Humility is the frosting,
That makes the dish complete.
 
Or are you on a diet,
Cause the race seems hard to run.
For a weight losing menu,
try Hebrews 12 and 1.
 
Are you suffering from malnutrition,
And don't know what to do?
Your spiritual growth seems hindered,
Try 1 Peter 2 and 2.
 
If when every time you battle,
the enemy always wins,
Try some Holy Ghost Protein,
And spiritual vitamins.
 
God's Word can feed millions,
And still have plenty left.
Because the Word of God is Soul Food,
Sent from the World's Greatest CHEF.
 
 
Have a Blessed Weekend
Dave and Barbara
 
 
 
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