MK forum

Don't even have to use your own name

I agree with Raz, this is a real problem in fundamentalist churches, who are very good at exposing everyone elses minor sins while covering over the shocking abuse that they dish out!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly I don't know why we bother patronizing such churches, are we that desperate to fellowship or are there no better options??????? The only reason we should have anything to do with such churches is to open their eyes and lead them to repentance and justice!!!!!!

http://boz.religionnews.com/2014/10/03/ ... ring-boys/

Boz's latest blog is written by a guest writer. It is a very insightful read into his account of being abused. What really hits home is just who the crime of abuse will hit (won't reveal who the writers parents are, best to read the blog).

A guest post by Boz on Rob Hoskins' blog.

If you are a strong believer in Christ, then I urge you to read this and consider its message.

The dismal response on the part of many who claim to be devout Christians is causing me to reevaluate my opinion of the institutionalized church in general. "The Church" has really let me down. And I don't think this pleases or honors God at all.

Please read this.

http://robhoskins.com/theology-of-child ... gn=OneHope

Theology of Children

POSTED BY BOZ TCHIVIDJIAN

I believe children are one of the world’s most valuable treasures. I know it doesn’t really matter what I think, but the Creator of the universe seems to think so, and so must those of us who are Christ followers.

In Mark 9:36-37, Jesus gives us a real life demonstration of how He feels about children. While doing some intensive training with his 12 disciples—those closest to Him who were to carry on His work—Jesus draws a child to himself and says,

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me…”

Those of us who are disciples of Jesus need to understand the implications of this lesson. For those who profess Christ, our sole purpose in living is to glorify God—to worship Him in everything that we do. (I Corinthians 10:31)

So when Jesus overtly illustrates how we can worship Him—in how we love children and invite them to Himself—we ought to sit up and take notice. And then take action. Especially because Jesus was pointedly showing us how deeply He values children in a time and place where children were regarded as slightly more valuable than slaves.

Jesus knew this lesson was important then, and that it would be no less important today.

If the chief end of man is to worship God, then Satan’s chief agenda is to rob God of glory by destroying His worshippers.

And who are the most vulnerable among us? Children. Just take a look at our culture; exploitation, abuse and the destruction of what I like to call “tiny worshipers” is vividly displayed everywhere you look.

2/3 of all people who embrace Jesus do so before 18 years of age. When we consider this truth in light of what Jesus says about His love for children and the dark Satanic agenda, it becomes obvious that God’s littlest worshippers are Satan’s biggest targets. Destroying a child before they come to know Jesus means it is less likely that they will embrace Him as an adult.

There are so many dark, devious ways that Satan attacks those who are most vulnerable, yet extremely precious to Jesus. And that’s why He so vividly demonstrated such a powerful love for children. Such an endearing love that he actually stopped everything in order to pay attention and speak up for the little ones. For His glory, and for their protection.

As a former child abuse chief prosecutor, I’m painfully aware of the horrific statistics of crimes against children. There are a million dark corners and evil strategies being employed by the evil one to attack these precious tiny God worshipers.

Jesus, in His divine brilliance, gave us the answer before we even knew we would be forming the words to the question.

We worship Him in how we welcome, love, and protect the children. If our love for God is demonstrated this way, it ought to convict and propel every Christian from every nation to expend ourselves for children rejoicing that we do so worshipping our great and gracious God.

I love the thought . . .but "little worshippers" is just too agenda driven for me. Can we let the children be precious little children who Jesus loved?

I hate it when missions talk about what work will produce the most fruit . . .as in target the men, then the whole family will come . . .you can't have a church with just children in it . . .and other such crap.

Can we just love the kids? Not because they might be the future leaders of the church, but just because ? Because they make me laugh, and I love to play with them . . .because they make life worth living . . .because I sing when I'm with kids, and make funny faces, and like "me" better.

If you have a child, one of the best ways to show love and respect is by watching their reactions . . .lovingly dealing with them . . .know them so well, that you can tell if they are terrified or ashamed, or don't like who you are with. Doing something about it.

Turning them into little spiritual worshippers because it makes you feel like you are doing God's agenda? It's manipulation.

Doing solid steps to protect children . . .absolutely essential.

Gosh, that "agenda driven" relational motivation is just really hard to shake, isn't it.

I remember people in my fundie world even questioning the methods of Jesus himself, when speaking of the way he would heal people from their physical maladies ... and just keep walking .... without giving them the Four Spiritual Laws or something.

I think that is one reason NTM bought in wholeheartedly to Dispensationalism. If you lay that framework over the Bible, then you can argue that we don't need to follow the example of Christ, when he simply blessed the children, or simply healed the sick, or simply fed the hungry ... with no other agenda. Because that was in a different dispensation.

Oh dear. It sounds like a case of "Constipated Faith", where the "Spirit" is bunged up due to a diet of to much "rich faith" without any "works exercise". I've seen many cases of this in my years of practise as an "Diagnostic Agnostic (Sympathetic) Nurse"

Therefore I will prescribe a dispensation of a little dose of "Agnostic Internal Questioning Cleanser" for the souls of the "Constipated of Faith". This should get things "working". Try with a bit of "TLC tonic", which works best when shared liberally with no restrictions on "Creed or Color".

WARNING: Do not take to much of Nurse Bemused's "Agnostic Internal Questioning Cleanser", or you are liable to be . . . . oops gotta go

Bemused, are you OK? Did you get enough sleep?

Thank you for asking

Bemused suffers from chronic insomnia, the result of many decades of shift work. So in the wee hours when "normal" people are fast asleep, I am busy tapping on the keyboard.

Of course I could claim that this is my ministry and that I am bringing enlightenment to my dear friends around the world with my Sympathetic Agnostic Dispensing (SAD for short), but maybe not :lol

P.s. are thee well?

I've had responses written to this twice now, and both times my iPad froze and deleted my words. Isn't that rude?

I am ok, Bemused. Not getting enough sleep like you. But it's not too distressful.
I am getting work. I have a new patient that fills my heart with joy. We hang out every weekend. She lives on a farm, so I get to say hi to the cows every day.

Knowing that I needed to get some issues clarified for me, I have been busy with confronting past issues, examining my present decisions, and getting a support system.

It's been hard and scary work. But I am seeing progress . . .I'm laughing more, crying more, moving more.

You all are on my mind daily. Keep at it!