And Thus It Begins

Nothing like trying to be respectful of others in your disagreement on issues that are less than important and getting bashed for it.

Zeke and I are trying to continue to be respectful of others who are so easily offended while yet taking our best shot at being who, what, and where God wants us to be…it’s such a hard balance to find.

Some people you just can’t please, and some people get offended over nothing. Amazes me, really.

So here we are again…the question is, how long will our name be mud this time?

Thank God for freedom…I’m so glad I don’t have to spend all my time casting judgment on everyone else’s actions anymore. Now I’m praying that THEY find the same freedom. In the meantime, being a permanent missionary to a foreign country is looking better and better all the time.

Perhaps God’s got an opening in…say…Hawaii?

You Gotta Be Kiddin’

I think God must think I need some kinda help in the love and patience department because he keeps throwing all these people at me that make me firing mad. 

GEEESH.  People need a life.  And I’m gonna need therapy and medication if God doesn’t quit throwing these people in mine! 

Come on, people need to quit worrying about who’s doing what and how that “offends” them.  If they only knew how much people are restraining themselves around them in order to NOT offend them….and yet they STILL find the littlest things to nitpick and get all humped up over….heavenly Father, they would condemn us to the pit for our TRUE opinions! 

Lord, help me…some days I would love to find a completely uninhabited island and live there alone forever.  And the rest of the days, I would love to find an island where I could stash all those people who make me feel that way. 

*deep breath* 

Okay.  Vent over. 

*deep breath* 

for now….

Anyone know of a good therapist?  Evidently talking to God about this is making things worse….lol.  (No offense, God…but I’d really appreciate a few LESS of the irritating people in my life….isn’t there a better way to get love and patience?)

Oh Dear

I have to vent for a second. I am feeling some serious anger issues at the moment.

The in-laws are in for Christmas for a few days and Ethel is already driving me nuts.

And I know it’s terrible of me, but Nellie is the most annoying child in the world when she’s around Ethel because she knows she can get away with murder and all kinds of things she knows she gets in trouble for any other time. I hate being manipulated and that’s all that happens when Ethel and George are here.

Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh…I need rescuing…!!!!!

Facebook Drama

This has nothing to do with doctrinal issues, but I just have to have a moment to vent. I'm so disgusted with people lately. And this is definitely one of those things you cannot say with your name attached to it because then people know exactly who you’re talking about.

WHY? I just need to know why people think it’s okay to post Bible verses as your status in response to something else that has been stated or posted? And then say it was something that was on your mind and not directed at specific people…? Really? So if someone JUST said it and then you JUST mention it in your status along with a scripture beating up on it, how is it NOT in response to that specific person? If preachers aren’t supposed to preach sermons AT specific people and use scripture to bash them up, what makes you think throwing scriptures at people on facebook is any better? UGH! And the worst part is it's not just one person...it's a growing habit... :o(

Do you know how bad I want to post some Bible verses of my own?

How about this one:
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. (1 Peter 4:15)

Or maybe:
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (Matthew 18:15)

Wow, it’s so tempting. But then I'd be just like them and I refuse.

But back to Matthew 18:15…you know, if you have a problem with someone doing something, tell them personally, don't make it your status on Facebook and get drama all started up!

And when it comes to "telling them personally," I know we don't ALWAYS go personally to people we have issues with, sometimes for good reasons, but announcing those issues in your status on Facebook is like walking into a crowded room and screaming out your problem with that person. I don’t think that could be called private by any sense of the imagination.

I’m not perfect, and I know we all do stupid from time to time, it just seems like this is becoming a popular way of doing stupid…and it irritates the FIRE out of me.

PS In both situations where it involved us, we talked to the people about it, so we're clear. Haha.

This topic is just something that seems to be growing in popularity and these “obscure” and “veiled” references to people using scripture or quotes is just annoying. I don’t get on Facebook to get a sermon about every thing and every one that you disagree with. Ugh.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Where does all this come from? Why do we do what we do? Why are we told to go study out the “list of rules” we are taught but then when we do and find something different or that what we are taught doesn’t make sense, we are still expected to blindly follow or else suffer the consequences.

Now maybe the consequences aren’t so severe as to exact a complete ex-communication, but in a manner of speaking, maybe it is. You get the label of backslider. If you continue to attend the congregation, you will be the focus of the altar calls, and you can no longer take part in the services as anything other than a bystander (unless you want to participate by going to the altar at altar call).

But on the other hand, as long as you’re (by all appearances) blindly following the “list of rules” which make you “saved,” then you will never be allowed to resign any of the roles in service of which you participate (without suffering through altar calls and sermons on taking up your cross and doing the job God has for you). God can never call you to anything else and if you feel that He is, you would be mistaken. So it would seem, that the only way to move on to what God is calling you to do, that you must get kicked out of your participation. I'm seriously not bitter about it, just confused.

Why does it all have to be so difficult. Why do PEOPLE have to be so difficult. And where do we go from here? Do we keep following the senseless rules so that we can keep our standing with people even though it’s not people’s opinion that makes you saved? Or do we drop it all and simply follow God even though it may mean the people label us as backsliders? Can we do both? My gut says there’s a pretty big fork in the road ahead and and my question remains…where do we go from here?

I don’t think I’m really doing so good on spelling out exactly what I’m thinking but…this has been another post from my rambling subconscious.

Sophie, out.

Wednesdays Are Sacred

You know what really bugs me?  The way that you can be in service 5 nights out of 7 but if you miss the regular midweek service at your church, you’re “doomed.” 

Or even if you are NOT in service that many nights—if you miss a midweek service, your salvation can not remain intact.  Are you saying God’s not great enough to keep you a whole week between Sunday Services? 

Just curious, but where’s that in the Bible?  Yeah, I know it says “forsake not the assembling of yourselves” but who said the assembling must be on Sunday’s and Wednesdays?  For that matter, who said the assembling must be in a church? 

And for pity’s sake…the old “oh, it’s such a surprise to see you on a Wed night” comments don’t really inspire me when I’ve only missed a handful of Wed nights over the past few months.  I’m not a hater, it’s only that some things just don’t make much sense when you say them out loud. 

Ugh.

Copied from an old blog: Written June 7, 2007

I'm so disgusted. It's really aggravating when you trust someone and treat them like a mom and then find out they're really using anything you say to interfere in your life.

Like Ethel. I have always thought I had wonderful in-laws, but it appears that she's turning into the typical "out-law."

Apparently Zeke was shielding me from her to protect us and I was not aware of any of that, so I've been making things worse by giving her ammo to fire off at Zeke. THAT is frustrating. So Zeke filled my ears tonight about all kinds of things. He tried to tell me before, but he never gave me much information (which I probably shouldn't have needed in order to believe him, but would have been helpful nevertheless) and I never saw that side of her so I kept right on trusting her and confiding in her.

It just feels like I've been used to get information. Not only that, apparently she's been complaining to Zeke about my real life blog. How I talk too much and it could be used against me. Bummer. That's MY problem. It's a free country and nobody is forcing you to read it. If you don't like it, just go away. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm wrong a lot. Like tonight. But so what. It's my life.

And don't even get me started on Ethel and George and religion.....Openminded? She's not. She's always acted like it when talking to me, and she had me fooled, but I guess she was just trying to get me to open up and give her information.

I love her and all, but I'm not repeating that mistake. Matter of fact, Ethel is one of the big reasons for the opening of this anonymous blog. Thanks, Ethel. I owe ya one.

Speaking of religious activities.....the choir got laid out tonight about attendance. Figures it would be the night i picked to lay out to take the family circus to the park to wear them out (which didn't work, by the way). It wasn't the best night to miss, I guess. LOL.

Also while we're on the topic of religious people, I wish people would GROW UP! Wahhh wahhh wahhhhh. What are ya, babies? All these grown people acting like two year olds. Everybody is all busy getting their feelings hurt or sitting in time out to build anything with their alphabet blocks and play doh! Oh wait, I'm sorry. Was that sarcastic? Pardon me.

I'm sorry. I'm just aggravated.

Seriously!

But. I. Feel. (somewhat) Better. Now.

Sometimes? Well. Sometimes it stinks to be me.
The rest of the time it's just lovely.