tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post4103669946424959814..comments2024-03-19T09:47:02.249-05:00Comments on Say What?: Does This Make Sense, Bill?Kevin Gilmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07689287179985777963noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-30060087821970657212013-10-16T23:39:00.507-05:002013-10-16T23:39:00.507-05:00There's a ton of money that goes into the buil...There's a ton of money that goes into the building, flat screen TVs, the coffee bar and such but what's really lacking is a genuine outreach outside of the church. This was expressed to me by a friend who was on staff until around 2 years ago. I sent him a draft of my first email to Bill just to make sure I wasn't way off base with where I was going. He assured me I wasn't.<br /><br />Also, you have to try out to sing in the choir. I never understood that. Apparently you have to be good enough to sing for the Lord. He won't accept just anyone. <br /><br />Yeah, I get that they want to put on a really nice show to entertain the people as they sit in their comfy chairs with their coffees but so much about the church is missing the mark. Again, it's to appeal to the masses, unless of course if you happen to be gay then you're simply not welcome despite what Bill will tell you. Once they find out that you're gay you're done if you're in any kind of leadership role...and that includes being head cook. That happened. Kevin Gilmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07689287179985777963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-58566253483339616682013-10-16T10:14:15.076-05:002013-10-16T10:14:15.076-05:00Yep...I lean to agree with a 'business man'...Yep...I lean to agree with a 'business man'. Even though (again) I do feel he have good sermons whenever I visited. I felt there was way too much money going into the building to 'please' the people. I couldn't help but wonder 'How many people are coming to meet Jesus and how many are coming because they feel it's a 'cool' and 'entertaining' church?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-27917473532061914752013-10-14T15:20:01.651-05:002013-10-14T15:20:01.651-05:00And that's where he's wrong in saying that...And that's where he's wrong in saying that I need to have whatever tone he desires before he'll sit down and talk with me. Sorry, but the world isn't actually like that. He's a pastor or so I thought. Seems to me that he should meet with people no matter what their tone. Actually, it's his tone that is more concerning in this matter. He's the one who can't get out of his own way and put his ego aside to meet with me.<br /><br />I now see him as simply a business-man posing as a pastor; something I've long suspected.<br /><br />Thanks for your input. Kevin Gilmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07689287179985777963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-28656398427745423102013-10-13T11:51:29.222-05:002013-10-13T11:51:29.222-05:00Kevin, You reached out to Bill for clarity. (to me...Kevin, You reached out to Bill for clarity. (to meet and talk it out) You brought up the past to him as it was unsettled within you. You didn't agree with his actions in the past or recent past and you wanted to talk about it.<br /> What you got from Bill is rejection. You were also (if honest) hurt by this. You were losing trust and all kinds of 'feelings' toward him came up.<br /> I called Pastor Bill right after you posted this post asking him to consider talking to you as you were wrestling with some things. He said "I did not like Kevins tone but I will think about it" (Don't worry..I never spoke to him on the situation of Tammy and I)<br /> I wish he would have called you and explain what he meant by your 'tone'...because leaving it as it was just left you feeling you were unimportant to him...feeling that can easily lead to assumptions about him.<br /> But, I can't help but wonder if you can see the similarities in the conflict you have with Bill and the conflict Tammy and I have.<br /> It is no different that Bill is a pastor. It is still a relationship you had. He was your pastor for years. The hurt and rejection you felt was (or is) real. Yes? If Bill was to come to you now, huh you and say " I don't want to talk about the past. Let's just forgive and move on", Would that give you clarity? Would that make things better? Would you have a better understanding of him? I think you would answer "no" to all 3. You wanted to talk.<br /> Yet, Bill is your brother in Christ and always will be. Grace is here on earth for us to work through, heal and grow. We can't do it without HIS help. It is His Grace but both parties have to be willing to receive it. It's really all about Him and not us "trying" in our own ways. It is the freedom He wants so much to give us right here on earth. : )<br /> I don't agree with Tammy that nothing will be resolved between her and I until heaven. It can be (if she chooses) but it's not the Lord wants for us. He wants us to grow in Him on earth and relationships are what He and life is all about. Our relationship with Him First and then with others.<br /> I am not bitter with Tammy or you. I hope you are not bitter with Bill either. Even if he never talks to you, I hope you can work it through with your heart and eyes on Jesus. Time doesn't heal...Jesus does. : )<br /> We may not get what we want in relationships but He knows and cares deeply about our heart and struggles. TheresaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-48085463671589486242013-05-29T11:49:39.071-05:002013-05-29T11:49:39.071-05:00One thought about remarrying compared to committed...One thought about remarrying compared to committed gay relationship. Jesus tells us (after conviction of a certain sin in our lives has been repented) to "Go and sin no more". Repent means to ask for forgiveness because we agree with God that it IS sin, turn from the sin and look to Jesus ( as He is the one who transforms us inside). What was the sin you committed? Adultery by remarry. Right? After forgiveness, one understands not to do it again.So, I doubt you and Tammy will divorce and remarry again. Right? Cuz that is the sin He wanted you to recognize. You are forgiven, yet He also tells you to turn from it and be free in Him by His Grace.<br /> Its like Paul who addresses those who said " So, should we go on sinning to receive more grace?" His answer is a definite No.<br /> In the same sense, I divorced---I saw that 'afterwards' as sin...I asked for forgiveness because He opened my eyes to the lies I told myself. What changed? I'm still divorced. Right? He isn't holding it over me that my 'status' is divorced. No...He forgave my Act of divorce and tells me not to do that sin again. I grew closer to Him as I recognized and repented it as sin and not justify it as being ok in God's eyes (As I was doing). He frees and wants us to experience that freedom...Its what He came for..:) One thing for sure...Its a walk..He is always pruning us.<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-18345632912159713302013-05-28T22:28:15.586-05:002013-05-28T22:28:15.586-05:00Maybe it's the term "leadership" and...Maybe it's the term "leadership" and "church" that can trip people up. There are so many, many different church denominations. I have never really understood the "membership" thing to belong to a church cuz we (Believers in Christ)) Are the church. We come from all denominations even if different beliefs on doctrine. And as far as leadership, there are very good teachers that feed us Truth but we really only have one Leader..Jesus..:) Its His Spirit who draws and convicts the Believer. Anyway..hope you can find His peace on this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-20338137927708759382013-05-28T19:52:06.238-05:002013-05-28T19:52:06.238-05:00True, I know we're forgiven but what about gay...True, I know we're forgiven but what about gay people living in committed relationships? Are they forgiven? Is our sin of living as we are any less than their sin? I think there's forgiveness for us all. <br /><br />This gets to the heart of the matter in that my sins are overlooked by the church while other's sins aren't. Kevin Gilmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07689287179985777963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-89536553097600168262013-05-28T09:14:09.800-05:002013-05-28T09:14:09.800-05:00Kevin, You and Tammy are not living in sin if you ...Kevin, You and Tammy are not living in sin if you asked for forgiveness...you saw it as sin, repented in that area and moved on.....God's grace has it covered....He does not hold that over you.. :) Your marriage is not a sham...That is a lie..don't believe it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-8321497134675246452013-05-27T07:58:24.005-05:002013-05-27T07:58:24.005-05:00The porch will be roughly 17 x 22 with the deck me...The porch will be roughly 17 x 22 with the deck measuring 20 x 22. <br /><br />Yeah, it's not looking too good weather-wise for the coming week at this point. :-/Kevin Gilmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07689287179985777963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212890428051515494.post-71417554750119338532013-05-26T21:24:47.714-05:002013-05-26T21:24:47.714-05:00Everything is coming along GREAT! Gardens look goo...Everything is coming along GREAT! Gardens look good. How big is the addition? Next week does not look much better in the weather dept but at least the roof is on to keep out the rain!Jackienoreply@blogger.com