It seems as if the newest, greatest, most exciting thing for everyone at the moment is Facebook. Every one, it seems, is now networking through FB.
I have really enjoyed it. I have reconnected with people that we met while singing that I may never have had the chance to meet again. Pretty cool.
I have been scrolling through hundreds of pictures. Litteraly. I love seeing what everyone's kids look like, who has lost weight, who has gained, who got married to who, and what everyone says in their status updates. Very interesting.
Now, to what bothers me.
It seems, if you can take the pics on FB as evidence, that there is a mass exodus from things conservative. I see people that have grown up in the CHM, people that I have gone to church with, people that I have seen at IHC, people that until VERY recently were a part of the CHM, who have very evidently left our ranks. I will not name names.
Why this? Why now? What is the catylist for this?
Why are we as a CHM losing some of our best and brightest?
Are there CHMers that still believe what we have always believed?
Here is what I have seen:
Wedding rings by the score.
Girls and guys that attend CHM churches in public in shorts.
Young and old alike in bathing suits and shorts on the beach.
More short hair for the ladies than I thought possible.
Tattoos.
People that profess, hoisting a glass.
And, there are hints of other activities that I could not, would not mentioon on this forum.
So, what is happening? Is the CHM through?
Is there anyone that believes that there are still biblical precepts that constrain us from doing these things?
Can we, should we, stem the tide?
I know that there are folks who read this blog who were once a part of the CHM, and they may take offense at what I have posted. Please believe me when I say that there is no offense intended. I am troubled by what I am seeing, and would like others input, yes, especially those from the CHM .
The Ramblings of a Twisted Mind
About Me
- John Myers
- I love Southern Gospel. I also have opinions on just about everything. I will share some of them here.
Blog Archive
Other Blogs of Interest
10 comments:
The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He never changes. Why are things that 5 years ago were wrong, today is now accepted? If He is a neverchanging God, why should we be everchanging Christians? I normally don't post comments, (Too shy) but I do agree with John on this one.
Take Care, John,
Merrie Beth
I strongly agree with the last comment from Merrie Beth. You are not the only one to question this as I have asked myself the same questions. It all boils down to the fact that we are all to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We have to answer for ourselves, no one else at the final judgement!
This concerns me too.
I don't at all want to throw stones at others, but I am concerned that people don't change just because everyone else is going another way.
I believe that change is great in many ways...but not when it comes to the Biblical principles that we believe in...whether modesty of dress, or similar issues.
On those issues, I can't change.
I told John I would comment on this thought. It took me about 10 hours to figure out what to say. I did'nt want to make a fool out of myself. So here we go on my thoughts.
I agree.....I think change is good in so many different ways. I believe that our Biblical principals are very very much important. I agree with Merrie Beth on God is the same today, tomorow and forever more.
I am only 17 and I am in great concern that the CHM I became part of 5-6 years ago is changing rappidly. I feel that we need to have faith that God will take care of our CHM. God hasnt changed and neither am I. The principals we share we need to uphold and make no acception.
Excuses that arnt Biblical is lame. Rings for travel reasons is dumb. I feel that God set in stone our principals and who are we to say well it's time for change.
I'll post more later when I come in more handy.
test
Sorry about the test, I didn't have a google id and had to thumb-wrestle them to let me post!
It is my opinion that facebook is merely illuminating things that have been going on for years.
In the world of sports, people in the past few years have been appalled at the actions of athletes. Many have said that stars from years past never did any of these things, but when researched, it seems that behaviour isn't that different from past days you just never heard about it before the media brought it to light.
People are posting things on facebook which wouldn't normally be seen at IHC, Hobe Sound, Youth Challenge or any of the other showcases of Conservative Holiness. Is there more drifting away from the old paths, definitely, but I don't think it's nearly as different as you think, it's just more lit up than before.
Mr. Baker,
I believe you on to something. You have a point it is not a good one either. I feel like we are taking this very lightly. This its'nt to be taken that lightly. I feel that if it has and probley is being done it is wrong. I feel that it is very hypicritical. I also know that the Bible doest say to do one thing and turn around and do another.
I feel if they think it is alright to wear them, then wear them to youth challenge, IHC, Campmeeting, and church. Do not hide it. Is there something to be ashamed of then. I feel that if your gonna wear it wear it with the knowing that you think it is right and it doenst need to be hiden.
If you wear them to a mall then wear them to the Church. What would you do if your pastor saw them on facebook and then didn't see them on you at church. What would you have to say for yourself then.
The CHM is very hypicritical if that is how it is being done. I feel that rings and others things are wrong. I think it isnt on personal conviction but on Biblical principals.
People need to quit being double minded. What are they teaching us the younger generation. I am only 17 and not raised in the CHM. My family is not even Church or Christian people. I raised myself this way with the guidence of others. I feel that if you do have them on facebook wear them to Church.
John,
I have seen this too. While I do wear jeans, that is one of few things that I do that is different than holiness people. I have been disappointed to see so many people be so different on Facebook than the holiness people have always taught. I don't know if the denominations are changing as well, or if people are just doing things different away from church. I am not one to say everyone should believe everything I do, but it does get disappointing to see people that once had a strong stand change. I just wonder if a lot of what Holiness people do is strictly from peer pressure instead of a true belief of their own. That is why we should base our beliefs on the Bible and not just change our ideas everytime we hear someone preach something different. Fair enough?
I have noticed girls that are poured into their skirts to the point that they are worse than the jeans I wear, and yet they reach the ground so maybe they think that makes it okay. :-)
If people are so concerned with the world and the way the world is changing in regards to biblical standards and truths, why are so many Conservative Christians signing up for Facebook accounts,... isn't that a little hypocritical and opposing to the words coming out of the mouth? Sure there are things on TV, internet, web,... all over (even at Walmart) that are completely unscriptural and go absolutely against God's word, but to me signing up for computer accounts in 2009 is only leading to disaster. We can't expose ourselves to the Hell of this world (willingly) and then feel that we are better than the next guy, feeling free to project our opinions and judgmental criticism out. I was raised in a Christian home and grew up being taught Biblical truths about right and wrong....at a time when I was struggling spiritually and needed prayer and guidance the most, unfortunately it was the "Christians" in my life who were the most detrimental to me spiritually. I felt more unworthy and more hell bound by the Concervative Christians in my life to the point that even though I knew deep down that the truths of the Bible were what I should be focusing on, it was the words of the people in my life that stung the most. I will never forget at the lowest point I had gotten, thinking that if being a Christian was presenting myself in a way that "Christians" had presented themselves to me, than I wanted nothing to do with it.... how pleased is God with that? Aren't we supposed to be presenting our lives in a way that attracts people to what we "have"? I have been witness over the past several years of people who have projected their "harsh" critical opinions about certain topics and issues only to feel that years down the road it is okay to go back on that opinion. (In other words, things that people were critical about in another person's life turned around and bit them in the hind end)So, true as it is, God is neverchanging and we as the human race should only be changing our thoughts and our opinions according to God's thoughts and opinions. If you don't like what you are seeing on Facebook or any other computer derived website, don't go there. But equally, if you are not wanting to be exposed to what this world has become, stay home.. don't go to Scott's, Walmart, the carwash,.... it is everywhere and we as Christians are called to live above the sin of the world and be a shining example of what God is and that a life with Him is worth more than anything this World could ever begin to offer.
Post a Comment