Why I am no longer attending the Anglican Church
- Thread starter Walter
- Start date
Don't be sorry. I certainly wasn't offended
FIVE!!! Gosh, I've only got the two-buttttttttttt, they're both girls. One is a teenager and one is pre-teen. To be honest, I live in a very emotion driven environment;-)
My oldest daughter, Selena, just went on quite a melodramatic snit because I won't let her go and "chill" with her friends downtown. It may interest you to learn that I am apparently the "worst father in the world", and much "hated"...
And there was a promise that I would not be spoken to...but I fear she won't keep it
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It does indeed. And the family. Whatever parish I've been in, whatever ministry, they are judged as part of my ministry by the people. My second parish my wife caused quite a scandal when she declined joining the Altar Guild Ladies.
The point is, imagine being in a parish as members but living in a fishbowl. Everybody is watching you and your kids. and worst of all, your husband and/or dad is the parish priest. So I know it isn't easy.
I think since being ordained in 1996 I have missed half our anniversaries.. Twice had to leave during birthday dinners for her. Once, in the middle of the night, as we were in a somewhat amorous mood, I was called to hospital to give Last Rites. And on and on and on. So believe me, I can appreciate her position in the matter.
And worst of, as you said, all that and not the pay of a doctor
And if he doesn't care, or isn't interested? We'll just leave him be? You know, quite honestly, I have never, but never gotten a soul to Mass or to a parish by quoting the Bible at them.
I have gathered people by drinking coffee with them, going to their homes and helping them out when I can(even once helping a man do his roof), and just by conversations on life and their concerns.
Is it wrong to offer incentives to encourage Church membership? No, not at all...Best recruitment is always through the kids. Offer something for the kids at the parish hall and the parents will come.
They can get the Bible verses they want on their own speed. They don't need me to ram it down their throats.
Sanctus, you just described the relationship some people have with God.
Something apparently that God is the worst God, in that He kills and does all sorts of things contrary to what He claims: love.
And some have made up their minds that they would never seek God.
And God knows that they won’t hold to their distrust.
You and I have experienced first hand what it is to be a loving father in the midst of hate, distrust and mental abuse. But you and I know very well our abilities to endure long-suffering for their sakes.
And that loving, compassionate, long-suffering, patient, and kindness pays off in our children because they have space to fall, and yet know that they will be forgiven.
God knows the conditions He placed us in, and therefore is very compassionate towards us in dealing with our faults.
He allows us to fall and experience the fall, and yet allows us to repent (Change our minds) and return to Him as He joyfully waits with open arms.
Is that not your sentiments exactly with your children?
That is how I now perceive my God as a loving Father waiting for His children to experience life, and yet find Him attractive as a forgiving, gentle and loving Father.
If we could all see it that way, we can appreciate the pitfalls we all go through in our life’s experience.
I am saying all this because I know there are fathers out there who may not know or understand the wonderful experience of having one of their children come back from their pitfall experience to the support and love of the father.
It is much like the story of the Prodigal son.
When the dad found out the son was returning, he prepared a great feast.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwh, what an awesome God we have.
Peace>>>AJ:wav:
True, nobody wants to hear bible quotes, which make one look too righteous. But, the bible is where they will find the Savior, and the justification of His love for them.
And yes, mingling with the folks as Jesus did, (accused of eating with sinners) and sharing the love of God with them is truly the best show of who God really is.
Therefore, if all of us demonstrated the love of God in our actions, we would win the hearts of those who know not the love of God.
Peace>>>AJ:love9:
Phew, I'm tired-that was a lot of reading! Anyway, all that may very well be true my friend, but at this point I just want my 14 year old daughter to keep her promise and not speak to me for at least the rest of the night so I can be in peace. Let her pick on her sister for awhile
Don't be sorry. I certainly wasn't offended
FIVE!!! Gosh, I've only got the two-buttttttttttt, they're both girls. One is a teenager and one is pre-teen. To be honest, I live in a very emotion driven environment;-)
My oldest daughter, Selena, just went on quite a melodramatic snit because I won't let her go and "chill" with her friends downtown. It may interest you to learn that I am apparently the "worst father in the world", and much "hated"...
Sounds familiar, as their were many interesting conversations with my four daughters
althrough those teen age years. There were many times when I yearned for those 5 yr
through 12 yr old years, so much fun.
Ohhh yeah. I would lower it to 5 to 10 though. My second daughter is 11, and she's already starting to turn into one of "them".
By the way, since you had FOUR daughters as teenagers,,,is there a cure? Do they become normal again at some point in time.....please say yes even if it's no;-)
N-- um uh, well OK then yes
After seventeen or so- I remember 13 to 17 being the worst, for sure.
But, once you get to that 17 or so mark, if everyone is still sane, things begin to improve,
and for the most part, daughters are forever, they will never let you down, love you forever, and you'll soon forget 'THOSE YEARS', that were a struggle. I have one daughter
who has not stayed close to the family, although she is living a good clean life, has a husband and two
sons, but my other three are close by, and our family is close.
I can truly say, raise up the kids the love an nurture of Godly principals, and they shall return to them.
All my kids have had their fill of my instructions, though they strayed from them growing up, have returned to their dads favor in their behavior.
They must all taste hell to know what it is, but with a foundation such as you give them, they will weather out all storms and return unto you better people than when they left.
Peace>>>AJ:love9:
An anabaptist walked me through it way back when. Anybody who can kill jews, convert gentiles AND make it in and out of Jeruselem without getting a rock in the back of the head has gotta have more than just the armour of God going for him.
St. Paul gets a bad rap these days. Not from me, he is one of the early church figures I truly admire.
Take away the faith he displayed, since many are not comfortable with that, and just look at the sheer energy of the guy! I mean, journey after journey after journey through the Empire, establishing churches, evangelizing, making pastoral visits to already established churches. He seems to have had a stamina that most of us men today, heck most of them back in those days, would not be able to emulate.