When Change Brings Pain

My family and I have been attending church at a very family oriented church for the past five years. Other than a few pastoral changes (pastors coming and going, due to retirement, change in course etc.), this Church has been a wonderful change for us. We've been blessed through the teachings, the activities, and the friendships of fellow brethren.

One thing that's lacking is the solid foundation of prayer, and intense bible study. Though there are some established bible study groups at individual homes, one that takes place in the morning hours, none of that is geared toward the youth. I know that no church body is perfect, but we wanted more, for our kids.

My husband and I have been extremely blessed to have had very solid biblical teachings background, and a practical prayer life from our old Church, which even though we've tried to instill in our children is not being enforced in the environment that they spend so much time in. So after much prayer and consideration, we felt led to go back to Bethel.  The church where we started from, our old church.

The 'old church' teaches very strong christian principles when it comes to dressing. The believe is that any child of God should be modest, not causing others to stumble through their dressing. The wearing of pants, make-up, and jewelry is not encouraged, it is actually frowned at. It is also their believe that hair covering must be worn in church.

My teenage daughter is the one that's all torn apart right now because of this move. She's not looking forward to doing away with a lot of her skinny jeans, earrings, and the thought of having to wear hats to church.

Is there anything wrong with wearing pants?

Though our relationship with our heavenly father is not defined by our outfit. Once washed in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to be modest in our dressings, covering our nakedness. The bible also states in Deuteronomy 22:5, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."

This has been a controversial verse in many churches. How we define what should be worn by a man or a woman is relative, and strictly defined by culture. Men wear berets, so do women. Men wear blazers, so do women, Men wear socks, sweaters, and shawls, so do women. The only distinctive way of telling the difference is often the color or the tailoring of each.

It is best to pray for the Holy Spirit's understanding of this verse. I do believe that there a reason this verse was included in the bible to begin with, and that sometimes the word need to be interpreted literally.

Though the 'old church' tends to focus some on modest dressing, sound biblical teachings, emphasis on holy living, and regular prayer meetings (and all-night prayers), was never lacking. And while our other church believe the same biblical doctrines similar to our old church, we feel that the aspect of corporate prayer, having a designated day where the entire body can come together for prayer, and emphasis on holy living is lacking.

With that said, I also believe that if we choose to be a part of a believing church body, we are to do whatever is humanly possible, not to be a stumbling block in the life of those other believers. The outfit should not cause us to lose sight of what's important. And that is, maintaining a healthy relationship with our fellow believers. And keeping our focus on heaven.

This move will definitely bring some pain. Relationships that has been built over the years risk fizzling away, or been lost. You know what they say, "out of sight, is out of mind". But knowing that our children are going to have the opportunity to grow in grace, in their prayer life, and in the knowledge of our savior and Lord, that makes it all worth it.

It shall be well.

I Will Watch and Pray

It's usually in the middle of the night. I get this nudge to get out of bed and pray. If I ignore it and fall back to sleep, it weighs really heavy on me the next day. So heavy it feels like a ton of brick right there on my chest.

'What was it that couldn't wait till daybreak?' or 'Who was it that God wanted me to pray about?' These were questions that I pondered in my heart. If only I had stayed up a little bit longer. The answer usually comes a day or so after. There it is! That's who God wanted me to pray for! A friend in desperate need of strength and encouragement, or family member that was very sick and near death.

As believers, we've been called to bear one anothers burden, even in the middle of the night. God had summoned me to stand in the gap, but I loved my sleep too much to be bothered. I prayed, 'Dear Lord, help me. I know I can pray. Please don't give up on me.  You can count on me.'

Soldiers of Emmanuel, the call has gone forth, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh"(Matthew 25:13). God's Words translation of the same verse says"So stay awake, because you don't know the day or the hour".

People of God, let us awake from our slumber. It is my heart cry that I'll be sensitive to His voice, that you will be sensitive to his voice, whether in the day or night.

I still get those nudge in the middle of the night, and by His grace I get up and pray as His spirit leads, even if it's just for a minute. God is not looking for men who CAN pray, He is looking for men who WILL pray.