Hurting

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Floyd wrote:
. My pastor and my Church
>never wrote me a single letter while I was going a nightmare in basic
>training. The pastor had to sacrifice me to keep others from joining
>up. 
>
Dave:
It's unfortunate, but Jesus said "All men will know that you are my
disciples IF you have Love one for another."  The situation you write about
is common. Manipulation over people to have them not communicate with you is
not portraying the Love of God. Remember, God's Love is Unconditional.

Floyd writes:
>After basic training, I went to school in another city. After five
>weeks there I was allowed to leave the base on Sunday morning. I had
>to wear my uniform. I took a bus and cab to the UPC Church. When I got
>there, a man came out and introduced himself as the pastor. I told him
>where I was from and that I had the Holy Ghost. He ask me to step into
>his office and then he pulled back the curtain. He ask me to look out
>and I saw an old school bus with weeds growing around it. He said "we
>bought that bus and tried to work with the military but we found that
>all they wanted to do was mess with the girls. We decided that we
>would just as soon not have them around". I needed that Church. It was
>the first time I had ever been away from home and I needed some
>fellowship. They judged me by the USAF uniform that I had on. I was
>hurting and I needed some kindness. If they had been kind to me, some
>might have misunderstood and thought the UPC believed in war. Not one
>person spoke to me for the several months that I attended and paid my
>tithes there.

Dave:
This is sad and far from the Love of God. That's a shame, not one person
spoke to you. The scriptures tell us to encourage one another and those who
are "strong in faith, help those who are weak." If no one reached out to
you, then the logical conclusion is that they were not "strong in faith." At
our church, we reach out to the backsliders. And when they come to church,
we don't look down at them. We welcome them back. We create an atmosphere of
the Holy Ghost. The Fruits of the Holy Ghost are : Love, Joy, Peace,
Longsuffering, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Patience and so forth. Obviously,
some people don't know or never have experienced the Fruits of the Spirit.

I really appreciate the men who have fought for our Country. Many have died
for our Country. I don't take that lightly. Jesus died for us to have life
and that more abundantly. This is the Ultimate. Yet, I do thank God and pray
for the men who serve our Country. Thank God that this is not a Communist
country. We do have the freedom to worship God.
 
Floyd:>
>The Church should be a hospital. If you don't have some sinners in the
>house you are a failure.
>
Dave:
Absolutely. However, I have seen in some groups (even here on H/F) kill
their own wounded. Floyd, don't let anyone bring you down. It's not worth
it. Keep you head up high and remember that Jesus loves you and that God has
great things in store for you. See Jeremiah 29:11. 

I've learned to be indifferent to the opinions of people. Their talk,
backbitting, and gossip does not affect me at all. I've learned to walk in
the Love of God and to overcome evil with good. 

Lies and gossip originate from hell to destroy people. If anyone is reading
this and you have a forked tongue, it only goes to show that you are being
used by satan and don't even know it. If all you do is tear down each other,
you are actively working for satan. We should build up one another and
encourage one another. If anyone attempts to discredit what I've just said,
you are trying to justify your carnal actions. If people are not walking in
love, and yet claim to have the Holy Ghost, baptized in Jesus name, live
holy, etc., but don't have Love, 1 Corinthians 13 says that they are
NOTHING! One cannot even go to Heaven. That's going to be a sad and terrible
day.

Floyd, God Bless you brother! May the Blessings of Deut.28:1-14 follow you
and your household. I also honor you as a veteran and thank you for serving
our country!