Yesterday during service of my church, the reading was about drinking milk. Nursing themselves like an infant, some not even knowing that there drinking baby milk, and yet they seek and want that solid meat. Solid meat is for the ones who know and understand the true meaning of Gods words, and understand his gospel so it can be passed along, and not just about God, but living life on earth a humble way.
We had already talked about this in church, so why was it being said again?? The Pastor mentioned that some of us members here today needs to be reminded again about drinking milk. You are like a lost lamb and have been drifted away from the herd, and needs to be called back with the rest of us.
And when service was done...why do I hear one women gossoping to other members, and talking dirt about another member of the church. That milk story was towards the members that gather outside the church and gossop about other members, just as the Pastor was talking about. I guess they come to church to just show face and make people believe that there good people. That one women should really be drinking gallons of goat milk, and should not be offerd solid meat.
Most people are those who look at themselves in the mirror then forget what they look like afterwards. They can't see their own faults for always looking at those in others.
Randi
I guess the main reason why I posted this topic, is because that one women in particular has turned her nasty talking about me and my gender lifestyle. It doesnt bother me that she can only gossop, but it bothers me because it's because of her, I don't attend everysundays. I have no plans on leaving the church because we both were members since child hood. My job is to go and attend service and get involved.
As for the gossop women, she still continues to make fun of my sexuality and the way I live my life. But I know God is watching her and her KARMA is surely on its way.
faith.
I will strongly suggest that this woman is in need of your compassion and support.
She needs you to approach her. She needs your forgiveness and your love.
I further suggest that, what you perceive as her rejection is actually her fear.
On two occasions I reached out to her, and just talked on a friendly level, just to try and see if I could get an eye for her bitterness towards me. I can clearly see her not exepting me as a person, but she just hides it and goes along with my conversation with her. Then when I leave to mingle with others I can see her making faces to her other church friends mocking me.
My point is I don't want her to chase me away from my church, which she is truly doing slowly if she keeps it up. And its sad because I have been a member for more than 15 years. She has made going to church so un-comfortable for me. At this point all I can do is let the Lord fight my battles.
Talk with the leadership of the church.
Understand faith. Suggest you concentrate upon those that will talk to you.
Chatting with the church leadrship, as Sarah says, is probably also a good idea.
But you absolutely have to keep these facts in your mind. You have nothing to apologise for. Nothing to be ashamed of. And every right to be there.
Thanks everyone,
I now know what to do, that was my answer from the beginning, but thought that I would get others solution before I did anything.
Keep us posted faith
Actually I didn't wait untill sunday, I reached out to her myself on our own time and stated to her, I felt like she had somthing against me. Something against my sexuality as a transgender women.
She replied that she didn't understand how the pastor would let someone like me in the church knowing that I'm gay? Her sons come along to church with her, and how are they supposed to react, while bieng exposed to homosexuality in the church place.
I said that I'm really not there to hurt, or to confuse people, I have been a member for a long time, and yes I took three years off to transition and show up one day looking like another person, but the gossip stops now before you make a big deal out of it. There is no need for misunderstanding to be resolved at church, to me church is not to create and resolve problems, it's a place of worship. So I said "I can't help who I am today, and please keep in mind that your sons did not know about me until you opened your mouth." Next time she should have minded her own business from the start, and her sons would have not known anything, because it is my business only.
She told her sons about me because she didn't want them to react with me. No one else seems to have a problem with my sexuality it's just her. So as to this being resolved, we decided to say "hi and bye," until time has healed her heart, and she promised to not talk about me anymore.
Hello Faith,
It seems to me that God has gotten you to a very good place in your live. Not that it has been easy by any means.How i long so much to reach that point.
It just saddens me to see that some people prefer to remain at the milk stage and don't seem to realize how much they are really missing.
It is something i have noticed in the bible study i am in. There is about 30 of us and there is only about 3 people that say much of anything.
God will show me something that is really neat and awesome. I go to share it and it's like i can picture in my mind that as the words are coming out they just landing on the floor with a big thud. I know a few are getting it but most seem not to. It just seems like most would prefer it to be on the surface.
I do agree with you that it is a place of worship but it also believe it should be much more. It should also be a place where people are loved as they are,a place where we give a helping hand up,a place without judgment and a place where all are welcome and none are turned a side.
Your stronger than me. I can't stay anywhere where even a single person doesn't want me around. I also do not go to church due to the hipocrites who go there and judge others. I am not saying to do what i do because i wish i was as strong as you but i am not and i do not want to be around people who would gossip about me in a negative way. That has kept me from going to any churches because i have found this at every church i have ever gone too and i have been to many types of churches. The only group who totally forgives or accepts is the twelvetribes.org group and they even speak about in the end birds of every feather will come together and sit in the same tree waiting for God. The TT even allows you to live with them. In my case they said since i have sons i should present male but others who don't, do not have too, unless they pray and God tells them what they should present as.
My first time going to church as a young teenager, I think I was about 14 years old. Everything was going good for like 2 weeks, and one night a former gay guy had pulled me to the side and said, "are you gay?" Immediately I thought to myself, 'why does it matter?' he stated that if I was than I need to change. I needed to change because it's a sin, and GOD doesn't like people like that.
He went on saying that he used to be gay, and this christian church had changed him. So he kept on drilling me in front of my friends, and made me feel so ashamed.
I already knew that God doesn't jugde you by your apperience, wether you look like a boy or a girl. He will judge you upon your actions on earth, but that's just my belife.
Yes sometimes I think I'm to strong because people tend to test me, and that's not a good feeling. All you have to do is ignore them and dismiss there negativity, if you have to answer there negative questions, just smile and turn negativity into a positive. Show them that your are a real person, and you won't be backed down in any corner, by anybody.
In one of my chapters I wrote about gay phisycal abuse, and how I didn't let the pain cloud me so that It won't lead to suicide, or lowself esteem.
Quote from: faith folau on January 28, 2011, 10:33:22 PM
He went on saying that he used to be gay, and this christian church had changed him. So he kept on drilling me in front of my friends, and made me feel so ashamed.
What I *really* hate about this garbage is not the idea that being gay is a sin (although I *do* hate that idea - it's clearly not), but, even worse, that God somehow wants us to "not sin" to be saved. It's contrary to good doctrine. Good doctrine says it's God's work, that Jesus paid the price, that it is finished. It doesn't say, "Well, Jesus died on the cross for you and you'll be saved if you give up drinking."
Add that ugly doctrine (you must not 'sin' to be saved) to prejudice, bigotry, and homophobia...well, what you get out of that ain't Christian.
Good stuff everyone. ask the hireling how much money he makes? The good shepherd cares for the sheep and has laid down his life for them, but the hireling will flee when he sees the wolf coming.
May the unknown God "guide you into ALL truth" that is in Christ.
Faith,
I like what Sarah said about some staying in the milk stage.
I think some confuse when Paul said that milk is for babes and when Jesus said we should come as a child. They get mixed up and stay a babe.
Anyone that has had children knows a babe can really do nothing but drink milk and hang on mommy. They might eat, drink and go to the bathroom but that's about all.
A child on the other hand is always searching and experimenting. They crawl and get into troubles they need parents to save them from. They reach for things and try to walk.
Some of these Christians need to get beyond being a babe and being useless drinking milk and never seeking to go farther with their faith or beliefs.
Maybe they should try to grow and walk (in faith) or to reach out (press towards the mark of the high calling in Christ) or learn (how to treat others) and just quit being a babe. Maybe then they wouldn't be sticking their nose in your life and belittling you.
I wish you well with your problem. At least you took the first step right by confronting the one that has offended you.
Take care young lady.