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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/29/2008 1:58:07 PM
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wa2be
Posts: 4
Joined: 7/29/2008
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I wear shorts to church whenever I'm not playing with the worship team (I wear your basic "business casual" outfit for that - Dockers and a polo shirt). I don't see how the clothing I wear to church has anything to do with the condition of my heart or my relationship with God. It's just clothes!
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/29/2008 3:00:45 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1350
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
quote:
ORIGINAL: sunshine60
I have been in churches who made you wear certain clothing. I could never feel free there.
Now, that is interesting.....could you elaborate as to what you were made to wear.....how it was "enforced".....was it members and visitor's alike subject to the "Dress code"?
what kind of church was it?
I am obviously not Sunshine, but it appeared that you had a hard time swallowing that there are churches like that around. Not that you disbelieved Sunshine but that something like this is just hard to imagine.
I was just curious....Iam aware that such "churches" exist, as I have been exposed to some very "Gothardized" churches (those who primarily teach the false-teachings of a guy named Bill Gothard), who are also very 'heavy-handed' with their "rules"......and do some very off-the-wall things to enforce them. (and, they also put out alot of their own materials, and routinely discourage personal study of the bible without their materials to "guide" you.)....and, similarily, any "dissension" is met harshly....without any regards to what II Timothy 4 talks about correcting/rebuking: 1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
And, worse than anything, these churches don't typically do much, if any, reaching out into the community, welcoming of newcomers, etc...etc...and are very "insular".....
In our VERY 'modern' church (very conservative in some ways, very contemporary in others), even we have a few people here and there that would "fit that mold" (dress almost FLDS-like).....but, that's how they CHOOSE to....99.99% dress like anyone you'd see in the office or at a nice restaurant...(comfortable, but definitely just a bit on the "dressy" side)......while, there are a few here and there, who are also VERY 'casual'....(even more casual that I would even dress to church).....but, again, that's their choosing....and, we don't have the "fashion police" stationed at our front doors, either.
thanks for the explanation.....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/29/2008 3:49:03 PM
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JCMK
Posts: 119
Joined: 12/30/2007
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I dress to go to the House of God in respectful and modest apparel. The same as I dress all the time. The same as I would dress if God or Jesus were coming to my house to visit.
A few years ago, President Bush came to our city. The owner of the small company where I worked had connections and got tickets for all employees. We were allowed time to run home and change into nice clothes out of respect. Of course, the President couldn't see what people had on, but everyone still dressed up in their nicest clothes.
If we can do that for a man who doesn't even see individuals, shouldn't we do that for God and His Son, Jesus? They see us all the time. And they certainly deserve our respect.
I have noticed that if a man or woman dresses very modestly, it doesn't always mean that they live like they should and their heart is like it should be. However, if a person lives like they should and their heart is like it should be, the outward appearance will reflect that.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/29/2008 5:06:28 PM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 6608
Joined: 4/11/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito
The "visit the President" analogy doesn't fly.
I agree. The analogy would be better as if you were going over to see your Daddy.
Or, to be biblical, Abba Father.
We are, after all, family now. Joint heirs with Abba's Son.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/29/2008 8:51:18 PM
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wbporter
Posts: 78
Joined: 9/23/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
By teaching us that they were the only church organization that was completely correct, ALL other churches were inferior by far. By teaching us that they had the whole truth, while SOME other churches only had some of the truth. By teaching us that they, who are The Righteous, will barely get through the pearly gates, and others, including those in their own congregations who were not up to THEIR judgment, would not make it at all.
They used scare tactics, brainwashing, loud angry rants from the pulpit, and threats from the pulpit to enforce their ideas. Those of us who were born into the church knew nothing else, because they used their own published literature and no other, strongly discouraged us from attending anything in other churches, and refusing to allow us to have home Bible studies. Everything religious that we participated in had to be approved by the pastor.
Further, they strongly taught us that if we did not comply, we would be anathema with the church, and the church was our salvation. Whatever the pastor said was G-d's words to our ears, No Matter What. Everything that the pastor did was right, just, and approved by G-d.
AND if we left the church organization, we would go to hell and take our children with us. I heard this all of my life, and when I did leave, after being kicked out and not trying to be reinstated, I was told this several times by a beloved in-law who is still in the church.
If that isn't the classic definition of a cult, I don't know what is.
_____________________________
Pacem.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/29/2008 9:02:17 PM
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humbleinspirit
Posts: 18070
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
Status: offline
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quote:
I agree with your post 100%
Got a question for all the "casual" posters.How far will the casual dress go?I dress in my "dress up" clothes for church for this reason.Quite often I think of the beautiful hymn "Give of your best to the Master".He gave His all for me,and He deserves my best In everything,including dress.Im not out to impress anyone,not even God.But I do believe He deserves my very best.
quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
Well, we're casual cause we're still a church plant.
When we were attending a church, we were business casual.
Many people wore jeans, etc. There were t-shirts, flip flops, etc.
No one purposely wore "nasty, dirty" clothes to church. Whatever was worn was clean.
I think each point-of-view has extremes to it that we want to attribute as the norm for that view and that's simply not the reality of it whether it's dressy or casual.
Casual does not have to mean nasty, dirty, torn up clothing.
Dressy does not have to mean 3-piece suit, pantyhose, heels.
As a whole I agree with this. A few years ago when I was feeling really bad about myself, I went to church just wearing a sweatshirt and jeans. I was serving in ministry at the time, I knew wearing what I did was being disrespectful to God! I should have known better!
Now, I am not saying that one oughta get dressed up, however one should treat Jesus and the congregation with respect, whatever that might be instead.
And oh, btw for the record, I worked behind the scenes and thought that I would not really be seen so it wouldn't matter, but still none the less. Also, I am not at all saying that one shouldn't wear jeans to church, but much rather it is a condition of the heart instead.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 10:31:49 AM
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lightshineon
Posts: 3538
Joined: 4/11/2005
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It would not be a problem at my church, my own girls even dress down. I never see young dress up, unless they are three, and the mom and dad still have a say.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Restored_Heart
Thinking about some of this....
and I have been working with children on dress.... (teenagers on down)...
I would rather have a child in more casual clothes with an attitude that is ready and willing to worship than to have a child in a "formal" dress with an attitude of not wanting to be there....
As I have focused more on the heart of worship, I have noticed an improvement in the dress of my children (they are starting to wear casual skirts, and better clothes).
< Message edited by lightshineon -- 7/30/2008 10:47:35 AM >
_____________________________
Remember, whenever you have pearls, there are always plenty of pigs nearby who would be glad to step on them.
F.T., 2007
Be sure you vote for those, whose views you want your children to emulate.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 10:46:30 AM
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lightshineon
Posts: 3538
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Thank You, so much it is a thought I will keep with me today. PS, aybiyah, and Dave thank you. I think also my mind is better, no staring into space for extended periods of time (LOL), or carrying bath and body works signs around again. I am so glad his mercies are new every morning. Blessings Light.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ps103
quote:
ORIGINAL: lightshineon
Dave and Abyiah, true. I was really trying to get at pleasing God. I am strange, it is not out of fear, but I always want to please him. It is kind of like VBS this year. I am so worn out. I would go to work early, leave early come home shower again, work VBS until 9:30, including clean-up, go back into work and work until almost 1am. Keep things running in my family, plus doing a gaurdianship with a mentally challenged child (long story) cooking for parents after work. This is not bragging, or whining, I feel confused, because I really, really, want to please the Lord. They had a picture on the website with VBS pictures, someone told my husband today, I looked so thin, it looked like I was going to blow away. Not even mentioning the suitcases under my eyes. I was curious and looked at it, and it is the worst picture I have ever taken (LOL). So it goes with the dress thing. I could care a rip less what anyone else wears, infact, two of the most wonderful ladies from a different church, and I talked about it ( they helped us with crafts) they wear shorts, jeans flip flops, casual every Sunday. I told them what I wear and they laughed, and we agreed what ever floats someones boat. Thre baby blue color may seem silly, vain, ignorant, to some, but yes, I have been concerned, not fretful though, that I was drawing attention to myself, and I get very embaressed if someone says something, and they do. I know everyone is thinking what a vain woman. Which is far from the truth, I have low self-worth, if not careful. Ok this is strange this whole post, I am so tired so excuse me. I carried a sign aroung by accident in Bath and Body works store that said two for ten dollars, until they took it from me. I thought I was carrying something else. MY DD ask if I had been tested for Alzheimers. I am babbling, so I will leave with this, it was kids Sunday, I wore the VBS T-Shirt ( Brown) and hot pink shorts- sort of capri things, but above knees, hot pink flats. Though I had matching jewelry. No hose though, so it was all good.  PS. I will regret this post when my mind returns, so read it quickly before tommorow, and I deleate it. (LOL)
{{{Lightshineon}}}
The Father knows your heart. Just be still and know Him. Stop worrying about others and just let it be. He knows you and He loves you. Just relax and let Him do whatever He wills. Okay?
You don't have to remove your post or apologize for it--it was what was at the moment you posted it.
But every day is a new start with the Father--His mercies are fresh every morning.
Do not let this wonderful thought pass you by.
_____________________________
Remember, whenever you have pearls, there are always plenty of pigs nearby who would be glad to step on them.
F.T., 2007
Be sure you vote for those, whose views you want your children to emulate.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 12:17:36 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3646
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: wbporter
quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
By teaching us that they were the only church organization that was completely correct, ALL other churches were inferior by far. By teaching us that they had the whole truth, while SOME other churches only had some of the truth. By teaching us that they, who are The Righteous, will barely get through the pearly gates, and others, including those in their own congregations who were not up to THEIR judgment, would not make it at all.
They used scare tactics, brainwashing, loud angry rants from the pulpit, and threats from the pulpit to enforce their ideas. Those of us who were born into the church knew nothing else, because they used their own published literature and no other, strongly discouraged us from attending anything in other churches, and refusing to allow us to have home Bible studies. Everything religious that we participated in had to be approved by the pastor.
Further, they strongly taught us that if we did not comply, we would be anathema with the church, and the church was our salvation. Whatever the pastor said was G-d's words to our ears, No Matter What. Everything that the pastor did was right, just, and approved by G-d.
AND if we left the church organization, we would go to hell and take our children with us. I heard this all of my life, and when I did leave, after being kicked out and not trying to be reinstated, I was told this several times by a beloved in-law who is still in the church.
If that isn't the classic definition of a cult, I don't know what is.
Bless you, WB, thank you for writing it "out loud." I know that there are people from that church organization on CW, and many of them know exactly who I am, who my family is, and even some of what we went through in that organization.
Because of this, I write what happened there, as I did on this thread, over and over and over, hoping that some of them will JUST THINK! It helps when people like you write things like you just did. Maybe some of them will begin to think, will begin to lose their fear of leaving.
That church has a top-notch music venue. But maybe some of the more musically talented ones, who have been told specifically that the other churches do not need their talents, that they will never sing/play again outside of that church (we were TAUGHT this strongly!) will realize that this is an absolute LIE! The other churches are CRYING for talent!
Maybe the Sunday school teachers who love the children, who love to teach whatever group they are in, will also realize that they will just need a little reeducation, and they will have positions in the churches.
Most there already know that the clothing rules there are ridiculous, as is the ban on wedding bands, the KJV-only stance, etc. So people like you, and there have been others on CW, who write the truth in response to my such posts, will finally get through to them.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 12:25:59 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3646
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lightshineon
Thank You, so much it is a thought I will keep with me today. PS, aybiyah, and Dave thank you. I think also my mind is better, no staring into space for extended periods of time (LOL), or carrying bath and body works signs around again. I am so glad his mercies are new every morning. Blessings Light.
Oh, Light! I see you as one who has "bounce-backability." I seriously doubt there is anything that will hold you down for long. 
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 12:32:14 PM
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backrowbaptist
Posts: 387
Joined: 6/7/2008
Status: offline
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Interesting thing happened to me years ago. I was dating a girl from a casual, non-denominational praise church. We went to her church one night, and she was dressed in a very low-cut blouse. While I struggled to not 'dip below the horizon' (unsuccessfully), I also struggled about whether to say anything to her. She must have noticed my struggles, because she all of the sudden looked at me and asked "is this top too slutty for church?" i honestly did not know what to do with that question. Is there an acceptable degree of slutiness for church? Why would a christian woman even ask that question?
Anyways, up until that point I had the attitude, like most of you, that it doesn't matter what you wear when coming to God's house. Since then, I've been more sensitive to the issue. What you wear says a lot about your attitude towards God, and your maturity. I'd have to side with the dress-up side on this one, at least to the point that christians today need to think more about how they present themselves to God and His flock, especially women.
< Message edited by backrowbaptist -- 7/30/2008 12:41:18 PM >
_____________________________
Any of this gettin' through to you, son?
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 12:51:08 PM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3377
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: offline
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Was it the low cut dress....or why she wore a low cut dress...that disturbed you?
I like looking good. If I had the money I would spend it on suits to wear to church...but...I would do it TO look good, not out of respect for God because...
what I wear does not have any bearing whatsoever on my respect for God. What I wear might define me....or define my finances.
You cannot judge a book by its cover. I know very rich people who dress in jeans and poor people who put on suits.
Thing is....a low cut dress...is a low cut dress no matter what.
Bottom line....I doubt anyone really dresses up for God. They dress up to fit into their church...or dress down. I doubt many of you who like to dress up go to churches where you are the only ones doing that. Same thing with people who dress down.
As long as ya get your behind in church and do that with sincerity, I doubt God would care how you cover it.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 1:00:36 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3646
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: backrowbaptist
Interesting thing happened to me years ago. I was dating a girl from a casual, non-denominational praise church. We went to her church one night, and she was dressed in a very low-cut blouse. While I struggled to not 'dip below the horizon' (unsuccessfully), I also struggled about whether to say anything to her. She must have noticed my struggles, because she all of the sudden looked at me and asked "is this top too slutty for church?" i honestly did not know what to do with that question. Is there an acceptable degree of slutiness for church? Why would a christian woman even ask that question?
Well, bless you, Backrow, for bothering to struggle. For myself, I cannot even imagine any reason a woman would want to wear such a dress, unless it is to show her breasts -- she wants people to look. Can anyone else come up with a different reason?
But anything that is "too slutty for church" is too slutty to be worn outside the house. Period. Get real. We either represent the believers who represent Messiah, or we represent the "other side." Oo-oo-oo! What other side? Well, use your imagination.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 1:11:54 PM
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yustme
Posts: 378
Joined: 5/2/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: backrowbaptist
Interesting thing happened to me years ago. I was dating a girl from a casual, non-denominational praise church. We went to her church one night, and she was dressed in a very low-cut blouse. While I struggled to not 'dip below the horizon' (unsuccessfully), I also struggled about whether to say anything to her. She must have noticed my struggles, because she all of the sudden looked at me and asked "is this top too slutty for church?" i honestly did not know what to do with that question. Is there an acceptable degree of slutiness for church? Why would a christian woman even ask that question?
Anyways, up until that point I had the attitude, like most of you, that it doesn't matter what you wear when coming to God's house. Since then, I've been more sensitive to the issue. What you wear says a lot about your attitude towards God, and your maturity. I'd have to side with the dress-up side on this one, at least to the point that christians today need to think more about how they present themselves to God and His flock, especially women.
WOW !! I couldn't have said it better!!
About the "especially women".YOU-ARE-SO-RIGHT!! I have seen women look so very slutty both in dress-up clothes,and in dress-down clothes in church,and it makes me embarassed as a woman.When I choose something to wear I always ask my husband if I have the appearence of a Christian woman.I want my clothes to reflect my heart whether it be for church or wherever.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 2:21:46 PM
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yustme
Posts: 378
Joined: 5/2/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Was it the low cut dress....or why she wore a low cut dress...that disturbed you?
I like looking good. If I had the money I would spend it on suits to wear to church...but...I would do it TO look good, not out of respect for God because...
what I wear does not have any bearing whatsoever on my respect for God. What I wear might define me....or define my finances.
You cannot judge a book by its cover. I know very rich people who dress in jeans and poor people who put on suits.
Thing is....a low cut dress...is a low cut dress no matter what.
Bottom line....I doubt anyone really dresses up for God. They dress up to fit into their church...or dress down. I doubt many of you who like to dress up go to churches where you are the only ones doing that. Same thing with people who dress down.
As long as ya get your behind in church and do that with sincerity, I doubt God would care how you cover it.
I guess I'm strange,I don't dress up to fit into my church.I am the only woman in the church that wears a skirt or dress to church Sunday nights and Wednesday nights.I'm not trying to impress anyone,this is just my way of showing my respect along with many other ways to my Lord.That's all.But It doesn't make me any better Christian than anyone else.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 3:42:49 PM
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backrowbaptist
Posts: 387
Joined: 6/7/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
Well, bless you, Backrow, for bothering to struggle.
Thanks C_M, I never looked at it that way.
Maybe y'all would be interested to know that she eventually married a pastor... AND she was pregnant at the time.
Pastors aren't immune from the struggle.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 3:49:51 PM
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Roberta_
Posts: 7000
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: East Bay Area
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: backrowbaptist
Pastors aren't immune from the struggle.
They certainly aren't. We would be wise to remember that and not tempt them.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/30/2008 4:15:01 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3646
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
Status: offline
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At the old church I went to in this town, the ministers requested that the women not sit on the outsides of the pews -- in the area nearest the aisles -- because of the way they sat, which was difficult for them. This was one thing they actually handled with much grace there, for once! But not long after this, we in the congregation had problems with some sitting on the platform, because they were young inductees into the orchestra who had no clue whatsoever how to sit in a skirt, and the church would not allow them to wear pants. Some of these same ones and others started showing a LOT of cleavage. But dare anyone in the congregation say anything, and we got bombasted big-time. It was pretty sick.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/31/2008 9:51:16 AM
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yustme
Posts: 378
Joined: 5/2/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito
quote:
I have seen women look so very slutty both in dress-up clothes,and in dress-down clothes in church,
Exactly. Whether you dress up or dress down, either way can be modest or immodest. There are plenty of dress-up clothes that are cut too low in the neckline or too high in the hemline.
So that isn't really the issue. 
The reason I said about the slutty look is because of the post about the woman who wore a low cut dress.However I still feel that we,men and women should be dressed up for God in church.Not for show,but respect for God.
I'll venture to say I'f anyone on these threads were going to a dinner with the President or the queen of England they'ed really dress up.Why not for God?
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/31/2008 9:54:44 AM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 6608
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: yustme
...I'll venture to say I'f anyone on these threads were going to a dinner with the President or the queen of England they'ed really dress up.Why not for God?
Again, if I were going to dinner with my Daddy, I'd show up in comfy clothes with only thoughts of enjoying time with him. But, I suppose, if I were an employee of my Dad instead of family, I might be inclined to dress to impress.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 7/31/2008 9:56:34 AM
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ta_mosquito
Posts: 11512
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: from MN, now in Ontario :D
Status: offline
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quote:
I'm not trying to impress anyone,this is just my way of showing my respect along with many other ways to my Lord.That's all.But It doesn't make me any better Christian than anyone else.
quote:
However I still feel that we,men and women should be dressed up for God in church.
These two quotes don't mesh. If someone feels that everyone should dress up for church, how is that NOT judging themselves as having more respect for God and thus being a better Christian?
quote:
I'll venture to say I'f anyone on these threads were going to a dinner with the President or the queen of England they'ed really dress up.Why not for God?
If one is going to have dinner with DADDY, would they dress up? God is our ABBA. He's not unapproachable as the President or queen. We meet with Him every day!
_____________________________
Tricia
"There's a fine line between being open-minded and empty-headed." ~Michael Coren
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