[some of them]

Pastor Roger:

Thank you for your advice.  I am going to take it to heart.  I cannot keep on holding this thing.  It is destroying my life. 

 I think that part of the problem is the "touch not the Lord's annointed" syndrome, as I call it, among certain preachers.  I have confronted ( in private) both of these men with this issue.  The only results I get are angry words about my "questioning" their authority and that is part of the reason that I feel the way I do.

 It is not that I disagree with "what they did", they had every right to do that if that is what they thought needed to be done.  But it's the WAY in which it was done and the attitude that says "I am God's man, therefore, you should not question any decision I make or the way I carry it out" that really bothers me.  I am sorry, but preachers are not perfect, they do make mistakes and do wrong things inspite of their being "spiritually in tune" with God.

When they do something wrong, they are just as wrong as any one else and they should admit to it and ask forgiveness of the person they offended or hurt.  I have yet to see one do this in my short life of 45 years other than certain televangelists that we know of.

See, there I go again.  It just irritates me to no end.  I know that God has a reason for all that He allows.  I know that He speaks through both his WORD and his PEOPLE (i.e. preachers and other Christians).  Preachers are to be respected as the ministers of God, but they are HUMAN.  Nothing more. Nothing less.  Just like all of the rest of us, they are "sinners saved by grace" but some of them just don't seem to see it that way.  They become frustrated and angry when confronted with their mistakes even if it is done in the right way.  Not all preachers are this way thankfully, but, unfortunately for me, most of the ones I have had contact with have been, myself included.  I know that sounds like the "pot calling the kettle black" but it is true.  I do tend to be this way as well.

You're right again.  I know that is what I should do, but it seems that I am constantly reminded of this incident.   I really was badly hurt in more ways than one and the worst thing was that it was a "pastor" that did it to me.

I have always held preachers in very high regard as men of integrity and honesty.  They have sort of been my "heros" if you will.  That makes it more difficult to just let go of this and made it hurt all the more.  I know that they are only human and that none of us is perfect, but still, I think that a preacher, should have known and done better than the way things were handled.

Mtnpreacher

Once again, I think you're right.  I was really hurt by the way things were done.  The thing that hurt me most was the fact that the people who did it, in my opinion, should have known better. 

Some things were said that should not have been said.  Some outright lies were told on me. The whole thing was done in a way that was unbiblical and just plain wrong.  I admit that I over reacted in a way.  I didn't say or do anything outrageous or public, but I was very hurt. 

You're correct, I should just let it go and move on.  I should leave it up to the Lord to judge.  I know that he will and he will do a far better job than I could do. 

This thing happened nearly three years ago and it still hurts.  I have tried to let it go.  I have tried to forget it and move on, but everyday something seems to happen that reminds me.  Thoughts come into my mind out of nowhere and before long, I am reliving it all over again.

How do you change your mind when something like this happens?  When does it stop hurting? 

Sometimes I think "stubborness" and "pride" are two different things. But I see your point, they really aren't.  

I have been struggling with both for sometime.  I was done wrong by, of all people, a couple of preacher friends of mine.  I feel like both of them violated the teachings of Scripture by doing things the way they did regarding me.  Mind you, I am not saying that "WHAT" they did was wrong, but the WAY they did it was according to the Bible.

 Neither of these two men has ever even offered to apologize for their actions and I doubt that they ever will.The fact still remains that, from a Scriptural standpoint, they were both clearly wrong, not because I said so, but because God said so.

Instead of letting it go and forgetting about it, I keep ruminating on it in my mind and out loud at times when I am alone.  I know it is wrong to do this but no matter what I do, it seems I can't shake it.  It just won't go away and is beginning to really annoy me.

I have attempted to make things right with both men on my end.  There were somethings that I did which were wrong and I have admitted them and asked forgiveness.  I know that I should forgive them as well but neither of them has ever admitted any wrong or made any attempt to make things right with me.  

I have prayed about it and talked to my pastor about this situation.  Still it eats at me. Is this pride?  Am I being stubborn?    I'm the one who was hurt not the one who did the hurting.  I am the one who has tried to make things right not the one who needed to.

What do you think?

 Amen!  Our mission is to spread the word.  We are to tell others regardless of their status, age, wealth, person, attitudes, or anything else about the good news contained in the gospel of grace.

Acts 1:8 still reads " Ye shall be witnesses unto me...."

You're correct, nursing homes are not always a good place to evangelize as much as to encourage others.  Most residents that come to my services are already saved or at least "religious".  That does not mean, however, that I don't preach salvation or witness to them when the opportunity arises. 

I have led 3 precious ladies to the lord this last year.  One of them died about 3 weeks afterward.  Some one told me that she probably "did not hear a word I said" to her but I know what I heard when she prayed and asked the Lord to save her.  She was hard of hearing but she could read lips and she prayed out loud  with me to  ask for salvation.

When we were finished, I asked what the Lord did for her and her reply was that  he saved her.  I asked her where she would go if she died, and with a smile on her face she said HEAVEN.  Praise the Lord she made the trip three weeks later.  She was 94 years young.

Most people think that people in nursing homes are "too old" or "too set in their ways" to change, but I find the that some are ready and waiting, the only thing they need  is someone to ask.  Some one to lead them to the saviour.

Mtnpreacher

Brother:

You sure do get up early?  4:30 AM  post time?  I like using the net but I'm not going to get up that early to do it. 

Anyway, thanks for the reply.  You never know who you will meet in a nursing home facility.  I remember seeing a table group at lunch once where there were ten elderly people sitting around the table.  Out of the ten, seven were over 100 years of age and not one was under 90.

Think about the history they could share, the things they have seen in their lifetime. The greatest joy and sadness to me is when a person of that age accepts the Lord.   It is a great joy because they receive HIM, but it is sad that they have lived so LONG without him.

Mtnpreacher

I am new here, but I think that it is a wonderful and very appropriate place to post that kind of news.  I think it is great!!!  As a minister,  nothing excites me more than hearing about people accepting and then following Christ.

Have you ever thought about ministering in a unique place?  A place that is often neglected, where lonely people can be found and where people really appreciate your company. 

I have such a ministry and have been doing it for nearly 20 years off and on.  The place where I go is a local nursing facility.  I minister three times a month for one or two hours on Sunday afternoon to a group of around 20 residents.  We sing the old songs, preach from the Bible, and pray together.

I count it a real privilege to be able to do this for my Lord and his people.  You should try it. All it takes is a willing heart, a little time, and a love for people.  The rewards are great.