Kathy,

We have a very similar setup to you and have problems from time to time with 
people just "running away with themselves . . .."  We too are experiencing a 
real sadness (well, I am and Mike also) because so many folk are just 
holding back their own lives after once being really on fire.  The young 
people growing up have a totally different perspective on life.  Somehow 
everything gets sorted and done for them and there's little sense of giving 
amongst most of them.  I just wish the Lord would come soon!  <SMILES>

Anyway, keep us posted, as always.


--
Carol
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kathy Du Bois" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:39 PM
Subject: Re: Attention Kathy


> Sounds fun phil, I love it.
>
>         We've tried opening up the service a lot more.  I've told you 
> about the services that we have that we called, "spirit led," not because 
> other services aren't, but because we can't think of a better title.  The 
> people share then how God is working in their lives or a scripture that 
> God has laid on their hearts.  They even pick out all the music, so that 
> is fun.  Unfortunately, in a larger group though, you do sort of have to 
> keep an eye on things.  We have people who are very spiritually immature, 
> if they are christian at all, and they try to treat this type of service 
> as if it were open mike night down at Joe's bar and grill.  Oh yes, we've 
> had a few attempts at questionable jokes, which, to be truthful, I 
> wouldn't have found very funny even if they had been told at Joe's, so 
> there you go.
>         I know, we all need to remain humble and keep a spirit of 
> repentance, but most of our people won't bow to do that.    I don't mean 
> that they have to do it publicly.  Let's just say that there are things 
> that we know that are going on that  individuals aren't willing to give 
> up.  It's so sad really.
>         Anyway, I do like the idea of house worship.  I think that that 
> was God's original idea, but I do still enjoy praising God in a large 
> group setting.  I just can't seem to fit a pipe organ into my living room. 
> Actually, we don't evedn have one at our church, but they do sound 
> awesome, you have to admit!
> Kathy
>
>
> At 04:53 PM 6/25/2006, you wrote:
>>Kathy,
>>
>>I discover I still do a lot of repenting myself regardless of where
>>everybody else is spiritually.  In fact, I like it because it brings me
>>closer to the Lord and brings healing into areas of my life I never 
>>dreamed
>>were there.  We ended up with a total of four but whose counting.  Church 
>>is
>>pretty informal for us but everyone, regardless if I have something to 
>>teach
>>or not, are welcome to speak up and talk any time.  It makes for a good 
>>time
>>together because then it isn't just me telling everybody how and what to
>>think but I get to learn from others, too.  Someone asked me the other day
>>how long before our meetings on Sunday do I prepare.  I laughed because 
>>some
>>days it is the whole week and some Sunday, I prepare nothing because the
>>Lord gave me nothing.  That usually means others have important things to
>>share we need to hear.  I used to spend 30 to 40 hours a week, years ago,
>>preparing just one sermon.  Now sometimes it all happens in 5 minutes and 
>>I
>>never do anything as complicated as I used to when preaching years ago. 
>>In
>>fact, I rarely raise my voice now and unfortunately, I have no pulpit upon
>>which to pound.  That I miss.  I have been noted to throw my notebook,
>>however.  That happen more than once but one time, I got so angry, I threw
>>my notebook down on a coffee table sitting next to me.  It knocked off a 
>>cup
>>of remaining cofee and spilled on to a lady's dress.  I didn't care 
>>because
>>I was throwing her out of my house anyhow.  I was her pastor years ago and
>>she is notorious for standing up and literally trying to take over a 
>>preach
>>or teaching service.  She was so wrong this time, I made her leave.  I
>>would, even to this day, been over backwards for her to help her but when
>>someone attempts to announce the Bible isn't true in my own house, I get a
>>little worked up.  It was, and is, the only time anyone stood up to her
>>lying spirit she used to use to take over meetings.  I would have bodily
>>picked her up but she, fortunately, left on her own.  Yes, I've seen her
>>since then, she has been in one of our prayer meetings, and I even hugged
>>her.  In fact, I actually love her, but the Enemy doesn't like that sort 
>>of
>>love so he stirs up horrible trauma and woundedness in this lady's life so
>>that she reacts publicly.  Other than that, I'm as peaceful as a mouse and 
>>I
>>have never beat up anybody.  Well, I was pretty mean to my little sister 
>>but
>>we won't go there.
>>
>>Phil.
>>
>>
>>Phil.
>