WHY I DON'T GO TO CHURCH

NETTIE-ISM: I used to sit on the phone or at my friend Lynette's house for hours talking about the Lord. We would work our problems out according to Scripture and encourage one another  using the word of God.

MATTHEW 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

I learn something every time I attend a church but I don't learn what I need to know to get through the day.

It is amazing how many different ways a church can preach about giving without mentioning tithing. It seems, the larger the church the more bills they have the more the amount of money you give is linked to a problem you are experiencing.

• Having problems with your marriage? The church will encourage date night. After you have paid your bills, given your tithes and offerings use that access money to take your wife to a nice restaurant or if there is not enough you cook  a nice dinner for two.
• Can't pay your bills? Take this Small Group class and we will show you how to set up a budget which includes your giving, you can get debt free.

What if you are having problems even though you give "tithes and offerings"? Money was not the reason I stopped going to church, I give or don't give as the Spirit of the Lord directs me.
I was sitting in one church listening to one of my favorite preachers and he was not making any sense.  Now this particular church has themes, they would preach a series based on a theme and each Pastor giving the message would have to adhere to the theme. It was clear to me that Saturday, I attended the Saturday evening services, that the Pastor was struggling to keep to the guidelines the Senior Pastor had adhered to. I left that church because I don't want a cutisie message that would help me with nothing.

MATTHEW  10:35
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

The same was true with another church in which you heard the word from a BIG SCREEN! Unless you were in the actual place in which the message was preached. The one positive: Jesus was mentioned.

MATTHEW 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Had I not attended a church, before I moved south, that taught me how to search the Scriptures to solve my problems. Had I not attended a church in which the Senior Pastor preached the need to work on self by studying the Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to fix me.. Had I not attended a church in which the Senior Pastor called out the behaviors he saw in the body and explained why it was a sin and revealed how to correct it, I would not have known the importance of submitting to Elohim.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 THE EXPANDED BIBLE
All Scripture is ·inspired by God [breathed out by God; L- God-breathed] and is useful for teaching, for ·showing people what is wrong in their lives [refuting error; rebuking], for correcting faults, and for ·teaching how to live right [training in righteousness]. ·Using the Scriptures, [L- …so that] ·the person who serves God [L -God’s person] will be ·capable [competent], ·having all that is needed [fully equipped] to do every good work.

There are so many super churches with super programs and mega budgets. Chicken dinners have been replaced with coffee and a pastry. Children don't come to church and learn how to sit and listen they attend their own service in which they can run around, play hoops sing and socialize all in the name of the Lord.  In some churches.

There are those churches, one in which I attended on an irregular bases, that taught about Scripture. It did not teach personal application but rather "this is what happened when".  Scripture was taught in context, a good thing, and commentary was presented in hopes of not offending the listener.
I learned quite a bit regarding the practices of biblical times and why various feast were carried out.  None of it helped me to submit to my husband when he was getting on my last nerve, which is why the talks with my friend were so important.

This was my personal struggle. I was attending church regularly, serving in the ministry, giving as the Spirit directed me and I was having a lot of problems. When I decided to attend church only when I felt the need to fellowship Hebrews 10:25 "forsake not the assembly of yourselves" was 'thrown' at me.  Attending church should help me be able to do what I am called to do. "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:17 KJV.

I look around today and see people who attend church regularly and they live in what I would deem "survival mode".

HEBREWS 10:25 THE VOICE - and commentary
 not forgetting to gather as a community, as some have forgotten, but encouraging each other, especially as the day of His return approaches.
"The word translated “church” in English Bibles means literally “assembly of the called”; it implies that members have said “yes” to God’s call in their lives. We assemble because we are called into being by God Himself. Some people, for reasons only they know, choose to live their Christian faiths in isolation. When they do, they cut themselves off from the gifts, encouragement, and vitality of others. And perhaps, just as tragically, they deprive the church of the grace and life God has invested in them."

The Voice commentators assume that those of us who chose not to go to church are not being encouraged and do not partake of the gifts. The truth is I am not isolated from the ministry gifts and I receive more encouragement now than I did when I attended church regularly. And though I could do some things I was not able to utilize my God given gifts because it was not part of the church's vision; I was bound by man.

Finally, many churches ignore the topic of abortion, homosexuality, adultery and submission. Why would anyone want to fellowship with a place in which the full gospel is not being presented.

MARK 16:15-18
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

There are two churches I attend when I desire to be with other believers. But, it is not really fellowship when you go to church, hear the word and then go home.
                                                                          written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIE-OLOGY /NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions of and is the soul property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. Disagreeing with what is written is not offensive to the author a disagreeable comment will be deleted.

SHOPPING ON LINE

NETTIE-ISM: I give up, I can no longer deal with the attitudes, the lack of help, the lack of order I am finding in many retail stores today. I would rather push a button and wait for the truck to bring my stuff to my house! Last week there was a discussion of self service lanes in stores. Apparently, the Publix grocery store is adding self-serve check out lanes and some people are angry about it. I stopped going to the Publix near me, and I am a Publix fan, because my last few visits were less than positive.

On my last visit, the cashier, after finishing up one customer and before starting on my order, greeted me with a "How are you" and then placed a large quantity of chips in her mouth. This is both rude and unprofessional. My daughter had to return an item because she discovered, before opening it, that it had been purchased after the expiration date. When she attempted to return the item she discovered it happened again, with the same iterm. I suggested that she speak with the manager this time, she did. He simply apologized and went on about his business. Years ago, under a different manager, had I done such a thing the manager would have personally made sure the item I purchased had the right date on it and pulled all expired product off the shelf. How interesting that we have never had this issue at Walmart. I have also noticed in the local grocery store as well as other stores employees, sales associates, are often complaining or socializing on the sales floor. Who cares about the customer these days?

Today I ordered some stuff online via Amazon Prime. I resisted shopping online for anything. I loved going into the store and having someone show me what the store had to offer. Though I hate the parking, the crowds and children running all over the place, the reward of walking out with something new was thrilling. Now I would rather buy it online. I still go into stores to get a general idea of what is available.

Here is what I experience when I shop over the internet:

1. I am able to look at every item I want for as long as I want without interruption; compare the prices of each brand; review the opinions of other purchasers f that particular item and pick what I want. With the option of taking it out of my shopping cart at the last minute and not having someone worry about taking it back.
2. I did not have to wait for a sales rep to finish talking to another sales rep to help me find what I wanted, cut the fabric I needed, unlock the cabinet that held the item I needed, or even take the item off of a shelf that I could not reach.. The description was there AND if I had questions there was on line help.
3. I did not have to deal with the cashier having an attitude or waiting for me to pull out my money or card as if she or he had somewhere to go
4. No one was counting how many items I had
5. I was able to successfully purchase my items with the press of a key. I did not have to carry anything to my car and then into my house because IT WILL BE DELIVERED. I can wait the few days it will take for the items to get here.

Yesterday, I went to Walmart because there are somethings I need to look at before I buy. That is why we will still need cashiers. If someone had been in the Fabric department I would have purchased some but no one was there and I did not feel like looking for someone who could find someone. There is an online store that sells fabric at a reasonable price that I plan on purchasing from.

NOW the holidays are upon us and the choice is shop on line or go to the store? With a few exception I will be hitting that "Check-Out" button with my keyboard I will be saving money and saving time. How will I save money, most stores are notorious for putting items in the path of the shopper that he or she did not plan or purchasing but will just because- I will not be doing that.

written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIE-OLOGY /NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions of and is the soul property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. Disagreeing with what is written is not offensive to the author a disagreeable comment will be deleted.

WHY I DON'T SUPPORT WOMEN CHURCH LEADERS

NETTIE-ISM: Yes, I have been a part of a church in which the Senior, and only, Pastor was female; yes I have heard women preach powerful messages. I have stood in the pulpit personally preaching the word and I know what it takes to be a church leader. It is because of my personal experience that I do not support the practice of women leading in the church or the home.

The same verse that convinced me that a woman could be a Pastor is the one that I now use to confirm my belief that a woman should not be a Pastor.

JUDGES 4:4-5  NKJV
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

Deborah was clearly anointed to speak the word of YHWH she was a prophetess; she was also a wife.  YHWH commands women to honor their husbands and to submit to their husbands in every way; it would be accurate to believe that Deborah the wife of Lapidoth submitted to her husband.

EPHESIANS 5:22 NKJV
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

I BELIEVE, I am emphasizing this is my personal belief, that Deborah was 100% submitted to her husband as a woman of YHWH should be and because of this YHWH trusted her with His word.  Her husband, I BELIEVE, understood her gifting and did not stop her from serving YHWH.

But, Deborah did not go around ministering to the people the people came to her.  This is important because there are many women who minister to others and then interpret that as "I need to start a church".

Let me digress for a moment. Women know that they are "called" to be mothers and they have babies before they have a husband. YHWH knows what He has called us to do He has a specific order in which all things are done: we must wait until the husband finds us not get a  boyfriend to  sleep with us.  "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord." (Proverbs 18:22) Women must learn how to be a wife and wait for a man who knows how to be a husband before becoming a mother- this is the way of Elohim.

The people came to the Prophetess with their problems. Deborah did not go to them to teach or preach the word of Elohim.  Deborah sat under a tree not in a building, holding regular services. I BELIEVE, in serving the people she did not neglect her wifely responsibilities.

EPHESIANS  5:22 -23 THE VOICE
Wives, it should be no different with your husbands. Submit to them as you do to the Lord, for God has given husbands a sacred duty to lead as the Anointed leads the church and serves as the head. (The church is His body; He is her Savior.)

It is written in Ephesians 5:23 "the husband is the head of the wife," (King James Version) and what I see in many ministries is women taking the lead of a household because of her ministry. I see women making their outside ministry a priority and their household, wifely, responsibilities secondary.  No where in the Bible does it tell a man to submit to his wife in regard to headship.  The husband is to lead his household as the Anointed, Christ, leads the church.  (Notice: I haven't even mentioned the children.)

Can women preach? Yes. Can women teach the word? Yes. Can women prophesy? Yes. Can a woman who has gifts from YHWH be the Senior Pastor of a Church? NO.

There were quite a few women who followed Jesus and who shared the Word with others. The woman of Samaria in John 4 evangelized and a community was saved.  Dorcas was a housewife, a homemaker, yet the impact she had on others was so great that when she died the people asked the Apostle Peter to do something and so he raised  her from the dead. These women served without titles.

ACTS 9:36-40 NKJV
At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.  But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.  But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

Women do not need a title to serve. Women do need to submit to the authority El Shaddai established in the beginning: YHWH- MAN-WOMAN- CHILDREN. We are so out of order today if you look around you will see how the children are suffering because of it. No family is perfect, which is why we need the Word to teach and a father and mother working together.

Women have assumed the role of head of the house and in the church. Men are yielding their responsibility  not as Lapidoth did when he allowed Deborah to lead men into battle. If you read the passage Barak, a man, also gave her permission to lead the men. There are somethings men allow women to do because of the anointing on her, it is specific to an activity. Deborah lead the way but she did not complete the task, another woman did- Jael, Habers wife. Scripture reminds us: no matter what the gifting we are wives first, the husband is our head.

I BELIEVE women can fulfill their GOD given purpose without a man made title.
                                                                          written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIE-OLOGY /NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions of and is the soul property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. Disagreeing with what is written is not offensive to the author a disagreeable comment will be deleted.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE

NETTIE-OLOGY: It does not make sense to me for a Christian to vote for a person who supports abortion or same gender unions.  Many say they don't but they vote for people who do, what is said and what is done conflicts.

PSALM 94:20-21 THE VOICE
Can wicked tyrants be Your allies?   Will You align with rulers who create havoc with unjust decrees?
They have joined forces against the life of the just-living, the right-seeking, and have sentenced the innocent to death.

In supporting a political party that is anti-God, pro-abortion, pro-same sex marriage and transgender lifestyles an individual separates themselves from God's word.

Many people don't realize they are in fact doing this because they simply vote along party lines.  They don't believe they are "liberal" even though the party they support is. They see themselves as Christian even though the political organization they support is blatantly anti-Judeo-Christian values.

HOSEA 4:6 KJV
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

How dare you? How dare you represent YHWH in the way that you do while ignoring the truth of His word? Men and women stand in the pulpits, week after week, proclaiming that GOD endorses same sex marriage. They declare that GOD supports abortion. The hearer of these lies are suffering because of it- they are slowly perishing.

People are not living their life as YHWH  would have them to live but as it pleases their flesh. It is convenient, it is comfortable, it feels good to laugh and joke with homosexuals, not have to worry about caring for a child because the baby was aborted. But like most of Satan's rules for living the pleasure is temporary.

I can point out loyal Democrats by the conversations they have, They are angry, experience long term frustration, hate people they really don't know and refuse to except personal responsibility for their life.  These loyal Democrats, who are really liberals, know of GOD, speak of Jesus yet have no personal relationship with either. The pulpit does not correct their opinion.

What troubles me is the number of "Christians" who hate President Trump based on what "they" say even though the Word of GOD says some very specific things regarding what "they" support and don't support.

• They say President Trump is a racist yet he is very pro-America and has done more for Black people than any other President aside from Lincoln, particularly Barack Obama.
• They say President Trump is a sexist yet women are doing very well under this President. AND, under liberalism, transgenders (males who could not win as males) are dominating women's sports. 
• They say President Trump rigged the election yet, all evidence points to treasonous behavior of both Obama and Clinton (Hilary),
• They accuse President Trump of being anit-Islam yet Democrats are clearly pushing an  anti-Christian agenda.

Loyal Democrats believe a lie mainly because they refuse to apply common sense, do the research needed and not listen to news outlets that are often having to correct what was said in a previous broadcast.

I know to many individuals who are loyal to the Democrat party. These people refuse to evaluate what they are being told and they are teaching their children the lies. What is worst the pulpit is also repeating the lies.

ROMANS 1:28 KJV
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

If YHWH has stopped trying to help these individuals, allowing them to pursue their own ideology, how can we help them?

ROMANS 1:18-22 NIV
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,  since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

                                                      written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIE-OLOGY /NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions of and is the soul property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. Disagreeing with what is written is not offensive to the author a disagreeable comment will be deleted.