CJaKfOrEsT, Krispy and Lor_E,
I appreciate you posts...
I am becoming weary of the pastor and his preaching...
Do you remember about a month ago, I mentioned that I was at a 4 day conference where I have not felt so good in my life? It was good, but I think I was caught up in the moment to really understand what was going on.
The 'puritian' pastor of that event was my morning church pastors mentor, of somesort. During that event, we had special seats (on the floor - a Korean thing) up front and my pastor was the other pastors 'right hand man'.
Everything he was saying in regards to 'preaching' and gospel I heard already over the past few months while in morning church. The other day, while listening to Zac Poonen's message that Greg posted recently, I heard him mention that God hates people who use other people messages(I did not say prophet).
When he was not repeating everything that I already heard, he was preaching about...money. He was talking about the blessings others had, the blessings he has, and the blessing that we will have. At the end of each 'sermon' he asked anyone to come to stage that needed/wanted prayer from him IF they gave 'one point' (which is 1,000,000 won or about $1,000).
The first day, my fiancee did not hear him say that part, so during prayer time...I went up on stage... :-( ... I got prayer! But I only gave $50. ;-) The next day we learned the difference, but I was 'happy' he prayed for me, even though I did not give what he wanted.
Anyway, after the event, my morning church pastor continued were the other pastor left off. Each day seemed to have the same theme...respecting your pastor and money... :-?
Last week, my fiancee and I were discussing these things and decided one morning not to go and have a little morning church of our own. It was good.
The next day my fiancee saw the pastors wife and they met for a while. My fiancee talked to her about the 'full Love of God' and the Holy Spirit. The pastor's wife 'hinted/suggested' that if she wants to be full of the Holy Spirit that she should give her money to the church...
**********ding dong***********
My fiancee called me afterwards and I almost lost it...but not with my fiancee...I knew it was not right, so I told my fiancee to pray about it and whatever she decides I will support. Lucky the pastors wife told my finacee to talk to her father.
(On a side note...before I met my fiancee, she saved money (10.) because she wanted to get away, so her idea was to 'test' God by giving the money away and seeing what God would do in return...the pastor's wife 'loved' that idea) AND (Also, the pastor and his wife are planning to start a new church... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm)
After my fiancee talked to her father, he suggested that she pay 10%, because she never paid that on this amount... so, this past Sunday she did...BUT, not to our morning church...to her families church that we attend each week.
Confused? Sorry... there is more...
This Monday was the first day back to morning church, but because I did not wake up in time... :-? (which was the fist time that happened), my fiancee went alone. This morning I went and during the pastor's preaching I heard, "Brian,...." My fiancee said that he said I cannot just come and go to church. After morning church, my fiancee said that he said the same thing to her yesterday.
Like I mentioned..this morning church usually consists of 12 people... him, his wife, his four children... his sister-in-law and his niece... my fiancee's father and most times 1 of 2 sisters...my fiancee and myself...as well as one other guy...
Today, he preached about John 1:14 and what was translated to me seemed good, but he also mentioned money and my fiancee was a little frustrated with it. She hears it all and I only hear what she translates to me, so I feel I am getting off easy.
Morning church is a good concept, but I am wondering that even though I may be learning things and gaining more understanding than I had when we first started, if it is worth the confusion?
I will keep you updated...I may have to 'move to a new street corner' ... this turf war may be too much.
God Bless those that give others a chance,
BrinMira