Christian By Choice

If you just stood up and asked the pastor in front of the church (perhaps went down at altar call and told him you wanted to speak), I can see why you were refused.

Pastors have to protect their flock and one of their biggest responsibilities is not giving the floor over to someone without knowing what will be said.

I would suggest that you call the pastor in private, tell him what you wished to say and then request an opportunity next sunday. he will likely say yes to you then.

if not, then i agree with kelli, it's perfectly okay to seek another fellowship that would be more welcoming, if you feel that God has released you from the one you are in.

sometimes we have to learn that it's not about us. ask the Lord to show you your motives, to search your heart. pride and a sense of self importance can get on any unsuspecting Christian.

Both responses are correct. The person asking must realize that the pastor is the overseer of the church. More and more larger churches, from what I hear, are requiring that person wanting to speak anything during a service is first required an authorization from the pastor or elders.

I would schedule an appointment with the pastor and clarify this. Or find a smaller church that does not govern the body as strictly. That is certainly a last resort and I wonder if authority is not an issue with the person that questions.

what happens to the people that don't pray for martial advice. do they flunk out auto? i didn't pray for whom i married. maybe my parents did. i was pg and 17 years old and i didn't shive a get who i married. and the worst of it all it was not his baby. and he knew it.. what a hero. now it's been 54 years and we are as happy as the day we married. which was not too happy for me. need i say more. anyway he is a good man and i have hung in there, 'cause there was no where else to hang. so are we doomed?

Fifty four years? You are not doomed. You are blessed. My parents bickered all the time, but they managed to make it to 56 years. I was so proud at their 50th Anniversary party. They managed to do what I could not. Isn't that a blessing rather than a curse? I thought it was and is.

Today's question #5.

How To Stop My Anger Problems?

I get really angry lately about even the smallest things. The most recent was tonight when my boyfriend didn't want to see me because he was too tired!! How do I stop my anger spurts? I always say things I really don't mean! My anger hurts people in the end! How do i stop?

i read a couple of quotes that really speak to this question today. i should have listened better to them then.

"Put on therefore...kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-surrering." (Col 3:12)

There is no true and constant gentleness without humility; while we are so fond of ourselves, we are easily offended with others. Let us be persuaded that nothing is due to us, and then nothing will disturb us. Let us often think of our own infirmities, and we shall become indulgent towards those of others. (Francois de la Mothe Fenelon)

and....

Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort soever they be; for that theyself also hast many failings which must be borne with by others. If thou canst not make thyself such an one as thou wouldest, how canst thou expect tohaave another in all things to thy liking? (Thomas A Kempis)

I was raised by an angry woman, I myself was incredibly angry until Jesus came into my life.

Anger is resentment and hurt and selfishness. Anger is toxic. Anger drives away those that you wish to be close but people can not live in a poisonous environment, so you find yourself alone; which in itself makes you angry!

When I discovered the love of the Lord, I put my broom away (I was such a witch!) and have been reborn into the person I always wanted to be. I would hope that the person with anger issues finds such peace. I would suggest church and prayer and reading His word. I would suggest getting some help to discover the core issues and then ridding herself of them, whether that be counseling or therapy or self-help or ?. Good luck and God Bless. The fact that she wants to stop and admits she says things she doesn't mean, lets me know that she is on the right track to someday be rid of this pain, both to herself and others.