tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post7210626242167810142..comments2023-08-07T09:46:21.309-04:00Comments on Rattigan Writes: The Rapture's Not So Funny for the KidsDavid L Rattiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524484021153263418noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-51664724553277515962011-05-21T18:25:23.850-04:002011-05-21T18:25:23.850-04:00you are invited to follow my blogyou are invited to follow my blogSteve Finnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041851737677873347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-90373690188937170212011-05-21T08:26:33.321-04:002011-05-21T08:26:33.321-04:00Dennis, you can only be proud of the difference yo...Dennis, you can only be proud of the difference you've made in young people's lives throughout your ministry.David L Rattiganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08524484021153263418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-75947747827606717002011-05-20T16:20:58.942-04:002011-05-20T16:20:58.942-04:00Den...how wonderful that you were true to your con...Den...how wonderful that you were true to your convictions and didn't bend to fit the usual pattern that others expect. I admire you for that...a whole lot.<br /><br />It is with regret that I had to toe the line when I was involved in the Aglow movement...I never did feel comfortable with the "altar call" or even the ministry line-up at meetings. But I was a conformist and not a free thinker in those days and I can't change what I did. Now I am coming out of my hidey-hole and doing my best to not cover up my "real" beliefs (or lack thereof) and still remain loving and encouraging.<br /><br />It is great that you accepted the young person you mentioned in your comment (I'm sure you'd choose love/acceptance at every turn)...even though it meant being told your support of this person was wrong. Love wins out every time :) (((hugs)))Jacquiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10137079441033101834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-59135938035195065982011-05-20T13:56:51.835-04:002011-05-20T13:56:51.835-04:00oh God David I genuinely burst into tears when I r...oh God David I genuinely burst into tears when I read this, I know you and trust you and my confession to you a few years ago was genuine and honest, I more than anything trust I have never fed you this kind of shit, I know I have been subject to it and i know I have almost preached it and sometimes it keeps me awake at night.<br /><br />I am criticised by my peers for not pushing it and they gasp when I don't ask for alter calls as far as I am concerned if God is God then he/she is powerful enough to do his own chopping and changing, these days i don't even preach anymore just because of this kind of stuff and when you ask about what 14-year-old Joseph and twins Grace and Faith, 16 are thinking - it tears me up inside. What choice have they got?<br /><br />In 5 weeks time I leave fulltime Youth Ministry behind after 20 years and I am glad to do so, in fact I was faced with a disciplinary only a month ago for supporting a young person who apparently was 'living in sin' and you know what, Im proud to say that I would gladly lose my job for standing up for young people who 'apparently' live in sin, what a load of Ol cod shit.<br /><br />I am glad there are still some sane christians out there who genuinely just love people for who they are not what they think they should be and I truly hope that if tomorrow is the rapture that it does not happen when I am driving because that would be dangerous ...<br /><br />In the words of a wonderful Scouser "Rapture .. my arse"dennisthemennis.co.ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03243442624422858178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-7094010472463355732011-05-20T12:02:44.672-04:002011-05-20T12:02:44.672-04:00Your reaction to the Rapture is not unlike mine. ...Your reaction to the Rapture is not unlike mine. I was sad too because I was made to feel it was paramount that my husband "be saved" and, give hubby the credit, he didn't bolt and run...because believe me I gave him some difficult moments when I put on my evangelism hat and became alternately confrontational, judgemental and desiring to just disbelieve the whole thing and love my hubby for the great man he is.<br /><br />I do that every day now...no pressure from me, no "you must be saved", no waking moments when I dread the great separation. <br /><br />I do not embrace this fearmongering gospel any longer...what freedom that brings to my heart, mind and spirit :)Jacquiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10137079441033101834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303987173119890526.post-59224515719480207862011-05-20T11:46:16.371-04:002011-05-20T11:46:16.371-04:00If my old youth leaders from Merseyside are readin...If my old youth leaders from Merseyside are reading this and wondering about the "youth group" comment, I'd like to say that you <i>never</i> fed me with that kind of crap. Oh, I heard it, just not from you. Your ministry is one aspect of my time there that I can look back on with fondness and be truly grateful for.David L Rattiganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08524484021153263418noreply@blogger.com