I was excommunicated from a trinitarian pentecostal church organization. Until then, I expected no favors from them, but that Sunday night, 19 December 1999, they gave me the greatest gift possible, because I didn't have the guts to leave. I had spent my life kowtowing to them, thinking they were my salvation.
I had friends who were UPC, so I know a little about that organization.
When I left, my husband of 12 years then stayed. I made it clear to him that I did not want him to leave because of me, or their actions toward me. If he left, I wanted it to be his real choice. He stayed until the Sunday before Easter a full year later.
My in-laws from my first marriage, who were very important to me, would never have been able to make peace with me, had they known, but I didn't tell and now, they have passed away. My present husband's father, the only one still in that organization who is still living, will not be at peace with me. He believes that I led his son astray from G-D when he left. But we live in another state from them and have through our whole (now 30+ year) marriage. All of my first husband's family, except his youngest sister, have written me off. My present husband's family, other than has father, have become a little friendlier.
This can happen. One never knows which way people will respond. They will gossip. They can be mean. Regardless of how they act, they will be judgmental. You just have to determine that you will quit letting it matter.
But Honey, stay sweet. Don't think if them as the biblical errant "swine." This is a typical pentecostal response. Drop all the critical attitudes that church taught you.
They are still people in need of G-D. They are still precious souls who will spend their eternity either with G-D or without Him. Maybe you are a "baby Christian," but when you don't know some biblical thing, just be quiet and love them, then "study to show yourself approved." We never know who will be led toward G-D by our godly attitude.
If your wedding attendants are going to make _your day_ difficult enough, you may have to make adjustments.
I had friends who were UPC, so I know a little about that organization.
When I left, my husband of 12 years then stayed. I made it clear to him that I did not want him to leave because of me, or their actions toward me. If he left, I wanted it to be his real choice. He stayed until the Sunday before Easter a full year later.
My in-laws from my first marriage, who were very important to me, would never have been able to make peace with me, had they known, but I didn't tell and now, they have passed away. My present husband's father, the only one still in that organization who is still living, will not be at peace with me. He believes that I led his son astray from G-D when he left. But we live in another state from them and have through our whole (now 30+ year) marriage. All of my first husband's family, except his youngest sister, have written me off. My present husband's family, other than has father, have become a little friendlier.
This can happen. One never knows which way people will respond. They will gossip. They can be mean. Regardless of how they act, they will be judgmental. You just have to determine that you will quit letting it matter.
But Honey, stay sweet. Don't think if them as the biblical errant "swine." This is a typical pentecostal response. Drop all the critical attitudes that church taught you.
They are still people in need of G-D. They are still precious souls who will spend their eternity either with G-D or without Him. Maybe you are a "baby Christian," but when you don't know some biblical thing, just be quiet and love them, then "study to show yourself approved." We never know who will be led toward G-D by our godly attitude.
If your wedding attendants are going to make _your day_ difficult enough, you may have to make adjustments.
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