Comments on Music and Rings

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Well, I have been reading comments the last couple days on music and wedding
rings....really trying to hold my tongue(or I guess in this case, my
fingers),but I am going to throw in my little 2 cents worth.

Wedding rings......there is nothing wrong in wearing them...but, I think a
person needs to ask themselves a few questions when they choose to wear a
wedding ring, or any other type of "adornment".

What does your pastor teach? 
What is your attitude about wearing such an item?
Are you wearing the ring to bring attention to the ring, or to your
commitment to your spouse? (believe me, I dont think you need an expensive
ring for someone to notice you are married)
Have you studied the scriptures for yourself and prayed about it?
What does God want you to do?
Why are you wearing the item?

Unfortunately, in many UPC circles, people are more concerned about what is
on the outside than the inside.  I can look like the perfect little
Pentecostal girl on the outside, but my heart could be full of sin, and no
one would even notice....cuz most of us have learned to play that little
holiness game.

And, just from my personal experience, you go to any UPC conference, and it
looks more like a fashion show, than a place to get together and worship the
Lord.  And its not only the women who are doing it.  I know some men who are
just as bad as women, if not more, on what they spend on their appearance.

And someone said it is going to be the little things that divide people.  It
is so true.  We need to take our focus off what everyone else is wearing and
doing, and focus on what God wants for us.  Otherwise, we will never be able
to unite and will always have this petty little stuff over our heads.
Because if we only look at what "Suzie, or Johnny" wore to church, and what
car they drive, it is only going to bring about jealousy and divide people.



As for music......I listen to all types of music.  Unfortunately, the
Christian music industry has become more of a business than a ministry.  And
some of the music has become "watered down".  But then, a lot of
Christianity has become watered down as well. Certain Christian artists have
chosen to have their music go mainstream.  I do not have a problem with
that.  I would rather have my child listening to Amy Grant on the radio than
someone who I know nothing about and is singing about how they want to take
some girl home and sleep with her.

I guess what Im trying to say is that everyone has their personal
convictions.  And I think if a person truly tries to follow after God, and
listen to Him, He will show them what needs to go, and what can stay.
Because for me to tell my sister that she shouldnt wear such and such is
only going to put her on the defensive, and if she does stop wearing such
and such, that most likely will be a conviction that comes from man, and not
from God, and convictions we get from man, never stick with us. And we only
become resentful....at least I did.  One lesson I learned is that God works
with all of us in His time, and we shouldnt let other people control how God
works with us.  

Im sorry, Ive been rambling on too long....though, this has already been
greatly edited(you know, those higher-fire rules of politeness =))  But
please, let's get off the petty things and start concentrating on what
really matters, seeing other people know who Christ really is and have Him
come into their lives.



Lynn