I kind of grew up in the church, so to speak. It was a VERY Baptist church. Southern Baptist in the 50’s and 60’s. I was there almost every day. Visitation night, choir rehearsals, prayer service, youth nights, athletic leagues, scouts, etc.
They even gave me a key so I could unlock the church to let the others in. I was the first to arrive and the last to leave.
We had very strict rules. Really strict.
We didn’t smoke, dance or chew or hang out with those that do. 🙂
That was our not so funny moto.
We were serious about it though. We persecuted and shunned others as a regular course of our day. The RULES were to be enforced. No discussion.
Being young, I was enthusiastic about it all. I became a leader of the youth “rules” team, so to speak.
Then the late 60’s happened and our world seem to change. I wandered off for a while. Not too long though.
God had a plan. God intervened in my life through His amazing Son, Jesus the King.
Jesus showed me the hypocrisy of my ways. I was able, through the grace and mercy of God, to radically change my thoughts. I came to understand it is not about following “the rules”. It is about following Jesus.
Jesus is showing me the Way, as a disciple who learns. Daily!
My joy is that I get to tell others of the stunning love of God and the good news of His Son. I get to a part of the Jesus team and not the “rules” team.
How cool is that?
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 
This is fantastic. This is a usual scenario in all evangelicals. I was same once upon a time. But Jesus has little bit changed me.
I wrote something similar. Please explore if time permits.
https://dailybiblebytesforyou.wordpress.com/2018/11/07/%e2%9d%a4%ef%b8%8fare-you-suffering-from-spiritual-cardiomegaly%e2%99%a5%ef%b8%8f/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent article. Loved it. Well said. Be blessed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, reading and responding. God bless you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for following.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s way cool Michael!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is cool, for sure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Michael. After my wife and I accepted Christ we attended a fundamentalist Baptist church for eight years. There were a lot of good points (like the preaching of the genuine Gospel) but also a lot of legalism mixed in. Guilt was the constant motivator. The pastor was also heavy into politics and fighting culture battles. I became so frustrated I walked away from the Lord for 23 years, but He patiently waited for me to return (while giving me many big and little nudges). I now have a much more spiritually healthy understanding of His call to obedience AND His grace.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yep! Gracious cool! 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Super cool! Would love to hear more backstory of your life/testimony in future posts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the coolest! 😎
I kind of grew up in church, too, in the 1950s and 1960s. My dad was the pastor of a very fundamental, legalistic, non-denominational, wannabe Pentecostal church. (Wannabe, as in my parents were “seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit,” but never getting there.)
We also did not smoke, dance, chew, or hang with those who do. But that’s not all. Movies were forbidden, even kid movies like Pinocchio. TV was forbidden, even Tom and Jerry cartoons and Captain Kangaroo. Playing any kind of card games was also forbidden, including Go Fish and Mother Goose.
In the mid sixties, both of my parents lost their faith and quit the church. My super conservative, dark suit wearing father became a motorcycle riding, pot smoking, hippie Buddhist. Then I lost my faith, too, and wandered far from the Lord for many years. But God’s grace is amazing. He never gave up on me. And when this prodigal daughter finally returned, in my spirit I felt my Father run to me with joy!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Amen. God is good and in a good mood. Thanks for sharing that. Love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💖💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your testimony
LikeLiked by 1 person