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To: maxwell
I think the conclusion stated in the initial post is certainly valid, that is, we should give God our best. From there, it is a question of how to do it. Certainly dressing in a manner that suggests one doesn't care about worship does not suggest that we are giving God our best. This, however, is a matter of personal taste, styles of the day (remember leisure suits in the 70s?), one's finances, and the community in which one lives. Of course, the proof is in the worship. Is it real? Does it exalt God? Is it God-centered? These, it seems to me, are the important things. I personally prefer a more formal worship experience, but for the past two years our family has attended the earlier, more casual service offered by our church. I enjoy it, and those who attend, including the musicians, are, I believe, giving God their best. The biggest mistake to be made in this whole issue, I believe, is to suggest that nice clothes and "proper" music are proof of true worship. Ultimately, that proof is to be made before God, and not others. At the same time, we ought not intentionally detract from the worship experience of others by denigrating the service or mocking what others choose to wear. We should not cause our brothers to stumble, but we should do all we can to lift each other up. "Love the Lord God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." Do this, and the rest will fall into place.
153 posted on 08/20/2003 7:05:05 AM PDT by NCLaw441
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To: NCLaw441; billbears
We should not cause our brothers to stumble, but we should do all we can to lift each other up.

That, I think, is the whole crux of the issue.

For some, including me, informality tends to distract from the service-- it isn't how I was raised. (Now to be fair, I'm the one showing up in motorcycle leathers, but anyway...) Traditional hymns, ordered service-- that's how I connect on Sunday mornings.

Other folks do better with "praise" or "chorus" music, and that's fine.

168 posted on 08/20/2003 7:36:29 AM PDT by maxwell (Well I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation...)
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