if i was moving to a new city and had to find a new church...

... and there were no churches like ours, and i *had* to choose between 'reformed' theology (God's sovereignty) and 'charismatic' theology (flowing in the gifts of the Spirit)... because there were no churches that taught both.... *ugh* i'd hate to have to forfeit either.... but i'd have to lean towards a church that taught reformed theology first.

there are a lot of charismatic (charismaniac?) churches that are poor on theology, and they may flow, but how accurately are they flowing (and what exactly are they flowing in?) is at question. if they are not teaching a sovereign God, then are they worshipping God is all His fullness...?

but in a reformed setting, God is sovereign, that is the teaching, and *i* could flow in the Holy Spirit 'covertly' (ie one can anointedly speak a prophetic encouraging word, and it just not be 'called' that...)...

i'd rather be thought of as a worship nutcase (arms flapping, etc) but with good theology in a conservative setting, than thought a case of 'appears to worship God with all her heart' (like everyone else, with passion) but is really (tsk tsk) a theological whackjob (oh those calvinists.)

but aside from that (it's not about what ppl think), i *need* (because of what i've come through in my life) to be in an environment where God's sovereignty is proclaimed above all else, even at the expense of 'flowing in the Spirit'... because it's Truth about who God is.... ie. GOD. whereas if that's not preached, and it's supposed freedom in the Spirit, yet with unbiblical theology', is it really freedom in the Spirit, if you are taught that so much of God's plan depends on *you*, outside of God's sovereignty? to me, there's no freedom in that....

i would rather have my expression shackled but be able to worship God as GOD, like paul and barnabus (it was barnabus, right?) in the 'prison' of my expressionless body, but in the freedom of my soul... than to dance and praise in body and mouth in a church that appears to be free but am unable to mesh with my brothers and sisters in worship of a truly sovereign God, because God is not seen as - or being taught as - completely, totally, and utterly sovereign.....


(this is how i feel and i reserve the right to express my feelings and opinions on this blog. if you disagree, you may comment, but be respective of my opinion, and my 'right' (before God) to it, because it *is* my blog, not an open forum. thnx.)