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It seems there was a hippy who had a personal revelation of Jesus Christ, believed and got saved. After reading his bible, it became clear to him that he needed to fellowship with other believers and join a local church. The hippy chose the local independent, fundamentalist Baptist church. Upon arriving on Sunday, he was met at the door by a deacon who informed him, "You can't come in here looking like that." The young man replied, "But sir, I'm a new Christian and I want to come in and worship my God." The deacon sternly told him, "Well son, go cut your hair and come back next Sunday looking respectable."
The hippy left, rather disappointed, but determined to do whatever it took to get to worship his God. And on Monday morning, he got a haircut. The next Sunday arrived and again the hippy was met at the door by the old deacon who said, "You can't come in here looking like that." The young man replied, "But sir, I'm a new Christian and I have come to worship my God." The deacon sternly told him, "Well son, shave that beard, loose those bell bottoms and the love beads and come back next Sunday looking respectable." The hippy left, rather disappointed, but determined to do whatever it took to get to worship his God. On Monday, he went out and bought a new suit and a new razor and he shaved his beard.
The following Sunday arrived and again the hippy was met at the door by the old deacon who said, "You can't come in here without a bible." The young man replied, "But sir, I'm a new Christian and I want to come in and worship my God." The deacon sternly told him, "Well son, you ought to know that you can't come to church without a King James bible."
The hippy left, rather disappointed, but determined to do whatever it took to get to worship his God. On Monday, he went out and bought a brand new twelve pound, King James bible like he had seen the other church people with. Sunday finally arrived and the hippy was convinced that he would finally be allowed into the church to worship his God. Again he was met at the door by the old deacon who said, "You can't come in here." The young man replied, "But sir, I'm a new Christian and I want to come in and worship my God. I've done everything you've asked. I cut my hair, shaved my beard, bought a suit like yours and a bible like yours." And then the deacon said, "Son, don't you understand? We just don't want your type in here."
In tears of anger and frustration, the hippy left and began to call out to God, "Father, I've followed your word and sought out other believers to fellowship with and I've done everything they've asked and still they won't let me in. What have I done wrong?" Suddenly, a light shined down from the sky and a voice from heaven saying, "Don't worry my son - you have done nothing wrong. I've been trying to get in there since they built the place and they won't let me in there either."
-- heard on a tape from Quail Ridge Bible Church in Baton Rouge - Pastor Frank Friedman.
By the way everyone in Jesus's day had long hair
Originally posted by sparrowstail
There was plenty that Jesus wasn't "hip" with in his day. Jesus was a healer first and foremost and a carpenter, he was a teacher secondly, and a leader. He sacrificed much for the greater good; so much so that he ended up forfeiting his life for a cause he believed in. Something hippies have trouble doing as the draft dodgers proved.
While hippies may have some redeeming qualities, I find they can be extremely self centered, generally lazy, often self medicated. There biggest contribution is getting everyone in the circle stoned.
By the way everyone in Jesus's day had long hair, beards and sandals.
Originally posted by AlreadyGone
Hey man, I'm right there with you. I'm about as fundamental and conservative a Christian as there is, BUT I'm also a believer in love and peace and turn the other cheek and "live and let live" and live off the land with respect to nature...kind of a hippie that got old and grumpy. LOL...
It's the hippies that are like Jesus, not Jesus like the hippies. It is a good life and philosophy...and I'm trying to loosen up and get back to my laid back ways... too many years being the "manager/go getter." If only pot was legal, and we still had 72 Chevy vans... with shag carpet...and moon bubble windows...and black light posters.
Seriously, you make a valid point and there are those that will attack you for it, but you are right. If you read the Bible, many would be suprised how socially liberal Jesus is. Now there are some constraints... strong family, fidelity, respect of all life- especially children. But His truths, if studied, would exclude the majority of "stained glass steepled" churches and it's members. That is why in Matthew 7 at the end of His Sermon on the Mount, he tells many that did works in His name..."Sorry, I never knew you."
I pursue membership in The Church, the unorganized church made up of true believers in His Word. We are constrained not by traditions and laws of man, but set free by the word of Lord God Jesus. PEACE