Since Geri attempted to quote my earlier response by listing “petty transactions”, I had written “petty transgressions” to stress that the sins committed against Jesus were far worse that anything that could ever happen to any of us. The mental anguish knowing what would await him. The beatings, torture, name calling, being spit upon, the crucifixion, the murder, and then to top it off carrying the weight of all sins that had ever been committed and that would be committed. To top that off, He was separated from God the Father. Jesus, God, endured these things for me/us. In my book, all sins, transgressions committed against me are petty and not worth carrying around for years as a martyr. Jesus alone is worthy and He forgave freely and completely. In agreement with the others, definitely block him, Heidi. Always trust your instincts. There was a deacon in the church I used to attend that was borderline flirty … had to always hand me the church bulletin before the other ones could and any freebies (bookmarks from Israel, etc.) he made sure he gave me extra ones and wanted to talk. Then when my mom died he attended her memorial service and somehow got a hold of my cell phone number cause one night he called me up and claimed to be so moved by my testimony speech honoring my mom and wanted to talk more about the miracles and was inviting me to dinner at some restaurant. I said will your wife be there? He said no, she is on a business trip. I told him no thanks and don’t call me again. I never returned back to that church. And my last conversation with the pastor over the phone I asked about that deacon and he said he’s no longer a member … he suddenly left to attend some church in upstate New York. I clued him of his phone call and special dinner invitation without his wife and he was shocked of his behavior and he felt bad to have given out my number especially without permission. He said out of all the deacons, he trusted him the most. :wacko: Also when we relocated … our home church in NJ … there was a new pastor that just started. My brother’s vacation home was on the same street as my parents so he would invite that pastor and that pastor has a few brothers also in the ministry. So they would meet at my brothers place for a week to vacation together and brain storm sermons, etc. My dad would often take “the pastor brothers” out for breakfast. A couple of times that pastor and his wife would vacation up and then my parents took them out for dinners and have dessert in our home. Well … after my mom passed away and then my dad. I was still living in the house looking for a smaller place to move into and I had my puppy at the time. I was walking down the driveway about 3 1/2 acres … and all of a sudden a suv pulls into the driveway and I’m blinded by the headlights. I couldn’t imagine who was “visiting”. This guy gets out and he’s all alone … ends up he is the pastor from NJ. He asked me if I had the keys to my brother’s house. I said yes. He hold’s a set of keys and says he is not sure if these are the same ones? I replied I’m sure they will still work since my brother hasn’t changed the locks. I said did you know my dad passed away? He said “I heard” … that was it … nothing more …not even … I’m sorry to hear that … and … he was hinting for me to invite him into the house. NO WAY. I told him to get lost. Meanwhile my puppy was barking his head off the whole time. He sense nothing but danger from that creepo “pastor”. So always trust your instincts and be on alert. You need to block him. I don’t think Jesus would consider the raping, beating, tormenting, or other atrocities committed against one of His children to be petty. Keep in mind that while Christ did indeed suffered excruciatingly as a man He was also God and His understand of all things was/is far superior to us. Jesus willingly took what was dished out to Him. A young girl being raped or tortured doesn’t and it is anything but petty or trivial. I know from my own trials how difficult it is to move on from some of them. The mental scars can take a lifetime to heal and sometimes they never do. While we cannot compare what we’ve endured to what Christ did it doesn’t make our nightmares petty. Heidi, you are a grown women and have to make many decisions throughout the day. This guy may be honest or not, but his method is very forward, not very professional, and certainly worthy of caution. My thoughts are always if it looks like a fish and smells like a fish, then it is probably a fish — this smells concerning, looks concerning - it is probably a concern. What you might consider before you block him, if you choose to do that, is reply that in consideration and discussion with several friends (that’s all of us here), it is advisable that I no longer have you communicate with me. Then place a block on him. This does a couple of things. It lets him know that you seek counsel of others of like mind and you are aware that his forward behavior is not appropriate. Just my two-cents! :unsure: Thank you everybody for your input. Geri, thank you for taking the time to write about your experiences. I love where your dog was barking away when that "pastor" was talking to you. Don't you just love how dogs know and want to protect us? God definitely will answer prayers that Kolleen suggested and answer them fast. I will share something after quoting part of Kolleen's message. You may want to pray that the Lord would close all doors to unsavory men and their suggestive invitations. But you are the one who needs to close the door to them. Only you can choose whether to keep your home and social life totally separate from your work and home. I was chatting with a guy for almost a year. the problem is that I really liked him so it was hard to get him out of my life even though there were some red flags. Last time I was talking to him over the phone, I felt emotionally drained and was not sure how to end the conversation and end it with him. I finally prayed silently: "God, get this guy out of my life", a minute after I said that, he said: "Oh, looks like my son is trying to call me, I will take his call and get back to you" He got off the line and I never heard from him again, that was around 3 - 4 years ago. I am remembering that now and can't help laughing. I can imagine that guy still stuck on the phone with his son for all those years and wonder what his phone bill will look like. :mdrmdr: Prayer still works! TR
