“Do not judge others, 
and
 you will not be judged.

 For you will be treated 
as 
you treat others.

The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.^"

Matthew 7:1-2

     <sup>She walked slowly toward the church, a smile brightening her face as she saw her friend waiting for her.  Coming to this meeting at a church she had never attended was an act of support, not something she was comfortable with.  In fact, she had told her friend Cora that if she wasn't going, neither might she. 
     Fran was disappointed as she approached the door, it was as she feared.  The music coming from within the church vibrated physically in her chest, and once they entered, the only way to hear each other was to actually put mouth to ear.  There were several others from their church group there and Fran cautiously settled in with them exchanging genuine greetings.  She had grown to really like these people and had started to trust them.  They had worshiped together and prayed together and shared many heart issues over the year or so that she had been meeting with them at a Home Church on Saturday evenings.  Tonight they were meeting at this church to support friends in this fellowship.
     Now, as the meeting started, and the pastor invited everyone to worship Jesus, repeating several times the invitation to abandon themselves in praise, not worrying about what each other might think, Fran got a little nervous.  With her Baptist upbringing, her only exposure to Rock music had been mostly by mistake and in short episodes in movies involving bar scenes.  Unfortunately, to her, when she closed her eyes, she felt like she was in that atmosphere.
     So, she opened her eyes and followed along with the unfamiliar words of these worship songs, wanting to be seen as one of those Praising God, not wanting to look like what she was, a fish out of water.  An old Baptist Lady in a charismatic worship service. 
     There came a time after two or three songs that seemed to her like fifteen, that she sat down.  She continued to pray, asking God to protect her from a closed mind, asking for The Holy Spirit to speak peace to her heart and give understanding of the situation. 
     She remembered how Sarah, one of the youngest members of the group had called her that week, gently insisting that she Fran come to this meeting because she felt God had impressed that on her heart.  Fran respected Sarah's  opinion, and had come mainly in response to that request.  As she sat there now, she stopped trying to fit in, and concentrated instead on meeting with God.  And, she admitted, thinking of the possible repercussions of leaving early.
     Well, she left early, and once the decision was made, she felt so relieved, that she had no sense of guilt, only the guilt of having none. 
     As days went by and her mind often returned to the experience,  she talked to God about it, and became aware of a few life lessons.
     She realized that God was still working on a request that she had made several years before when she became aware that others felt she had a judgmental attitude. This had been hurtful to Fran, because she had not thought that of herself.  It seemed to her that she was always standing up for the under-dog and the misunderstood. How could she be judgmental?
     Nevertheless, she was willing to leave that behind if it was true, and in months and years since then, had realized it was somewhat true of her. 

     And now, Fran realized that if she had not known the depth of spiritual maturity of her friends who danced to the 'rock' music that night in the strange church, if she had not heard at other times their quiet praise and expressed adoration for her Lord Jesus Christ, if she had not seen the 'fruit' in their lives, she would have judged them nonspiritual, perhaps unsaved.  Because of the way they chose to worship that night.
     As it was, she had to conclude that different people worship differently.  Is it possible, that young people who grew up hearing loud rock music are not offended by it and are able to utilize it guilt free in worship and praise?  Are those exposed to dance in one setting or another, able to utilize dance in their worship? 

This realization also released in her heart a bit of confidence that those of her friends who knew she left early would remember her quiet praise, her love for God, her heart for the lost and her Love of Jesus Christ.  And then, even their opinion of her seemed not to matter.</sup>

 ^{She suddenly saw  herself as an old wineskin hanging by the fire,}

 ^{wrinkled and dried out from the smoke of many fires,}

^{yet still functioning as a vessel of the Holy Spirit as Jesus had promised.} 

 ^{Still holding precious aged,  fragrant and tasteful wine.}  

 But something else came to her during those days.

     <sup>Just as she so strongly felt an abhorrence at the judgmental practice of so many 'churched' people to kick their young when they are down, and shun the unclean until they appear washed, she felt now strong desire to understand the kicker, understand the "shunner."
     She realized that she could no longer judge that person who sits in the seat during worship service, never showing emotion, never raising a hand in praise, and never speaking an Amen in agreement during prayer. 
     She knelt by her chair then, the moment she realized her sin and confessed.  Then, she rose in thankfulness for the wisdom and bravery of a young woman who had expressed her belief that this old woman...well, (a little old) should come to that service. 
     Without this understanding gained from that evening in a strange church with strange worship, she would not have learned this lesson.  Would not have realized she carried a judgmental attitude still.

And as I write, I am so aware that without this knowledge and understanding, without this forgiveness, I would not be able to go forth in what I believe is my ministry...to bring Christs healing, affection and unity among the women of God in churches wherever God leads.
Charlene</sup>
PS Worshiping happily as a slightly charismatic, slightly old Baptist