Cousin Priscilla Eve

[Naomi Ruth Lamb]

I was visiting with Mother and Father today in their fashionable Freehold condominium when suddenly the phone rang. My parents don't receive many telephone calls, so we all gasped at the sound. Father answered it, and discovered that it was my cousin Priscilla Eve calling to report that she was rebuked at the Women's Prayer Circle meeting last Thursday.

Seems Cousin Prissy was commenting on one of the ladies' hats when she was supposed to be on her knees petitioning the Lord on behalf of the crisis in the Ukraine when Sister Doreen Jones screamed "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." The hat really was hideous if it was anything like Prissy described and truly brought the entire meeting a negative ambience since all anyone could do is stare at it.

I'm torn about whether Prissy should have been rebuked or whether the rest of the women should have just grabbed the offensive hat and stuffed it under a pew somewhere until it could be retrieved and discarded.

Remember that this is in a rural area where fashion sense is not exactly strong. In Freehold, as you know, all hats have to be approved by a majority vote before entering the main sanctuary (How does one become a part of the judging committee?) so this wouldn't happen at Landover Baptist Church. Still, if we were less couture minded, would you have rebuked a sister for speaking her mind? Is the Ukraine really that important? Cousin Prissy is actually a very kind woman whose walk with the Lord can not be doubted. Prissy is all upset and feels she can't step foot in church again after this. What are your thoughts? How can she once again find herself in the good graces of the faithful? Tithing surely doesn't solve everything, does it?

[Mother Of Seven]

Re: Cousin Priscilla Eve

Of course she should be rebuked. She should have been praying to the Lord. Unforgiveable behaviour. End of story.

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: Cousin Priscilla Eve

Remember that this is in a rural area where fashion sense is not exactly strong. In Freehold, as you know, all hats have to be approved by a majority vote before entering the main sanctuary (How does one become a part of the judging committee?) so this wouldn't happen at Landover Baptist Church. Still, if we were less couture minded, would you have rebuked a sister for speaking her mind? Is the Ukraine really that important? Cousin Prissy is actually a very kind woman whose walk with the Lord can not be doubted. Prissy is all upset and feels she can't step foot in church again after this. What are your thoughts? How can she once again find herself in the good graces of the faithful? Tithing surely doesn't solve everything, does it?

That's a hard one, Sister. I recall one time when someone who shall remain nameless, created such a commotion that good and noble True Christian™ men had a difficult time attending to worship. Poor Jeb had to combat ugly rumors about his attention to sinful detail lest others would be similarly distracted from paying homage to the LORD. I think anyone who brings such a distraction into a prayer group should be the one rebuked, and if your cousin is as mild-mannered and polite as you, her counsel should have been respected. I'll keep her in my prayers.

[Naomi Ruth Lamb]

Re: Cousin Priscilla Eve

My delightful, sweet, and full-of-it (The Holy Ghost) Sister Mary:

You truly do gush for Jesus. His love spews from the bowels of your being and touches the cockles of my heart. As the drug infested star of The Wizard of Oz, Julie Gallan, sang, "ZING went the strings of my heart," as I read your thoughtful post. Of course, she didn't sing that song in that movie, but I digest.

My loving cousin is a kind, polite, and meek Christian woman. Never would she try to incite a riot, cause a public disturbance, or even glance at another person in an untoward way. Through your continued prayers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I am sure she will emerge blameless. She is, after all, a child of the King.

In His Grace,
NRL