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[craigory]

Hey LGM Brothers. I'm sorry to make a post like this. I'm feeling my motivation and desire slip away and it's sending me into a depression. I have become fed up with "Church Folk". Some of you may remember what happened w/my SWR 750x, then moving to another Church, paid for awhile then "We can't afford to pay". Church folk gossiping, Church folk coveting, Church folk & deacons holding on to their "little" positions as though their whole lives depended upon it, flexing the little authority they may possess. Yes I should not be influenced by others and I know what many of you are gonna say already, However I REALLY don't want to hear the PC (political correct) stuff right now!! I'm venting and want to get back up. I know I will, but I just wanted to express my feelings at this time. Thank You All in Advance! Craigory

[Asahel]

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7 KJVR

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. - James 5:13 KJVR

Sorry if this is too PC for you, but it is something the Word of God tells us we should do (btw, I'm doing that in my current situation w/o employment).  You can vent here with us and everything, but ultimately, the Lord is the only one that can take your burdens away, deliver you and grant you the victory.

Blessings,
Asahel

[Quebass86]

No problem in venting and for me what that means is that I am adding you and your concerns to "my" prayer list and will be in prayer for you. I feel what you are going through and have shared some of those same frustrations. God always seems to help me understand a lesson doing those times and I usually come back better, stronger, wiser and more determined to use my gift that God has given me to uplift His name and to help lead someone to Christ. I don't want to be the one brother that God gave the "1" talent to and went and hid it and did nothing with it because of all the other things going on around me and then God takes that 1 from me and gives it to another who did more with his.....stay strong, if you need to vent  somemore that's cool, the devil is trying t discourage, divide and conquer...

[BassbyGrace]

I was thinking of something to say, but while surfing face book, Nessa said it best (I dont think she'll mind me borrowing this) In love, as always.

Vanessa Miller: I was listening to a CD of my friend Jonathan Mason, and I realized something. People complain about ministry or being faithful to church attendance, etc. because of hypocrites and people who aren't doing what they should, but when you read about Jesus, he was faithful to church, and we KNOW that those pharisees were ...the worst hypocrites, and mistreated him ALL the time...

[floaded27]

dude, vent if you have to. i did in my situation. but after i finished venting i spent more time talking to God.

And since Im doing this for Him, i may have considered quitting that particular group, but not once did I consider quitting playing altogether, because its not for them. But years ago, things were different. But getting closer to God and having a new found understanding about my playing and what it means, I can stand.

So if you must vent, STAND and vent! Dont stay down after you've been knocked down. Tell 'em "you're not gonna keep knocking me down", but do it after you've gotten right back up! Winning the fight doesnt mean u didnt get knocked down in any of the rounds, it means you didnt stay down.

[craigory]

Thank You my brothers so much. I am honest when I say your responses have deeply moved me. I kinda knew I could vent in the bass room. You are ALL Awesome!!
Thank You Again.

[bassmanundertaker]

I have to agree also....VENT....that is what I am about to do......I have been playing bass for just a little while, and I have been "FAITHFUL"....we have our choir anniversary coming up and I have been practicing very hard at the songs that we are going to be singing, only to find out through listening that the Minister of Music is going to be bringing in her son to play bass for the concert. How am I supposed to feel? He doesn't attend the church and he is coming in to do what I thought was a good job (IMHO)....she didn't even have the courtesy to let me know what was being done and when I talked to her about it, she said that she wanted things to go down the way that she wants and I am not making it happen. I asked her if she was put on the back burner like she just did me, whether she knows it or not....I also asked her, "If a person is trying to learn the material and doing the best that he / she can, why discourage them?    Needless to say, I am still waiting for an answer. That is why I have been contemplating on putting down the bass or going to another church to be able to be utilized in the way that "GOD" wants me to work in the Ministry...................any suggestions?

[Asahel]

Ok, I've had it!  It's time to call my uncle Stu...   

All kidding aside, it just blows my mind how insensitive we can sometimes be to our own people.  Well my brothers, I know it is difficult, but I must say, hang in there with all your might and call upon the Lord.  He will grant you strength to stand, peace to go through it all with a sound mind, and as floaded says, to get back up if you get knocked down.  Remember these verses:

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. - Proverbs 24:16 KJVR

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. - 1 Peter 3:17 KJVR

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6:10-18 KJVR

I don't know if this is feasible, but it would be good for the moderators on this forum or other ministers to help organize something like a "prayer-chain" or something so that we can lift each other up in prayer.  I know there's a prayer board, and I went there several months back when I was going through a much more difficult time myself, but I'm not sure it is being monitored.  I myself also don't feel comfortable opening myself up beyond the (to me) "safe" confines of the bass forum.  I mean, this is truly a very different forum from anything I had ran into online before.

[isthatagirlonthebass]

To All Who Are Frustrated.  DON'T GIVE UP!

I have felt like that many times.  "I'm not catching the songs/notes like everyone else, my pitch is off, my timing is off, I don't hear what everyone else hears, why me Lord, do we have to play it like this" I've said all this and more, but regardless I still go home after rehearsal or service and practice, practice, practice.  I remember praying to God, "If I suck at this bass playing Lord, I don't want to do it."  It's crazy but He slowly lifted me up out of the slump that I was in.  Whatever situation you're in at church or wherever hold on and trust God for His promise and His reward.

For the person who learned all the songs and the MD picked someone else to play.  Don't give up!  I promise you later she or he will be calling you

[BassbyGrace]

Cosign@isthatagirlonthebass

My situation for a while was aside from playing jazz and top 40 stuff for work, I didnt have a church outlet for bass (just home shedding).  Im the keys player for my chapel, and its just me and a drummer.  I play for free, and when I started the choir had no structure, practice regime, nothing.  I had to deal with attitudes, leaders not knowing anything about music but trying to be in charge.  The Lord has allowed me to be elevated to MOM and the choir now can finish songs in 3 part harmony LOL, thanks be to God.  I had to have patience and kindness when others didnt with me.  Not only that, but God blessed me to find a church down the road that always calls me to play bass when they have an evening service or any kind of program.  I dont get paid there either, but Im so glad to atleast play some gospel music on my gear that Im just thankful.  When they travel I never have to pay for anything and their ppl are loving.  When things seem so crazy, we have to remember what its really all about, Jesus. 

[Asahel]

When things seem so crazy, we have to remember what its really all about, Jesus. 

This!  +1