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In many places, today, driving a nail into the door would violate the fire code and it would require that he entire door be replaced. If that were to happen to me, I would notify the police and ask that they document and investigate. I would replace the door, as would be required if I were ever to sell the home, and I would sue the person who did it, if the evidence could be developed.

Rabbi Feldman waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Rabbi," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." Rabbi Feldman chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."

Harry Rosenberg was known as a brilliant trial lawyer. He once defended a bus driver against claims that his negligence had caused injury to a young man's arm. "Will you please show us how high you can lift your arm now?" Rosenberg asked the plaintiff. The young man obediently raised his arm to shoulder level, his face contorted with apparent pain. "Thank you," said Rosenberg. "And now, please, will you show us how high you could lift it before the accident?" The man's arm shot above his head.

A wealthy Texan had an impressive ranch. He had a huge swimming pool where he kept a shark. The rich Texan loved to throw lavish dinner parties and would invite his guests up around the pool afterwards. Then he would say to them, "If any of you will swim a length of this pool then I will give you one of three things: $10 million, or half of my estate, or the hand of my daughter in marriage." Then he would add, "But I must warn you before you do so, there is a shark in the pool." One evening a young Israeli named Shuki Hadari who had just finished his army service scored himself an invite to one of the Texans famous parties. After the Texan gave his usual spiel, there was a splash, Shuki was in the water and swam the entire length of the pool chased by the shark. Shuki got out of the pool just in time as the shark thudded into the wall. The Texan said, "Congratulations you are the first person who has ever done that!! Now what would you like? Would you like $10 million?" Shuki gasped, "No." "Would you like half of my estate?" "No," Shuki replied. "Ahh, you want the hand of my daughter in marriage?" asked the Texan. Exasperated, Shuki said, "No!" So the Texan said to him, "Well what do you want?" Shuki said, "I want the name of the guy who pushed me in."

Care to share your opinion?

Ties are one thing I wish would pass from the Western style of dress. I do not wear ties usually (due to neck surgery) although I have many. Being a neuroscience nurse, I can't help but wonder sometimes how many men have dislodged plaque and had strokes trying to get their ties on with a buttoned top button! I don't button top buttons when I do wear a tie and keep it very loose, which does look a bit disheveled after a bit. But hey! At least it is on!

I think it is one thing to have discussions regarding dress, and quite another thing to start harassing specific individuals regarding how they showed up to church. I recall one "dress cop" who made it a point to skewer the ladies for how much cleavage might be showing or how high their skirts were. That really is unacceptable behavior. And putting a nail into someone's door?! yeah, you don't want to call police on fellow members, but principle does get a bit protective of people doing wrong. FWIW, SOP spends far more time on criticizing and judging fellow church goers than it does on dress. And we do need to grow right along with the tares in the church. We are all wheat here, right?!

I was in a rental unit, and it was an old wooden door. It was actually in a "lower income" neighborhood; and to be honest, at the time; it felt like a statement about "those poor people" and how maybe they shouldn't be a part of "the remnant." No one wanted to do anything about it "because he was old," and I thought to myself, that it would be impossible to address the matter. It was just one of those things where if I wanted to be in that church; Id have to just let it go. I never should have let that go like that; it would have saved a lot of headaches in succeeding years. A new member does not usually want to call the police on fellow members, know what I mean?

I think your OP here makes perfect sense. People seem to count it as some sort of "virtue" when they don't have any standards to go by. The clothing thing can get pretty ugly. I once had a much "beloved church leader" come to my apartment (at the time) and take a 3 inch framing nail, and nailed a page to my wooden door there from SM about "proper dress." He didn't like the clothes I wore to church. I dont think its hard to imagine how driving a 3 inch spike into a guy's door might have affected me over the years. At that church, I thought the "dress code" was basically to have a special outfit that you just used for church, generally expected to be a little nicer than "just jeans," and so I was actually using what I considered "my very best out fit." I guess some people did notice my bright-red pants, tight at the ankles, baggy at the top...but I was a new member, and I was 110% sincere in wanting to look my best for church attendance on Sabbath. To me, that was my very best; it got shot down so fast and hard that I just stayed away for a month until I could recover. That was just the first of many "offences." Even a good thing gets over-done, or done wrong. I have no problem with dressing nice, even "respectable" whatever that is; but I wont wear a suit for no one. I am really uncomfortable in them, and its just never going to happen again. Then there is the problem of "enforcement." For said "standards." I mean, what are we to do? Stand a deacon at the door with a big sign saying "no suits" no admission? An unwelcoming atmosphere often presents as THAT "sign." One thing is certain. "Standards" vary widely from one church to the next. There is no way to keep track of it all. I found that the way the Rabbi in a Jewish temple I once attended was going with the right idea. He was very welcoming and cordial as he explained how/why they would like me to wear one of those beanies they wear. (Sorry; I don't know what they are actually called). It was easy and painless to go along with because of the way he approached me with the idea. In fact, I felt like because I respected them; they also respected me; I felt very welcome there.

So, I have read thru the comments to follow the OP of this article and find them interesting, not right, but interesting. Individual items get pulled out and worked on such as sports, unwed mothers, clothing, etc., but the fact is the whole "forest" still remains. A couple of points could be debated, but a very large number cannot be debated. So, by focusing on this "tree" or that "tree", we are not seeing the "forest". So, "You can't see the forest for the trees" lives again. The point of this authors article is that there is a serious decline in the condition of the church, especially in the way of forgetting "old paths" and trying to justify following the world. To be crystal clear here, this author stepped on a couple of my toes also. So, it is a call for sober self examination, not that anything was new, but the whole picture of the decline of the church is so much more visible. And as already quoted, “So remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I shall come to you speedily and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” Revelation 2:5 So, there is in this verse a clear call for people to examine themselves and desist from following the world. A couple comments on specific trees that were named are: Sporting events Seems that Advent Health is promoting sporting events that some would call violent and in which many injuries and fights occur in. They also have begun giving tickets to events being held on the Sabbath. There is much to say in SOP regarding sporting events and competitions for supremacy. http://adventmessenger.org/adventhealth-is-a-championship-partner-in-the-violent-sport-of-professional-hockey/ http://adventmessenger.org/adventhealth-is-offering-racing-tickets-to-sporting-events-that-are-scheduled-on-the-sabbath/ While not mentioned in comments, Advent Health is now funding LGBT+ programs. While this may not directly be funded by member donations, it is taking resources that should be used for broader segments of the population for the health message, not building museums to promote the lifestyle of these various alphabet letters. http://adventmessenger.org/seventh-day-adventists-give-1-million-dollars-to-fund-lgbt-programs/ Dress A number of reasons were given to justify someone preaching from the "desk" wearing jeans, flannel shirts, and tennis shoes. And there are a couple of misconceptions. Speaking from my experience in Adventist Community Services where we gave away clothing, or couldn't even give it away, the financial reasons do not justify a pastor on the platform preaching as a matter of routine dressed as such. Most churches of any size have an ACS where clothing can be given away. With the possible exception of "NotGoodwill", most thrift shops would probably give someone clothing if they showed up and explained they needed clothing for church but had no money. Many will give such clothing to someone needing clothing for a job interview. While people would show up for church "dressed down", they probably would never do such if going out for a job interview in a high level job. I tend to think you should wear your best to church short of tuxedo, etc., as being over dressed is condemned as being slovenly dressed is. None of the above applies to visitors. Some would argue that culture dictates whether something is positive or negative and whether it is acceptable. If culture is indeed the determining factor, there can be only one culture that defines good and bad, and that is the culture of heaven. If anything conflicts with the heavenly culture, it must cease to be a part of our lives—if we are preparing for heaven. When it became clear to us, that even in a very poor part of the country, people did not really need clothing on a giveaway basis, we closed down our Community Services program. So, what to do with the clothing we had? We almost couldn't give it away. The children's clothing we gave to a nearby clothing giveaway. The thrift store refused as they had clothing stacked to their ceilings. Finally, it all went to a chain giveaway that probably recycled the material. Even organizations that shipped overseas no longer take clothing, including ADRA. It is easier for them to just take money. So, lack of clothing cannot really be used as a reason. Understandably, in foreign countries they dress different. However, most of the mission highlight videos I see, no matter where in the world, the leaders and much of the congregations are in suits/ties. When I was much younger, as much as I may have complained about the strictness of the leaders in adhering to church practices, it always disappointed me when they actually caved and began following worldly ways. And I wonder sometimes, did anyone ever really come to the truth because someone was in blue jeans rather than being more dressed up? Who is to be warned about their sins, the world? God’s people are the ones to be warned. They say they worship God, but only to make themselves feel good. Is that discouraging to you?

HCH you are not a Noah. I am smelling something rotten.

Lord, save me ? Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

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