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ned:
Hello fellow believers. As a new member, I would like to (and will soon) share my testimony.

For right now, I would like to ask for prayers, comments and thoughts about a meeting one of my (past) church elders has called me to. 
I have just left my church (last Sunday Jul 2 officially) and I gave the 5 elders of my church a letter as to why I was leaving. Tonight I am meeting with one of the elders to "have a conversation" about my letter.
I keep thinking that the truth God has shown me is so obvious, that when I share it with others how can they not believe? But after trying this (with other church believers for the last 6 months) I now understand the scripture that tells me they are deceived and God himself has turned them over to lies and they will believe only what he has purposed them to believe.  I marvel at God's word when I see it in action in this way, they are literally blinded to the truth! They even say words that are scriptural and to us (who have been graced with the truth) it is the very power of God, yet they themselves deny the truth. It is almost unbelievable! So, I now no longer look forward to meeting with other "church" believers and expecting them to understand the truth. I pray for their understanding but ultimately God chooses who he wills to understand. Nonetheless, please pray and provide feedback as God leads you, I know this elder is going to think it is I who am deceived.
Thank you for your consideration.
Marie

Craig:

--- Quote from: Marie on July 10, 2006, 02:41:38 PM ---Hello fellow believers. As a new member, I would like to (and will soon) share my testimony.

For right now, I would like to ask for prayers, comments and thoughts about a meeting one of my (past) church elders has called me to. 
I have just left my church (last Sunday Jul 2 officially) and I gave the 5 elders of my church a letter as to why I was leaving. Tonight I am meeting with one of the elders to "have a conversation" about my letter.
I keep thinking that the truth God has shown me is so obvious, that when I share it with others how can they not believe? But after trying this (with other church believers for the last 6 months) I now understand the scripture that tells me they are deceived and God himself has turned them over to lies and they will believe only what he has purposed them to believe.  I marvel at God's word when I see it in action in this way, they are literally blinded to the truth! They even say words that are scriptural and to us (who have been graced with the truth) it is the very power of God, yet they themselves deny the truth. It is almost unbelievable! So, I now no longer look forward to meeting with other "church" believers and expecting them to understand the truth. I pray for their understanding but ultimately God chooses who he wills to understand. Nonetheless, please pray and provide feedback as God leads you, I know this elder is going to think it is I who am deceived.
Thank you for your consideration.
Marie

--- End quote ---

Marie,

If you go, my prayres are with you.  My opinion is to stay home.  You will most likely be horse whipped and brow beaten.
But, all is of God.

Craig

mongoose:
Marie,  Welcome to the forum.  Leaving a church is hard and most of us here have done that ourselves at some point.  I pray that this forum will be as big of a blessing to you as it has been for me.  Everyone here has been absolutely wonderful and loving.  Like Craig, I can't offer you much hope for how your conversation this evening will go.  I agree with his opinion.....stay home.  Most likely this will not go well and things will be said that may be hurtful.  Remember, only God can change a person's mind.  Arguing with someone who is blinded is not fruitful.  No matter how this goes (or whether you decide to go or not), it will be according to His will.  Remember that God loves you (and the elder who you may meet with) and is working everything according to His will.  You are under no obligation to explain your reasons for leaving.  My prayers are with you as well.  Peace and love to you.

mongoose

longhorn:
Make a list of every single other thing you could be doing instead of going to this meeting.  Take that list and  lay it on the table.  Blindfold yourself, take a bottle and spin it, whichever the open end of the bottle lands on is GUARANTEED to be more productive than said meeting... That includes stuff like cleaning out the cat liter box. ect...ect.

Peace in Christ

Longhorn

gmik:
Longhorn you are a hoot!!

Marie, have you read Ray's new paper about witnessing??  That might help somewhat. What is the elders purpose??? Will they lose a beloved sister in the lord or a generous giver?? Whatever you decide God has willed and He will help you.  Our prayers are with you. Let us know the outcome one way or another.

My church hasn't bothered about it-haven't heard from them and we were tithers! Oh well.

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