Anyhow back to my path to the truth. I recall no longer being able to stomach the eternal hell punishing doctrine, and I was growing weary of the limited salvation doctrines. I knew something different was happening to my belief system. And it scared me. But I could no longer listen to these baptist sermons and swallow their teachings, so I left the baptist church in search of something that I could relate to in my new thinking. Even in my years in the baptist church, I was a rebel of sorts anyway. Always questioning their views.
I went to the 7th day Adventist, then on to Jehovahs Witnesses for a brief stint; then I stumbled upon the Worldwide Church of God in Alabama one year. I kind of liked it and joined. I was very attracted to the notion of being individually called and chosen by God, that really turned me on. You know, to be a King and Priest of God was a thrill beyond my wildest imagination and unknown potential. Unlike some here, my experience with Worldwide was a mostly positive one, they had some truth in my view. And I had very good fellowship while there. They believe themselves to be the annointed called of God; as many churchs do. And I understand that thrill.
But eventually my thrist was no longer satisfied by Worldwide, I began to disagree with many of their teachings, as the Salvation of all loomed more large in my belief. I was consouled many times by their ministers and even they could sense I was on my way out. Just not of their fold any longer. Perhaps different from some here, I do not view my time there as a waste, nor am I angry or bitter for having to go through those years, mainly because I miss the fellowship; being with people, as opposed to being alone. Oh I had my years of raging on and on about the deception in religion, but I eventually pointed that rage at myself, for not living as best I can to please God's view of how one should live.
Oh I sliced up many, many people on the internet in my headhunting years, I attacked Christianity everyday and opposed all religions on this earth. My rage was never quenched, it was only directed into other areas, as I learned to be honest about religions and my belief , I also had to be honest about myself, realizing the fact that I was not chosen by God, I was just so attracted to the thought of it. I had to understand that God was dealing with my mind from time to time, opening it to things, and thats what made me desire to blend in with others who I thought he was doing the same to. And Worldwide was my closest experience with what I thought was that blend. I was wrong about that. But I enjoyed my time there; I certainly did; leaving was heartbreaking for me, not because of doctrines and knowledge, because of people! I miss the people. The friends I made and enjoyed. The basketball I played, the women I dated; and so on. The senior citizen members I grew close to and served. Yeah, those were good times.
But I don't look back on the teachings there, I basically have just about forgotten about most of them. The journey to truth has a pace of its own, and I have learned more just looking into Gods word, and the occassional inspiration from his Spirit on my own, than I have with any group. I will probally never blend in with any group again, my belief is too far moved into left feild, as I have walked alone in left feild for so long. I have posted on forums all over the internet, not being able to contain my views within me, but I have asked God to help me learn to do that. Many times my views have gotten me banned from many sites, and some sites seem to tolerate me pretty well.
My path to the truth has been one riddled with many things, many troubles and pains. Many personal disapointments. But I thank God that I can see and believe in the glory of the Salvation of all, there is no greater truth in my view, no greater gospel.
No greater path.