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So How Did You Get Here?

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Dean Peterman:
I'm not even sure how I got here.  I was on a search and starting reading Ray's articles.  It is very interesting to read so many stories.  I have been deceived for a long time so I'm not sure why I suddenly started seeing so much truth.

gmik:
Praise God!

DuluthGA:
I'm just GLAD YOU ARE HERE, Joe!  I sure do enjoy your posts even going back into the past year, all for which I thank you dear sir!  ;)

It's funny, but we are quite similar in a few respects:

Born and raised Catholic in the Detroit area, attended public school until four years of all-girl Catholic high school.  I was thankful Mom wasn't too devout.  When a kid, she was telling me what the church authorities were teaching that "the pope is Jesus Christ on this earth," and she kinda rolled her eyes!   ::)  I can't remember how old I was at the time (young), but looking back, I think I picked up on that common-sensical irreverance from her on that VERY SILLY doctrine and NEVER EVER felt Catholic... just went through the motions.  I wondered why (at mass) they had to keep sacrificing Him over and over again and again.  Wasn't once enough?  It felt so primitive and ritualistic (and mindlessly boring)... then throw in all the "stand ups, sit downs and genuflections" and all the priestly MUMBO JUMBO, and it got a bit repugnant to me as I became able to think for myself as an adolescent.  And it bothered me no one else seemed to care.

Nevertheless, at about age 14 I was brought to my knees sobbing while doing the last few "stations of the cross" at easter, which depict Christ's crucifixion.  His spirit had impressed upon me, "He died for me."   ;)

[I feel the need to interject that I loved going to Regina High.  There was an all-boy high school right next door and we did a lot of activities together.  It was a great education and the best four years of my life!]

So when I was on my own from age nineteen on, I was unchurched until age 30 when I got (was given) the bright idea to read the bible in its entirely and study it a little.  I concommitantly [wink wink, nudge nudge...] got an SDA flyer in the mail to study the book of Revelations, and I intriguingly thought, "Hey this is right up my alley."   I was impressed by them grounding their beliefs and doctrines (now realized as erroneous) on Scripture, and also impressed that according to them Catholicism/the pope was "the beast."  "Ha", thought I... "now I know why I never fit in catholicism!"  This was felt as kind of a relief of a burden, explaining why I was a catholic misfit. I then became dunked in a water baptizism and was very joyful in the Lord in the SDA church for two solid years, even becoming their vacation bible school director.  To keep this short, the jig was all up after two years, and I was unchurched again and have remained so for 22 years, and again may I add, I was sort of carrying a burden of "why can I not fit in religiously?"  But I just left it at that and only dabbled in a few spiritually-oriented books, etc.

But!  While reading Book 1 of the Conversation With God series about ten years ago, I came upon the line from God saying, "...even Hitler went to heaven."  Now that really impressed my soul like a hot iron and I've been a closet URist since.  Well, that is, since I came out of the closet with Ray's work a year and a half ago, on a much more reliable Scriptural basis.  [Since then I have certainly come to appreciate Ray's critique of that particular whimsical book of fiction as leaving out one "little" important thing... like, er... God's judgment.  Ho!   :o]

So you see, we really are similar in the catholicism, the aprroximate two years of SDA, and nothing very much else in the way of being churched.  Thanks for conjuring up these relevant memories~

It was fun!  Janice   :)

Bradigans:
I believe it's the HOLY SPIRIT bringing His (THE LORD'S CHILDREN) together. I believe we're apart (lively stones 1st Peter 2:5) of that church that Christ started (Mark 14:58) foreshadowed in the Old Testament (Hebrews 8:5). I'm finding out it has nothing to do with anything meritorious in and of me (Deuteronomy 9:6, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 9:15-16), but it's all in accordance to God's divine purpose and plan (Ephesians 1:11). Hopefully, I can remember this before I go to criticizing and condemning folks.

Anyway, I along with twelve other siblings was brought up in a baptist church where my father was a minister. It was all hypocrisy, and they had a form of godliness. I believe I felt a calling on my life at an early age. I've been through hell (but have experienced that extreme peace) getting babylonish Ideals out of my heart. I hope that I can get to the point like paul ( Philippians 3:8) and count everything i've loss but dung. Me and my mom use to be so close is the major thing i miss. Well, i ventured out to a pentecostal church but didn't last long there either. They believe in the tithe and tongue thing. They state that speaking in tongues is the gauge to whether or not you have the Holy Spirit. I thought it was the love of God (Christ, Jesus 1st Corinthians 13, and 1 John 4:7-8). The Spirit (or what I believe is the Spirit) would come on me where I would speak out so boldly.

Well, i'm thirty six years old now, and haven't been back to what they call a church in about five or six years. I've been severely humiliated for speaking out in these church's in the past. 2 Peter 1:10 - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. I'm trying to do all through THE WORD, THE HOLY SPIRIT to make my calling and election sure. I want to know if i'm a lively stone of the Church Christ is THE HEAD of. I know it's all about like Ray says, what His will is. I hope... 

hillsbororiver:
Hi Bradigans!

Because you are even concerned and are constantly thinking about these things shows that He is pulling you toward Him. Most (in the denominations) seem to be very comfortable where they are, "rich and in need of nothing" and are lukewarm about the very things that consume the thoughts of His people.

His Peace to you,

Joe

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