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I just have this weird feeling since coming out of the church.

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Kat:
Hi Beth,

I can feel your enter struggle, with stopping what you feel is a familiar routine.  I was in church for many years and it gets to be a way of life.  I never thought I would stop attending.  
But when God shows you the undeniable truth, you began to realize the church doctrines are all wrong.  If you keep search out these truth, it will probably get to a point where you will not want to stay there.
Continue reading BT and studying the scripture and just keep seeking the truth and He will work things out as you go along.  No need to worry, He is in control of all things  :)

Eph 1:11  in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His will;
v. 12  to the end that we should be unto the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:

I will pray for God to give you strength and comfort.

mercy, peace, and love
Kat

bambam:
Arcturus,

Thanks for the encouragement!  I am learning more every day.  I can't keep my thoughts off the truth.  It's always before me-I am always hungry to know more.  For that I am extremely thankful because there was a time when I wondered why I should even keep reading the Bible because, well, what didn't I know.  I mean the preacher basically preaches the same things over and over and if I haven't gotten it by now-well I am hopeless!!  How foolish of me, huh?  The whole world spun around me when I found Bible-truths.  I was unsure, but completely captivated and began studying instantly, and have been ever since!  The biggest reason was because all of the questions that had been haunting me after I was introduced to a calvinists viewpoints-all of the questions were answered in a few weeks of reading Ray's work, and all of the scripture that goes along with it.  

I am still in awe of all of it-but leaving the whole church system will be a trial.  It isn't me I am worried about as much as it is for those I love.  Hurting my family is going to be very painful.  It will happen when it's time to happen!  Thanks for the encouragement!!

Kat,
Church HAS been my way of life since birth.  My dad was a preacher, my mom played the piano.  Me and my siblings were considered PKs (preacher's kids).  I "surrendered" to marry a preacher or missionary when I was a teenager, and I am married to an associate pastor/songleader.  Ugh, is all I can say!!  I've been in it for thirty two years now, and I think the only thing really holding me back is my loved ones who will be so hurt by all of this.  But you are right!  God is working it all out, even though I cannot see it from my outlook!  Thanks for your encouraging words!

Beth  

jER:
You All are encouraging!

I was in a Calvinist church (election doctrines) for many years. Later - that of Free-Will (self-determination) churches. It was not the differences that troubled me, rather, it was what they truly agreed upon, that was troubling (the skin of an unbeliever was burnt-off, like the skin of a molting snake, over and over again, throughout, i.e. eternity, along with an immortal soul that never dies, and the greed-seed creed of tithing, etc.). I could never come to the understanding of limited atonement, as taught in either of these so called camps, nor, with the others tenants that they believed and preached.

Often, there were conflicts involving my daughters, simply because they had informed their friends (who live under the churches and their parents - doctrines of…) that they would eventually be with the Lord, "as they cried and confided in my children because of their fears."

Pastors, youth Pastors - including other various teachers and parents had attempted to impose their so called beliefs in a literal fire-of-hell, upon them. However, much to their surprise and astonishment (my daughters stood in their knowledge of the truth, and of course - I was at fault for their teaching – thank, God!) while approaching my daughters who were taught with a deeper understanding of the Scriptures (including Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic and Latin language translations), they were dumb-founded.  These people took selective Scriptures to prove their point, however, they were given dozens of Scriptures from my daughters that actually harmonized with their selective ones, proving that they had erred from the truth.

I can still hear the words of one of my daughters, as she was confronted by two Pastors and a parent on the sidewalk just outside the main church doors... "…and you believe that is the meaning of perish…" She was steadfast in her faith of who Christ is…and all that He will (has) accomplish(ed).

I was a single parent raising his daughters by the Grace of God for over nine years, at that time…

I remarried, shortly thereafter, (…my daughters had imparted their wisdom  ::) ) and just prior to leaving the worldly church. But not before my beautiful, new bride, had come down stairs (she heard the snake-skin sermon that made her skin crawl…)..."I was praying last night" And… "I want the truth of Christ which can not be according to that sermon." I was studying the Word of God - in the early morning hours…you want "The Truth?" While going through the Scriptures, her eyes told it all … "I never saw that." The bondage that she was dealt, all but disappeared. She had to ask me to slow down…"I was excited", after all… "I am only a man."   ;)

I searched for a church that dared teach the truth, but have found none to this very day (it has been several years, now). Then, I began searching the so called "Christian web-sites" on the internet, only to find that the discussions seemed to conclude in contention, strife and hostility with an, us, and them mentality.
 
No wonder the Prophets, Apostles and the Saints were [are] martyred for the witness of, "the truth of Christ."

Finally, I came across (rather, was led by the Spirit) bible-truths (to this forum) and the "Lake of Fire Series." That was refreshing – "No French Fries." Hell actually meant the Grave (ditto…ditto…ditto…).

I must say: "I am excited being a Bride," although, the terminology took time…after all…you guessed it…I’m only a man!   :D

In His Grace, Mercy, Love and Righteous Judgment,

- Jer


P.S.  I have found most of our friendships in church were Sunday friends, and for my wife that was heart breaking, although, she has kept in contact with two friends from two different churches (a Calvinist and an Armenian). 

LittleBear:
Hi Jer,

That is quite a testimony. I love it when God open's people's eyes. I also haven't found a church that believes in God's truth, but presently I'm at peace with that. I'm not looking for one. I'm quite enjoying God teaching me, and also being part of this forum. I read more than I post, and find a lot of wisdom and insight here.

God bless you,

Ursula

mari_et_pere:

--- Quote ---I always wonder why a standard response is "Well, why don't we just go sin like crazy if everyone is going to be saved anyway?"

--- End quote ---

I think that is a typical response of the carnal mind. I can totally understand it! It is true isn't it? No matter what we do or think or say, we'll be okay in the end. BUT....I'm sure we'll pay a hefty price for what we do, so I wouldn't risk it. Gena, I'm with you. It makes me want to seek Him all the more!

Matt

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