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Need encouragement, something
Grateful:
Hello, again, phazel !
Just a quick note to pick out a quote from your initial posting on this thread :
"Well, today I told the pastor and leadership of that church I am leaving. It probably is one of the more gut wrenching things I have done in my life. I had developed friends there, but I just could not stand the teachings of the church there any more."
I too will not join ANY church that preaches the doctrine of "Hell-fire for Eternity", and so, even though I live in a small town, I refuse to feel ashamed whenever anyone asks me, "What church do you go to?" I simply tell them, "I don't," and let it go at that. I haven't had anyone ask me, "Why not?" But IF they DO, I will tell them the Truth, and let the chips fall where they may, for I do not care for opinions anymore, but only TRUTH.
Good Evening to you! :D :D
Linda
Little Joe:
Phazel,
I went through the same experience leaving church a few weeks ago, and it is painful, but I think you'll find that the Lord will open up to you whole new avenues of knowing Him and also fellowship with others you've never experienced before. I'll tell you, it is the easy road to sit back in your pew every Sunday and get spoon fed, but a whole other matter to really dig into the word and have the Holy Spirit of God illuminate your heart with wisdom. I suffer from depression too, and I often take comfort in reading the psalms. My four favorite are Psalms 1, 8, 19, and 23. These give me great comfort, I'd suggest you try reading and meditating on them. I find them refreshing to my spirit.
In Christ,
Joe
phazel:
Thank you all, I will keep studying and asking God for strength and I feel blessed that I do not feel completely alone.
I use msn to chat with if anyone is interested my e-mail for that is NKAc_Street@hotmail.com
Triton:
Hello Phazel,
Thank you for sharing your story here. You're a step further than me.
I touched on this same subject before, but then "retreated" from the forum, but quietly just read.
I guess I can understand how you feel. For me anyway, I'm having feelings which I don't even quite know how to put into words.
My wife and I still attend church. It's Baptist orientated. I'm the leader of the expat group in my "foreign" country (Taiwan).
It's all about Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, .... but somehow it's not. Somehow it all seems about every member trying to sort out his or her own heavenly treasures with the focus on themselves and not really the focus of our Father and His Son. And through all the teachings they make Him look like ,a weak-willed creator that has no control whatsoever over His own creation.
And now, when I notice these things, as I believe you also have, I feel that I must be the wrong. I start to doubt everything.
I prayed to Him and asked Him that if I'm on the wrong track, to please bring me back.
Well, it doesn't seem that His taking me back to my old beliefs. But He's still keeping me in the church. For now.
You mentioned that you're alone in your beliefs. Hey, so am I. It sucks. I know. It also hurts.
I wish that I was perfect with absolutely no sin in my life 'cause I guess that would make leaving easier, if anyone understands what I mean.
Phazel, chin-up and be strong. You can. You are not alone.
Samson:
Hello Phazel,
Your post took my interest, yes it can be most difficult to leave behind friends from a previous affiliation. It was difficult for me when leaving the JW's, since that time(2003), I've only visited a Church type denomination four times. I realized early on that eventually I would be presented with teachings like Eternal Torment, Legalistic Church rules or the other extreme, a general apathy(an anything goes attitude). In my case, any former friends from my previous Church aren't allowed to even speak to me, even if they happen to bump into me, in a way that is a positive thing, now I see it as part of Gods' plan for me. I certainly sympathize with you about having problems with Depression, had a great Depression in 1994 and a more minor bout in early 2006, it seems in my case that a lack of the full spectrum of light during winter time greatly enhances the problem(Seasonal Affective Disorder), my wife purchased a lamp for me that provides the necessary light for me and it has worked wonders for me, I have it on right now, while typing this message. Getting back to Friends, Former Friends and Good acquaintances, it seems that Rays new Article on being "Unequally Yoked with Unbelievers" has application here. My feeling or opinion is, for whatever its worth, is that as long ias someone isn't battering me with spiritual untruths and isn't trying to mislead me from the Truths found at this Site, I might still be able to associate with them to some extent, you would have to determine to what extent that could be. The key is to not be unequally yoked, so if theirs enough common denominators without any threat to your spirituality, you might decide to socialize with others that don't share the same Bible teachings. Personally, I have yet to find anyone that completely accepts Man having no Free Will and believing that everyone will eventually be saved. We can only plant the seed and God will make it grow. I made a copy of Rays new article about being unequally yoked and my wife agreed to read it and fully agreed with and loved the article, now thats progress. Hang in their Phazel, God Loves you and wants to teach us and disipline us and he uses others to do so. (Hebrews. chapter 12). I don't believe you've done anything wrong, you can only do your best as God see's fit for you, that best usually varies on a daily basis, my heart and prayers go out to you.
Your Brother, Samson.
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