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What exactly is wrong with teaching?

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carol v:
About 8 months after starting to read Ray, I went on the retreat called "The Walk to Emmaus" which is a pretty big deal in Texas, maybe other places. Former attendees sponsor "pilgrims" from all churches and all walks of life and it is a really amazing experience for them...BUT...when I went I had already been reading Ray.

I had a really great time participating in the weekend...BUT...lol...no one was really speaking to me by the end. I had 3 roommates -- a pretty normal-ish, 40-ish, new seeker, a 25-ish wild eyed Pentecostal crazy person who had never read a word of scripture and a young 20-ish troubled young woman.

On Friday night, the Pentecostal started telling the other two about her church's plans for Halloween where they were going to throw "Hell Night" for all the little kiddies so they wouldn't trick or treat. It was complete with scaring the "Hell" into all of them and the piece de resistance -- the "aborted" baby room where the blindfolded little kiddies get to "feel" the dead baby and then blindfolds off -- the baby comes back as an adult zombie saying "you killed me mommie." Gee, where's simple old Frankenstein these days.

She was also babbling about how she speaks in tongues all the time.

Well I remember the spook house as a kid and I think we just put our hands in wet noodles and maybe saw a discombobulated head come out of a box or something. This whole conversation was more than I could really take especially since this Pentecostal crazy person was "teaching" this crap to the two newbies.

I calmly sat there with my Bible -- which none of these 3 women had ever looked at -- and calmly pointed out scripture after scripture. God was with me because I didn't argue, didn't debate, just answered every attack with a scripture. By 1 am, the Pentecostal crazy woman was going around the place getting all the "experts" she knew to get out of bed and come argue with me. I still didn't argue. I was able to fluster them all by just calmly answering their attacks with scripture. And none of the "experts" had any idea of what scripture said.

Those roomates did not speak to me again the rest of the weekend. The spiritual director wouldn't speak to me either by the end of it. It was a very lonely feeling in a way but preparation for what would come.

So while all these folks on the walk had a big "spiritual" experience and gave their testimony as such on Sunday, my testimony was just that I had a great time. And I had had a very good time even though I felt very, very alone. I hadn't had a big "spiritual" moment at this Babylonian function but I learned so very very much. Nothing is so hated as a calm person talking about God's ability to save all straight from the scripture.

The next morning was "Dying Moments" where the pilgrims go lay their sins on the alter to "die" and it's supposed to be one of the most meaningful parts of the weekend. I was so tired from staying up so late that I fell asleep sitting up and had no idea what I was supposed to be doing when I went to the alter so I just prayed for my kids.

Funny thing, I know what several people on the walk laid up on that alter and none of them were able to keep it up past the "glow" of a few weeks. I've learned since then that when you lay it on the alter of the "other Jesus" -- well, that Jesus has no power.

BUT -- I have not always been so calm. I have debated way past the 2nd admonition. My vanity and ego have come into play where I felt I needed to win. Through God, I've gotten it right and I've gotten it wrong. God has shown me both and hopefully I have learned through both.

But I don't seek out those circumstances anymore. I would not go to forums to debate or show the light but if someone comes to me or a situation is in front of me, then I'll speak up. I just pray I'm ready with that answer.

I would add here that one of the most important things is to ONLY FEED MILK TO BABES. Tell the Gospel and DON'T get into the Babylonian, you need to quit your church thing. Leave out the "Come Out of Her My People" stuff. I so wish I could take back a conversation I had with one lady who actually asked me if I believed in hell after church one day -- when I was still attending but knew I wouldn't be much longer. I should have feed her milk but made the mistake of criticizing the church. I won't do that again.

Carol

eggi:
Hi all,

Many good points here, I think we need a balanced approach to this question. Again, I think Joe is so right when he says that we need to look to ourselves. Just a thought: If we know the truth, we should be happy to share this with others! In fact I feel very sad sometimes when I think about people who believe in those terrible things. It has given me great comfort to learn what I have learned. Not that I am fully educated, I've just started. But that doesn't have to mean that I shouldn't share what I know. Often I find myself walking on the street thinking about how God loves all of the persons I see, and that He has a wonderful plan for them. Whenever I see someone who is looking sad, I feel that I should like to tell them about the true Gospel, so that they could have hope for the future. But I don't. I know that when God wants it done, they will ask me. And then it will be the best time, cuz He always gets it right. We must be patient - wait for God.

God bless you brothers and sisters,
Eirik

EKnight:
Since God is in control of whose ears will hear and whose eyes will see, is it possible that those who venture to express their knowledge in the truth are being led by God as to what to say?  In other words, if the person to whom one is speaking is one whom God wants to hear the truth, then the right words will come out of the mouth and when God wants someone to remain blinded, then the words will not come to the "teacher" as well?  And we never know what God's intentions for us are.  I say, sow seeds (tiny little seeds) and let God do the rest.

Eileen

acomplishedartis:
I think Sometimes even when they don't ask, I have been in situations where someone start talking to me about their church believes for looong,
and sometimes they don't care you don't respond, and sometimes if you still quiet they start thinking that you agree with them.
I guess sometimes (like on this case) with a clear and honest intention after a while of listening it might be fine to let them just know shortly and with no argue where you stand,[at list regarding everyone save], at list for respect them. Anyway is too overwhelming for their heads and sometimes family members (that doesn't believe on the reconciliation of all) can't handle who's the enemy.
Does somebody think that I am wrong on this? because I am open for rectification. [I have said 'sometimes' many times, because i am agree that it always depend a lot in the type of situation, motivation and balance on doing it.]

I think it is true that when we can't handle or understand something it is way more easy for us to ignore it.

moises

ps. i am agree with you Eileen about sometimes try to sow tiny little seeds or little comments of truth on a fine conversation.

OBrenda:
Hi Moises,
I think that You and Eileen have good advice.  ;D  Tossing Tiny Little Seeds,
We don't have to appear to agree with them, to not argue with them.
Is that your art work?


What do you think about this?
Years ago my Dad asked me how do you teach someone something?
After many attempts to give answer, and him shaking his head No.
I gave up and asked him, "O.K." how do you teach someone something?

He answered...You can't teach anything thing to anybody.
They can only Learn from you,
and they will learn more by what they see you do, than what they hear you say!

Brenda

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