Hello,
As far as my testimony goes, I first was brought to a knowledge of Christ when I was a mere 8 year-old child. It was then that I prayed the spurious "sinner's prayer," lead by two summer bible camp leaders. Not knowing how to live like a Christian(naturally),I went about my merry way up until age 15 when I met a friend in high school who was a Christian, and once again prayed the "sinner's prayer." After many struggles with the faith all through college, I finally was grounded in 1989. I was a Sunday school and bible study teacher, and also did a prison ministry where I conducted bible studies with inmates. All the while I was certain that what I taught, EVERYTHING I taught, was the truth. Eternal hell, the rapture, tithing, the trinity, all the major teachings of orthodox Christianity.
To make this short, I had many nagging doubts about hell, and why it is that even people who haven't heard the gospel were to be subject to such everlasting misery. In 2004, I did a google search on a prominent Word of Faith preacher(Who shall be nameless, but I'm sure you all heard of this person)and a link to L Ray's site mysteriously showed up and I swear, that link seemed to drag me in. It said, "Tithing is unscriptural..." Although I initially blew it off as just another whack false teacher who's just trying to stir up trouble, I decided to click on it and just see what this man had to say. I had heard arguments against tithing before, and just wrote them off as nonsense, but L Ray laid it out so plainly, that every defense I contrived against not tithing was shot down. I then read L Ray's paper on Lazarus and the Rich man, and practically bawled at my computer. It was like a light clicked on, and I began to really see the true story into what I have always been taught, and actually DID teach, was a an example of the truth of eternal torment. It was then that I was almost convinced that all my loved ones and friends that I had feared was writhing in fiery pain were in fact asleep, awaiting the resurrection to God's just judgement. I began to honestly and sincerely love this God, who has been so badly misrepresented by those who claim to be His ambassadors, including myself.
I literally could go on. But I'll spare you all the ramblings. Needless to say, many questions still abound within me. I'm finding out that with all this revelation of the errors of orthodox Christendom, the people with whom I used to fellowship have kind of pushed me aside. I am even at slight odds with my mother, of whom I was responsible for helping guide her to the Lord, and she is a wonderful and faithful churchgoer who's life I honestly can say was changed by the gospel, even though she believes in all the doctrines of the church. You won't find a more loving and sincere woman, and that's far more that I can say for any so-called pastor or preacher in a pulpit. I almost hate to confront her on her adherence to the doctrines of Christendom, because she finds so much joy in working for her church. She is the epitome of a "prayer warrior," and I shamefully say that her prayer life puts mine to an absolute shame.
But that's all I'll say for now. I hope to find in this forum some good fellowship. I have already been blessed by the warm welcome. Thank you to everyone who took the time to welcome me.
D
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Topic: New Member (Read 6407 times)