| Author | Message | ||
| Jim02 Registered user Username: Jim02 Post Number: 222 Registered: 5-2007 |
Since I stopped being a practicing SDA, since I began a core dump of many SDA teachings, Since I invalidated EGW as being a legitimate messenger, Since I have not found a church that has accurate doctrines on the applications of 10C new covenant and Tithe Teachings, Since I have not seen a linkage to authority or authenication protocols, since I no longer trust even my own ability to make an accurate theological judgement, since I "thought" I was being led by the Spirit of Truth before, since I have no reliable verifiable data base....... I consider that I have been experiencing a tendancy to grow cold from a (legalistic)luke warm state. Perhaps there is a hope in that. Jesus said , I wish you were either hot or cold. I wonder, coming out of this , is that normal, or is it a risk factor. I have been trying to work up energy and motivation. But , honestly, it almost seems without definition. I am not sure what path to follow. Meanwhile, I go through the motions. Pray, Visit, read, fall, pray, rest, ignore, get angry, frustrtaed, confused, ignore some more, read, catch a wave, cry, hurt, feel better, and rinse, repeat. I don't want to sound like a basket case here. i am not. I just feel like I am losing my way when it comes to religon. It worries me. I feel abandoned. No doubt it is my fault, usually is. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4325 Registered: 3-2004  |
Jim, many folks who have left adventism feel as you do. There is a grief process one goes through when leaving the SDA church. It sounds to me like this is part of it. Just keep on praying and reading the Bible, even if you are crying and feeling frustrated, confused. God loves you and is with you at all times, like he has promised. He will be with you until the end of time. Praying for you. Diana | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 187 Registered: 5-2007 |
I prayed for you Jim. Past tense. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6845 Registered: 12-2003  |
Jim, ditto what I just posted to you in a previous thread. I understand. You need to know that, right now, "correct doctrine" about the 10 Commandments, tithe, etc. isn't the important thing. What matters is being willing to worship. Diana is right that there is grief associated with this. And the process of debriefing from a cult—any cult—takes two to five years. It is the hardest thing I know to allow truth to recalibrate our worldview. Jim, you don't have to worry about the definition of "truth". For now, the only thng God asks of you is to learn to trust Him. Ask Him to teach you personally with His Spirit as you read His word. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. A prayer I pray when I study the Bible is that He will teach me the truth and that I will know Him in a new way when I am done. Worshiping, as long as the church is honoring the Lord Jesus and upholding His Word, is possible even when people disagree about the role of the law, eschatology, tithing, etc. Knowing Jesus doesn't depend upon getting all those details straight. Those details begin to come into perspective as you just immerse yourself in worship, both through singing/music and reading the Bible. Read to know Jesus instead of to learn doctrine. Jesus is faithful. But He does ask us to risk feeling as we relate to Him. He will heal us profoundly and deeply as we surrender our resistance to Him. We don't have to have it all figured out tomorrow. We have to know Him. When we trust Him instead of our knowledge, He will teach us truth. Colleen | ||
| Jim02 Registered user Username: Jim02 Post Number: 227 Registered: 5-2007 |
Colleen , you have a gift. Encouragement. Like dew on the morning leaves. This is what I mean by grounding. I tend to drift. I lose sight of what is imporatnt, I start fretting. I wear myself out. Then you come along and wipe away the clutter. You bring the message into focus. You are a conduit. I appreciate everyones prayers. I don't mean to test anyones patience, I try not to be thick headed. I have a problem with sorting it all out. That is how I get lost. You said "We don't have to have it all figured out tomorrow. We have to know Him." Agreed. That is likely the primary problem for me. I am spending too much time in minutia. Jim (Message edited by jim02 on September 22, 2007) | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 198 Registered: 5-2007 |
ha ha just ask my wife if I am thick headed! I got you beat by a mile  |
