- Welcome, Guest. Please login.
91
Deeper Fellowship / Finding my way back
Last post by Bryan - March 11, 2019, 06:09:08 pmSo the title is a bit misleading. I know its impossible for the carnal to find the spiritual. But I am finding my desire to follow the Spirit's leading growing once again.
How do I accomplish the impossible? At times Ive found myself doubting if its worth it.
You'll just end up broken and defeated again Bryan.
Its not worth the effort.
You'll be disappointed again.
It is true I was/am disappointed my first experience with Pentecostalism was less than I thought it'd be. But its not about a creed, or a dogma. Its about a relationship and not boxing myself in with a creed I truly cant accept.
I want a genuine relationship with the Creator. I want to love again. It is true I stumbled, but thats not the end of my story.
The journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step. Its time for me to start stepping.
How do I accomplish the impossible? At times Ive found myself doubting if its worth it.
You'll just end up broken and defeated again Bryan.
Its not worth the effort.
You'll be disappointed again.
It is true I was/am disappointed my first experience with Pentecostalism was less than I thought it'd be. But its not about a creed, or a dogma. Its about a relationship and not boxing myself in with a creed I truly cant accept.
I want a genuine relationship with the Creator. I want to love again. It is true I stumbled, but thats not the end of my story.
The journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step. Its time for me to start stepping.
92
General Discussion / Re: Exclusivity in heaven?
Last post by jiminpa - March 10, 2019, 07:16:06 pmQuote from: Bryan on March 10, 2019, 01:38:22 pmGetting back to what this was supposed to be about. Jesus warned the Pharisees, or rather condemned them and those like them, for shutting the door to heaven on those who would seek to enter. What was the Pharisees crime that was worthy of rebuke from the Savior? Preaching that unless others were like them, believed like them, acted like them, etc, they would not be worthy of entering eternal glory.In my passion for "continuation," and my issue with the wolves demanding unbelief in order to be a "doctrinally sound" Christian, I do not discount that there are those who just don't know any better, or even some of those who do who could very well be saved. It's the ones who profit in some way by blatantly opposing the Holy Spirit, and in so doing are weakening the church and our ability to minister to the lost and each other whose salvation I question. The ones who have explicitly spoken against God's Spirit, are by Jesus's declaration, disqualified. I don't find joy in that, but I do recognize the implications of Jesus's teaching.
This is the heart of my discussion. Some times talking about stuff like this things can get easily misunderstood and even twisted. My aim was to ask about groups that actively preach, unless you believe like us you are condemned. Thus why I brought up my childhood Baptist Church.
Now I don't believe that all who attend such would fall into the category of lost. But I wouldn't hesitate to say some definitely are. Probably the more "experienced" in such groups, and that group is not just limited to Baptists. I've met Charismatics that are like this. Every sect of Christianity has it's extreme elements that are probably beyond actual redemption, just wolves in sheep's clothing.
So while they preach a good game, their actions say something else entirely.
Example, I have actually heard a minister tell someone in a counselling session, someone who was having a particularly rough time, that unless they settled down and starting behaving and acting a certain way, they wouldn't engage them. The exact exchange had some choice words included and that was actually the center of the "rebuke". Stop using such language or I won't help. That is utterly ridiculous. I can't imagine Jesus or any of his inner circle refusing to engage someone just because their language was a bit extreme.
That type of thing. Christianity has a bad rep mainly due to groups like that. I have known many very genuine and loving, rather Christ-like figures that have come from Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal circles and their particular doctrines never once hindered them from accepting others as Christ.
93
Deeper Fellowship / Re: SOAP
Last post by flaglady - March 10, 2019, 07:01:38 pmMarch 10, 2019
Views 39,040 15,865 since I last reported it!
replies 188
Views 39,040 15,865 since I last reported it!
replies 188
94
General Discussion / Re: Exclusivity in heaven?
Last post by flaglady - March 10, 2019, 06:42:02 pmI agree 100%, Bryan. Well said!
95
General Discussion / Re: Exclusivity in heaven?
Last post by Bryan - March 10, 2019, 01:38:22 pmGetting back to what this was supposed to be about. Jesus warned the Pharisees, or rather condemned them and those like them, for shutting the door to heaven on those who would seek to enter. What was the Pharisees crime that was worthy of rebuke from the Savior? Preaching that unless others were like them, believed like them, acted like them, etc, they would not be worthy of entering eternal glory.
This is the heart of my discussion. Some times talking about stuff like this things can get easily misunderstood and even twisted. My aim was to ask about groups that actively preach, unless you believe like us you are condemned. Thus why I brought up my childhood Baptist Church.
Now I don't believe that all who attend such would fall into the category of lost. But I wouldn't hesitate to say some definitely are. Probably the more "experienced" in such groups, and that group is not just limited to Baptists. I've met Charismatics that are like this. Every sect of Christianity has it's extreme elements that are probably beyond actual redemption, just wolves in sheep's clothing.
So while they preach a good game, their actions say something else entirely.
Example, I have actually heard a minister tell someone in a counselling session, someone who was having a particularly rough time, that unless they settled down and starting behaving and acting a certain way, they wouldn't engage them. The exact exchange had some choice words included and that was actually the center of the "rebuke". Stop using such language or I won't help. That is utterly ridiculous. I can't imagine Jesus or any of his inner circle refusing to engage someone just because their language was a bit extreme.
That type of thing. Christianity has a bad rep mainly due to groups like that. I have known many very genuine and loving, rather Christ-like figures that have come from Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal circles and their particular doctrines never once hindered them from accepting others as Christ.
This is the heart of my discussion. Some times talking about stuff like this things can get easily misunderstood and even twisted. My aim was to ask about groups that actively preach, unless you believe like us you are condemned. Thus why I brought up my childhood Baptist Church.
Now I don't believe that all who attend such would fall into the category of lost. But I wouldn't hesitate to say some definitely are. Probably the more "experienced" in such groups, and that group is not just limited to Baptists. I've met Charismatics that are like this. Every sect of Christianity has it's extreme elements that are probably beyond actual redemption, just wolves in sheep's clothing.
So while they preach a good game, their actions say something else entirely.
Example, I have actually heard a minister tell someone in a counselling session, someone who was having a particularly rough time, that unless they settled down and starting behaving and acting a certain way, they wouldn't engage them. The exact exchange had some choice words included and that was actually the center of the "rebuke". Stop using such language or I won't help. That is utterly ridiculous. I can't imagine Jesus or any of his inner circle refusing to engage someone just because their language was a bit extreme.
That type of thing. Christianity has a bad rep mainly due to groups like that. I have known many very genuine and loving, rather Christ-like figures that have come from Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal circles and their particular doctrines never once hindered them from accepting others as Christ.
96
General Discussion / Re: Winter UGH!
Last post by Bryan - March 10, 2019, 01:29:04 pmQuote from: DavidMcClean on March 10, 2019, 06:33:01 amSo you're saying that you can have an opinion "just like me" but then you tell me to not express my opinions?
How very peculiar of you.
I didn't say you couldn't have an opinion, my "give it a rest" comment was in regards to you likening my opinion to saying that I could do better than God.
97
General Discussion / Re: Winter UGH!
Last post by DavidMcClean - March 10, 2019, 06:33:01 amQuote from: Bryan on March 09, 2019, 02:33:16 pmDavid, I can have an opinion on the weather. Just like you can have one on whatever food you eat or your favorite sports team or etc. No one once even mentioned being able to out God, God so please give it a rest.So you're saying that you can have an opinion "just like me" but then you tell me to not express my opinions?
How very peculiar of you.
98
General Discussion / Re: Winter UGH!
Last post by flaglady - March 09, 2019, 07:52:05 pmQuote from: DavidMcClean on March 08, 2019, 09:44:39 pmOn this thread it seems you're all moaning at God that He is not doing the weather right.....it doesn't suit you so let's have a good old moan at God.I take it you're not English then? Otherwise you'd know that the Englishman's prime delight is talking about the weather! Not complaining about it or saying that God isn't 'doing it right'. Just TALKING about it. What's the harm in that, brother? Or would you prefer we discussed that other major bore of our time, Brexit! I'd sooner stick with the weather!
Remind me again just who is running the universe...I seem to have forgotten for a moment?
99
General Discussion / Re: Winter UGH!
Last post by Bryan - March 09, 2019, 02:33:16 pmDavid, I can have an opinion on the weather. Just like you can have one on whatever food you eat or your favorite sports team or etc. No one once even mentioned being able to out God, God so please give it a rest.
100
General Discussion / Re: Exclusivity in heaven?
Last post by Bryan - March 09, 2019, 02:31:36 pmAll our opinions are just as valid as the next person. It's a fair question to ask. I'd like to see what David's opinion of the subject is rather than what his opinions of our opinions are.