Last year after almost 5 years I felt the Lord lead me on from the church we were attending. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. It took months and months of seeking God's direction before I eventually wrote to my elders.
I suppose this is part of my healing process.
I straight away found a 'safe' place to attend, and spent the next 6 months healing and being refreshed.
You lost me when....
You asked not how we could better relate to each other, but what I could do for you.
I was required to leave my 'Spiritual brain at the door' and not to think for myself.
Your visions became more important than my God ordained dreams.
You dropped friendships, when I was no longer any use to you.
The unknown became more cherished than the committed.
The shepherds became more important than the sheep.
Growth became numeric rather than Fruit based.
Tick lists replaced relational accountability.
You became dogmatic rather than focused.
Compromise was encouraged for growth.
Service overtook authentic relationship.
Square pegs were forced in round holes.
Friendships became based upon service.
Truth was over ridden by spirituality.
Fear was perpetuated over hope.
Love was conditional.
God said
go
!
© mamma_sez 21st May 2008
Comments (24)
I had a similar experience about 8 years ago. I thought that I'd leave the ministry after being in that church. Instead, the Lord just helped me to shake the dust of the place off my feet and follow Him to a group of believers that were hungry for authentic Christ-following.
@soultender - FANTASTIC!!! What an amazing outcome for you. I pray that will be the same for me. I THOUGHT I had found it there. I think that is part of the hurt.
Thanks so much for coming by.
x
press on mamma_sez! will be praying for you - hope that you are blessed during this transition too.
@chrischoi - thanks mate. Thankfully while God's people sometimes let us down, and I sometimes let them down.... God has never once failed me yet.... not once!
x
You know something about Christianity? Us people should adapt our lives to fit the lifestyle, not the other way around. Christianity is not a feel good religion, listen to my words.
@Catholicforlife - I think we need to live by biblical principles. I certainly believe we need to develop a BIBLICAL world view. And then in accordance with Romans 12 we are to live our lives as a spiritual act of worship to our God. When I hold Romans 12 out as a 'tester' in my life I seem to know pretty quickly the choices I should make.
ok mamma, I'm gonna be honest with you. I really am not yet that familar with the Bible. I know its really bad. I do plan to familiarize myself with it very soon. Romans 12 says we should not live in accordance with the flesh, right? I dont really know how to navigate with numbers in the Bible, forgive me
@Catholicforlife - It's not always easy "finding" the referenced scriptures in the Bible. It's always a plus when one becomes more familiar with all that book, chapter, verse thing. But the most important thing is to read the Bible and let the Holy Spirit speak to you. Try not to isolate any one verse and end up considering it's meaning out of context with the rest of the text where it is located. Ask for help. Discuss your understandings with other Christians. Don't give up. Understand that our faith is a growing process. We are all learning every day. Some have just been at it a bit longer than others. Just as in life, we start out as babies and continue to grow and learn throughout the whole process of becoming more like Jesus. And, yes, just as it was at school, there are no dumb questions only ignorance from questions unasked.
@Catholicforlife - oh sorry mate. Hang on I will get it for you....
1Therefore, I urge you,
[a]brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual
act of worship.2Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I REALLY like using BibleGatway.com
Finding bible verses can be really tricky, I have read the bible a lot over the years but I have a terrible memory. So I will know there is a verse somewhere that ses something about what I am thinking about. I know it's application usually rather than it's reference. With the above site it allows you to search the bible. I just love that feature.
If you click on that link you can search all kings of things.
As for forgiving you.... there is no need to forgive you, I am just super happy you have the hunger for it at all!
Bless you.
x
Question? May I have your permission to print and share this with our little group this evening. I will explain why in my first post. Thanks in advance. BTW: it will not be published, only read to show why the path taken was the right path.
@The_Carpenters_Apprentice - you sure do!!!
Bless you
x
One of the reasons I left the Episcopal church was the leadership desire to compromise the Creeds and ignore the Truth. It was a very sad day. Although I love my current church home, I miss the liturgy and the richness of the service. But that is it. We were told by the Bishop to remember that we are Episcopal first...hmmm...I thought that I was a Christian first. Anyway, I appreciate your openness and your reasons.
@Punk_Rock_Mommy@xanga - I am not familiar with the Episcopal church. Is that Uniting or Anglican (Church of England)?
Yes... I agree. We are Christians (Christ-followers) first.
x
@tkperito@xanga - how did you go with it?
Yeah, I left my church under not so good conditions, and I'm still looking for another.
I know how ya feel and I'll be praying for you.
@awth44@xanga - right back at you!
@mamma_sez - The Episcopal church is the Anglican Church in america. It went very well. It struck such a common cord in all. more later. Up to my ears in "stuff" this week. Good stuff, but still stuff. lol
Love your text art.
@koldodi@xanga - is that one of those.... if you can't say something nice .... say the text art looks good type comments?
Oh I meant to include that I'm at work and well had to say something in that small break between phone calls and other tasks.
@koldodi@xanga - Lol I was only joking mate.... but I really appreciate the comments, all of them. I am going off now to work on my desalination plant lol!!!!
Bless ya mate. You and your wonderful family.
x
Maybe this is shaped like a wine glass. May the followers of Messiah drink deeply from Him alone and not get drunk on Babylon's wine (see Revelation).
@koldodi@xanga - actually funny you should mention revelation.... we were doing a study on it when I finally decided to leave that church.
I like the wine glass idea.
x