Just Some Things I've Been Holding In

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

There is no way I could ever go back to the very church where all this abuse took place - that would be like a dog going back to his vomit. But I can live above what took place there - and is still taking place - by praying for them. It is possible. Yet, living in the same town or area as these people was rough. We did leave the area. That in itself has also helped with my healing.

Since then, my husband and I have went to different apostolic groups and non-apostolic groups... and we have found that every.single.church in EVERY denomination has corruption at every level because we are dealing with people. People who sin. People who love human worship. It is just a fact of life. It can't be helped.

My family and I, through this long journey, have realized that we do need the body of Christ though. We cannot be the eye or the ear or the nose or the arm alone. We must be a part of a living Christ-centered body.

For our family, we have found it, not in the typical church building wtih a name over the door, but in being a part of a home group. We do attend a local church also, but we are not "members" ... but we go occasionally to visit and fellowship other people. We also have a home group that we attend, and we have bible studies and prayer time with our children on a regular basis. Because of these two things, the home group, and our own personal home bible studies with our family, that is truly where we have grown more fully into a relationship with Christ.

Each one must find his own place, but nevertheless, being part of the "body" of Christ, is a necessity. We need our brothers and our sisters to lift us up, encourage us, and to grow together into the fullness of Christ. Whether that body of Christ in your area is a home group, or a place where people meet that has a name over the door, all of us need to find Spirit filled, personal holiness minded (I didn't say standards...) people who want to live their lives with their focus centered on Christ. Wherever that is.

If there is not one in your area, give it to the Lord. He is able to lead and guide you exactly where you need to be.

So... one thing I have found to be true, spirit filled believers need each other, but we need a personal relationship with Christ even more. If you make that a priority in your life, the Spirit will guide you into a church, and a place where you need to be.

Kept, I appreciate your words and not saying that you do this, but why is it that there are some people who automatically think that someone gets hurt and drops completely out of fellowship with other believers? Or that they do not try to find another body of believers? Or that some people want to be an island all their own?

Sometimes after all efforts to find our (people in general) niche in the body and all efforts of people who have a Diotrephe's spirit to keep who they consider to be an undesirable or a nonconformist out of their presence, we must live without the camp. It doesn't mean those who live without the camp hates the camp, it just means that there are some who will not continue to allow the finger to poke the eye, or the foot to kick the rear any longer. Believe me, there are some people who feel they have the right to do that and the leadership of the church will violate scripture and allow it to happen.

There are always people to fellowship with we know and we get together. It is easier to find another body of believers when you live in a large community than when you live in a rural community. I would love to leave this area. It is spiritually dark, even with a church on every corner. It is dark because there is a Diotrephe's spirit that permeates this area. Until then...I have to keep on doing what we are presently doing. I find people everywhere I go and share the Lord with them and they with me. I never would have believed how many people there are that are just like some of us. They are everywhere. I listen to them and their story. Lots of lonely people out there who are not accepted by the church system.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I'm never going to get over this one!

Sorry, PO.....but, it's time you knew the truth!

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Cindy

I realize everyone grieves at their own pace. But, we are also to be accountable to ourselves. I am very patient with many on this forum. I myself have been injured and chose to forgive. And mine was in a public manner.

We take responsibility for our actions and reactions. I realize we are all human, but God is our resource for life.

[Michael Phelps]

I think the major difference between dealing with problems in the church, and dealing with them in the world is that we are taught, either subliminally, or blatantly, to not engage in conflict in the church. Don't confront the situation, ignore it, pray about it, whatever, and it will go away. But it doesn't. The hurt festers, the wound gets infected, and it's just never a good idea to ignore problems, conflicts, hurts, etc.

In my job now, I still have disputes with people, but we immediately go into my office and have them out. We may yell, scream, pound our fists, but when we leave, the issue is resolved.

When I pastored, I dealt with people who were openly rebellious. I had to put up with that. It caused great stress on me. In my current role, if I have issues like that, I can deal with them openly and quickly, and if the person refuses to line up to the job expectations that they agreed to, I help them with other career opportunities.

When I have a disagreement with my boss, I can now go into his office, state my case, we discuss it, and I live with the final decision.

In my HUMBLE opinion, what creates more hurts and deep wounds in a church is the inability, or unwillingness to confront issues head on and work them out. If we could all do that, I think the church would be a much happier place.

But, again, just my two cents.........

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I think the major difference between dealing with problems in the church, and dealing with them in the world is that we are taught, either subliminally, or blatantly, to not engage in conflict in the church. Don't confront the situation, ignore it, pray about it, whatever, and it will go away. But it doesn't. The hurt festers, the wound gets infected, and it's just never a good idea to ignore problems, conflicts, hurts, etc.

In my job now, I still have disputes with people, but we immediately go into my office and have them out. We may yell, scream, pound our fists, but when we leave, the issue is resolved.

When I pastored, I dealt with people who were openly rebellious. I had to put up with that. It caused great stress on me. In my current role, if I have issues like that, I can deal with them openly and quickly, and if the person refuses to line up to the job expectations that they agreed to, I help them with other career opportunities.

When I have a disagreement with my boss, I can now go into his office, state my case, we discuss it, and I live with the final decision.

In my HUMBLE opinion, what creates more hurts and deep wounds in a church is the inability, or unwillingness to confront issues head on and work them out. If we could all do that, I think the church would be a much happier place.

But, again, just my two cents.........

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Sorry, PO.....but, it's time you knew the truth!

I don't believe you! If that is true, who has been eating the milk and cookies then?!!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I think the major difference between dealing with problems in the church, and dealing with them in the world is that we are taught, either subliminally, or blatantly, to not engage in conflict in the church. Don't confront the situation, ignore it, pray about it, whatever, and it will go away. But it doesn't. The hurt festers, the wound gets infected, and it's just never a good idea to ignore problems, conflicts, hurts, etc.

In my job now, I still have disputes with people, but we immediately go into my office and have them out. We may yell, scream, pound our fists, but when we leave, the issue is resolved.

When I pastored, I dealt with people who were openly rebellious. I had to put up with that. It caused great stress on me. In my current role, if I have issues like that, I can deal with them openly and quickly, and if the person refuses to line up to the job expectations that they agreed to, I help them with other career opportunities.

When I have a disagreement with my boss, I can now go into his office, state my case, we discuss it, and I live with the final decision.

In my HUMBLE opinion, what creates more hurts and deep wounds in a church is the inability, or unwillingness to confront issues head on and work them out. If we could all do that, I think the church would be a much happier place.

But, again, just my two cents.........

I agree with this.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I don't believe you! If that is true, who has been eating the milk and cookies then?!!

Your Daddy!!!!

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I agree with this.

How you treat me is your choice......how I respond to it is my choice.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Your Daddy!!!!