I have felt the same way, but sometimes kindness doesn't fit when producing Truth. In fact, without opposition there is no way that Truth can be discovered, and opposition will usually offend someone. Truth is merely the absence of a lie. If there were no lies, there would be no such thing as Truth. As with people in Scripture and in our lives, when lies are revealed, anger and rage can become evident.
... sometimes a person needs to be mean, not obeying those who have the rule over them.
This is an excellent illustration of what happens when "families of faith" are taken over by someone (or even many someones) and the positions of trust and authority are manipulated and abused for some carnal interest. I'm sorry that you and your family had such terrible experiences, NFS; but I am heartened to see healing in your present life.
Folks, apply this illustration to our own church lives. It is a valid example. Just look at how our own "family" has been assaulted and abused by carnal authorities seeking their own petty aggrandizement. I know that the events of 1992, have been discussed here almost ad nauseum, to some; but consider those events ...
... and FWIW, the chief character in that drama (LW) happens to have been a a distant relation of mine. This man "enforced" his own code of "holiness" in the most angry and abusive fashion. On at least one occasion he physically attacked a pastor in the Kansas District and literally dragged him out of his own house and into the front yard where he continued his screaming tirade and hurled abuse upon this fellow man-of-God.
There is a poster here on AFF who stood there helplessly as child and witnessed this in horror (above post). In return, we as a fellowship literally turned the reins of authority over to LW - an angry, violent and embittered man, and allowed him to write the "rules" by which we were going to live and conduct ourselves.
THAT is our fellowship. The God of Mercy is NOT our Father. In His place we have instead allowed profane and hypocritical souls to wreck havoc in our Spiritual "homes." It's as if we have sought out an alcoholic and abusive predator for a "Father" instead of the loving Father Who is readily available for us all.
Yet, even as NFS has sought to get past the pain (while insisting upon some accountability), so too can we (our "Apostolic Fellowship") get past the pain of our collective pasts - if we also demand some accountability.
Such a demand is NOT really being "mean" - it's the path toward healing.
Yes, and they look Apostolic. They are wearing no jewelry, makeup, are covered head to toe, and have uncut hair.
They are also in absolute, darkness. I see this as a warning for our own movement. We can dress the part, yet we might be deceived, giving others the illusion that we are Holy before God because of outward persuasion.
The greatest of Faith is to step out of the ship of Religion, where the security of Tradition binds us from getting to the Master. Don’t ever be afraid to go against those who appear to be in safety. Those on board will tell you that you will be swallowed by the sea, but where Jesus is, that is the only, real safe place.
Men are no different today than back in Jesus’ day. We might hide behind a veil of Religiosity, but the Lord will tear that veil in two, revealing that all men have hearts full of secrets. When we face our secrets and confess our faults, we avoid catastrophe.
Yes, and they look Apostolic. They are wearing no jewelry, makeup, are covered head to toe, and have uncut hair.
They are also in absolute, darkness. I see this as a warning for our own movement. We can dress the part, yet we might be deceived, giving others the illusion that we are Holy before God because of outward persuasion.
The greatest of Faith is to step out of the ship of Religion, where the security of Tradition binds us from getting to the Master. Don’t ever be afraid to go against those who appear to be in safety. Those on board will tell you that you will be swallowed by the sea, but where Jesus is, that is the only, real safe place.
Men are no different today than back in Jesus’ day. We might hide behind a veil of Religiosity, but the Lord will tear that veil in two, revealing that all men have hearts full of secrets. When we face our secrets and confess our faults, we avoid catastrophe.
This is an excellent illustration of what happens when "families of faith" are taken over by someone (or even many someones) and the positions of trust and authority are manipulated and abused for some carnal interest. I'm sorry that you and your family had such terrible experiences, NFS; but I am heartened to see healing in your present life.
Folks, apply this illustration to our own church lives. It is a valid example. Just look at how our own "family" has been assaulted and abused by carnal authorities seeking their own petty aggrandizement. I know that the events of 1992, have been discussed here almost ad nauseum, to some; but consider those events ...
... and FWIW, the chief character in that drama (LW) happens to have been a a distant relation of mine. This man "enforced" his own code of "holiness" in the most angry and abusive fashion. On at least one occasion he physically attacked a pastor in the Kansas District and literally dragged him out of his own house and into the front yard where he continued his screaming tirade and hurled abuse upon this fellow man-of-God.
Pel, the healing has come with great pain. When the problem remains dormant, a very strange phenomenon happens; my wife and I go into a "Personal Underground" that is not healthy.
Our only relief comes when we unleash the monster to see its true nature. We cry, we scream, and we mourn our past, and thank God we are refreshed in this cloud of honesty.
We've at least learned to avoid the border of bitterness. At times, it’s not easy, but bitterness carries a grave consequence, and God has melted our hearts with a measure of mercy.
Let me just say, my wife has struggled in even believing in God. She tells me, "How could God let my father to continue to sexually abuse me for 9 years? I was an infant when he did this!!! He photographed me and my 2 brothers, and sold the pictures to porno magazines!! Why didn't God do something????"
I don’t fully understand why my wife and I went through what we did, but I do see our Testimony helping others, and that does give us joy unspeakable.
The great paradox is this: "One mans deception is another mans truth" The reason for that is because perception is reality. That is why it is so very important to not make for doctrines the commandments of men. If it is not crystal clear in the Word, in my opinion, it is then irresponsible to make the Word say something it does not, or read into the Word a specific command based off of biblical principle.
God knows what He is doing, He does not need a bunch of interpreters all saying something different about the same passage...let the Word speak, not you..
The great paradox is this: "One mans deception is another mans truth" The reason for that is because perception is reality. That is why it is so very important to not make for doctrines the commandments of men. If it is not crystal clear in the Word, in my opinion, it is then irresponsible to make the Word say something it does not, or read into the Word a specific command based off of biblical principle.
God knows what He is doing, He does not need a bunch of interpreters all saying something different about the same passage...let the Word speak, not you..
Not Ashamed of the ONLY saving Message
Not Ashamed of Absolute Truth
Not Ashamed of the Name above all Names
Not Ashamed of the Cross I gladly bear
Not Ashamed of the Church that gave me birth
Not Ashamed of the years I have invested
Not Ashamed of the energy I have spent
Not Ashamed of the Clear Note and Certain Sound
Not Ashamed of the Fellowship of the Righteous
Not Ashamed of the lines of Separation
Not Ashamed my all my eggs are in one basket
Not Ashamed of the way we worship
Not Ashamed of the New Birth Experience
Not Ashamed of His Mercy and Grace
Not Ashamed to preach His Blood Atonement
Not Ashamed to be looking for His return
Not Ashamed of my Devotion to His Infallable Book
Not Ashamed to known as Apostolic
Not Ashamed of the Pentecostal Way
Not Ashamed Holiness preaching
Not Ashamed of my narrow mindness
Not Ashamed of my Revelation of the Mighty God in Christ
Not Ashamed as being seen as Old fashioned
Just tell all who ask I am Apostolic and NOT Ashamed.
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