Forum Name Change

[The Matt]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Yet, this IS a place you come to when you ask for prayer, Matt.
Why would you if you think this place is mostly backslidden people???

Don't get me wrong, I love this place. It's just not what I expected when I first came here. What I mean by backslidden is not attending an apostolic pentecostal church, nothing else. And what I mean is people angry at the church now.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by The Matt

I say things without thinking sometimes. Forgive me.

Originally Posted by The Matt

Don't get me wrong, I love this place. It's just not what I expected when I first came here. What I mean by backslidden is not attending an apostolic pentecostal church, nothing else. And what I mean is people angry at the church now.

This forums most certainly surprised me too when I first came here. But, I think this place is a pretty neat place. I love the diversity. It sharpens my walk with Christ to be reminded that not everybody has mal intentions towards other people, but that they only want to be treated with respect. Well most here do... but a few don't and don't care. But that is not my problem what they think.

I don't attend an Apostolic Church, but I believe the message that Christ and the disciples taught and more importantly I believe God. I believe that He is, came to earth in the form of man and that He is coming back for His bride. I was baptized in Jesus Name and received the Holy Ghost. I do not have to attend a place regularly to live according to Christian principles. Nobody has to make me do right...not to defraud my neighbor, not to covet, not steal etc. The Holy Spirit does that. I do certain things that are biblical because I love God. Likewise, I do not do certain things because I love God and He says in His Word not to do them. So trying to walk by faith everyday looking at Christ only does not make me feel backslidden, although I do understand that there are some people who have the ability to just look at me and automatically *know* that I am backslid.

The reason why I do not attend a Oneness church anymore is because I've been injured by some of them. It was not a once or twice offense. It happened over a period of many years. If you want to call it 'butthurt" that is ok with me. Whatever anybody wants to call it...it does not matter because hurt is hurt. And I really do not believe that God expects us to stay in hurtful places with hurtful people. Jesus told His disciples to shake the dust off their feet if they were not received when he sent them out into the cities.

However, when the people of God allow themselves unwittingly to be used by satan to hurt, maim and destroy another person, through words and actions, they become a tool to come between another person and Christ. I left the organization out of self-preservation of my walk with Christ. I am not a perfect person, but neither are they. Whether I line up with their interpretation of the Word has nothing to do with their walk with Christ so they should leave other people alone to work out their own salvation as many here have said. The funny thing about all of this is that I did line up with all their standards, yet, I was not accepted simply because I was a northerner and had different opinions about certain subjects.

Everybody has their own story about why they have left any particular organized church system. Most likely the reason is more a series of harmful experiences rather than just a few offenses.

I probably would be there today if I felt any love in that place. It was the love of Christ that drew me to UPC. But constant criticism over nonsensical things will wear a person out.

That being said, I forgive you Matt because I know you have your own struggles in life. You are still young and you are learning about Christ. We all continue to learn because none of us has arrived yet. Our mistakes and what we learn from them helps us to grow in Spirit. Likewise forgiving others helps us to grow in grace like our Lord and Savior. It doesn't mean we have to stay in bad situations if we can remove ourselves from it though.

Hang in there brother.

[Jermyn Davidson]

For every 1 Apostolic who openly questions their beliefs, there are about 4 that just go with the flow.

As much as I miss my old church, I know that I am no longer an Apostolic in the 20th and 21st century meaning of the word. If I decide to return to an Apostolic church, it doesn't mean that I believe like them-- it only means that that is the place I've decided to continue to seek the Face of GOD.

I miss the Apostolics. I miss their worship services. I miss their sermons. I don't miss their legalism and mis-interpretation of the "Plan of Salvation."

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

This forums most certainly surprised me too when I first came here. But, I think this place is a pretty neat place. I love the diversity. It sharpens my walk with Christ to be reminded that not everybody has mal intentions towards other people, but that they only want to be treated with respect. Well most here do... but a few don't and don't care. But that is not my problem what they think.

I don't attend an Apostolic Church, but I believe the message that Christ and the disciples taught and more importantly I believe God. I believe that He is, came to earth in the form of man and that He is coming back for His bride. I was baptized in Jesus Name and received the Holy Ghost. I do not have to attend a place regularly to live according to Christian principles. Nobody has to make me do right...not to defraud my neighbor, not to covet, not steal etc. The Holy Spirit does that. I do certain things that are biblical because I love God. Likewise, I do not do certain things because I love God and He says in His Word not to do them. So trying to walk by faith everyday looking at Christ only does not make me feel backslidden, although I do understand that there are some people who have the ability to just look at me and automatically *know* that I am backslid.

The reason why I do not attend a Oneness church anymore is because I've been injured by some of them. It was not a once or twice offense. It happened over a period of many years. If you want to call it 'butthurt" that is ok with me. Whatever anybody wants to call it...it does not matter because hurt is hurt. And I really do not believe that God expects us to stay in hurtful places with hurtful people. Jesus told His disciples to shake the dust off their feet if they were not received when he sent them out into the cities.

However, when the people of God allow themselves unwittingly to be used by satan to hurt, maim and destroy another person, through words and actions, they become a tool to come between another person and Christ. I left the organization out of self-preservation of my walk with Christ. I am not a perfect person, but neither are they. Whether I line up with their interpretation of the Word has nothing to do with their walk with Christ so they should leave other people alone to work out their own salvation as many here have said. The funny thing about all of this is that I did line up with all their standards, yet, I was not accepted simply because I was a northerner and had different opinions about certain subjects.

Everybody has their own story about why they have left any particular organized church system. Most likely the reason is more a series of harmful experiences rather than just a few offenses.

I probably would be there today if I felt any love in that place. It was the love of Christ that drew me to UPC. But constant criticism over nonsensical things will wear a person out.

That being said, I forgive you Matt because I know you have your own struggles in life. You are still young and you are learning about Christ. We all continue to learn because none of us has arrived yet. Our mistakes and what we learn from them helps us to grow in Spirit. Likewise forgiving others helps us to grow in grace like our Lord and Savior. It doesn't mean we have to stay in bad situations if we can remove ourselves from it though.

Hang in there brother.

Areyouready!!!! I some times disagree with you, but you're right on!! on this, for the "most part". Now if you were in my area I'd want you to come to my church, that's the "most part", part. But, I discern that your problem is this......"you're a northerner!" But, if God has forgiven you for being a "Northerner" then I forgive you! lol Love you in Christ!


Areyouready, let me add to this post..... the remark about you being a northerner was said in jest. I was born in Ky many years ago so I guess I'm a northerner too. But, I just read your testimony and my hat's off to you. You are a "big person" and I don't mean that in the "fat way!" I also went the UPC route and could add to your post! But, let me just add, I admire you for sharing with us!

Been Thinkin

[Margies3]

this "northerner" flaw is a very real thing. I lived in Kentucky for one year a long time ago. Hated every minute of it because the people in the church there made it very clear that since I was not born there and my parents and grandparents weren't born there, I was not welcome there. In fact, they were much more open to "other religions" than they were to me - someone who believed the same as the did. It was bad enough that they were unkind to me. What was REALLY bad was that I worked at a Children's Home as a housemother. They treated our kids from the Home very much the same way because they were from other parts of the state and not from their little area.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Margies3

this "northerner" flaw is a very real thing. I lived in Kentucky for one year a long time ago. Hated every minute of it because the people in the church there made it very clear that since I was not born there and my parents and grandparents weren't born there, I was not welcome there. In fact, they were much more open to "other religions" than they were to me - someone who believed the same as the did. It was bad enough that they were unkind to me. What was REALLY bad was that I worked at a Children's Home as a housemother. They treated our kids from the Home very much the same way because they were from other parts of the state and not from their little area.

Thank you for the validation Margie. When I would say something, some would say awww...you are just thinking that... and nothing would change.

I am sorry for those poor children. I wonder how many of them remember kind words or hugs. Did they feel any love from Christ in the brothers and sisters in the church system at all?

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

Areyouready!!!! I some times disagree with you, but you're right on!! on this, for the "most part". Now if you were in my area I'd want you to come to my church, that's the "most part", part. But, I discern that your problem is this......"you're a northerner!" But, if God has forgiven you for being a "Northerner" then I forgive you! lol Love you in Christ!

When I get up that way, I will do my best to put on my fake southern accent.
Thirty-five years down here and still can't get it right. I fool nobody.

It's ok to disagree with me. It's ok for me to disagree with others too. That is what makes us all unique. Mamma always hated to talk religion and politics because she said that there are always arguments over it.

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

Areyouready, let me add to this post..... the remark about you being a northerner was said in jest. I was born in Ky many years ago so I guess I'm a northerner too. But, I just read your testimony and my hat's off to you. You are a "big person" and I don't mean that in the "fat way!" I also went the UPC route and could add to your post! But, let me just add, I admire you for sharing with us!

Been Thinkin

I share because I am hoping that there is somebody out there who feels beaten down by life and might can identify with my feelings. Christ said he came to give us life more abundantly. While we pick up our crosses to walk in His footsteps, we can still walk in abundant life...not defeated life.

I share because I have hope that all our apostolic brothers and sisters will think beyond legalism and look at the humanity of all out there. If our country devolves into deep persecution, we will need fellow believers, including trinitarians and other denominations to care for each other.

And...

Yeah...I took it as you were joking as I was reading your post. Is Ky north or south of the mason-dixon line?

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

When I get up that way, I will do my best to put on my fake southern accent.
Thirty-five years down here and still can't get it right. I fool nobody.

It's ok to disagree with me. It's ok for me to disagree with others too. That is what makes us all unique. Mamma always hated to talk religion and politics because she said that there are always arguments over it.



I share because I am hoping that there is somebody out there who feels beaten down by life and might can identify with my feelings. Christ said he came to give us life more abundantly. While we pick up our crosses to walk in His footsteps, we can still walk in abundant life...not defeated life.

I share because I have hope that all our apostolic brothers and sisters will think beyond legalism and look at the humanity of all out there. If our country devolves into deep persecution, we will need fellow believers, including trinitarians and other denominations to care for each other.

And...

Yeah...I took it as you were joking as I was reading your post. Is Ky north or south of the mason-dixon line?

I probably talk just like you. I left Ky when I was a child. I got that southern twang too, I'm sure. Don't sound bad to me, but all those northerners might think so. Mason Dixon... where's that? lol

Been Thinkin

[Jay]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Yeah...I took it as you were joking as I was reading your post. Is Ky north or south of the mason-dixon line?

Kentucky is south of the Mason-Dixon. That line is the border of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware (which does not count for the purposes of our discussion. It is more a demarcation of Northern States of the time vs the Southern states. This is why Maryland was actually a 'Southern state' even though it has closer ties to the North. This also made D.C. very vulnerable during the war due to the high concentration of Southern sympathizers in the state.

[hawks-cry]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Everybody has their own story about why they have left any particular organized church system. Most likely the reason is more a series of harmful experiences rather than just a few offenses.

...words of wisdom.......so true.