'Cause I'm Scared

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

And that is completely oversimplifying it. WAY oversimplifying it!

When people you truly love and respect.... and you know walk with God..... completely disagree with what you believe the Bible teaches, and feel like you'll go to hell if you follow a particular path.... that can really mess with your mind. It's not all simple black-and-white.

I could go on to write a BOOK here, but I won't.

Just believe me. That's a huge oversimplification of the issue.

It's only simply when you hear the voice of God and listen to that voice. He will never let you down. If you feel you are not hearing from Him - don't move a muscle!

I've been in places where the people could have torn my life apart, I've been so discouraged I've reached for things to make me happy, that could have torn my life apart - in the midst of all of that - God was with me. He came to me with scriptures, songs, a Word or a dream.

I can do ALL things through Christ WHO strengthens me. It is that simple for me.

I want to be careful to be where He wants me to be in 10 years, 20 years, etc.

Okay, last post - I have to run. That's my customary third warning! LOL!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

It's only simply when you hear the voice of God and listen to that voice. He will never let you down. If you feel you are not hearing from Him - don't move a muscle!

I've been in places where the people could have torn my life apart, I've been so discouraged I've reached for things to make me happy, that could have torn my life apart - in the midst of all of that - God was with me. He came to me with scriptures, songs, a Word or a dream.

I can do ALL things through Christ WHO strengthens me. It is that simple for me.

I want to be careful to be where He wants me to be in 10 years, 20 years, etc.

Okay, last post - I have to run. That's my customary third warning! LOL!

It's only simple when you don't give a flip what others think. Even when you know you are hearing from God and they question you - - it IS HARD and there is nothing simple about it.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

It's only simply when you hear the voice of God and listen to that voice. He will never let you down. If you feel you are not hearing from Him - don't move a muscle!

I've been in places where the people could have torn my life apart, I've been so discouraged I've reached for things to make me happy, that could have torn my life apart - in the midst of all of that - God was with me. He came to me with scriptures, songs, a Word or a dream.

I can do ALL things through Christ WHO strengthens me. It is that simple for me.

I want to be careful to be where He wants me to be in 10 years, 20 years, etc.

Okay, last post - I have to run. That's my customary third warning! LOL!

Of course, eventually, if you continue to listen to God's voice, He's going to lead you to the place he wants you to be.

But going through a time of extreme confusion, doubt, fear, questions, struggling to hear God's voice through all of the other voices in your head.... that doesn't mean that you don't have a real relationship with him.

And that time of struggle is anything BUT simple.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Of course, eventually, if you continue to listen to God's voice, He's going to lead you to the place he wants you to be.

But going through a time of extreme confusion, doubt, fear, questions, struggling to hear God's voice through all of the other voices in your head.... that doesn't mean that you don't have a real relationship with him.

And that time of struggle is anything BUT simple.

Indeed AQP and it is definitely a "Been there, done that" thing.

I can look back and remember a time I did not understand people going through this. Now I have been there and I can understand perfectly.

I just do my best to use the memory of when I could not to understand those who currently cannot.

[dizzyde]

OK, I am probably going to get KILLED on this one, but I actually have moments of terror about Christianity in general.

Every so often I will see a video or read an article about some foreign tribe or culture, and think, "these people live their whole lives, utterly convinced that what they believe and have been taught and that the god they serve is true and real".

Given, if it is all just a fairy tale, it's not like I am going to hell over it, but still, you would hate to have lived your life for a lie.

I AM NOT SAYING that I believe that, just that every once in a while, I have those "what if" moments...

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

OK, I am probably going to get KILLED on this one, but I actually have moments of terror about Christianity in general.

Every so often I will see a video or read an article about some foreign tribe or culture, and think, "these people live their whole lives, utterly convinced that what they believe and have been taught and that the god they serve is true and real".

Given, if it is all just a fairy tale, it's not like I am going to hell over it, but still, you would hate to have lived your life for a lie.

I AM NOT SAYING that I believe that, just that every once in a while, I have those "what if" moments...

Most of us have probably had those moments.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Of course, eventually, if you continue to listen to God's voice, He's going to lead you to the place he wants you to be.

But going through a time of extreme confusion, doubt, fear, questions, struggling to hear God's voice through all of the other voices in your head.... that doesn't mean that you don't have a real relationship with him.

And that time of struggle is anything BUT simple.

You are probably right, it may not be that simple for some.

Besides my immediate family - husband, daughter, son and myself, I only have one sister in church. So, I've never had to deal with relatives in the equation. That can only be a huge sigh of relief! LOL!

One thing we did make sure and do when we were over Children's Church - we never played favorites. That is a big deal to me! We never treated our children any more special than anyone's children and we certainly didn't treat the pastor's children any better either. We wanted ALL of the children to know what FAIR meant without actually talking about it. I'm sure I said things like, "I need to use so-and-so today, because I used you last week and I want to be fair to everyone." I know I did try to make that point.

I was in a service with the pastor's son that I taught 15 years earlier and he was at the altar praying. After the service he came up to me and hugged me and cried for about 10 minutes. His parents had made some mistakes, he knew that I knew about it at the time even though he was a young boy. All he knew was - I never treated him any different through all of it. He did see his mother treat my children horrible, but I never took that out on him. I was afraid I'd suffer through my grandchildren if I ever did that to another child. lol

But, I digress....

My only thoughts on the confusion, doubt, fear, questions, etc. would be - Has God even suggested that He's opened another door? That is what I looked at when I was questioning, disappointed, angry, etc.

The bottom line for me was and is - Where does God want me to serve Him? There were times when I thought NOTHING was going to get better. I'd love to tell you some stories. The only reason I don't is that it would only add fuel to the fodder for some here that love to hear the negative of the organization. For me, it's just people.

When I homeschooled, the families in my group, at the time, were ALL going through a questioning time in their churches and with their current leadership. I took note of that.

I'm not sure there is any place that can make us 100% happy or view the scriptures in the way we see them. Anyway, don't think I haven't looked around and wondered if there was something better. I have had those times! Yes, I have indeed! lol

BUT, God has never opened another door and that is what I was looking for. So, here I am, and I won't ever leave until He tells me to. Bottom line - even if I don't agree with everything - I need a door!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

You are probably right, it may not be that simple for some.

Besides my immediate family - husband, daughter, son and myself, I only have one sister in church. So, I've never had to deal with relatives in the equation. That can only be a huge sigh of relief! LOL!

One thing we did make sure and do when we were over Children's Church - we never played favorites. That is a big deal to me! We never treated our children any more special than anyone's children and we certainly didn't treat the pastor's children any better either. We wanted ALL of the children to know what FAIR meant without actually talking about it. I'm sure I said things like, "I need to use so-and-so today, because I used you last week and I want to be fair to everyone." I know I did try to make that point.

I was in a service with the pastor's son that I taught 15 years earlier and he was at the altar praying. After the service he came up to me and hugged me and cried for about 10 minutes. His parents had made some mistakes, he knew that I knew about it at the time even though he was a young boy. All he knew was - I never treated him any different through all of it. He did see his mother treat my children horrible, but I never took that out on him. I was afraid I'd suffer through my grandchildren if I ever did that to another child. lol

But, I digress....

My only thoughts on the confusion, doubt, fear, questions, etc. would be - Has God even suggested that He's opened another door? That is what I looked at when I was questioning, disappointed, angry, etc.

The bottom line for me was and is - Where does God want me to serve Him? There were times when I thought NOTHING was going to get better. I'd love to tell you some stories. The only reason I don't is that it would only add fuel to the fodder for some here that love to hear the negative of the organization. For me, it's just people.

When I homeschooled, the families in my group, at the time, were ALL going through a questioning time in their churches and with their current leadership. I took note of that.

I'm not sure there is any place that can make us 100% happy or view the scriptures in the way we see them. Anyway, don't think I haven't looked around and wondered if there was something better. I have had those times! Yes, I have indeed! lol

BUT, God has never opened another door and that is what I was looking for. So, here I am, and I won't ever leave until He tells me to. Bottom line - even if I don't agree with everything - I need a door!

And that's why you might not be able to relate to some that have been given that door.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

And that's why you might not be able to relate to some that have been given that door.

I never said a thing about someone who has found another door opened for them, Renda.

All I am saying is - If someone feels confused, etc., they need to make sure that they have a door - a door that God has opened. I don't have to have your experience to understand that concept.

Some people that complain and look at the negative always give me the impression that they found their own door. That's what I am against and I'm not directing that at anyone here. It's just an observation and opinion that I have.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I never said a thing about someone who has found another door opened for them, Renda.

All I am saying is - If someone feels confused, etc., they need to make sure that they have a door - a door that God has opened. I don't have to have your experience to understand that concept.

Some people that complain and look at the negative always give me the impression that they found their own door. That's what I am against and I'm not directing that at anyone here. It's just an observation and opinion that I have.

I guess I misunderstood you - I thought you meant that God had never opened another door for you. That's what I meant that it might be hard for you to relate to those that had another door opened, but still feel that "fear" from how they've been indoctrinated. Understanding the concept and the feeling would be two different things.