For those that left the UPC...

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Just came across an e-mail I got a couple years ago from a "concerned" upc woman. This is the mindset of the legalistic group.

I almost feel sorry for this loser.

What an unkind thing to say! I honestly feel this person
was very sincere in her concern! In my opinion she is NOT
a loser. Why did you feel you needed to add she was a upc
woman.

Falla39

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by JoeHardy07

She may find a lot of things that she thinks she know are not there.

Just because some people cannot see them, doesn't mean
they are not there.

Luke 10:23-24

23 Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, 24 for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.”

Falla39

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Falla39

Just because some people cannot see them, doesn't mean
they are not there.

Luke 10:23-24

23 Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, 24 for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.”

Falla39

...

Just because you cannot see that those things aren't really there doesn't mean that they aren't really there

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Falla39

What an unkind thing to say! I honestly feel this person
was very sincere in her concern! In my opinion she is NOT
a loser. Why did you feel you needed to add she was a upc
woman.

Falla39

I do agree that the word "loser" was not called for and that she WAS completely sincere in her apparent angst, but it was sad because it showed the trapped mindset she was in. Apparently souls were not as important as "The Manual" or "The Look" in her mind. It has been decades but I remember feeling the same things she did at one time when a woman who loved God but wore pants (and did far more than any of US for His kingdom) was worse then the sinner who spat in His face.

[JoeHardy07]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I do agree that the word "loser" was not called for and that she WAS completely sincere in her apparent angst, but it was sad because it showed the trapped mindset she was in. Apparently souls were not as important as "The Manual" or "The Look" in her mind. It has been decades but I remember feeling the same things she did at one time when a woman who loved God but wore pants (and did far more than any of US for His kingdom) was worse then the sinner who spat in His face.

Tastes like chicken!

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Just came across an e-mail I got a couple years ago from a "concerned" upc woman. This is the mindset of the legalistic group.

I almost feel sorry for this loser.

The loser is you if that is the attitude you have towards another child of God.

I have a couple of things to say cocerning this, and I say it in love. REPENT YOU SINNERS !!!

Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Rom 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Rom 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

If any should understand the mind set of those that are legalistic it should be us that have come out of legalism. Paul tells us explicitly not to despise those that put unnecisary restrictions over their life.

And John reminds us that we are to love one another.

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Paul gives us a good description of Love and how we should act if we have love.

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Jesus tells us to love as he loved us, how was that? He gave his life for us!

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Contrary to popular opinion we are not known by our clothes but by our love one for another. If we have not love we are not his.

Check your attitude.

[THX4GRACE]

Dear Sister:

I think the following information will be helpful to you. Pastor Gillespie and his wife were UPC ministers. They went through what you're going through.


http://inchristalone.org/Cheryl.htm


The link is a letter from Pastor Gillespies wife.

Originally Posted by Mirth1981

Hi...I don't intend for this thread to be started as a debate. I would just like to hear stories from those that have left the UPC.

Specifically...What made you finally decide to leave? Was it difficult? Were you able to find a church that wasn't "easy believism" but yet one that didn't enforce extra-biblical principles where you could go and worship God in your own way? Do you have any regrets? Anything you wish you had done differently? How is your walk with God now? Do you still suffer from self condemnation and feel brainwashed?

I have been really struggling in my spirit lately. I'm terrified of leaving the UPC because of the repercussions it will cause in my life (and for my husband, who is a minister). Yet I know feeling this way just reinforces the fact that I need to "get out." I still believe in oneness, baptism, and the Holy Ghost. What I don't believe in is man made "standards" that create an environment that breeds judgmentalism and pharisetical saints. Also every church I've been in...I feel controlled....even manipulated. I can't do that anymore. But I don't know how to get out.

I hope this is okay...and that I'm not breaking any rules by posting this. I have been reading this forum lately, and it seems like there are many very balanced people on here. This seemed like a good place to go for support.

Thank you in advance.

[Mirth1981]

Originally Posted by THX4GRACE

Dear Sister:

I think the following information will be helpful to you. Pastor Gillespie and his wife were UPC ministers. They went through what you're going through.


http://inchristalone.org/Cheryl.htm


The link is a letter from Pastor Gillespies wife.

Thank you. I will check out the link.

[Mirth1981]

Originally Posted by THX4GRACE

Dear Sister:

I think the following information will be helpful to you. Pastor Gillespie and his wife were UPC ministers. They went through what you're going through.


http://inchristalone.org/Cheryl.htm


The link is a letter from Pastor Gillespies wife.

Thank you for this link! What an awesome testimony this woman has...you're right, it is so similar to what I have been experiencing. What a blessing.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by THX4GRACE

Dear Sister:

I think the following information will be helpful to you. Pastor Gillespie and his wife were UPC ministers. They went through what you're going through.


http://inchristalone.org/Cheryl.htm


The link is a letter from Pastor Gillespies wife.

They left the doctrine as well. Are UPC folks in Christ???