Looking for some advice - Page 4

Not Alone · #31 12-10-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstew

I'm going to say something that I struggled with whether I should say. I hope that it does not offend you and that you see it in the spirit in which I'm trying to deliver it.

I hope that you will soon see fit to change your user name here. You are not All By Yourself and it is a trick of the enemy to try to convince you that you are. Isolation is one of the oldest and most effective tricks he uses. I believe he learned from his first interactions with Eve, that he can accomplish alot if he can get you alone. You are not All By Yourself, there is a real God who really loves you and I would imagine family and friends as well. You are certainly not alone on this forum.

I pray that eventually you will feel the urge to change that, not just as your user name but in how you feel. Because everytime you type or see that you may be validating those feelings.

God Bless and I am still praying for you and your family

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinatra

tstew, Thank You for posting this! You are a wise man.
[NOT All By Yourself], I am praying for you, also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Excellent!

I would have no problem changing my user name, I tried to figure out how to do that, but couldn't find the option. Maybe someone could help me out?

Sinatra · #32 12-10-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All By Myself

I would have no problem changing my user name, I tried to figure out how to do that, but couldn't find the option. Maybe someone could help me out?

rgcraig should be able to help you do it. Send her a pm.

rgcraig · #33 12-10-2009, 06:18 PM

Yes, just let me know via PM what you'd like to change it to and I can do that for you.

How about Iamloved

*AQuietPlace* · #34 12-10-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Yes, just let me know via PM what you'd like to change it to and I can do that for you.

How about Iamloved

Or:

FollowingGod
OnaJourney

rgcraig · #35 12-10-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Or:

FollowingGod
OnaJourney

Great ones!

I believe there are many confused and hurting people out there and with all the people here that have experienced some of the same things AFF is a good place to feel loved and not alone.

There ya go - - Notalone!

Thinking · #36 12-10-2009, 06:40 PM

I am incredibly moved by your post, and by the responses posted here on this forum. I have little to add, except this: I don't believe there is an honest, intelligent Christian in the world who has not at one time grappled with serious doubt, and with the subsequent fear and confusion that accompanies such thoughts. Although I do not question Christianity, I can only be honest by saying, I have in the past, and continue, to closely examine my beliefs.

Be comforted by knowing that at the core of your quest is the ageless question of life and its meaning, and that innumerable souls have cast their eyes into the night sky and wondered...

I'm praying for you...and for all of us.

Jeffrey · #37 12-10-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All By Myself

I am coming to this forum with a question or situation that I need feedback on. I have been lurking around here for a while.

I know that I am going to get some responses that go like, “you shouldn’t be asking for advice from people you have never met on an internet forum”. I have nowhere else to turn. There are people here that have written things that I respect.

I have been Oneness Pentecostal all my life. My entire family is OP, deeply entrenched in the OP church. I am 100% sure that none of them will ever leave this culture.

I have been on a inner path for the last 10 to 15 years, trying to figure out what I really believe. This is not topic relating to “standards”, because that is such a small concern to me. I have come to realize that I do not really believe a lot of what the OP church teaches/preaches is really accurate or necessary. So this is not about justifying any change on those things.

My real concern is my discomfort at even accepting Christianity as totally valid. It is big leap of faith for me because I have to accept the Bible as the truth to do so. It is not that I have a problem with the Bible. It is that in all of the belief systems out there, accepting the Bible as the true word of the true God is only possible through blind faith. I don’t know that I have that anymore. I am not saying that I am ready to turn my back on Christianity, just that I wish I could openly discuss my issues .

I play the part, and follow the rules and have a fairly full life. But I feel like a fraud 75-80% of the time. If I were to come clean with my feelings and thoughts, I know my family would still love me. But it would devastate them and forever change our relationship. They would not be capable of understanding it. Devastating them would devastate me, and I am not sure I will ever be strong enough to do it. It would mean that I would be starting my life over with no support system.

I know that there is no answer to this, but I would really like any input or wisdom that you could give to me.

Be patient in the process. These dark times are seasons in our life when our faith is challenged.

One thing I wanted to point out is that the authenticity of the Bible is not a "blind faith" thing. The literary integrity is par excellent when compared to most all other ancient texts. The history is validated. The events are substantiated through archeology. It's detailed prophecies are lived out. It's the real deal. To be sure, there are some controversies, but in the large picture, it's a sure Word. Study that out. The more you do, the more you'll feel confident in what the Word says and declared. I'm confident His Word will confront you, but also comfort you. Be blessed and well.

Not Alone · #38 12-10-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Great ones!

I believe there are many confused and hurting people out there and with all the people here that have experienced some of the same things AFF is a good place to feel loved and not alone.

There ya go - - Notalone!

Ok, I'll go for that!

Not Alone · #39 12-10-2009, 06:49 PM

I have to say again, especially after the last posts, I am feeling so much more confident about making the choice to come forward with this. I am so comforted that beyond all of the arguing that goes on here, at it's heart, the core of this forum is full of people who are seeking truth. Bash that and complain all you want, but where else is someone like me supposed to go? The OP church is not open to questions or the discussions that occur here. That is a shame, IMO.

I struggled for quite a while, to get the courage up to post what I did, I am so happy I finally did.

kristian's_mom · #40 12-10-2009, 06:51 PM

I think a lot of people feel the way you feel or have at some point in their lives. They just usually keep it to themselves out of fear what others would think. That's the beauty of forums like these- no one has to know who you are and you can express exactly how you feel.