Leaving The Fold - anyone hear of this?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

I guess I feel a certain sort of affinity towards her. I know what its like to completely lose your faith, and to be in a place where you view God as the very bane of your existance.

I think if we are honest, every single one of us experience at some time the dark night of our souls. Where we ask Why, and wonder if God is really even there, and think that if this is how he treats his children, maybe we'd be better off without him. I think that many don't think that consciously, for the are afraid of the repercussions, but still, I think its there.

Though we obtain for the attitude of Job, I think that there is more of job's wife in us than we would like to admit. (Or Lot's wife for that matter)

The attitude of his wife and his friends were infectious ... because he does reach a very dark place and asks some profound doubt-filled questions ...

Yet His faith would and could not die ... "Although He slay me, yet I will trust him ... I know My Redeemer lives".

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

The attitude of his wife and his friends were infectious ... because he does reach a very dark place and asks some profound doubt-filled questions ...

Yet His faith would and could not die ... "Although He slay me ... I know My Redeemer lives".

Yes, good post. I have always felt this way and never pushed the "dark side" in my life.

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I think it's hard for some to understand that some of us would not have ever changed from our current lifestyle if God had not brought us into the UPC.

I would explain that further, but I don't think many readers would understand. I'm not including you in that statement, James, just saying......

I understand. Those who follow my posts know while recognizing every organization has it's faults and foibles I don't engage in UPCI bashing and sometimes end up being its apologist.

(Who knows after DB's latest revelation about facial hair catches on I just might rejoin.

)

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

I guess I feel a certain sort of affinity towards her. I know what its like to completely lose your faith, and to be in a place where you view God as the very bane of your existance.

I think if we are honest, every single one of us experience at some time the dark night of our souls. Where we ask Why, and wonder if God is really even there, and think that if this is how he treats his children, maybe we'd be better off without him. I think that many don't think that consciously, for the are afraid of the repercussions, but still, I think its there.

Though we obtain for the attitude of Job, I think that there is more of job's wife in us than we would like to admit. (Or Lot's wife for that matter)

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but you have always seemed to desire to push the "dark night" to it's limits.

It isn't in me to do that. I have always had hope in many things. I think I'm a fairly intelligent woman, but I have always, with that, been naive. I never expect the worst even when it lands on my doorstep.

I can be dashed, but I always have seen light or way of escape. For that very reason, I have always believed and hoped in God.

There have been times when I have prayed, "I am cast down, Jesus. I need you to do something for me. I need you to pick me up." He has always done that with some of the simplest things. That has caused me to have and believe in "simple faith."

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I think it's hard for some to understand that some of us would not have ever changed from our current lifestyle if God had not brought us into the UPC.

I would explain that further, but I don't think many readers would understand. I'm not including you in that statement, James, just saying......

I think you mean "If God had not drawn us to Him".

The UPC can't save, can't change, can't anything. God can. God knows what will get our attention too, where we'll be fed, where we'll be supported. If that's the UPC for you that's great. It was for me for a time, it's not anymore.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

I understand. Those who follow my posts know while recognizing every organization has it's faults and foibles I don't engage in UPCI bashing and sometimes end up being its apologist.

(Who knows after DB's latest revelation about facial hair catches on I just might rejoin.

)

The worship and following the move of His Spirit is too strong and real to ever walk away. I'm not saying God would never open another door, but if He doesn't I can be happy, for the most part.

I won't deny that I am not always thrilled with us! lol

[My Own Eyes]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

The attitude of his wife and his friends were infectious ... because he does reach a very dark place and asks some profound doubt-filled questions ...

Yet His faith would and could not die ... "Although He slay me, I will trust him ... I know My Redeemer lives".

Perhaps as I am just slowly coming out of a very dark time in my life, my empathy for his wife is quite strong. First, I don't believe that her words meant that she wanted him to physically die. I think it was methaphorical, referring to spiritual death, to turning one's back on God.

I also think that her husband's strong faith, gave her the ability to explore her own lack. Many times in the past year I have asked hard questions of my friends; How can you believe'? Why do you live like this? How can you serve a God who allows you to suffer for "your own good"?

And many times it might have appeared that I was trying to diminish thier faith in God. But I wasn't really. Yes, I was testing it. Wanting to know, should I let mine die? Would I be better off without it? Should I leave GOd completely? Was I right to feel so negatively towards him?

Whether or not I was right to feel that way, it was truly an integral part of my journey. Perhaps that is why I feel that maybe Job's wife was similar. Maybe it was her profound doubt and pain which caused her to urge her husband to turn his back on God. The Bible doesn't tell us, so we don't know what happened after God once again blessed them. Maybe she too grew from the experience. (Keep in mine that even though God didn't allow satan to touch her physically, she still lost all her children and many of her possessions)

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

The worship and following the move of His Spirit is too strong and real to ever walk away. I'm not saying God would never open another door, but if He doesn't I can be happy, for the most part.

I won't deny that I am not always thrilled with us! lol

Hang in there! Just like Peter and Paul each had their ministries, some of us were called to convert the legalistic Pharisees, and some us of were called to the rest of the world.

(tic)

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I think you mean "If God had not drawn us to Him".

The UPC can't save, can't change, can't anything. God can. God knows what will get our attention too, where we'll be fed, where we'll be supported. If that's the UPC for you that's great. It was for me for a time, it's not anymore.

You are right in interpreting what I meant. I think, underlying, what we say, we always know we believe it is always God.

I remember lying on my bed and saying, "God, I have read your Word. I have seen the snow, rain, sleet and hail. I know there is something in this Word that I have not seen. I know there is more than what I have and am seeing now. If you don't show this to me I will wish to be dead."

He, very shortly, brought a woman to my place of business who introduced me to the UPC. I know that was a work of God. With all it's warts, I have learned more about the power of His Spirit, it's operation, it's move than anything else. That is important to me. It is, after all, who He is - Spirit and truth!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

Hang in there! Just like Peter and Paul each had their ministries, some of us were called to convert the legalistic Pharisees, and some us of were called to the rest of the world.

(tic)

LOL! You have no idea my journey in this thing. I have knelt at the couch and pounded it yelling, "Why are you doing this to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"