For those that left the UPC... - Page 18

BeenThinkin · #**171** 05-26-2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeHardy07

Ha ha ha! You are too kind! I'll be 22 in December! LOL!!!!

God bless you!

Don't believe it! Send me a copy of your license, you know; make out like you're in Arizona! ha ha

BT

Mirth1981 · #**172** 05-26-2010, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeHardy07

I'm still a kid (21), but was raised in strict Apostolicism. Family broke away a few years ago...started going to a Baptist church about 6 years ago...and guess what?

The Baptists that I know believe that Jesus Christ is the one true God...the Father of the Universe...contrary to what I had been taught they believed (three gods)...It amazes me...the other day I asked the youth "How can Jesus be the Son and the Father?" Know what they said? "Because He's just one guy!!!!"...makes me chuckle everytime!

Miracles happen in Baptist congregations too...but our faith shouldn't be based on the miraculous anyway, right?...

I was pretty angry at Pentecostals/Apostolics for a while...then a UPC pastor needed help with the sound room and such...I jumped on board...some of the most loving people I ever met...still don't agree with some of the beliefs and practices...but our goal is the same...reach the lost for Jesus, live as Christ did and make it to heaven...

It doesnt matter to me anymore really where I attend church. There's hypocrisy in every congregation..and there's sincerity in every congregation...

Ask yourself this...why does every denomination have reports of miracles and wonderful happenings (drug deliverance, healing, financial miracles, etc...)? Go to any congregation! Baptist, Methodist, UPC, AOG, ND...And why do they credit God for it? It's either that God is not in any of it...that men are making these things happen for themselves...or maybe God is not confined to a single group...

If you do go somewhere new, go with an open heart and open mind! Try the spirits! You have brothers and sisters WITHIN the UPC and OUTSIDE the UPC! They aren't demons and satanists because they don't embrace the "experience," or covet a select few of the spiritual gifts. They are God's children trying to find their way, and they can teach you many wonderful things! Like how to love!

Peace and blessings to you!

Very good post Joe.

RandyWayne · #**173** 05-26-2010, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirth1981

My husband is very unhappy with me because of how I feel...we are divided right now in our beliefs although he admits that he can't explain why he feels the way he does Biblically speaking.

This has been very hard...I don't see it getting any easier.

I'm scheduled to attend a women's holiness conference with the ladies of my church in the near future...that should be interesting.

Oh Lord, that is probably the last place you need to go now. LOL Of course God could also mean for you to go -they will/could be so over the top with their HMH that you will no longer have ANY doubts.

Mirth1981 · #**174** 05-26-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Oh Lord, that is probably the last place you need to go now. LOL Of course God could also mean for you to go -they will/could be so over the top with their HMH that you will no longer have ANY doubts.

I'm seriously dreading it.

My husband is very set on the old paths. He told me tonight "Just do what you want, but I don't agree." It breaks my heart.

I don't understand. Why would the Lord show me something just so that it could make my life miserable and cause problems in my marriage? But I see things so clearly now.

I don't believe that the holiness standards are biblical. I don't agree with how people are treated in UPC churches when they don't follow them. I don't like the control and fear tactics that I see. I believe that we are basing our salvation on our works when we enforce such standards. No, I don't believe this is right.

Are these reasons enough to leave my current church? I don't know...and I don't want to move forward in any way without my husband, but he is digging his heels in and refusing to budge.

I'm trying so hard to be patient, but I don't know if I can do this.

BeenThinkin · #**175** 05-26-2010, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirth1981

I'm seriously dreading it.

My husband is very set on the old paths. He told me tonight "Just do what you want, but I don't agree." It breaks my heart.

I don't understand. Why would the Lord show me something just so that it could make my life miserable and cause problems in my marriage? But I see things so clearly now.

I don't believe that the holiness standards are biblical. I don't agree with how people are treated in UPC churches when they don't follow them. I don't like the control and fear tactics that I see. I believe that we are basing our salvation on our works when we enforce such standards. No, I don't believe this is right.

Are these reasons enough to leave my current church? I don't know...and I don't want to move forward in any way without my husband, but he is digging his heels in and refusing to budge.

I'm trying so hard to be patient, but I don't know if I can do this.

Mirth, does your husband know about AFF and that you are posting here? If he knows, does he read any of the Threads?

You are in a tough spot. The best thing you can do is pray, pray, pray and hope that God will speak to his heart, (and that he will listen), as He has done to yours. A divided home is not what you need.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I left the UPC in 1980 and my wife was with me all the way. She has never had long hair, (and it wasn't because she cut it) and while I was in the UPC I asked her to wear a wig so that everyone would think her hair was long and would not accuse her of cutting it. She was ready to get out from under the condemnation of the religious system.

Keep the faith! There is an answer to your problem. As I said, just keep a sweet spirit and pray!

Been Thinkin

Mirth1981 · #**176** 05-26-2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

Mirth, does your husband know about AFF and that you are posting here? If he knows, does he read any of the Threads?

Yes, I tried to get him to read some of the threads. Unfortunately, he doesn't want to. He thinks it is this forum that has caused me to feel the way I do...which that is NOT the case. I felt this way before I ever came on here. I just came here because other people on here have been through what I am going through, and I wanted some insight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

You are in a tough spot. The best thing you can do is pray, pray, pray and hope that God will speak to his heart, (and that he will listen), as He has done to yours. A divided home is not what you need.

No, it's not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I left the UPC in 1980 and my wife was with me all the way. She has never had long hair, (and it wasn't because she cut it) and while I was in the UPC I asked her to wear a wig so that everyone would think her hair was long and would not accuse her of cutting it. She was ready to get out from under the condemnation of the religious system.

That is EXACTLY how I feel right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

Keep the faith! There is an answer to your problem. As I said, just keep a sweet spirit and pray!

Been Thinkin

I will try...tonight was very discouraging because I feel like he made up his mind for good. Only time will tell.

Thank you for the encouraging post.

JoeHardy07 · #**177** 05-26-2010, 08:17 AM

I don't believe that the holiness standards are biblical. I don't agree with how people are treated in UPC churches when they don't follow them. I don't like the control and fear tactics that I see. I believe that we are basing our salvation on our works when we enforce such standards. No, I don't believe this is right.

LOL! Standards are NOT works! They aren't even good EXCUSES for works! And performance during a church service isn't works EITHER! LOL!!! How twisted things are nowadays! LOL!

Godsdrummer · #**178** 05-26-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeHardy07

I'm still a kid (21), but was raised in strict Apostolicism. Family broke away a few years ago...started going to a Baptist church about 6 years ago...and guess what?

The Baptists that I know believe that Jesus Christ is the one true God...the Father of the Universe...contrary to what I had been taught they believed (three gods)...It amazes me...the other day I asked the youth "How can Jesus be the Son and the Father?" Know what they said? "Because He's just one guy!!!!"...makes me chuckle everytime!

Miracles happen in Baptist congregations too...but our faith shouldn't be based on the miraculous anyway, right?...

I was pretty angry at Pentecostals/Apostolics for a while...then a UPC pastor needed help with the sound room and such...I jumped on board...some of the most loving people I ever met...still don't agree with some of the beliefs and practices...but our goal is the same...reach the lost for Jesus, live as Christ did and make it to heaven...

It doesnt matter to me anymore really where I attend church. There's hypocrisy in every congregation..and there's sincerity in every congregation...

Ask yourself this...why does every denomination have reports of miracles and wonderful happenings (drug deliverance, healing, financial miracles, etc...)? Go to any congregation! Baptist, Methodist, UPC, AOG, ND...And why do they credit God for it? It's either that God is not in any of it...that men are making these things happen for themselves...or maybe God is not confined to a single group...

If you do go somewhere new, go with an open heart and open mind! Try the spirits! You have brothers and sisters WITHIN the UPC and OUTSIDE the UPC! They aren't demons and satanists because they don't embrace the "experience," or covet a select few of the spiritual gifts. They are God's children trying to find their way, and they can teach you many wonderful things! Like how to love!

Peace and blessings to you!

Joe very well said could not have said it better myself.

Godsdrummer · #**179** 05-26-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

What kind of church you go to now?

I am starting a house church in my neighborhood, have been able to talk to all my neighbors about God and been well recieved.

Mirth1981 · #**180** 05-26-2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeHardy07

I don't believe that the holiness standards are biblical. I don't agree with how people are treated in UPC churches when they don't follow them. I don't like the control and fear tactics that I see. I believe that we are basing our salvation on our works when we enforce such standards. No, I don't believe this is right.

LOL! Standards are NOT works! They aren't even good EXCUSES for works! And performance during a church service isn't works EITHER! LOL!!! How twisted things are nowadays! LOL!

I'm glad you find this mess I'm in so funny.

Yeah...things have gotten twisted.