Glad-to be out
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1#
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Rank:Poster Grande I
Score:12570
Posts:576
Registered:07/04/2006
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:08/03/2008 19:15:56)
As a relative "old timer" on the forum, your post has inspired me and has answered a nagging doubt that I have harboured for a few weeks.
To actually "KNOW" that the forum helps to inform and encourage without browbeating is great.
I like you have been enjoying the day, not getting ready to go to a dreary hall with a message of the same old, same old.
Have been swimming, intend to go to an Art Show, have the kids over for dinner ------
Also like you I have gone beyond the "what if they were right" and the "I might be going to hell", mindset.
The God you find outside the Revivalist groups is not a God that has been twisted to suit our needs, but is the God of the scriptures.
Often you find God when you aren't actively seeking Him. Peace and a heart that is at rest and calm, the ability to see clearly and to appreciate everything truthfully and simply for what it is and the ability to feel compassion for ones fellowbeing all come to mind. No smugness or feeling of superiority, just - calmness and security.
I am glad that you "got out" too and wish you every success for your future.
Cheers,
Glad
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Expect the best, but prepare for the worst.
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MothandRust
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2#
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Rank:Ghost in the machine
Score:34610
Posts:1585
Registered:27/02/2004
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Reply To cruel twist
(Date Posted:09/03/2008 05:10:29)
Well it’s a cool rainy day here on the Sunny Coast just finished my second cup of coffee and just getting my weekend fix of this interesting forum.
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I'm confused TB. Are you Universal Soldier??? You are TB aren't you? I'm all mixed up.
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Be nice, for everyone that you meet is fighting a harder battle - Anita Roddick
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Glad-to be out
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3#
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Rank:Poster Grande I
Score:12570
Posts:576
Registered:07/04/2006
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:09/03/2008 06:18:32)
Well, I sure as hell am mixed up now !!!?????
Glad
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Expect the best, but prepare for the worst.
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Sea Urchin
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4#
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Rank:Poster Venti III
Score:9010
Posts:431
Registered:15/02/2007
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:10/03/2008 01:34:32)
A great post Twister, thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us here. I also thought your post was awesome Glad. Whilst there's absolute junk at times on the forum, the majority of the people who post on here, have the same/similar story to tell - and it's one of overcoming. To have woken up from our deep (revival) sleeps and to have gone through the same/similar recovery processes and (in the majority of cases) to have walked on to an awesome life, never looking back but looking ahead - makes us real overcomers in the true sense of the word.
This forum is a great place to connect with others, to hear stories (although sometimes quite horrific) similar to our experiences, to enable us to encourage and uplift others and to remind us of the fact that we are not alone.
One thing it aint in good old Adelaide, is cool & rainy like the sunny coast! It's been between 36 & 40 degrees for the last week and half and will continue for another week !!! Man, to have cool, cool rain!
Swap?
God bless you both and keep you in His awesome mercy and grace
Urch
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Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.
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Disciple(Ex-member)
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:01/04/2008 23:59:43)
The thought to consider is that if you are being troubled in your spirit about the RF you attend and you find no peace for your soul, then it may well be that you are being led by God to leave..
I know that when I wasn't at peace in my heart with the RCI ( now an RF group ) that I attended, I simply prayed about it and then I made a quality decision to leave. I felt the impression from the Holy Spirit " Come out from among them and don't touch the unclean thing." And then I firmly made my decision and then I really felt at peace within.... And I havn't had a regret since - 15 years later.
See God has a call, purpose and destiny for each one of us and God purposely intends that we should fulfill that call so remaining within the RF may be contrary to what God desires and intends for you..
Always remember that regardless of what any RF so call leader may say to you, allow the intention of God to over rule whatever the RF leadership may try to dictate.. If I had remained at the RF, I would have missed the opportunity of theological education and the opportunity of overseas missionary work. I have already been to Thailand but next year I may be going to China as soon as I finish off my BTh.
So don't be afraid to pray and ask God for HIS DIRECTION. You may be surprised at what He will show you..
blessings
Eric
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cruel twist
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6#
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Registered:15/10/2006
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:02/04/2008 07:17:43)
I ran into an old friend tonight at the local corner-store. It was great to see him and he was quite pleased to see me.We chatted for ages catching up on the past and all the family stuff.
I asked him if he was still attending RF and he really opened up to me and told me how unhappy he was there, it was quite refreshing for a RF-er to be open and honest about these misled leaders in this law following church.
He could see that fellowshipping in a particular brand of church does not automatically give you front row seats in Gods heavenly house, rather it is our individual relationship with him in our private lives that we receive salvation, not by earning brownie points by attending the most meetings or how well dressed you are.
Didn't somebody once say "Let grace abound"?
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"Try not to burn the toast"
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Glad-to be out
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7#
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Rank:Poster Grande I
Score:12570
Posts:576
Registered:07/04/2006
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:02/04/2008 18:49:26)
You are so right when you say " it is our individual relationship with Him in our private lives that we receive Salvation"---- through Grace !!!!!
The peace of mind and QUALITY of life that go hand in hand with this revelation is magnificent.
If only all Revivalists could reach this point in their understanding of "grace" and Christ's love towards His fellow being, then the pastors who control and damage so many lives, would be out of a job in the blink of an eye.
Life is too short to be trying for "brownie points" that lead nowhere.
As Eric says, we each have a purpose and a God given destiny. To lead a fulfilled life, knowing that you are being led and inspired by Him, leads to a life that is not bogged down with doubt and guilt as we so often found ourselves while under the control of the various sects and cults that we belonged to.
Finding the courage to take the initial "leap of faith" is quite another thing, but having taken it, there is no comparison to life then and life now !!!
My wish would be, that all who are hurting, could reach that point of courage and enlightenment in their journey.
Cheers,
Glad
(Message edited by Glad-to be out On 02/04/2008 18:54:19)
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Expect the best, but prepare for the worst.
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cruel twist
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8#
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Registered:15/10/2006
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:02/04/2008 19:07:52)
Great words of encouragement there Glad
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"Try not to burn the toast"
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RF_on_the_edge
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9#
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Rank:Regular Poster
Score:3180
Posts:156
Registered:12/03/2007
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:02/04/2008 21:34:41)
Twist, Glad, Disciple,
He could see that fellowshipping in a particular brand of church does not automatically give you front row seats in Gods heavenly house, rather it is our individual relationship with him in our private lives that we receive salvation, not by earning brownie points by attending the most meetings or how well dressed you are.
Most if not all RF and RCI people that I've met over the years would actually agree with this. LRL certainly said words to that effect - though I'm not going into any difference between words and actions, here. (I can't speak for CAI, GRC or others.) Further, as you might realise, there are 'less socially dysfunctional' assemblies where that *is* in fact the local assembly 'culture'.
The key problem, as far as I can see, is failure to follow "the apostles' teaching". There's a failure to understand how to move into and stay in God's grace. Even the leaders who are overbearing and un-Godly in their behavior would profess individual relationshp and confess that they want to teach and be a part of God's grace. The problem is that they don't in fact follow "the apostle's teaching", despite their self-congratulation on how well they understand the bible. (For some there's the humility issue too, but often, particularly within the congregation, there's just a naive trust that the teachers know what they're talking about.)
Most, if not all, RF visitors here would say "Amen!" to the above quote. What they generally fail to realise is that much of what they're being taught, including particularly the relationship between tongues and salvation, just ain't "the apostles' teaching" 'cos it ain't in the bible and in some cases is actually dismissed by the bible as just plain wrong (eg, to proof-text, 1 Co 12 esp vv 27-31).
(Message edited by RF_on_the_edge On 02/04/2008 21:47:59)
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Sea Urchin
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10#
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Rank:Poster Venti III
Score:9010
Posts:431
Registered:15/02/2007
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:03/04/2008 00:21:33)
Hi all
I love hearing the positive, uplifting and encouraging words such as these above from Eric, Glad, Twister, rfote. It makes my little sea urchin heart happy when I hear from others who seem to be in a similar 'place' in their journey. Ahhh... grace - it's such a beautiful word and such an awesome place to be, under God's grace. I LOVE what God has taught me these last 16 months about grace, justice, mercy and compassion - I'm ashamed to say that I had no real understanding about any of these things in my 24 years in RF.
You're quite right Glad, it does take courage to 'step out' of RF after all the conditioning we had for so long ('THIS is the only place that has the truth' etc). My one fear about leaving was exactly to do with that - that we'd go to another church & maybe find it wasn't good, then somewhere else and so on and so on. But after much prayer and asking God to give me courage, we were led straight to a great church where we are not 'told' what to do/believe but instead are encouraged and equipped to get into relationship with God and look to Him and not to man. Í
My daily prayers include the people still 'trapped' in these groups, that they may have a revelation of who God is and that He may touch their lives in such a way that they will never be the same again. If they could just catch a glimpse of God's grace they would have to start questioning the legalism and control that they are currently under.
A great book I've just finished reading is 'The Grace Awakening' by Charles Swindoll and I've found that I just can't get enough of reading the Word as well as various books - a trip to the local Koorong Bookstore usually sees me spending a few hundred dollars each time.
God bless you all
Love, Urch
PS: RFOTE, I wonder whether you should change your name to RF 'OVER' THE EDGE - has a better ring to it!
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Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.
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craigbol
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11#
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Rank:Lurking
Score:80
Posts:4
Registered:03/04/2008
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:03/04/2008 06:26:15)
In terms of this forum helping, I think there is great power in sharing and hearing stories. For me, I'll feel a bond for the rest of my life with those who went through the RCI/RF experience. It's not something that anyone in my life now can truly apprehend or appreciate. So, yes, reading here does help - me at least - connect with a part of myself that is still somehow wounded.
If nothing else, this place is a testament to the fact that life DOES get better after leaving that toxic, bigoted little mind-trap. The fear that is so regularly installed in members is that people's lives are somehow diminished by leaving. I know that's not the case for me, and I love hearing from y'all that it's not the case for you either.
Blessings all.
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craigbol
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12#
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Rank:Lurking
Score:80
Posts:4
Registered:03/04/2008
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:03/04/2008 06:27:49)
Sorry - just a quick dummy post so I can click 'subscribe to this topic' this time. I wish there was a way to subscribe to all the forums so I could get email updates of what goes on here. As it is, I keep forgetting to check in!
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MissIndependant
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13#
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Rank:Noob
Score:330
Posts:15
Registered:08/04/2008
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RE:So glad to have my own time out
(Date Posted:08/04/2008 20:42:03)
Sea Urchin ... your bottom post is just exactly how I feel. I can relate to everything you said!
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