A Conversion Story Worth Reading...

[Zongerfield]

I read this story on the Internet, and i thought it was weird at first. But than I started to think about it some more, and I came to the conclusion that there is no "right" way to find God. That there is no ideal path to the lord. IN other words, it doesn't matter how we find him, as long as we do. I'm curious to know what others think of this story, and I'm curious to know what you think of finding the lord through "unconventional" pathways.

Here is a rather striking passage from the story:

I knew God sent her into my house for a reason, and that my response to her immodesty was a crucible of sorts. God would be watching me, and judging me. So, I responded not by impulsively strangling her, I responded by saving her life. And I responded by saving her baby's life.

The story is in my signature if one cares to read it. But the main question is, and what I really want to discuss, is how you feel about unconventional ways to the lord?

 

[ayeess]

I dont think that was genuine....check the web site or something...The disrespect she shows the pregnant woman is ridiculous calling her the 'haitian' and deciding to name the woman's child?? That 'conversion' lacks a genuine turn of the heart...all this woman did was perform some rituals she may have seen on t.v. or performed by others previously.....

 

[Zongerfield]

I dont think that was genuine....check the web site or something...The disrespect she shows the pregnant woman is ridiculous calling her the 'haitian' and deciding to name the woman's child?? That 'conversion' lacks a genuine turn of the heart...all this woman did was perform some rituals she may have seen on t.v. or performed by others previously.....

Yeah, i think you're right. But it made me think, hypothetically at least, if the woman and her child were blessed, and did find God that day, and did accept Jesus as their savior that day, despite the unusual and somewhat disrespectful means by which it occurred, aren't they better off? I guess my question is, does it matter how we find the lord, so long as we find him?

 

[ayeess]

I mean sometimes when the means are as disrespectful as in this case, it works to counteract things...what comes to mind is Native Americans, chrisitian missionaries, and residential schools....All the horrific things that happen to these peole were done by "Christians" and it most defintly has left a bad taste in their mouth for anything Chrisitan...So in this case the means used actually hinders the individual from finding God.....To address your last question, I have heard many different testimonies and God uses different ways to talk to different people. But what they have in common is that they were touched by the holy spirit and the spirit guided them. In order for the spirit to be actively working the atmosphere has to be conducive to its working. For example, if the leaders of a church are hypocritical, envious,, full of hate....the holy spirit will not be in their church because they have successfully driven away the spirit of God and grieved it as well....Therefore, if the conditions or means used is in line with the way the holy spirit works (love, peace, kindness,patience) then an individual has been adminsitered to accordingly however anything outside of these lines does not actually draw people to God and if it does it probably is out of fear, and isn't a real conversion......To conclude, I am not saying God works in a singular sort of way I'm sure he has drawn people to himself in unconventional ways but these ways always have the operation of the holy spirit behind them....

 

[Zongerfield]

I mean sometimes when the means are as disrespectful as in this case, it works to counteract things...what comes to mind is Native Americans, chrisitian missionaries, and residential schools....All the horrific things that happen to these peole were done by "Christians" and it most defintly has left a bad taste in their mouth for anything Chrisitan...So in this case the means used actually hinders the individual from finding God.....To address your last question, I have heard many different testimonies and God uses different ways to talk to different people. But what they have in common is that they were touched by the holy spirit and the spirit guided them. In order for the spirit to be actively working the atmosphere has to be conducive to its working. For example, if the leaders of a church are hypocritical, envious,, full of hate....the holy spirit will not be in their church because they have successfully driven away the spirit of God and grieved it as well....Therefore, if the conditions or means used is in line with the way the holy spirit works (love, peace, kindness,patience) then an individual has been adminsitered to accordingly however anything outside of these lines does not actually draw people to God and if it does it probably is out of fear, and isn't a real conversion......To conclude, I am not saying God works in a singular sort of way I'm sure he has drawn people to himself in unconventional ways but these ways always have the operation of the holy spirit behind them....

well said. traumatic events can have longstanding consequences. and if someone is exposed to just the trappings of religion or just the vanities of religion (which are distinctly separate from God) and not the grace of the Lord or the holy spirit, then yes, they can be negatively impacted. But i think if one finds scripture, and the actual word of the Lord, no matter what the circumstances they will have an opportunity to embrace God as their father and savior.