I Am Leaving

[jesse630]

I am leaving the Christian Forums.

Goodbye

 

[saved24]

Sorry to hear you are leaving. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

 

[jesse630]

Sorry to hear you are leaving. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Thank you and God bless.

 

[Another Lazarus]

I am leaving the Christian Forums.

Goodbye

read this for the last :
IS COMET ISON WORMWOOD?

 

[steve_bakr]

Jesse, Would you like to share why you are leaving?

 

[jesse630]

Jesse, Would you like to share why you are leaving?

Sure

I just don't know how to relate to people. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it here. I enjoy discussing spiritual things. But I just don't know why people have to be insulting just because they don't agree with me. I can handle it when people respectfully disagree, but I can not handle insults, especially by the body of Christ. It's one thing if they weren't Christians, for I know we will deal with opposition. But it's another thing to deal with it in the household of faith.

I don't go to church only because I am in a situation where I can't go. But I will be out of that situation soon, and now I don't want to go. I was so looking forward to going to church. I fantasized that I was going to be part of a family that will help me grow spiritually and that I can help others as well. But it was just fantasy. I can't leave God, but I don't want to be part of His church; too many nasty people.

I know obedience to God's laws are importance. But I am struggling in certaian areas in my life that I have shared, and I have gotten condemned. I thought we were suppose to bear one anothers infirmities. But maybe I got the verse wrong; maybe it's talking about physical sickness. All I know is that people who have it all: obedience. righteousness, holiness, and perfection can be very condemning when they preach to me. I know I don't possess these qualities yet, but I want to. It is doubtful that I will ever be perfect in obedience to God.

I am feeling very bitter towards Christians. And that is why I am leaving the forums.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

Sure

I just don't know how to relate to people. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it here. I enjoy discussing spiritual things. But I just don't know why people have to be insulting just because they don't agree with me. I can handle it when people respectfully disagree, but I can not handle insults, especially by the body of Christ. It's one thing if they weren't Christians, for I know we will deal with opposition. But it's another thing to deal with it in the household of faith.

Hello Jesse, your post got my attention. I did some digging as to what brought you to this point. I saw the argument with another person on the forums here.

I been in your shoes numerous times, just upset and wanting to throw it all it away. When I was at my church, I volunteered to run the projector. During practice I was eagerly trying to learn, looking over the other volunteer's shoulder. He was all tense and finally snapped at me. I just walked out and upset and angry for the way I was treated. As I was in the parking lot, the Lord spoke to me. Told me that the guy was very nervous and me hovering over him made him angry.

It took me some time but I forgave him for snapping at me. I trained under someone else and the skills I picked up from my church in CT have been a huge asset to my current church. Soon I will be training others to run the projector.

The body of Christ is a bunch of different temperaments, attitudes, backgrounds, cultures, and so forth. The glue that holds us all together is Jesus living inside of us. Sadly there are (usually few) mature Christians and many many misguided Christians. I am not trying excuse the behavior of the person who argued with you, but make you aware that is a part of life. You can't allow someone else's foolishness rob you of your joy and learning experience. Don't let others, even immature Christians, rob you of your potential in Christ.

I like to encourage you to still become part of the body of Christ, to join a Holy Spirit filled church. When you become saved, the Lord empower you to be an active part of his kingdom on earth. A place where you can grow and put to practice the potential God has for you. It's usually a process, and comes in seasons. If you hang in there, and hold on to the Lord through your trials. You will become stronger, and more knowledgeable. Where the church is there for you, you can turn around and start helping others. That's how the Lord designed it.

As for the obedience thing. Every single one of us has fallen short of the glory of God. As such there is no such thing as perfection in the law or obedience. Only person that walked this earth that was perfect is our Lord and savior. He took on the burden of the cross so we could have access to God again. The Lord poured out his love on us, and mentors us thanks to the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Like a Father training up his son, we become sons and daughters of God, and he trains us. Training is a process and we miss the boat many times, but God said he would never leave us nor forsake us. We are all students, and there is only 1 teacher which is Jesus.

We don't all learn the same way and it's different for each person. Six years ago the sin of lust had it's grips on me. I struggled so badly to keep clean and pure, but I wasn't strong enough to do it on my own. Lord didn't take my problem away with a snap of the finger(he could do so), but decided to use the struggle to teach me about battling the flesh. It was a process and a battle, and I learned lot of things. God's view of sex verse the worlds view, that God sees everything and nothing is hidden, that when temptation knocks I can call on Jesus to show up. Lord forgave me of my sins well over 7x70 times. Today 13 years of porn no longer haunt me, and when the enemy tries to tempt me(which is daily) I know I can blow the temptation out of the water in the name of Jesus.

I hope this provokes your heart and know you are no where near alone in your situation. It will get better, and you don't have to listen to the fools. Solomon has a lot to teach about dealing with fools, check out proverbs. =)

 

[Whyte]

What do you think about self-mortification, Anthony the Great and Simeon Stylites?

 

[Pal Handy]

Sure

I just don't know how to relate to people. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it here. I enjoy discussing spiritual things. But I just don't know why people have to be insulting just because they don't agree with me. I can handle it when people respectfully disagree, but I can not handle insults, especially by the body of Christ. It's one thing if they weren't Christians, for I know we will deal with opposition. But it's another thing to deal with it in the household of faith.

I don't go to church only because I am in a situation where I can't go. But I will be out of that situation soon, and now I don't want to go. I was so looking forward to going to church. I fantasized that I was going to be part of a family that will help me grow spiritually and that I can help others as well. But it was just fantasy. I can't leave God, but I don't want to be part of His church; too many nasty people.

I know obedience to God's laws are importance. But I am struggling in certaian areas in my life that I have shared, and I have gotten condemned. I thought we were suppose to bear one anothers infirmities. But maybe I got the verse wrong; maybe it's talking about physical sickness. All I know is that people who have it all: obedience. righteousness, holiness, and perfection can be very condemning when they preach to me. I know I don't possess these qualities yet, but I want to. It is doubtful that I will ever be perfect in obedience to God.

I am feeling very bitter towards Christians. And that is why I am leaving the forums.

When you demand tolerance and grace from others,
where do you draw the line in giving it to others?

When you become disillusioned with others who are imperfect
and make mistakes and withdraw from them, how will you ever learn to
tolerate others and love them not because you agree with them
but love them because they are your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Who ever said that Christians are perfect?

Only Christ was perfect and He told us to love one another,
not denounce, dismiss and withdraw from them.

You are painting this whole forum with a broad brush simply because
you have met a few who love to argue more than they desire to love.

Don't be upset when people are imperfect as you are imperfect also but instead
try to be the kind of Christian you think we all should be so that you will treat others
with love, even when they disagree with you and have no problem putting their opinions
ahead of love.

Show those who use and abuse you the love of Christ!

When you demand tolerance and grace from others,
where do you draw the line in giving it to others?

You will never grow in Christ if you run away from those
who oppose you, even when they say they are Christians but
at times sin and fall short.

We all are sinners who need a savior so don't become upset
when those who name Christ fail...

 

[jesse630]

When you demand tolerance and grace from others,
where do you draw the line in giving it to others?

When you become disillusioned with others who are imperfect
and make mistakes and withdraw from them, how will you ever learn to
tolerate others and love them not because you agree with them
but love them because they are your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Who ever said that Christians are perfect?

Only Christ was perfect and He told us to love one another,
not denounce, dismiss and withdraw from them.

You are painting this whole forum with a broad brush simply because
you have met a few who love to argue more than they desire to love.

Don't be upset when people are imperfect as you are imperfect also but instead
try to be the kind of Christian you think we all should be so that you will treat others
with love, even when they disagree with you and have no problem putting their opinions
ahead of love.

Show those who use and abuse you the love of Christ!

When you demand tolerance and grace from others,
where do you draw the line in giving it to others?

You will never grow in Christ if you run away from those
who oppose you, even when they say they are Christians but
at times sin and fall short.

We all are sinners who need a savior so don't become upset
when those who name Christ fail...

I am not criticizing people for being imperfect. In fact, I even apologize to a lot of people for my own imperfection all the time. I had a confrontation with a lady and she basically called me stupid; at first I defended myself, but then I apologized. Because she was right. But I am still hurt by her insults. When Jesus spoke to the pharasees, he insulted them many times. Was He wrong? Of course not. It's not Christians imperfection that I can't handle; it's their perfect obedience that I can't handle. And because of that obedience, they condemn. I can't handle that. And I feel condemned.

I know I said I am feeling bitter towards Christians. But I am mistaken being offended with bitterness.

I have been on this site for a year now. I just started a new account, because of all the condemnation I was recieving from Christians. It hurts. Do I think they are in sin? That is between God and them. I was not condemning anyone and I was not them telling them they are in sin. All I was doing was saying that I was hurt. And yes, because of that hurt I don't want to be part of the body of Christ any more. Not because I think Christians are hypercrits, not because I think they are sinful or fake (it is wrong to criticise His church any ways). Simply because I am hurt by them. And I am going to start protecting my feelings. And being offended is not a sin.

 

[jesse630]

Hello Jesse, your post got my attention. I did some digging as to what brought you to this point. I saw the argument with another person on the forums here.

I been in your shoes numerous times, just upset and wanting to throw it all it away. When I was at my church, I volunteered to run the projector. During practice I was eagerly trying to learn, looking over the other volunteer's shoulder. He was all tense and finally snapped at me. I just walked out and upset and angry for the way I was treated. As I was in the parking lot, the Lord spoke to me. Told me that the guy was very nervous and me hovering over him made him angry.

It took me some time but I forgave him for snapping at me. I trained under someone else and the skills I picked up from my church in CT have been a huge asset to my current church. Soon I will be training others to run the projector.

The body of Christ is a bunch of different temperaments, attitudes, backgrounds, cultures, and so forth. The glue that holds us all together is Jesus living inside of us. Sadly there are (usually few) mature Christians and many many misguided Christians. I am not trying excuse the behavior of the person who argued with you, but make you aware that is a part of life. You can't allow someone else's foolishness rob you of your joy and learning experience. Don't let others, even immature Christians, rob you of your potential in Christ.

I like to encourage you to still become part of the body of Christ, to join a Holy Spirit filled church. When you become saved, the Lord empower you to be an active part of his kingdom on earth. A place where you can grow and put to practice the potential God has for you. It's usually a process, and comes in seasons. If you hang in there, and hold on to the Lord through your trials. You will become stronger, and more knowledgeable. Where the church is there for you, you can turn around and start helping others. That's how the Lord designed it.

As for the obedience thing. Every single one of us has fallen short of the glory of God. As such there is no such thing as perfection in the law or obedience. Only person that walked this earth that was perfect is our Lord and savior. He took on the burden of the cross so we could have access to God again. The Lord poured out his love on us, and mentors us thanks to the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Like a Father training up his son, we become sons and daughters of God, and he trains us. Training is a process and we miss the boat many times, but God said he would never leave us nor forsake us. We are all students, and there is only 1 teacher which is Jesus.

We don't all learn the same way and it's different for each person. Six years ago the sin of lust had it's grips on me. I struggled so badly to keep clean and pure, but I wasn't strong enough to do it on my own. Lord didn't take my problem away with a snap of the finger(he could do so), but decided to use the struggle to teach me about battling the flesh. It was a process and a battle, and I learned lot of things. God's view of sex verse the worlds view, that God sees everything and nothing is hidden, that when temptation knocks I can call on Jesus to show up. Lord forgave me of my sins well over 7x70 times. Today 13 years of porn no longer haunt me, and when the enemy tries to tempt me(which is daily) I know I can blow the temptation out of the water in the name of Jesus.

I hope this provokes your heart and know you are no where near alone in your situation. It will get better, and you don't have to listen to the fools. Solomon has a lot to teach about dealing with fools, check out proverbs. =)

Thank you for sharing. And I will pray about to church.

 

[jesse630]

What do you think about self-mortification, Anthony the Great and Simeon Stylites?

Don't know what you mean.

 

[Tigger45]

Jesse630 I saw that heated discussion and thought you handled yourself well. Your were transparent, reasonable and politely deffended yourself. Several posters actually appreciated your possition and couple respectfully disagreed and only one was OFF THE HOOK! Don't let people like that throw you. Just use the ignore option and move on.

 

[paul1149]

I just don't know why people have to be insulting just because they don't agree with me. I can handle it when people respectfully disagree, but I can not handle insults, especially by the body of Christ. It's one thing if they weren't Christians, for I know we will deal with opposition. But it's another thing to deal with it in the household of faith.

Jesse, whenever you "put it out there", you're going to get all kinds of responses. I personally ignore many a thread, and do my share of cringing. It's sad, but the truth is that there any many of levels of maturity in the BoC. Indeed, some are not even in the Body. You have to make judgments on whom you can trust (Mt 7.1-5). Even Jesus had His inner circle that was more privy to some of the things He did and said.

Paul told Timothy that there would be many who held to a form of religion, but denied its power. He told him to find those who worshiped the Lord from a pure heart. He told the Ephesian elders that ravening wolves would attack the flock.

I hope you don't lose the baby with the bathwater. I know it's not easy. (And that's exponentially so when the problem occurs in leadership.)

 

[Gracelands]

Stand your ground Jesse. God bless

 

[Mikaeri]

Hey Jess,I have just joined tis forum and I really like it a lot..I have also been following this thread, and it's sad when Christians abuse or insult each other..that you were hurt by this other member reminds me of an experience I had years ago that I would like to share with you.

Having been a Christian for over 30 years, I was at one of the Senior pastors home at a church I used to belong to..we were talking and he made a comment that I offended and really hurt me a lot..

I bothered me for ages till a couple of weeks later at church, that same Pastor got up and made his apologies to all he has offended and hurt, admitting he says things without thinking..

The body of Christ is made up of humans who all fall short of the glory of God, we all Sin, sometimes knowingly and unknowingly..

 

[asiyreh]

By self-mortification he means to punish yourself. Do penance. Luther used to do a lot of this until he began to read the Good News and after much study and the aid of the printing press... and of course a favorable hand from the good Lord. The modern Christian faith was born. Viola!

I suppose it was the seed of division between Roman Catholicism and the modern Christian Church as you know it.

Anyways. Look peps are always going to disagree about stuff. We have been brought to all truth in Christ. Until he returns there's always going to be division.

Just laugh it off, people are people and there's no one perfect. The rest of the Church might seem that way at times. But I assure you we all have our own struggles and more we could be doing for the Kingdom. All are guilty under the Law, but we are reunited in Christ.

The secret is to know everyone else is struggling too. Sure some seem all puffed up and self righteous, but as Christ foreseen, a lot of them where blind and deaf and lost and some of them, were quote - like white washed tombs, glorious to behold on the outside, but inside full of dead mens bones.

So...

You have struggles I have struggles, all the people at your church have struggles and you will always bump into the occasional... not so nice person...especially on the inteewebb.

 

[jesse630]

By self-mortification he means to punish yourself. Do penance. Luther used to do a lot of this until he began to read the Good News and after much study and the aid of the printing press... and of course a favorable hand from the good Lord. The modern Christian faith was born. Viola!

I suppose it was the seed of division between Roman Catholicism and the modern Christian Church as you know it.

Anyways. Look peps are always going to disagree about stuff. We have been brought to all truth in Christ. Until he returns there's always going to be division.

Just laugh it off, people are people and there's no one perfect. The rest of the Church might seem that way at times. But I assure you we all have our own struggles and more we could be doing for the Kingdom. All are guilty under the Law, but we are reunited in Christ.

The secret is to know everyone else is struggling too. Sure some seem all puffed up and self righteous, but as Christ foreseen, a lot of them where blind and deaf and lost and some of them, were quote - like white washed tombs, glorious to behold on the outside, but inside full of dead mens bones.

So...

You have struggles I have struggles, all the people at your church have struggles and you will always bump into the occasional... not so nice person...especially on the inteewebb.

You are right. I don't think I should leave just because I got my feelings hurt. I need to grow up a little or a lot.

 

[jesse630]

Hey Jess,I have just joined tis forum and I really like it a lot..I have also been following this thread, and it's sad when Christians abuse or insult each other..that you were hurt by this other member reminds me of an experience I had years ago that I would like to share with you.

Having been a Christian for over 30 years, I was at one of the Senior pastors home at a church I used to belong to..we were talking and he made a comment that I offended and really hurt me a lot..

I bothered me for ages till a couple of weeks later at church, that same Pastor got up and made his apologies to all he has offended and hurt, admitting he says things without thinking..

The body of Christ is made up of humans who all fall short of the glory of God, we all Sin, sometimes knowingly and unknowingly..

Yes, we are imperfect. I need to forgive just like I would want to be forgiven.

 

[jesse630]

Stand your ground Jesse. God bless

Thank you and God bless.