Re: Learning things first hand

On Apr 6, 7:27 pm, Jacob <jni...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

**snip
 short while as they struggle with the choices.
>
> Think of the situation in churches too. Each of us has to learn for
> ourselves what it is to trust and follow the Lord. It is not good for
> us to accept what someone else teaches without examining and
> understanding it for ourselves. A wise pastor will encourage
> individual development of those in the church (and also as a group)
> because they know that when they grow up they would be assets to the
> church.
>
B - absolutely. I learn for myself what to trust and accept by using
what I call "the God within" or the higher or deep self or the Christ
self. If one thinks of God as a lightbulb..the rays that ****ne are the
higher self in all of us. It directs me to truth and love and I find
this in many faiths...both book and non book religions. Point being
truth is truth and that is God as is love  and this is despite a
specific faith. My Christianity is a non-traditional Christianity if
you consider Paul and the literal take on the Bible as
traditional...but still it is deep and powerful and strong. I won't be
swayed by anyone telling me to go THEIR way for God speaks strong in
me...a strong whisper that speaks to me more than any one book could.
I've never been one to follow the crowd..never got into drugs as a
child...or teenager...never bullied anyone..stood by those that were
bullied despite what is might do to my reputation as someone "kinda
cool"  infact maybe it helped my rep but I don't know..that never
really mattered. I searched all religions from Christianity as a
child..in all traditions....both conservative and liberal...to Taoism
to the faith of some of my ancestors 'Native Spirituality' to Wicca
and now a belief in truth in where it is to be found is what I lean
to. I've had people on all supposed sides try to tell me to go their
way...to follow them...when in my heart I've always listened to Christ
and followed him. Christ has made me strong to resist those that would
pull me into a way not his way (in what I believe) and I am in
gratitude to him immensely.  I do not wobble or cling to anything that
comes my way..but am held fast by truth.
In my opinion.
love Bren