>B <BGKent@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>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 shine 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
Hello Bren,
Yes, the Bible encourages us to research and verify the many things it
writes about, instead of listening to 'church doctrines' which may or
may not be Bible truth. As the apostle Paul worded it to the Bereans
at Ac 17:11,
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians,
for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the
Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (NIV)
Sincerely, James
**If you wish to have a discussion with me, please use email since I
do not follow ng threads
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