Spiritual Transition

[dust]

This week my whole mind centered around transition, and I thought about the greatest transition ever was Jesus going from the garden of Gethsamane to the cross. He knew it would be the most difficult transition of His life, but the most powerful. I lean on that strength...not just the strength of the cross, but His moments in that the Garden.

Leaving Bethel, the church I loved was a really tough transition, and at times it seemed to get worse and worse not having a home church, visiting churches, researching and discovering some truths about EN that were hard to learn about. And, truths about THE church in general. At times it got really dark for me...but I would keep reading my Word, praying, seeking the Lord..Most of my healing came alone with God, and some of it people here did help me with.

I would say lately it took a turn I didn't expect or maybe it is just the Lord's way of showing me a new transition. I've been praying to find a new church home, really getting hungry for fellowship in a church body, and for corporate praise and worship and for a pastor in our life.

With all joy, We have found a place to call home again, and a few of our EN friends who were in our cell group will join us...so ALL was not lost. Some of the fellowship we had at EN, we get to keep. And, today at lunch the very pastors who had caused some pain for all four of in different ways came over and talked to us. I felt forgiveness and I had no bad feelings. It's time for a new spiritual transition. So, I will not be coming back to this board on any regular basis. I may poke my head in from time to time....but, it is really time for me to go....

If you are lurking and wondering about your life in your EN church, you may find some answers here, but please know that God will place you in a spiritual church home somewhere and that while man is messed up often, God is really GOOD!

[wisedove]

Dust,
I am so thrilled for you and for Forward, and for your other friends who were in your EN church's cell group with you, and that GOD is FAITHFUl. He knew your desires and I am glad you didn't have to search long. It takes a leap of faith to jump into a new church atmosphere after leaving a church, especially one that was a bit controlling and lost track of who was to be the head...Christ...

For me, I, too, love being a part of a new church body. It is quite small, could actually be a home group, but God has a plan. He is definitely the focus there, and that's what I love. It is all about Jesus. It is not about the building, the pastors, the worship, the fellowship, even. It's all about Jesus. He has just blessed us with all of the rest...awesome fellowship, humble pastors, etc.

Happy face for you!http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif It's nice to be free and have healing....

[coppertree]

<font face="arial,helvetica"></font> Hi Dust,
I will really miss you, greatly. I am so happy for you that you have some friends with you. That is a gift indeed. I long for that too, in His time it may well come. God bless you and thank you for your love and care ,here.
}

[dust]

Thanks Copper and Dove and I feel the same about you.

[flo1151]

dust,

I can't for the life of me figure out why you finding a new home would mean that you would come here less. If this was only a place for comfort and direction I can understand that. But I do believe the site provides a good barometer for things to be aware of in all churches.

I do not think these abuses are spread thin in the church. I do think that they are widespread and need to be carefully considered. Call me a skeptic but I have seen similar things in other churches that made me wish that I was back in Maranatha. At least there was some presence of God that you could experience.

Don't get me wrong I hope it works good for you but beware of the rebound. Stay in touch.

flo

[dust]

Flo
I do want to tell you thank you and this is not the rebound church..already had the rebound church which ended up being this WOF and we rushed too soon...out of Bethel just one week.
And, I had a really miraculous way of God confirming this church. I know when I'm hearing clearly because also God hits me on the head.

And, as my transition out of here is slower than I thought I will post that later.

Flo, you still have a calling for something...I don't know....but it's never too late.

[dust]

Flo,
This may sound strange but above I posted about what the Lord showed me about "transistion" this week and I had several conversations with people about it...because I made a decision to focus my coaching in this area. Today's sermon was on this very same topic....it was on the spiritual transition Jesus made at the Garden...the very same thing the Lord showed me this week. It was almost spooky, but I thought, yes, I do hear from the Lord, and Yes he does then CONFIRM what I hear, so I'm sure very sure. Sometimes we can think we hear something because that's what we want, but the Lord doesn't play games....He will give many confirmations. MCM posted earlier today that it's a red flag when someone hears from the Lord, and I know the kindof experiences he might be referring to...But for me, it was how I found Fact Net, how I got married, how I changed careers, and I could go on and on with the way I've heard from God. But, it's not wierd, or I"m hearing from God about YOU...it's hearing because I hear from His all day long. It's an on-going relationship.

When you have a relationship, you have communication, The Holy Spirit is our counselor, and advisor. I know the difference because before I got saved, I only heard from myself. I'm rambling and I feel like my dear friend Wildwood right now and I know she's sleeping and I should to, but I am excited to share that I do hear from God and it has always been a benefit, even when I hear Him tell me to repent. But God has directed my life in a great way since I got saved. Yes, I heard from God to go to the EN church, and I would never trade that experience. I can't go into it, but I can see why. I learned to develop my giftings there and then leave....and also learn some sad and ugly truths about the church movement, but I needed to know that side, so I know we were to be there. And I heard clearly when we were to leave. The problem was I dragged my feet leaving, because I don't make graceful spiritual transitions. Hearing from the Lord....well that's how I got saved. I was in my own home, I wasn't in a church...I heard the call and I responded. If we don't hear from God, then Christianity is just a philosophy.

And, I don't always have that clear cut answer, but so many times I have and then I know I can proceed all out because God has directed me. God is not far away..He's right here. Flo, I'm not really telling YOU this.....it's just flowing out. And, this is one long exit off the board isnt' it? So you can see it has meant something.

[40days40years]

I like you dust. I thought you were a man for the longest time, thanks for setting me straight.
Anyway try to poke your head into this place once in awhile, we need all the help we can get with what you say. God Bless!

[wildwood_]

Dust...I'm rambling and I feel like my dear friend Wildwood right now...

LOL I like to think of it as rambling with Jesus...of course I'm handicapped by taking "myself" with me...

You know in the South, perhaps it's universal, "Transitions" out of a home are a very slow process...gathering up the dishes, stray spouses, wandering children and then pausing at the door to say "Good Night", pausing again on the porch to say "Good Night" and then walking as a large group out to the car. This is where it becomes really interesting...leaning on the car, sitting on the hood if it's a pretty night, rolling down windows and not starting the car because the engine will drown out the conversation. AND then, someone may have to go to the bathroom... and somehow the whole group is back inside again, rumaging around the refrigerator and starting a fresh pot of coffee. Because what do you know...the suns coming up and it looks like a pretty day... Time for Breakfast!

So, if you'd care to just "Transition" slowly or come back in and have that second or fourth cup of coffee...what's the hurry??? http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/biggrin.gif