Hello there,
This is the very first online forum I have ever joined, so bear with me all!
Been a long-time lurker, not sure how much I will post necessarily.
To get it out of the way, I’m a former Christian (many years ago now) and just may, out of respect, not post too much in the religious section, on Christian topics especially. However, I'll post some Christian songs that have blessed me, and many still do now, even for memories of where I was at the time. I appreciate that everyone has their path, and my personal conviction is that God knows His own and knows exactly what we need and when – no matter how lazy or frustrated we can get.
Brief history
- had a “born again experience” and touched by charismaticism when fairly young, not too heavily though. Then into dispensational reconciliation [i.e. God wills that none would perish, Jesus prayed, “His will be done on earth . . .”; and as in Adam all die
[we didn’t have to believe in Adam to be a sinner], so in Christ - the last Adam, all will be made alive [
we don’t have to believe in Christ to be saved either . . . but will believe when we’re ready hence the idea of different “harvest-times” dispensationally, etc.]. Then into complete reconciliation [Christ took all judgment upon Himself, and that was the only Judgement Day that counted as far as God’s view of mankind was concerned - “it is finished”; He believed
for me when I couldn’t]. That was my final Christian stage.
Lastly, I’ll just say I came to the conviction that God asked me to decide if I wanted to know Him based on [the tree] of law/works/even the “beast” - the world system of contract and
person-hood really . . . or through relationship in innocence. Further, that my relationship was actually never in question – He sees me as His child, simply because He made me; in Him I exist, period. He’s not coming out of heaven with a hammer, yet He is there in the moments that matter, to teach, encourage, and guide as I can handle it. I see this being applied to whomever Adam and Eve really were as well. That whatever “the fall” was, no “sin” (which is complete lack of understanding
somewhere) can separate anyone from God or change our true essence; so therefore, reconciliation to God was just not necessary.
Though He uses my phases of laziness, or fear, or frustration in myself . . . judgment and guilt never comes my way from Him and so He waits, letting me come to the end of it all. His love is effectual and goes further than any shortcomings, just because. To me, that is His long-suffering nature, and I pray that peace finds its way to my heart and mind so fully that I won’t care anymore except to just enjoy life as long as I’m here.
That’s long enough but it pretty much explains my past – yet it gives an idea of ‘me’ when people read my posts. Again, I appreciate everyone’s path with God (athiest or not). I don’t desire to debate anyone’s sincerity with God. I wish you well, in the midst of us trying to figure it all out! Take care, from a major introvert coming out of her shell