Granny,
I know we disagree in our theological position. Setting our differences aside, we serve the same God. I am truly sorry that your son is involved in a church that perhaps is a cult. A church that controls it's member's and separates family members. This is a problem that can only be solved through prayer. I have some dear friends that are involved in a church, where the pastor is very controlling of the member's. If you leave the church (not, God) but the church, you are considered a divisive person. The other members will not fellowship with you any longer. This is very sad. There are times when we need to just place it in God's hands, and pray, and totally trust that The Holy Spirit will bring them back. My family and I left this church and were talked about, and "dis-fellowshipped". We never spoke one word against the leadership there. We never vindicated ourselves when we heard the lies that were being spoken about us. We just prayed for them. I cannot tell you how many phone calls we have received from member's who have left that church. Jesus was our biggest vindicator! The truth was revealed, and we did not even have to defend ourself. That is what prayer does. I just wanted to encourage you to keep praying for your son, and do not try and do this in the flesh. The truth will be revealed, and the best thing about it, is your character will not be damaged. If we would have gossiped about the Pastor, and went back and caused division and strife, I really do not think it would have ended up like it did. Jesus can do a much better job of revealing the truth, if we just trust Him to do so. So many times I wanted to "set the record straight" myself. Yet, I knew I had to truly forgive, so
God could work in my own life. Bitterness could have ate me up inside. I was hurt in the flesh, and very wounded. I had to make a choice real quick, about how to handle this. The flesh and the spirit are at odds. If we abide in the spirit, He will make our crooked paths straight.
I really and truly feel for you, because we still have another couple that is in that church. We love them so deeply, and it still brings me to tears when I think about them. I pray for you, Granny, that you will give it to God 100%, and not rely on yourself to fix the situation. I am not saying you are doing this now, but it is so easy to do it through our own understanding.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Naomi
I know we disagree in our theological position. Setting our differences aside, we serve the same God. I am truly sorry that your son is involved in a church that perhaps is a cult. A church that controls it's member's and separates family members. This is a problem that can only be solved through prayer. I have some dear friends that are involved in a church, where the pastor is very controlling of the member's. If you leave the church (not, God) but the church, you are considered a divisive person. The other members will not fellowship with you any longer. This is very sad. There are times when we need to just place it in God's hands, and pray, and totally trust that The Holy Spirit will bring them back. My family and I left this church and were talked about, and "dis-fellowshipped". We never spoke one word against the leadership there. We never vindicated ourselves when we heard the lies that were being spoken about us. We just prayed for them. I cannot tell you how many phone calls we have received from member's who have left that church. Jesus was our biggest vindicator! The truth was revealed, and we did not even have to defend ourself. That is what prayer does. I just wanted to encourage you to keep praying for your son, and do not try and do this in the flesh. The truth will be revealed, and the best thing about it, is your character will not be damaged. If we would have gossiped about the Pastor, and went back and caused division and strife, I really do not think it would have ended up like it did. Jesus can do a much better job of revealing the truth, if we just trust Him to do so. So many times I wanted to "set the record straight" myself. Yet, I knew I had to truly forgive, so
God could work in my own life. Bitterness could have ate me up inside. I was hurt in the flesh, and very wounded. I had to make a choice real quick, about how to handle this. The flesh and the spirit are at odds. If we abide in the spirit, He will make our crooked paths straight.
I really and truly feel for you, because we still have another couple that is in that church. We love them so deeply, and it still brings me to tears when I think about them. I pray for you, Granny, that you will give it to God 100%, and not rely on yourself to fix the situation. I am not saying you are doing this now, but it is so easy to do it through our own understanding.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Naomi