Interesting weekend/new pastor

[newlife]

As all of the "regulars" on the forum know, the pastor of the church that we've attended since we left our SA "church" cult resigned in November and left in January. I was very worried about this change in circumstances as the pastor had been instrumental in helping our family in our recovery and he was a very gentle man and TOTALLY opposite of the cult leader "pastor". Since his resignation, the church board has been conducting a pastoral search. My brother-in-law, who was very involved in our departure from the cult is on the board and was involved in the search. He took the search VERY seriously (as they all did). How it worked was the board chose a pastoral candidate and then the congregation voted on whether to accept him as pastor. This was the weekend that the candidate and his family came. I was really nervous about it, but I was very pleasantly surprised. We had a get-acquainted open house/dinner yesterday and I found them to be very down-to-earth, "normal" people that don't put on airs of superiority. The congregation did vote to accept him, so we now have a new pastor. My sister and brother-in-law's family, another family, and our family went out to lunch with them today after the morning service and we were actually able to share a little bit of our story with them. They asked us a lot of questions and were quite shocked about some of the "antics" that we shared about our former "pastor". We feel very comfortable with them, which is saying a lot considering what we've been through.

Anyway, I wanted to thank all of you who prayed for us and this situation. I am thanking the Lord for sending us a caring and understanding, unpretentious family. It is really a big relief!

Love, newlife

[yeshua'smags]

Praise Jesus, Newlife!!! I am so happy for you! Wow, what a relief for you!! Isn't it just the most peaceful feeling? :p :p :p :p :D :D :D :D

[newlife]

Praise Jesus, Newlife!!! I am so happy for you! Wow, what a relief for you!! Isn't it just the most peaceful feeling? :p :p :p :p :D :D :D :D

Yes, it is! I am really thankful and relieved! :D :D :D

It's quite interesting...besides the new pastor...but in just the last week and a half, I feel like I've had a breakthrough in my recovery process. I feel like I'm finally letting go of some things and ready to move on with my life. My thoughts have been drawn back to my relationship with the Lord and less about the cult and cult leader. I've come to realize that I'm beginning to overcome the hurt that this man caused me. He didn't kill my spirit (though he tried) and I feel like I'm beginning to arise from the ashes. Does that make sense? During all of my dark days I didn't know if this day would ever come, but now that it's here I am so overjoyed. I'm sure that I'll still have to work through issues, but I really believe that I've entered into a new phase of recovery.

newlife

[Janice]

May you be blessed and grow ever closer to our God through this!

[Theodora]

It's so exciting to "feel" the renewal of hope in you and yes--- this thought re not "kiiling your spirit" makes perfect sense to me. How VERY wonderful that you've all had what seems to be a good beginning in your lives! Will keep you in prayer. Thanks so much for the update!

((((Newlife))))-

Love,

Theodora


Yes, it is! I am really thankful and relieved! :D :D :D

It's quite interesting...besides the new pastor...but in just the last week and a half, I feel like I've had a breakthrough in my recovery process. I feel like I'm finally letting go of some things and ready to move on with my life. My thoughts have been drawn back to my relationship with the Lord and less about the cult and cult leader. I've come to realize that I'm beginning to overcome the hurt that this man caused me. He didn't kill my spirit (though he tried) and I feel like I'm beginning to arise from the ashes. Does that make sense? During all of my dark days I didn't know if this day would ever come, but now that it's here I am so overjoyed. I'm sure that I'll still have to work through issues, but I really believe that I've entered into a new phase of recovery.

newlife

[SpinningHead]

He didn't kill my spirit (though he tried) and I feel like I'm beginning to arise from the ashes. Does that make sense?


That makes you a Phoenix Bird! :) I'm so happy for you! Praise God for his gentle mercies!

[newlife]

Thanks Janice, Theodora, and SpinningHead! :)

[Willow]

Hi newlife... this has got to be a huge worry off your mind. What a relief!

[mary]

Newlife, mazel tov! ;)

I'm so happy for you! :D You and your whole family must be letting out a combination of exultant sighs and praises to the Lord for this blessing!!!

Congratulations!

mary

[Jerry]

Dear NewLife,,,,
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,cool :cool:

Love Jerry :D