Need new direction

[christian sister]

I feel like the last 14 years of being in the pentecostal movement have been a waste of time. I need to know what the Lord would have me to do now, what denomintion to I go to now.what do I do?????

[Jerry]

Slow Down and Rest ;) God isn't going anywhere,,,,,He will wait for you ;)
Love Jerry

[newlife]

Dear Christian Sister,

I can identify with where you're at...I've been a part of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement for most of my life.

I think that Jerry's given you great advice! Focus on your healing...you don't have to go anywhere right now...spend some time here, if you like...share with us the things that you're dealing with...I think that most of us can understand because we've been there too.

You'll find people here that will cry with you, that will "listen" as you rant, that will encourage you when you're down. I have found this place to be a place of healing...


God bless you, dear one, as you embark on your path of healing...

Love, newlife

[hornblower]

I dont have any idea where you live sister but where I live there are a ton of alternatives to the pentecostal denomination. How close do you want to stay within the confines of that teaching?

Any charismatic church would be similar to what you have experienced but not as much into the law of it all I would think but then of course choose wisely because these also can be that way. There used to be some people on here that went to a foresquare church. That sounded good to me and similar in a way. I have also gone to fullgospel churches.

There are a lot of choices. We are christians, believers in the gospel, so the world is our oyster as far as denominations go, it seems to me. Too may denominations not enough freedom and love and acceptance and truth and compassion..........anyway thats my thinking again.

Can you share with us what happened or is it too painful? You sound like its really hurting and has made you very angry? Weve been there and we are here ready to listen to your story if you want. My heart goes out to you my sister in the Lord.

[dougjb]

Hi christian sister,
I know exactly how you feel. I spent 17 years in the charismatic/Pentecostal movement and one of the things I have said over the past 10 years since is - what a waste of time. I have one life to live and it is wasted by going through all this non-sense. From a human perspective and going through this experience is hard to see the purpose in this. However, if I look at it from a divine perspective, then there is a purpose and reason for everything.
I will use my experience as an example. As I was being hit with all the manipulation, the authoritarianism, coercion, and everything including the kitchen sink, I did not realize it at the time, but I was learning the tactics of the enemy and learning how to proactively respond to their malevolent activities. Also, even though I was deeply hurt, bruised, and wounded, there was a toughing up process going on in my life to be able to weather the assaults of these people. Even though I carry many of the scars of the past, I am able to refute, overcome, and call abusive people on the carpet and not let them get away with evil activities.
I would bet that from your experience, you have a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and understand that you may not be fully aware of. I would also bet that the Lord is just ‘gnashing at the bit’ to use all that knowledge and wisdom to defeat the abusers, the bad doctrine/theology for the purpose restoring the Church. Many people are being held captive through deception and fraud in these abusive churches. The most qualified people to assist in setting the captives free are those who have gone through the gauntlet and the meat grinder. My sister, from God’s perspective your 10 years could be preparation for better things to come.

Some food for thought

Dougjb

[jimsmuse]

I feel like the last 14 years of being in the pentecostal movement have been a waste of time. I need to know what the Lord would have me to do now, what denomintion to I go to now.what do I do?????


Hey precious Christian Sister,

:) You've come to a good place and I am glad you're here.
My mind jumps to all sorts of conclusions as to why you feel it's been a waste of time so if you feel like it, could you explain ? :rolleyes:

[ChurchHappens]

Hi,

Many of us have found that it isn't about going to church but is all about Christ and being the Church.

I would recommend reading "So you don't want to go to church anymore". You can read it online and the link is on: http://www.churchhappens.com

Here's an analogy:

You might have jumped or got pushed off the cruise ship but God is the ocean. Just relax because you were meant to be in Him and not just float on him.

Here's a link to the full analogy:

http://thegodjourney.com/forums/index.php?topic=119.msg654#msg654

[Jo Jo]

I feel like the last 14 years of being in the Pentecostal movement have been a waste of time.

wow, that says it all right there. I can relate. :D

It's good to know that God does not just limit himself to one location or denomination. I have found that out. Don't panic - His love is all around. And in truth everything we learn from our past, we take with us and are valuable lessons. God lives in us and that is still the truth. He hasn't left you or forsaken you. He still leads and guides you.

This is a great place to share and get good advise.

[Janice]

Welcome to the forum Christian Sister.

May God show you His Will for your life as you embark on the journey to serve Him.

Just stay focused on the Lord. he will lead you.

[ex-shep]

I was in the seedier side of pentecostalism and the sheperding discipleship movement. I too have been there, seen it, done that and got the T-shirt -- and it does not fit. :mad:

Jerry has an excellent. Many of us need to take a breather to heal from the abuse. Jesus rested in his earthly ministry. It is OK to take time to recuperate. The Lord knows who is his. I have been out for over twenty years. I eventually found a church, and it was worth the wait. In any case welcome aboard. Feel free to share what is on your heart and mind. There is always somebody on line. Make yourself at home, virtual coffepot is always brewing.

[beginagainrose]

The Lord told me 9 yrs ago, "gather the scraps that nothing is wasted". He will show you what to do with yours. In the economy of heaven, nothing is wasted. There is a wonderful poem from "Streams in the Desert" I read years ago..."call back to me"... you will do the same to others and they will know they can make it as well. I was going through my "scraps" the other day thinking that was the purpose... "it's all scraps"... then I came across a pure gold nugget. But the wisdom we gain is the most priceless gain in all our loss. Welcome and may the Lord bless you here as your move along the path of your healing journey with the Faithful Shepherd; The True Lover of Our Souls:)

[SpinningHead]

I would recommend reading "So you don't want to go to church anymore". You can read it online and the link is on: http://www.churchhappens.com


This is an absolute must read!!!! I highly recommend it!!

[butterfly]

:) :) Welcome Christian Sister,

butterfly shirley

[blkwalnut]

you have to pray to god for answers. He will guide you. Fast and pray until you get your answer.

[JohnHS]

what do I do????? Wow that is big lettering! Are you screaming?? I am sorry you are in pain because it is no fun to be in pain.

For goodness sake, don't look to this place for advice. From what I see by reading bunches of messages, most people here don't know what to do either. I always look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

[recoveringhurt]

You might have jumped or got pushed off the cruise ship but God is the ocean. Just relax because you were meant to be in Him and not just float on him.

Excellent. Thanks for this.:)

[Jerry]

Wow that is big lettering! Are you screaming?? I am sorry you are in pain because it is no fun to be in pain.

For goodness sake, don't look to this place for advice. From what I see by reading bunches of messages, most people here don't know what to do either. I always look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

So we ignore John 13 34/35 ????:confused:

[Reg]

you have to pray to god for answers. He will guide you. Fast and pray until you get your answer.
Not quite sure who you are, but welcome.

Unfortunately, you sound like many of the ministers who gave us similar advice. :(

We really don't need/want this kind of advice. We want to hear YOUR story and how you are trying to recover.

Didn't you read the reason for this forum at the top given by the ADMIN?

Reminder about basic rules here

I suggest you do so that when you post here you will do so in a form that is appropriate.

Remember:

ADVICE IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN IT IS TO RECEIVE!

[dougjb]

Hi everyone,

Looking back at my life, I have had to start my life over many times or as I call it, rebooting my Christian faith and church life. In all the chaos and tumult that I have gone through, I found it easy to lose track of the real priorities in my faith. Instead of having my eyes fixed on Jesus Christ the author and finisher of my faith, I would be focusing on issues and problems and attempting to solve them by my own wisdom and understanding. When I started to take control of things, everything seemed to get worse. It is a weird thing that when I focus my attention solely on the problem, the Lord always became more distant and abstract in my thinking. However, when I got my priorities straight and went to the Lord for direction and for solutions to my difficulties, everything seemed to work out properly even in impossible situations.
As I look back over the 27 years as a Christian, God has worked through prayer, Bible reading, Christian books, sermons, over hearing third parties speaking, friends, enemies, experiences of other like this forum, and a host of other ways. Granted, I have been given a lot of very bad advice but in the end the Lord has always had the last word in the matter, even if it may have taken a little time. I have always reminded myself that God is not golfing out in the back nine somewhere, but He is here with me and will guide me. Even though I may not know what is going on in my life, God knows and understands the situation and is more than able to keep me.
The reason I like this forum is the imput and experience that everyone brings to the table of ideas. I find everything in this forum useful in way capacity or another even in helping the direction in my life.

some food for thought
Dougjb