A very big thanks to all of you for the replies so far- much appreciated to all!
Nell- thanks for the comment about my military time. I actually enjoyed MOST of it- and ALL of it was an honor. (I've met maaaaaany folks over the years who wanted to serve but couldn't for some reason.) I got saved early in my career and Christ used me in various ways to bring Him glory in some unique situations. (One night in Central America I was literally laying in a jungle ditch quietly whispering/witnessing to my team leader- then a few minutes later there are bullets flying- gotta love it
. And of course there were maaaaany boring times of sitting for long hours in a Humvee- made exciting by sharing Christ with my team- "Whatsoever you do- do it heartily as unto the Lord...") John 10:10 says He came to "give us life"- and He's more than done that for me
I've found life in Him to be quite the adventure!
"It might be helpful for you to take your most serious misgiving about the LC to someone in leadership." Ironic- this is exactly what I'm in the process of doing- already started my list of questions. Would love input concerning a couple details on this- First- I plan to talk with maybe 3 key people- elders or whoever. I want to see if I get similar answers from all of them. Second- I want to talk with them separately/privately- so they can't just give one "group answer" and pretend they all see it the same. Any thoughts there? And how truly sad- if you are factually correct- that LC "thinks they have it all figured out"... To be fair- I've already heard during a few discussions where some key folks will state "this is a mystery" and admit they don't quite have it nailed down- things like the trinity- Jesus being fully God and yet fully man, etc... I appreciate their honesty there- indeed who REALLY has those type of things FULLY grasped. (I actually get worried when somebody claims they do!) I sorta hope the folks I talk with from the LC make some strong statements about some of these deeeeep things- will help me walk away. And please let me clarify- I strongly believe we should know what we believe- and why- from scripture- (study to show thyself approved...) but claiming to understand all the deeeeeep things with complete certainty- I just don't think we are going to get all the answers we are searching for this side of heaven. (But one day!... we will see Him face to face- how I yearn for THAT day!)
LoT- "the Church of Witness Lee"- interesting way to put that- hadn't thought of it in quite those terms- certainly isn't how they sell themselves- but seems sadly accurate the more I learn. I must admit- as I delved (is that a word?) into this whole LC topic- I thought I needed to focus mostly on WN- but it seems WL really becomes the focus once things hit the US shores in the 60's and beyond- sorta surprising to me how I've shifted to attempting to grasp WL and his dynasty. And thanks for the reminder that they don't want me getting "poisoned". Seems any group that won't willingly stand up to some healthy scrutiny likely has some serious things to hide.
Ohio- "My personal feeling is that LC healthiness is based on their "disconnect" from LSM or another HQ" Thx for this input. Of course my LC orders the HWMR and seems to attend some sort of sponsored training- but I have no idea just how dependent they are on LSM? It is more than a bit troubling to me that they seem to get EVERYTHING from LSM- and I guess they see all other ministries/teachers/church's as lower- and possibly even evil? Wow... Something I hope to clear up when I meet with some of the leaders- thx.
As I search this topic out- it strikes me- there are many things that excite me and seem biblical in what I've experienced thus far in my few visits to the LC- joy, family, energy, Jesus first, biblical use of terms, passion- I could keep going. I was so excited that it seemed I had found a group that was actually mature, focused, and praiseful- yet the deeper I dig, it sadly seems it is based on falsehoods of various types and depths. Another case of "bitter water mixing with sweet..." Maybe my wife and I are asking too much this side of heaven- but WHY does it seem so hard to find a group of believers generally doing things the way the bible prescribes?! I don't mean that judgmentally or angrily- or that I have it all figured out... it's just so sad to me. I know, I know... the whole fall and human depravity and sin and human quest for power, etc... ugh! (Sorry- can't resist here- I'm picturing Charlie Brown flying through the air after Lucy yanks the football out from in front if him for the umpteenth time- for those who recall that genre... but I digress... If only this were something as trivial as kicking a football...
On a related note- if someone could help out this forum newbie- how do y'all do those nice little boxed quotes from previous posts? It communicates so well and I don't know how to do it- thx for any help.
Thx again for any input and for your time and effort- it truly isn't taken for granted. And note- my wife just lovingly suggested I keep my posts shorter- hard for us long-winded types- I'll keep working on it- thx for your patience- lol