Quote:
Originally Posted by ExChurchKid
Nell,
It is very sweet that you created a thread for my sake. I apologize, but I don't quite understand, what is my takeaway here? I don't particularly believe in the serpent at the moment, or interacting with each other in the spirit. I don't even know what that is suppose to mean, or if it's something I even want to do. What I do believe in is interacting with each other as decent human beings (as you and I have been doing, I think!). Again, I'm sorry, could you explain? I was a little nervous about posting, but since you clearly meant this for my benefit, here I am.
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ExChurchKid,
I guess when Eve said "I was deceived", its another way of saying "I was wrong."
I know it's hard to understand. From where you've been, and how you were raised---who God is and what He is about has been clouded. Interacting with each other as decent human beings, as indeed, you and I have been doing, is a good place to start.
In this case, we need to know the truth of this matter. Being unsure about the serpent, and the reality of the Spirit we can deal with later.
Your reply to me was excellent. Hold on to it. Print it out. Read it over. At some point read it to God, if you can. Tell Him you don't understand. Tell Him you don't believe in the serpent right now and you're not sure you want to. Everything you said...
I had an experience several (many?) years ago when I knew I needed to tell Him something, but I didn't want to. I didn't trust Him with it. I knew He would take it away from me. I just knew it. The best I could do was to tell Him...I don't trust You. This is me, and I don't want you taking this from me, and I think you're mean. This is who I am, and I'm pretty sure You are the one who put me here and made me like this. Sometimes, I don't even like you. He knew how I felt anyway, so I might as well come out and say it! He didn't zap me or anything.
Ultimately, I was able to talk to Him about it. As has been said before, "He didn't change my situation, but He did change
me." It doesn't hurt so bad anymore.
I don't know if this even makes sense. Eventually, what I thought I knew about who God is...I was wrong. As I quoted before, Paul said "That I may know him...". That's what's missing from where you and other "church kids" were raised. Even when I was in "it" I wasn't helped to know God by that system.
I needed to "know him". I needed to know that I could talk to Him and say what I needed to say. He's a big boy. He can take it.
I hope this helps. It's not a very good answer, but maybe it can help a little.
Nell