My Testimony

[New Beginnings]

Originally Posted by Ohio

This thread is starting to wander around.
.

I have always been completely aware of what I have been doing here.

Thank you all for your support.

But I am going to have to say goodbye, for now.

[aron]

Originally Posted by New Beginnings

Thank you all for your support.

But I am going to have to say goodbye, for now.

Thanks for stopping by and contributing to the discussion. Your voice is important.

God's peace to you. You're in His hands.

[New Beginnings]

I cannot resist posting today because I have something good to say.

My family is going to a denomination today and it was completely my husband's idea. All I did was remind him to pray before dinner last night. Shortly after, he suggested we visit my friend's church.

Now I may end up back at the LC next week, but for today...I am riding the Freedom train.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

And thank you again for all your support!

[aron]

Originally Posted by aron

I remember leaving the LSM system and being in the world, trying to get help, trying to "fellowship"; it was hard because everytime someone quoted a verse I could quote six. I was simultaneously all smashed up and "holier than thou"...I was a real mess! God put some people in my path who didn't have as many verses as me, not so "systemic" in theology, but they had a LOT more reality, and I wasn't so stupid that I couldn't realize it. So I humbled myself, and began to listen. Eventually I realized my "airtight system" wasn't so airtight, and thus was a contributor in my mess and my inability to break free.

The "double bind" is a terrible, paralyzing situation. You can't go forward, can't go back. My suspicion is that many are trapped in this way.

Here's a post I made on the "double bind" problem. As a "ministry" devotee I was simultaneously battered by the failures of self, and unable to address them because of indoctrination ("get out of your mind") and unable to seek help in despised "fallen Christianity". I was worse than the sinners of the world, yet too much of a know-it-all to humble myself and ask for help.

But I continually exposed myself to others' faith, and eventually saw that I didn't have a corner on the truth, and that my truth, so-called, was riddled with contradictions. Slowly I began to open, consider, and avail of new paths.

You can't be "negative" and antagonistic and expose the double bind. You have to be positive, reinforce the good things, and trust that the Lord will shine the light. Look at Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus. Only God could have penetrated that heart.

[New Beginnings]

Originally Posted by aron

You can't be "negative" and antagonistic and expose the double bind. You have to be positive, reinforce the good things, and trust that the Lord will shine the light. Look at Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus. Only God could have penetrated that heart.

Yes. But...

Doesn't there initially need to be a "negative" motivational force to bring someone briefly into reality so that they can receive what is truly positive.

[aron]

Originally Posted by New Beginnings

Doesn't there initially need to be a "negative" motivational force to bring someone briefly into reality so that they can receive what is truly positive.

Make sure that you have an abundant supply of grace if you think that you are to be the vehicle for God's negative sanction. Remember what happened to Moses when he "corrected" the Egyptian taskmaster. 40 years in the desert.

[New Beginnings]

Originally Posted by aron

Make sure that you have an abundant supply of grace if you think that you are to be the vehicle for God's negative sanction. Remember what happened to Moses when he "corrected" the Egyptian taskmaster. 40 years in the desert.

I wasn't necessarily referring to myself as the "negative" motivational force. I am only a piece of the negative reality. But how can someone see a need for change without a negative force acting on them.

[HERn]

Originally Posted by aron

Here's a post I made on the "double bind" problem. As a "ministry" devotee I was simultaneously battered by the failures of self, and unable to address them because of indoctrination ("get out of your mind") and unable to seek help in despised "fallen Christianity". I was worse than the sinners of the world, yet too much of a know-it-all to humble myself and ask for help.

But I continually exposed myself to others' faith, and eventually saw that I didn't have a corner on the truth, and that my truth, so-called, was riddled with contradictions. Slowly I began to open, consider, and avail of new paths.

You can't be "negative" and antagonistic and expose the double bind. You have to be positive, reinforce the good things, and trust that the Lord will shine the light. Look at Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus. Only God could have penetrated that heart.

The double bind is true in another way also. The ministry and most LSM preachers and elders believe that there is nothing of value in Christianity outside of their recovery. So, I think what happens is that when the dear saints see the sin, corruption and evil in the LSM system and turn away from it they have been convinced that only the devil, lies, and Babylon exist outside of what used to be their recovery. They are in a terrible double bind created by what I believe is the false teaching of WL and now of the blinded LSM-blendeds. Instead of finding a place in the body of Christ in other groups their faith becomes shipwrecked.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by HERn

The double bind is true in another way also. The ministry and most LSM preachers and elders believe that there is nothing of value in Christianity outside of their recovery. So, I think what happens is that when the dear saints see the sin, corruption and evil in the LSM system and turn away from it they have been convinced that only the devil, lies, and Babylon exist outside of what used to be their recovery. They are in a terrible double bind created by what I believe is the false teaching of WL and now of the blinded LSM-blendeds. Instead of finding a place in the body of Christ in other groups their faith becomes shipwrecked.

The double bind kicks in whenever something "negative" happens. When it happens to insiders, it is just the activity of the enemy, proving that the Recovery is so special to the Lord. To outsiders, it is the Lord's judgment upon them to expose their hopelessly divided condition.

[New Beginnings]

Probably the worst thing my experience in the LC did to me was damaging my discerning heart.

I know and believe that my heavenly Father is in control of my situation. Yet He will lay choices before me daily.

I am not clear yet how to use this discerning heart of mine. Yes, it needs to be in obedience to the law. But my reality doesn't appear so black and white.