My Views and Stance on The Recovery

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Truth

I have a love-hate relationship with the "Recovery church life". I love it because I have way too many friends and loved ones in it. And I love all my brothers and sisters in the Lord (whether in or outside of the Recovery). Yet I hate the system so much.

Sorry you are stuck between a rock & a hard place TRUTH. A close look at The LSM reveals it is no different than any other church organization. While you are in that church, some to many people become friends. Once they leave, rarely do they pal around. Just like office workers. People are 'friends' at work but outside work few friendships really remain intact.

A true test of friendship is if you are able to open up to those you consider friends and tell them you have a love-hate relationship w/the RcV. Same goes w/your loved ones (assuming they are family ??) IF you decide to stop going to meetings etc... will they still accept you? But beware, they will still want to read Lee's works with you if they remain 'friends' with you. See if they will read a book or listen to a teaching from someone outside the LSM. Bet they won't.

That said,the most important matter to you must be you remain rock solid in your relationship with your Creator should you ever cut the ties.

Remember: On Christ the Solid ROCK we stand. All other ground is sinking sand. And that includes the RcV.

Another factoid to give you encouragement: There is NO LSM/LC/RcV in heaven. The BRIDE is the Holy City New Jerusalem that comes down from HEAVEN. And the BRIDE is not made up of the LSM people of God only.

In the early days (the 60's and perhaps 70's), things may have been different. But now the "recovery" is just another Christian denomination. Period. And a peculiar one.

On some levels, it was great! At least in my locality. But by 1977/78, there was such a huge emphasis on 'Brother Lee' being the apostle Paul and the 'oracle of this age'. It went from Christ & the church to Lee & the church, then to Lee & his ministry. :-( which is full of errors & fallacies.

Never forget...Jesus is the Author & Finisher, the Perfector of our Faith. His Spirit will lead us in the path of Righteousness for HIS Name's sake...not anyone else's name.

Blessings & Shalom Truth,
Carol G

[OBW]

Originally Posted by countmeworthy

A close look at The LSM reveals it is no different than any other church organization.

I must disagree.

I know you meant that as a "push down the ladder" for the LSM. But instead, you raised the LSM to a level that they do not deserve.

I honestly believe that most comparisons to other "church organizations" should be avoided because in those we tend to continue in our lack of brotherly love toward other Christians, no matter what the writer of the particular post (in this case you) means by it. In other words, not matter how generous you intend to be toward other Christians, it still goes into, through, and back out of our brains as a denigration to them as well.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by OBW

I must disagree....

Of COURSE you disagree Mike !! That's a no brainer.

Carry on....
And the Lord Bless you & all of us because we LOVE HIM and we are ALL a work in progress until we are changed from this corruptible body into our INCORRUPTIBLE bodies to the Glory and Praise of our Savior's Name - Jesus Christ.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by OBW

I must disagree.

That, to me, is your signature line.

[OBW]

Originally Posted by Ohio

That, to me, is your signature line.

And, in some sense, it is my nature. If everything is as I think it should be, I am happy that others are saying it. No need to pile on.

But when I think there is something being missed. . . .

Yeah. I know. It often comes across as "whatever did you think you were saying."

In this case, I understood CMW quite well. And without complaint. She was knocking the LSM down from their high-horse as THE publisher of THE ONLY MINISTRY OF GOD. And I applaud her for that.

The problem is the rest of us as we read. For us who have been out for some time now, it is not such an issue (at least not in all cases). But for those still inside, or only barely out, the mind is too polluted by the LRC/LSM garbage that makes any kind of "church organization," or for that matter "organization" as essentially against the tenets of scripture.

Then, add to it that I needed that tongue-in-cheek smiley (that they don't have) when I suggested that she had just insulted so many good Christian/church organizations by suggesting that they were on the same level as the LSM. But if I were Lifeway Bookstore, Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade (or whatever it is called), or any other number of Christian organizations, I would have been somewhat insulted to be lowered to the level of the LSM (wink, wink, nod, nod, say no more )

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by OBW

The problem is the rest of us as we read. For us who have been out for some time now, it is not such an issue (at least not in all cases). But for those still inside, or only barely out, the mind is too polluted by the LRC/LSM garbage that makes any kind of "church organization," or for that matter "organization" as essentially against the tenets of scripture.

Then, add to it that I needed that tongue-in-cheek smiley (that they don't have) when I suggested that she had just insulted so many good Christian/church organizations by suggesting that they were on the same level as the LSM. But if I were Lifeway Bookstore, Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade (or whatever it is called), or any other number of Christian organizations, I would have been somewhat insulted to be lowered to the level of the LSM (wink, wink, nod, nod, say no more )

Talk about LSM. I often heard how they were not an organization, but an organism. LSM is just a simple publisher of books.
Yes, I would agree if LSM was just a simple publisher of books, LSM would be as many a Christian organization. However they are not so simple.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by OBW

And, in some sense, it is my nature. If everything is as I think it should be, I am happy that others are saying it. No need to pile on.

But when I think there is something being missed. . . .

Yeah. I know. It often comes across as "whatever did you think you were saying."

In this case, I understood CMW quite well. And without complaint. She was knocking the LSM down from their high-horse as THE publisher of THE ONLY MINISTRY OF GOD. And I applaud her for that.

You WHAT ???

The problem is the rest of us as we read. For us who have been out for some time now, it is not such an issue (at least not in all cases). But for those still inside, or only barely out, the mind is too polluted by the LRC/LSM garbage that makes any kind of "church organization," or for that matter "organization" as essentially against the tenets of scripture.

Got it. But if they were to take an honest look at their organization which it is, they would have to acknowledge they ARE a religious business organization because they have a board of directors, they get tax exemptions, they sell their publications and charge $$ to their "trainings".

Was the early church a business organization? I hope not! The church is the Body of Christ with Christ (GOD) as the Head & His Spirit guiding us, teaching us, enlightening us, anointing us through His Word and His speaking to our spirits.

Then, add to it that I needed that tongue-in-cheek smiley (that they don't have) when I suggested that she had just insulted so many good Christian/church organizations by suggesting that they were on the same level as the LSM. But if I were Lifeway Bookstore, Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade (or whatever it is called), or any other number of Christian organizations, I would have been somewhat insulted to be lowered to the level of the LSM (wink, wink, nod, nod, say no more )

It is 'funny' but actually it is sad. It is sad because the LSM through Lee elevated itself as being better 'than thou'.

That said, Revelation 2 & 3 points out the problems in the church that exist to this day among all believers.

I found this telling but sad interview in the Blaze, by Ted Haggard, a former mega church 'star'.

Here is an excerpt:

When Bill Bright led me to the Lord when I was 16, I learned that I had become a new creature, a new person, and that I did not need to be concerned about anything in my past, that it was all covered by the blood.”

But Haggard said that his past was still impacting his life.

In the end, the former megapastor claimed that his Christian training was delivered by people who didn’t respect the mental health and neural science professions. This translated, he wrote, into a counterproductive situation, as he was taught to view all issues as being entirely spiritual in nature.

“If I prayed and fasted, I was more tempted. If I just worked in ministry, I experienced relief and was not tempted,” Haggard continued. “I thought it was spiritual warfare. It was not. My struggle was easily explained by a competent therapeutic team.”

Haggard said that he believes wholeheartedly in the Bible, but that Christianity has “abandoned the application of the gospel” and that, as a result, too much time is spent on image management and damage control.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/16/ex-megapastor-ted-haggard-says-something-is-very-wrong-in-christian-culture-following-pastor-isaac-hunters-suicide/

Come Lord Jesus. The sooner, the better!

Blessings all,
Carol

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by countmeworthy

I found this telling but sad interview in the Blaze, by Ted Haggard, a former mega church 'star'.

Here is an excerpt:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/16/ex-megapastor-ted-haggard-says-something-is-very-wrong-in-christian-culture-following-pastor-isaac-hunters-suicide/

My security system shut down that website page because of a potential attack.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Ohio

My security system shut down that website page because of a potential attack.

Really ? Wow.
Well..I am sure if you google Ted Haggard you can find it somewhere. I somewhat had followed the scandal as he was all over the place in the news.

He went through denial...then got kicked out of the church...then went through 'rehab', was on Oprah with a cocky attitude, then began selling life insurance...but this was the most forthcoming & humbling interview.

I truly believe God never gives up on us. What a very Merciful & Patient God we have. To Him all the Glory & Praise with Thanksgiving forevermore. Amen? amen.