My Testimony

[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.

[aron]

Originally Posted by New Beginnings

I am not clear yet how to use this discerning heart of mine. Yes, it needs to be in obedience to the law.

He is the Obedient One. Fix your eyes upon Him. Let your consciousness meld with His. Only He can see the Father's will. And He will show you, if you ask. But you must ask Him. Quietly, persistently, stubbornly. Like Mary at the tomb. Refuse to go, refuse to yield. He will bless you. (Gen 32:26)

Originally Posted by New Beginnings

But my reality doesn't appear so black and white.

If you look at your situation, it will persist, even grow and metastasize. But if you look at Him, your situation will change, even radically, and miraculously. The disciples learned this, and then taught it.

And your situation may seemingly degrade, even precipitously, along the way. Look at Paul and Silas. Beaten and in jail for preaching the gospel. At that point they faced death. But they didn't face death, but continually faced God through hymns of praise. The whole jail population lay quiet, in the dark, listening to them (Acts 16:25). And then salvation came, not only for them, but for those with them (1 Tim 4:16).

This is our journey.

[New Beginnings]

Hello

I thought I should post an update. I had wanted to wait until there was some measurable progress to report or at least until I had something good to say, and... today I do.

I had an interesting conversation with my husband. Now the Lord clearly put these words in my mouth because I never would have thought that these words would be what it took for my husband to see the light. But the Lord knew. I spoke the truth and a light came on. Now my husband is quite angry (but not at me...whew!) He is angry at being deceived and he would like some reading material from former members, especially the writings of our member Indiana. Certainly the mention of his name in our conversation made a big impact.

I know we have a long way to go yet but today I feel very, very hopeful.

Thank you all for all your care and support.

[HERn]

Originally Posted by New Beginnings

Hello

I thought I should post an update. I had wanted to wait until there was some measurable progress to report or at least until I had something good to say, and... today I do.

I had an interesting conversation with my husband. Now the Lord clearly put these words in my mouth because I never would have thought that these words would be what it took for my husband to see the light. But the Lord knew. I spoke the truth and a light came on. Now my husband is quite angry (but not at me...whew!) He is angry at being deceived and he would like some reading material from former members, especially the writings of our member Indiana. Certainly the mention of his name in our conversation made a big impact.

I know we have a long way to go yet but today I feel very, very hopeful.

Thank you all for all your care and support.

I rejoice with you. The " Golden Thread" might also be a good one to read.

[aron]

Originally Posted by HERn

I rejoice with you. The " Golden Thread" might also be a good one to read.

The Thread of Gold, by Jane Carol Anderson

http://www.thethreadofgold.com/Chapter_1.html

[aron]

Originally Posted by New Beginnings

Now my husband is quite angry... at being deceived and he would like some reading material from former members, especially the writings of our member Indiana.

Indiana has taken quite a lot of flack on this forum for essentially repeating himself over and over. The same old story, as it were.

But his writings have actually had an immeasurable impact on the discussion, because they are sourced, therefore the Blendeds cannot deny what is written. Their only complaint has been that his writings bring "death". But Indiana began his quest to know the hidden history of the LC because at one point WL said we should seek out all the lost and broken ones who fell by the wayside. Indiana's only crime was to take WL at his word, instead of nodding and smiling and going on to next "rich" Life-Study lesson, or HWMR bullet point outline.

Indiana actually sought out the real people who got trampled and expelled by the LC system, and learned their stories, and presented these stories to LC leadership. They tried to repress these previously hidden narratives, and he ended up expelled, and telling these narratives from the metaphorical roof-tops.

Also, Indiana is a good source because his writing lacks the vitriol which often accompanies such revelations. I myself am guilty as any, and more-so than some. It's nice to get a "just the facts, ma'am" approach without the hysterical and hyperventilating commentary which might repel many true believers and fence-sitters.

In defense of hysterical hyperventilating, much done by yours truly here, look at those who got evil spirits expelled in the gospels and Acts. A lot of rolling around in the dust and foaming at the mouth.

Mark 9:20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

I pray a little indulgence from our readers, as we foam a bit while attempting to exorcise ourselves by God's mercy. And in turn we writers can see in Indiana's attempts to tell "just the facts" a nice guide toward objectivity, i.e. reality, from the house-of-subjective-mirrors world of the LC.

Peace to all. May God have mercy.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

Indiana has taken quite a lot of flack on this forum for essentially repeating himself over and over. The same old story, as it were.

I agree, and furthermore Indiana has done more to act as an LC investigative reporter than any other person. He has sought out many ex-members to present to us both sides of the story. Through Indiana's networking skills we now have the testimonies of many well-informed ex-members, whose integrity have never been questioned (except of course by Lee and LSM when these brothers began to speak their conscience).

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I agree, and furthermore Indiana has done more to act as an LC investigative reporter than any other person. He has sought out many ex-members to present to us both sides of the story. Through Indiana's networking skills we now have the testimonies of many well-informed ex-members, whose integrity have never been questioned (except of course by Lee and LSM when these brothers began to speak their conscience).

Being in the same geographic area as Indiana, I have gotten to know him personally for roughly 12 years. He's a brother with a heart of reconciliation while LC responsible brothers have done much to hamper Indiana able to meet in a positive way.
Here's how it works, when Indiana is able to meet with a LC, he's able to go on positively. When the brothers keep Indiana out from meeting, they're prompting Indiana to write.
In my opinion it's the behaviors and attitudes of elders and coworkers that have motivated much of Indiana's writings without realizing it. Had they had a shepherding heart instead of a hireling, they could have brought Indiana back into fellowship.
My feeling is elders operate on directives from Anaheim regarding Indiana just as the Church in Vista operates on directives from Anaheim regarding Mario Sandoval.

[NewManLiving]

Originally Posted by Terry

Being in the same geographic area as Indiana, I have gotten to know him personally for roughly 12 years. He's a brother with a heart of reconciliation while LC responsible brothers have done much to hamper Indiana able to meet in a positive way.
Here's how it works, when Indiana is able to meet with a LC, he's able to go on positively. When the brothers keep Indiana out from meeting, they're prompting Indiana to write

Just my opinion, as I do not know Steve personally, but I am not quite sure what you mean by "positively". If it means that he would become an ostrich with his head buried in the sand if only the brothers would let him back in then I do not think so. That's the issue: The LSMLC is not interested in reconciliation (at least not yet) they are only interested in yes-men. Once you are "marked out" as an opposer then you are suspect thereafter. Steve has a pure heart. The LSMLC does not like pure hearts.