Mind-blown.

[alwayscurious]

I had a conversation recently with two of my closest friends (we're all in college, raised in the LC, I'm on my way out but still struggling very much with all this). I asked them, if the Creator of the Universe wants them to start meeting with a different church or a different group of believers outside of the LC (for any reason at all), would they follow the Lord there?

Their response, "No, it's not possible". They said, the Lord would never do that and that the LC is the only right and best place to pursue.

I was, and still am, mind-blown.

[Trapped]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

I had a conversation recently with two of my closest friends (we're all in college, raised in the LC, I'm on my way out but still struggling very much with all this). I asked them, if the Creator of the Universe wants them to start meeting with a different church or a different group of believers outside of the LC (for any reason at all), would they follow the Lord there?

Their response, "No, it's not possible". They said, the Lord would never do that and that the LC is the only right and best place to pursue.

I was, and still am, mind-blown.

alwayscurious,

Wow! It is so interesting that they cannot even consider a hypothetical, which unfortunately just tells me how "under the influence" they are.

Did you let the conversation end there, as you recovered from your mind being blown? Or did you press them at all? I would be curious to know their response if you said, "Why do you think that? What about it makes it the only right and best place?" If it's appropriate or if the situation is right, make them articulate it and spell it out. Sometimes whatever they articulate will be so insubstantial (like "this is where the Lord reveals His vision" or "we have God's economy") you can say "but what does that actually mean? What is the vision exactly? What is God's economy exactly? You don't think other Christians are also doing XYZ?" Ask questions. Make them justify it.

And if they protest, say "hey, sorry, I'm just alwayscurious"

Like so many saints, they've just been trained to use conversation-stopping type answers. So.....don't let them stop the conversation!

Trapped

[Bible-believer]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

I had a conversation recently with two of my closest friends (we're all in college, raised in the LC, I'm on my way out but still struggling very much with all this). I asked them, if the Creator of the Universe wants them to start meeting with a different church or a different group of believers outside of the LC (for any reason at all), would they follow the Lord there?

Their response, "No, it's not possible". They said, the Lord would never do that and that the LC is the only right and best place to pursue.

I was, and still am, mind-blown.

Not meant to discourage you. I have had "mind-blown" conversations many times with my close friends, and they ended up damaging our friendship badly.

[Trapped]

I'll temper my advice in light of Bible-believer's input. When I say don't let them stop the conversation, I don't mean hold them to the wall and force them to follow everything to it's logical end. Just go one or two sentences or questions past where they initially put up the wall. Be respectful. There are ways you can ask questions where you show you want to understand what they are trying to say (which you do), rather than just trying to catch them in their own circular views. Very few saints are ever forced to articulate the sketchy parts of their beliefs, and so making them do it is one way to get them to see how shaky their foundations are.

They won't like it, and so you will have to decide when to stop and say "sorry bro/sis, we're just fellowshipping here, thanks for your fellowship".

It might be you can do this one time, and then several months go by without anything of the sort happening again. You just have to gauge their reactions, etc.

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

I had a conversation recently with two of my closest friends (we're all in college, raised in the LC, I'm on my way out but still struggling very much with all this). I asked them, if the Creator of the Universe wants them to start meeting with a different church or a different group of believers outside of the LC (for any reason at all), would they follow the Lord there?

Their response, "No, it's not possible". They said, the Lord would never do that and that the LC is the only right and best place to pursue.

I was, and still am, mind-blown.

Hi alwayscurious,

I can fairly easily relate to your situation, (although I wish I was a university student age). It’s a very painful process to go through, and the amount of doubt that creeps into your being is sometimes get overwhelming. You can have what I would call a leading or a voice inside your being, letting you know that you need to go, you need a change of environment, there is better and greener pastures out there: but at the same time, you have a hundreds of people and voices around you advising you it cannot be so!

I know that we as people, are driven and programmed by our society to follow the crowds and listen to the experts. We are deeply afraid and vulnerable to any sort of disturbances that may cause us to take a step outside that proverbial or invisible electrical fence that was build in our minds by people who have an agenda, a cause to make sure you are corralled and know that if you step outside of the boundaries, you will be on your own, and most likely suffer greatly. I can’t tell you how to proceed with those friends of yours, but I can say if I was you, pray that God would send people into your life that will point you to the Lord. Seek out people who’s life’s pattern exemplifies those traits that really have no allegiance to any man but love and follow Christ alone. I know one thing, that God will not forsake those who seek truly to follow him and his will. Don’t just jump of the ship although you may know it’s sinking, have a safety boat to go to before you do. It might be small, and not a cruise ship with all of the amenities to “enjoy”, but it will be safe and you will know inside that you are at peace, you will make it!

I’ll pray for you, and hope that you will remain steady in you pursue of Him and His will, because I’ll tell you what, when you truly have Him leading you as a loving, caring, Creator, and your only Mediator and Savior, you will be absolutely and totally mind-blown in comparison with the stagnant and stale existence of the coral type living. I love people who won’t compromise, and settle for the status quo, seek Him and don’t listen to outside chatter, most likely its the lazy shepherds who send out their sheep dogs to make sure you stand put and in place.

God bless you on your journey, and may the love of His Son fill your heart with peace and joy, knowing that you are in his mighty hand, and no one will snatch you from it!

[LeftLR]

I had similar "Mind Blown" conversations with few blending brothers in Anaheim. All their respond are the same, like: "Brother, you need stay in LR, It is The ONLY way to enjoy the Lord." or "There is no other teaching closer to God what Lord's Recovery does." or "Recovery is The ONLY way to God's True Salvation. Others lead people to hell and disconnect from God's greatest plan for human."
My respond to them is: "Witness Lee is not a prophet or disciple, God does not give him any special messages. Lord does not a need so call "Recovery". He is asking us to follow Him, not follow a human thought.

[JJ]

Once I too thought the same way about TLR, until the Lord gradually pulled the wool off my eyes, and I had to repent (think differently and act to reject it).

Since Witness Lee, their prophet, prophesied “we have become Laodicea”’ shouldn’t they head the letter to the assembly there?

“To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, says these things:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

I had a conversation recently with two of my closest friends (we're all in college, raised in the LC, I'm on my way out but still struggling very much with all this). I asked them, if the Creator of the Universe wants them to start meeting with a different church or a different group of believers outside of the LC (for any reason at all), would they follow the Lord there?

Their response, "No, it's not possible". They said, the Lord would never do that and that the LC is the only right and best place to pursue.

I was, and still am, mind-blown.

That is mind blowing! But there was a time when most of us on here drank that Kool Aid and thought it was it, and the only it. The Lord had to do a work in us to open our eyes, and only He can do that. We can only pray and witness as He would lead us, to those ones still in.

It is Laodicea, and they have no idea they are "wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked." Only by opening the door to Him can they be healed. Lord have mercy!

[Robert]

Originally Posted by alwayscurious

I had a conversation recently with two of my closest friends (we're all in college, raised in the LC, I'm on my way out but still struggling very much with all this). I asked them, if the Creator of the Universe wants them to start meeting with a different church or a different group of believers outside of the LC (for any reason at all), would they follow the Lord there?

Their response, "No, it's not possible". They said, the Lord would never do that and that the LC is the only right and best place to pursue.

I was, and still am, mind-blown.

It reminds me very similar conversation with one brother.
He had a burden (?) to move to another city, change job, etc.
I mentioned him to be lore open for personal leading. I said, that it can be some city where is no "church life".
He raised his voice and screaming on me rebuked, that he never, but never will move to any city where is no "church life". I felt like he has another spirit.
Just guess what? After few months, he bought a house in city where is no " church life".
He is driving 30-40 min. to have fellowship with other saints.
I was not prophesying he MUST go there or there. But the point was just to be open for God's leading.
The most scarry thing I remember was that immediate change in his voice and attitude.
If this is not religion then what?
I've met many reactions like this. Very , very sad.
So many topics on life, feeling life, knowledge of life, life in this and life in that.
But when it comes to real test, all they have is simply knowledge, doctrines, addiction to other people. CULT or what?

[LeftLR]

Originally Posted by Robert

It reminds me very similar conversation with one brother.
He had a burden (?) to move to another city, change job, etc.
I mentioned him to be lore open for personal leading. I said, that it can be some city where is no "church life".
He raised his voice and screaming on me rebuked, that he never, but never will move to any city where is no "church life". I felt like he has another spirit.
Just guess what? After few months, he bought a house in city where is no " church life".
He is driving 30-40 min. to have fellowship with other saints.
I was not prophesying he MUST go there or there. But the point was just to be open for God's leading.
The most scarry thing I remember was that immediate change in his voice and attitude.
If this is not religion then what?
I've met many reactions like this. Very , very sad.
So many topics on life, feeling life, knowledge of life, life in this and life in that.
But when it comes to real test, all they have is simply knowledge, doctrines, addiction to other people. CULT or what?

I had similar experience during my time in Anaheim. There were few leading brothers talked to me about my move to another location. Before my move, there was few brothers already contact me from where i will be live and request my new address. One of brother even make sure the address I provided is legit. I had conversation with leading brothers about someone is "checking on me" and i do not like. They immediate change in their voice and attitude with very hash language. One leading brother said "If you leave Lord's Recovery, your salvation is not valid and you will be in hell. God will not accept you." ... Lord's Recovery / LSM is a CULT and there is No Jesus Christ in Lord's Recovery.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by LeftLR

I had similar experience during my time in Anaheim. There were few leading brothers talked to me about my move to another location. Before my move, there was few brothers already contact me from where i will be live and request my new address. One of brother even make sure the address I provided is legit. I had conversation with leading brothers about someone is "checking on me" and i do not like. They immediate change in their voice and attitude with very hash language. One leading brother said "If you leave Lord's Recovery, your salvation is not valid and you will be in hell. God will not accept you." ... Lord's Recovery / LSM is a CULT and there is No Jesus Christ in Lord's Recovery.

It is mind blowing to hear things like this! Something that was so good that the Lord led us into in the 1960s and early 70s . . . mind blowing how quickly things changed and degenerated into this!

This week I was telling a local brother I fellowship with, who was never in TLR, a little about that movement. He had read something recently by WL that he found very enlightening and helpful. We were conversing about how so many in church history that were used of the Lord, but then had veered into far left field. I then told him about WL's last public message, where he said he repented and how the LC had moved away from the foundation of God's love, and how they all needed to return. But then, sadly, after his death no one in LC leadership seems to remember this final exhortation.