Drifting

[backtothefuture]

Ok, the good news is I had to go back and return the pants at the mall that I bought last week (cause they were to big:) The bad news is I caved and listened to the same Christian radio program that I listened to on the way up there last week. Last week was on Sin and Grace. (only there was not one word of grace in the entire message)
So today the message was on drifting.
You know you are Drifting from God if:
1. You don't read your Bible every single day
2. You don't talk to your children every day about Jesus
3. your finances are a mess and you can't give to the Lords work
4. you have brought your children up in the church and now they are hanging around with others and are being influenced by Satan.
5. You are not living a life of holiness.

Thats all I can remember. I spent the entire ride home talking back again and saying, not true, not true, not, not not:eek:

Why do I put myself through this?? What is it in me, or is there anyone else here that still just once in awhile thinks things are going wrong or hard in your life cause you just are not in the "right" place with God. I hate when I feel this way.:confused: Oh well, just venting:D
Nancy

[Laren]

You know, this very message is why I think so many hurting people don't go to "christians" for help. Why we hide and pretend all is OK. I grew up in a home where your maturity in Christ is defined by behavior. Tallk about shame and hiding. Still tough to break away from this thot process.

Laren

[Paige]

Nancy,

What is interesting is that it is quite possible to "drift" and yet still be doing everything on that list. God pointed it out in the OT when He told Israel that their lips were saying all the right things, but their hearts were far from Him (my paraphrase). I call it being on auto-pilot.

I'm betting you could inspect the life of a Pharisee in Jesus' day, and you would be hard pressed looking on the "outward", to find something to criticize. However, Jesus knew them and saw through them.

This is what I don't like about formula's (what you heard today). Relationship is not about formula. (Sometimes ritual and formula can play a role), but it is not the sum total, IMO. Example: We have a relationship with our kids as we bring them up, part of that involves ritual like making them meals and washing their clothes. Yet, it is the moment by moment relating, listening, loving, etc., that your kids will remember about the relationship when they get older.

Hope this made some sense...

Paige

[backtothefuture]

Paige and Laren,
Thanks for the input. I just still get so upset when I hear the stuff like I did today. I should know better than to even turn the Christian radio on, especially in my area. So fundamental. Not all is bad, but most not really the truth, I feel anyway.
Its so hard still for me to give some of that up. I struggle so on some days. I get so angry some days for thinking, how did I swallow all that stuff for 30 years of my life. What damage has it done to my kids and family. Its so strange, 30 years ago it would not have bothered me, but now its like I want to spit the poison out of my body, heart and soul. Its a slow journey sometimes.
How in the world did things ever get this far. From what Jesus taught to where we are today. I just don't get where things went off track. If the first fruits really understood what the message was, how the law was done with, how Grace was here, where in the world did that take a wrong turn.
Anyway,
Blessings,
Nancy

[davo]

I just still get so upset when I hear the stuff like I did today. I should know better than to even turn the Christian radio on, especially in my area.Well Nancy, let it spur you on to be convinced of and affirm the other, every opportunity you get.


...its like I want to spit the poison out of my body, heart and soul.And that's exactly what it is -- poison. The more you are free from it the more you tend to identify it and quite naturally revile against it; I should think that's quite normal, that's what "normal" people do.


How in the world did things ever get this far. From what Jesus taught to where we are today. I just don't get where things went off track. If the first fruits really understood what the message was, how the law was done with, how Grace was here, where in the world did that take a wrong turn.The more I realise how off beat "religion" has got God's message in Christ the more I am convinced that in God's eyes "right belief" is not the be-all-and-end-all it has been cracked up to be. Now don't get me wrong, I like to believe right BUT, that benefits ME in how I approach my world etc -- as far as the big picture goes, God took care of it and "it's all good" :9_cool: .