slandjt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I haven't checked in for a while and now that I
> have, wish I hadn't. In fact, I'm sickened by
> what I read. We have all been through so much
> already and it's disappointing to see what this
> forum has devolved into. My understanding is that
> this forum is supposed to provide a safe place to
> share about the depravity of the Walk and its
> effects on our lives without fear of yet more
> judgment. I had enough of that in the Walk having
> been judged to be a Jezebel because I wasn't
> submissive to my husband and the elders towards
> the end. I can't stand reading arguments here
> about Scripture and politics. This forum is
> supposed to be a place for people to gain
> understanding, to forgive themselves and others,
> and even perhaps to find some healing and the
> ability to move on after having experienced such
> devastation.
>
> Can we stop with the endless speculation? I
> personally don't think it helps any of us to move
> on.
>
> What about someone who finds this forum for the
> first time? Are they going to be helped by reading
> these posts?
>
> Please feel free to disregard, dislike or do
> anything else you'd like to with what I've said
> above. I felt the need to say these things and so
> I did.
>
> Anyway, I sincerely hope that we can all get back
> on track. To that end, something has been
> bothering me for a long time. Way back in the day
> when I was a teenager, one of the Walk elders laid
> hands on me and I received the Holy Spirit. I
> spoke in tongues and didn't think much about it at
> the time because it seemed perfectly normal within
> the context of the church.
>
> Through the ensuing years of life's many
> difficulties, I received a great deal of comfort
> from the Holy Spirit.
>
> Or at least I think I did. Now I'm not at all
> sure. Was any of that real? Do you see what I
> mean now about people looking to this forum for
> help? I am many years post leaving the Walk, yet
> memories from that time are triggered by the most
> random things.
>
> Peace to all of you.
_________________________________________________________________
I am glad you checked in slandjt. I think the Holy Spirit is real but I don't think it was the dog and pony show of visions, voices from heaven, prophecies, trips to the future that we saw in the Walk. Cults and deceivers coopt the term Holy Spirit (HS) and exploit it and then they demand not to be criticized for its misuse. My experience has been similar to yours in seeking it for comfort but it does other things to help us and after my prodigal adventure I am only now learning more about the HS. Also, I think it is a mistake for churches to single out and label women in their congregation as a Jezebel. Jezebel was a pagan OT character who worshiped idols and false gods so of course she behaved badly, and there is nothing in the scriptures that refers to a "Jezebel spirit" that is put on women. We (men and women) all screw up. I am sorry that happened to you. Peace to you too.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I haven't checked in for a while and now that I
> have, wish I hadn't. In fact, I'm sickened by
> what I read. We have all been through so much
> already and it's disappointing to see what this
> forum has devolved into. My understanding is that
> this forum is supposed to provide a safe place to
> share about the depravity of the Walk and its
> effects on our lives without fear of yet more
> judgment. I had enough of that in the Walk having
> been judged to be a Jezebel because I wasn't
> submissive to my husband and the elders towards
> the end. I can't stand reading arguments here
> about Scripture and politics. This forum is
> supposed to be a place for people to gain
> understanding, to forgive themselves and others,
> and even perhaps to find some healing and the
> ability to move on after having experienced such
> devastation.
>
> Can we stop with the endless speculation? I
> personally don't think it helps any of us to move
> on.
>
> What about someone who finds this forum for the
> first time? Are they going to be helped by reading
> these posts?
>
> Please feel free to disregard, dislike or do
> anything else you'd like to with what I've said
> above. I felt the need to say these things and so
> I did.
>
> Anyway, I sincerely hope that we can all get back
> on track. To that end, something has been
> bothering me for a long time. Way back in the day
> when I was a teenager, one of the Walk elders laid
> hands on me and I received the Holy Spirit. I
> spoke in tongues and didn't think much about it at
> the time because it seemed perfectly normal within
> the context of the church.
>
> Through the ensuing years of life's many
> difficulties, I received a great deal of comfort
> from the Holy Spirit.
>
> Or at least I think I did. Now I'm not at all
> sure. Was any of that real? Do you see what I
> mean now about people looking to this forum for
> help? I am many years post leaving the Walk, yet
> memories from that time are triggered by the most
> random things.
>
> Peace to all of you.
_________________________________________________________________
I am glad you checked in slandjt. I think the Holy Spirit is real but I don't think it was the dog and pony show of visions, voices from heaven, prophecies, trips to the future that we saw in the Walk. Cults and deceivers coopt the term Holy Spirit (HS) and exploit it and then they demand not to be criticized for its misuse. My experience has been similar to yours in seeking it for comfort but it does other things to help us and after my prodigal adventure I am only now learning more about the HS. Also, I think it is a mistake for churches to single out and label women in their congregation as a Jezebel. Jezebel was a pagan OT character who worshiped idols and false gods so of course she behaved badly, and there is nothing in the scriptures that refers to a "Jezebel spirit" that is put on women. We (men and women) all screw up. I am sorry that happened to you. Peace to you too.