Looking forward to some interesting conversation!

[Deborah]

Hello!
As a way of introduction let me share a little of my story.
My parents raised me within evangelical/conservative Christianity. I was born in Germany and moved around a lot (within Europe), seeing my father was a missionary.
At the age of 8 (1990) we settled in Australia (Mandurah WA). Here we discovered the charasmatic stream and were members of the AOG for 6 years.
Those years were formative especially for my personal spiritual journey. During those years I experienced the Divine in ways that sound rediculous when I recount them, they felt very real to me and still do.
But is was also here that I was instilled with fundamental theology, us/them mentality and a certain sense of fear that was guised as wisdom.
When my parents divorced and my mother re-married to a C3 pastor, we moved away from the AOG movement and joined C3 (Christian City Church headed up by Phil and Christine Pringle in Sydney).
Initially those were good years as well and if it weren't for personal issues I may never have questioned their system and culture.
But a faith shift crept up on me and I went with it (kicking and screaming mind you).
It happened to be C3 that got the brunt of my faith shift.
Now I realise it's not so much C3 that I was criticising, but religious systems on a whole and the fundamentalist convictions that come with them.
As a result I left C3 and have been roaming ever since. I visit a church regularly but have not commited anywhere.
Mainly because I am looking for something specific that just isn't around a lot.
I currently identify myself as a seeker within Christian Universalism, Mimmetic-theory and discovering different theories of the atonement (all very intriguing to me).
I have read a lot of material ranging from evangelical to atheistic. Books (layman and scholarly), blogs, collumns, videos, websites, you name it.
So far my search has not led me beyond my experience of Christ. My theology concerning Jesus is all up in the air mind you, but the sense of Jesus has not changed. Which is why I haven't moved beyond Christianity, I love something about this Christ, the feel of Him...why move away from something you love?
My mind has moved beyond Christianity many times, (how can it not after having read so many divers materials) but my heart seems captivated by something/someone whom I now choose to call Jesus/God/Holy Spirit. I guess I have learnt to associate those names with the sense on the inside, for now those associations still work for me, so I'm going with them.
In my circles there not many others willing to engage in conversation and theological quests.
And I'm so full of questions and theories that I'm bursting at the seams!
So here I am, looking for an online equivalent to church.
I look forward to meeting anyone who is interested and look forward to building relationships as far as possible via this media.
Warm greetings,
Deborah 

[bushy]

Welcome to the forum from an Alaskan. There are lots of people here looking for an on line equivalent to church.

[jabcat]

Hi Deborah.  My thoughts are, there are many fundamental things in the AoG etc. that they have right.  There are other things to be questioned/examined prayerfully.  The whole aion thing, "hell", God's plans for the future ages, etc for example.   However, I hope you're able to return to a strong hold on Jesus as the Savior of the world, His death and resurrection for our salvation.  The Lamb slain from the foundation - the perfect Sacrifice.   I hope your time here is fruitful.  :)

[joeteekay]

Hi Deborah,
Very interesting background. Welcome to this forum which I believe will help you in more spiritual understanding. It has been a blessing to many of us here. Looking forward to you joining us.
:welcome:

[Ross]

Hi Deborah;
I live in Gosnells. Have been down to Mandurah many times. Developing a lot.
Identify with what you are saying. Been a Baptist myself. My brothers leaders; one of Baptist Mt Barker- the other has changed from Baptist to evangelical, now is with the Carpenter's house.
Have read much literature of the history of the churches. Spiritual warfare. Prayer warriors......
The truth sets us free from the bondage of the law.
Christ achieved much more than the flesh is willing to admit or recognise.
His work is total. The gospel is a statement of what He did for us.
As you study without the influence od the doctrines of the churches you will find indescribable liberty and the  reality of the love Christ has for us. No loopholes anywhere in what He came to do and succeeded in doing for mankind.
May He indeed bless you as you grow in Grace and Knowledge.

[Ross]

P.S My dad was born in Amsterdam. I was born in W.A Having seen two cultures views of events seems to help expand the way we look at things.

[Ross]

G'day Rhodes;

" I have been deceived by my flesh a handful of times over the last 25 years(that I know of )...but He is faithful to bring us back in line with Him. No.. He is not afraid of our questioning things. "

*  SO true. The deception is usually a half-truth; plausible.
I.M.O you have been protected during this time of learning. Now things stand out like the proverbial sore thumb.
The truth is then hammered home and is way bigger than the lies.

* Plus the thrown out of the camp is what is referred to in Hebrews 13;11-14

C.U

[Ross]

G'day Again Dennis;
I.M.O and experience these words spoken to us by others can actually be God speaking directly to us through their lips. People I have spoken to have not remembered a word of the conversation the next day, but the words they spoke were true and alive; we are told that we may have had experiences with angels and not realized at the time;
Amazing really when becoming aware of the magnitude of God's abilities and the tools of His trade are awesome.
True liberty in Christ from all the fears and woes around us. Literally transferred in to the kingdom of His son. Col 1;13

[sheila]

yes! exactly guys...that's happened to me,too.  I have been astounded at times by  people.....in this manner.

[sheila]

 :welcome: :newb:

[Lazarus Short]

WELCOME!

[marie glen]

hi!  :hiya:

You will find lots of good conversation and discussion here! I think we're all sifting through our ideas and doctrines.. And come from lots of different backgrounds, faith wise. I didn't find God, nor Jesus in a church or upbringing, but in the Rocky Mountains over the course of some camping trips. I'd been reading up on world religions, and philosophies, including astrology and meditation (which I don't bother with any more) and had some great experiences! Even tho I think I'm a little set in my ways, having learned through my own studies and prayerful contemplation (and "downloads from Him" to borrow someone else's words:) this forum has tempered (worked out) and clarified many things for me! A lot of good honing going on.. I live in the midwest usa but grew up in new england, often gazing out over the ocean toward Europe feeling as tho I sailed form there (somehow) and then took the wagons west, tho it was actually via the eighteen wheelers back in the 70's. I can be a bit chatty.. :Oops: :smile: Welcome and God bless!

[eaglesway]

Welcome :o)

[Dandelion]

Welcome, Deborah!

I am familiar with C3 Church. A friend of mine was the music director for the one in LI for many years. I have been to their church in LI and in Brooklyn, NY.

I come from a Roman Catholic background for 47 years and a Lutheran background the last 13 years.

I hope you find support and fellowship here. I know I have. I am a recent 'convert' to UR....since Pentecost this year.

Hope to talk with you again, soon.

D.    :dsunny:

[rosered]

Hi Deborah ,

:HeartThrob:   Glad you wrote your testimony  , Hope to hear from you soon  .. :icon_flower:

[guest5685]

Hello Deborah, :dsunny:

I think you will enjoy your visit here. There are some really nice folks on the forums and some great discussions without the snide or carping remarks found on other forums. I came out of a Catholic background then wandered from one religious camp or denomination for many years until the Lord let me know to come out of them. I never fit in and things I was shown by the Spirit of the Lord just didn't agree with them. I was shown that almost all groups have some truth but each builds it's doctrines around a sliver of truth like a sliver from a broken glass mirror. That is what is so deceptive people hear some truth they agree with and as they are seeking each group seems to be that oasis they are looking for in the wilderness of organized religion. Some folks come out sooner and some folks like myself take longer to wake up.

Welcome and Enjoy the Fellowship
He1MyHeart

[Cardinal]

G'day Again Dennis;
I.M.O and experience these words spoken to us by others can actually be God speaking directly to us through their lips. People I have spoken to have not remembered a word of the conversation the next day, but the words they spoke were true and alive; we are told that we may have had experiences with angels and not realized at the time;
Amazing really when becoming aware of the magnitude of God's abilities and the tools of His trade are awesome.
True liberty in Christ from all the fears and woes around us. Literally transferred in to the kingdom of His son. Col 1;13

Amen that's happened to me too. It's part of the Feast of Tabernacles being fulfilled in us spiritually. Blessings...

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Welcome to the board. I hope your time here richly blesses you.  :banana: :HeartThrob: