I am going to like it here :)

[HappyBoy!]

Hi everyone!  I'm going to like it here!

I've been a CU for about 4 months now.  I'm nearly 40 and have been in fundamentalist churches since birth.  I still struggle a bit with the ET doctrine that's been engrained in me for so many years, but there's no doubt the healing has begun.

This was the "bombshell" that started it all for me:

Revelation 14:9-11 (King James Version)

9And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

"in the presence of the Lamb:" combined with "torment" and "for ever and ever" really got me.  Who is this Jesus who will stand in the presence of all that human suffering and His anger never is satisfied?  Some research on the word behind "for ever and ever" helped my understanding to change.

There's much more to my story, but that's for another day.  Today I say hello to my new friends.

Blessings to all!

[SeekerSA]

Hello HappyBoy

(http://www.tentmaker.org/forum/Themes/default/images/welcome_mat.jpg) to Tentmaker

Blessings

[jabcat]

Hey there, welcome!  Little Pentecostal churches as a kid, to Southern Baptist as an adult, until 5 or 6 weeks ago, I've been de-denominationalized.  UR about a year...we've apparently walked similar paths.  Quickly...did you come to see something along the lines of "our unfit/unholy works of the flesh being burned (figuratively/spiritually) for a time period (aion, not forever) in Jesus' direct Holy presence (not punished by Him) , as we see our unfitness in the light of His glory??  That's where my understanding is right now.  Anyway, God's blessing.  Welcome again.

[firstborn888]

Welcome young Man! I think you'll like it here too.
- byron

[HappyBoy!]

Hey there, welcome!  Little Pentecostal churches as a kid, to Southern Baptist as an adult, until 5 or 6 weeks ago, I've been de-denominationalized.  UR about a year...we've apparently walked similar paths.  Quickly...did you come to see something along the lines of "our unfit/unholy works of the flesh being burned (figuratively/spiritually) for a time period (aion, not forever) in Jesus' direct Holy presence (not punished by Him) , as we see our unfitness in the light of His glory??  That's where my understanding is right now.  Anyway, God's blessing.  Welcome again.

You know, all I had to learn was that it's a period of time.  After that I could see it as correction, punishment, etc.  I can't say where I'll end up on these verses other than I'm sure it's not for ever.  For now, that's good enough for me.  I'm teachable.

[jabcat]

Amen, good enough for me, and Father will lead you.

[HappyBoy!]

Welcome young Man! I think you'll like it here too.
- byron

Byron, it's good to see you over here.  I recognize you from City-Data.  I've posted there a few times as bradm.  I don't post much as I'm still weak-kneed in my new faith.

My family and I continue to pray for you.  I trust all is going well.

edit - Beautiful granddaughter in your avatar, by the way.

[Kratos]

Welcome, Happy Boy. I am happy you have found us here.

John

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Welcome! What a blessing to behold. And the Lord added daily......... :thumbsup:

[hopeful]

Hey, HappyBoy!  :laugh2: Just saying your name makes me happy!
Be blessed as you rest in the Joy of his love!
:HeartThrob:
Hopeful/Holly

[margamuffin]

Yeah, I'm pretty new myself and I'm learning to enjoy this kind of conversation...it's hard to find it in other places!  I am actually not surprised how so many of us were raised in christian homes and in the doctrine of eternal hell fire....I too!  In boarding school, when us kids were young we were warned to be good little boys and girls and about hell....my poor, anxious, fearfull brother, only 6 or 7 came running up to the front of our little chapel in inner terror of going to hell but not out of a desire to know Christ as Savior and Lord! It's a powerful teaching, hell is!  We were mostly non denominational though, which I was always thankful for....now I don't want anything to do with joining a denomination!! I've been in quite a few!  But I do desire transparent, vital, living relationships with believers though, where we can grow in the Lord together!  My husband and I go to a small house group, over the last year or so which has potential.  With so many generations of church goers in our heritage the many masks we wear are hard to drop!  Our LORD  finds a way of breaking them (us) down - in the everyday circumstances He puts us in.  We want it TODAY.   So does HE but He sees what we don't.   ONE IN HIS ETERNAL LOVE, Margie

[Pierac]

Hi HappyBoy,  :hihat:

:welcome: to the Tent!

Lot's of good reading material here on the main site too.

Paul