Lack Of In-Person Fellowship

[Debbie Elder]

I expect to be without local like-minded believers; (I live in Montana.)...in my past Christian denomination-hopping days, I would move to the church I wanted to go to...(no internet, either)...but now I am just recovering from 9 yrs. of insanity/atheism...see my intro post?...please share ideas!  Thanks everyone xD

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Hi; most, but not all of us on here, have no in-person fellowship as we all have come out of denominations, save that which the Lord occasionally leads many of us to have in home studies. We come from all different walks of life and former belief systems or even no belief system at all previously, and there are some former and even one present, atheist on here. The main point nearly everyone here has in common is the belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and for most, a very personal relationship with Him, and that is the sole basis for our fellowship. May the Lord lead you to what you need at this stage of your growth in Him. Blessings to you......

[firstborn888]

You may have a hard time finding a UR 'church' but there will always be people around that know the truth of Universal Reconciliation. Many keep quiet for the purpose of remaining connected (I did that for 30 years). More recently, I have spoken out and spoken 'in' to a few that I felt were ready to receive the message. Be patient, God ALWAYS has a plan!
- byron

[Debbie Elder]

This is what I kinda expected to hear...but today I can imagine not needing the old huddling with like-minded/afraid believers, (almost hiding from God.)

The words of the Lord Jesus do make sense; there is no 'trick question', no abnormal logic. I am able to be with Him more as a peaceful little child--such joy! What a loving Creator and Savior! 

I thank God for each of you, working as His body.

Love, in Christ Jesus   :D  Debbie 

[jabcat]

Part of my journey has been a rather drastic "pulling away", but now a more gentle "reconnecting" to a degree.  I'm still out of the denomination, but one thing I was convicted of was that I shouldn't divide from, judge, or be a respector of persons due to God revealing UR to me and pulling me out of the denomination.  So currently, the attempt is to fellowship and connect on whatever common ground we may have with each other, knowing there are some very real differences in doctrine with many of my friends/acquaintances.  Sometimes I'm able to share, and I think Byron alluded to this, that God will lead and open doors, while at other times it seems He wants me to be silent.  There are many arguments I could have, but for one reason or another, God often constrains me.

One thing I've thought is that to declare Jesus as savior of the world (which Paul said "declare and teach these things") is something I can do a lot without necessarily going into great detail/specifics of UR...because it's clearly scripture that even ET'ers will quote and agree with (though they try to intellectualize it away until it becomes life to them)..but it's still God's Word(s), and He said His Word will not return to Him void...so I've got to believe it has an effect, sort of a sowing of good seed.  If pushed on it and I didn't feel God leading me to be completely open about it, I figure I could say something along the lines of "that's a really powerful scripture isn't it?  Maybe that's one to pray about for wisdom and discernment for God to show what He's really saying there"...I've written a song, "Jesus, Savior of the World" that we're doing in a band that's mostly made of ET'ers (really good, sweet bro's and sis's), and they sing it and play it right along with me...again, I've got to believe God can speak through that...so you may find some similar things you can share at times without "going for the whole enchilada", until/unless God tells you to. 

Sorry for the long post, hope something helps.  God's blessing, James.

[jiggyfly]

This is what I kinda expected to hear...but today I can imagine not needing the old huddling with like-minded/afraid believers, (almost hiding from God.)

The words of the Lord Jesus do make sense; there is no 'trick question', no abnormal logic. I am able to be with Him more as a peaceful little child--such joy! What a loving Creator and Savior! 

I thank God for each of you, working as His body.

Love, in Christ Jesus   :D  Debbie 

I think I understand  and agree with you. I stopped participating in the liturgy of the Christian religious institution several years ago. I still enjoy fellowship with other believers but it is usually just that- fellowship. A friend of mine says " you know Jesus is all you need, when Jesus is all you got". Religion is like the so-called-friend that pries and gets into your friendship with another, thinking it will help make the relationship better but in reality, messes it up. 


Someone sharing the same lack said that she went to Father about it and He assured her that He knew what her needs were before she did and that when fellowship with other brothers and sisters was needed He would provide it.

[Dreamer]

I think I understand  and agree with you. I stopped participating in the liturgy of the Christian religious institution several years ago. I still enjoy fellowship with other believers but it is usually just that- fellowship. A friend of mine says " you know Jesus is all you need, when Jesus is all you got". Religion is like the so-called-friend that pries and gets into your friendship with another, thinking it will help make the relationship better but in reality, messes it up. 


Someone sharing the same lack said that she went to Father about it and He assured her that He knew what her needs were before she did and that when fellowship with other brothers and sisters was needed He would provide it.

:iagree:

[Debbie Elder]

Thank you James, I got a lot out of what you said, and thought of it all day as I visited dear Christian friends...(would put in quotes, but can't figure how to do it)  ):l

Also, I relate to the idea from jiggyfly about the well-intentioned(?) friend who actually takes you away from the best you could have...

There was a death in my family recently, so I may be away and not read replies for a while, but thank you to all three, (dreamer, too) I feel loved, cared for by the Savior, even through the members of His Body, and look forward to study and interaction when the dust settles here.

Love, in Christ, Debbie :)

[jabcat]

 Thank you.  :Pray: Bless you and your family.

[reFORMer]

Sadhu Sundar Singh was a great Christian of India.  A book of his is at this url: 
http://www.plough.com/ebooks/pdfs/WisdomSadhu.pdf He sought to present the gospel to villages in India that had never heard of Jesus.  He disappeared during his last mission trip into Tibet.  He wore the saffron robe and turban of the wandering holy sages of India.  His robe and turban, a New Testament instead of a begging bowl, and possibly a blanket were his only possessions.  He had no shoes.  He was nicknamed "the Apostle with the bleeding feet.  I'm making this very short.  God made up to him for any lacking fellowhip from going to unreached lands.  Maybe a couple of times a week, when he was praying, he would be taken out into the heavenlies and be escorted by saints and angels in that realm.  The Lutheran Colportage Service used to publish a booklet called "The Visions of Sadhu Sundar Singh."  A few of these experiences in prayer are related therein.

One that impressed me was about a poor man who was a believer that died and was being escorted by heavenly beings on into the presence of God.  They passed by a cage with a man in it.  The believer recognized him as a famous evangelist.  He asked his escorts why he was in that caondition while himself, only a lowly nobody was being promoted beyond him.  His escorts answered it was because the great evangelist was proud. The saint wanted to know how long he'd be in there.  They answered that they did not know when or if he'd be released, certainly as soon as he could humble himself.

[Loveroftruth]

This is what I kinda expected to hear...but today I can imagine not needing the old huddling with like-minded/afraid believers, (almost hiding from God.)

The words of the Lord Jesus do make sense; there is no 'trick question', no abnormal logic. I am able to be with Him more as a peaceful little child--such joy! What a loving Creator and Savior! 

I thank God for each of you, working as His body.

Love, in Christ Jesus   :D  Debbie 

I think I understand  and agree with you. I stopped participating in the liturgy of the Christian religious institution several years ago. I still enjoy fellowship with other believers but it is usually just that- fellowship. A friend of mine says " you know Jesus is all you need, when Jesus is all you got". Religion is like the so-called-friend that pries and gets into your friendship with another, thinking it will help make the relationship better but in reality, messes it up. 


Someone sharing the same lack said that she went to Father about it and He assured her that He knew what her needs were before she did and that when fellowship with other brothers and sisters was needed He would provide it.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: That was amazing James, and as soon as I can, I'm going to read that site........thanks for posting it........ :thumbsup: