Hello

[Akira Takahashi]

Well, this is my first post.  Unfortunately, I registered here under some poor circumstances (more on that later), but I don't want everyone here to think I'm some dull, depressing person, so I'll end on a happier note.

To get right down to it, the last Universalism board I was registered on seems to have gone down.  I'm at a crucial time in my life, and I don't know where to turn.  Ever since my youngest brother, who's still in high school, has decided that religion is an intellectual crutch, he's begun to really change.  He attacks Christianity at every chance he gets, and, not to mention, he's also racist, sexist, and a whole slew of other sensitive stuff.  Because I'm a Christian he hates me with a passion.  He told me today that no one likes me and that I should do my family a favor by killing myself (granted, my family doesn't like me - and they don't mind letting me know - because I can't find a job and can't pay back my student loans right now).  To be perfectly blunt, I've been scared to death for his soul.  He's our mom's favorite and always has been, and sometimes it's like she doesn't acknowledge the problem at all.  I've been dealing with the concept of Hell, and I definately don't want him to go there!  No matter how terrible he can be, he also has positive points.

As for my church, we just asked our pastor to resign, and now we're looking for a new preacher.  I was hoping for a good sermon to ease my mind, but the last one I sat through downright slammed Universalists, and right when I was praying for someone to show me the true doctrine, too.  And today's sermon was nothing but hellfire after hellfire.  I'm new to Universalism, you see.  Right now I'd consider myself a cross between an Open Theist and a Christian Universalist.

To be perfectly blunt, I'm hoping that some of you can answer my questions about Universalism, and that I could ask for prayers concerning my church and brother.  I feel like I'm at the end of my rope.

However, I said I'd end on a lighter note, as I don't want everyone thinking I'm a very depressing person.  Two nights ago, our Italian Greyhound had puppies!  Also, my studies to take Level 4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test are going quite well.

Sorry for the long rant, and the little freelance writer in me is looking at that disorganized beast I'm calling a first post and screaming.  I'm happy to answer any questions you might have regarding my church, spiritual journey, etc.  Again, please don't judge me too harshly based on my first post.

[SeekerSA]

Hi Akira

:welcome: to Tentmaker.

We all go through trials in our lives and it is at these times we either turn to God or turn away.

Footprints in the Sand
 
 
        One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
             Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
                  In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
                       Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
                           other times there were one set of footprints.
 
                                  This bothered me because I noticed
                                that during the low periods of my life,
                             when I was suffering from
                         anguish, sorrow or defeat,
                     I could see only one set of footprints.
 
          So I said to the Lord,
      "You promised me Lord,
         that if I followed you,
             you would walk with me always.
                   But I have noticed that during
                          the most trying periods of my life
                                 there have only been one
                                       set of footprints in the sand.
                                           Why, when I needed you most,
                                          you have not been there for me?"
 
                                 The Lord replied,
                          "The times when you have
                  seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
          is when I carried you."
                                                   Mary Stevenson

[shibboleth]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t48okttkqjY&feature=relate... 

Here's a beautiful song I hope you are blessed by, Akira. He really will make a way.

[Akira Takahashi]

Thanks to those of you who have replied.  I'd be surprised if anyone could actually make any sense out of that post.  I reread it and realized that my sleep-deprived self couldn't write anything comprehensible at all!

Anyway, I keep telling myself to hang tight, but coming from a family where Hell has always been a place for eternal punishment (and punishment is an understatement), it's really hard not to die inside when you think you'll lose someone to it.  I was always one of those people who almost couldn't bare to look at others, for fear that they might wind up in Hell.

To make a long post a shorter one, I'll just conclude by saying that one day, if my family decides to stop scapegoating me and actually act like I'm a family member again, then I think my brother might come around a little better.  I don't know, since he has a real, burning  hatred for Christians.  He and a friend of his were into Satanism for a while, and he kept a very frightening journal.  I suspected spiritual warfare, but now he's a full-blown atheist, so I'm sure what's up with him right now.

Please pray for my family!

[firstborn888]

Thanks to those of you who have replied.  I'd be surprised if anyone could actually make any sense out of that post.  I reread it and realized that my sleep-deprived self couldn't write anything comprehensible at all!

I guess we are both sleep deprived as your post made perfect sense to me :mshock:

welcome to the tent  :thumbsup:

- Byron

[Pierac]

Hi Akira,  :hihat:

:welcome: to the Tent!

Please take the time to review several articles on the main site. They will help you understand more about U.R.! 


Paul

[Dreamer]

Welcome, Akira.  :HeartThrob: :cloud9: :welcome:

[shibboleth]

[I guess we are both sleep deprived as your post made perfect sense to me
/quote]

Me too, Byron.