Hi, I'm Jordan White, and it has been a long time coming, for me to get here and for me in life in general. I have enjoyed this community for about the last year. I was lead on a journey from deep ignorance about all things relating to God, though I had been raised in a believing home. I had a firmly implanted work = please God complex, which was heavily instilled into me by my parents. Though they would say "saved by grace," works were emphasized to the point of nullifying faith. I desperately sought "assurance" that I was saved not wanting to go to Hell. My parents tried to answer my doubts but couldn't help. I entered an awful depression of doubt after reading a John Piper writing on the unforgivable sin, and was lead to a site named net-burst-net, which had somewhat of a helpful teaching. The guy who runs that site seems to have a real heart for those dealing with issues that the mainstream won't touch.
His teaching fell short though. After trying to "defeat" Calvinism because I saw it as the greatest threat to my assurance I stumbled across ultimate reconciliation. Sadly my disposition at first was to disprove it, because I am very prideful. I ended up being persuaded of it's truth in no small part because you, this forum community.
I must admit though that I have and still do struggle to want to trust/know God. I have struggled so long internally in life that it is hard for me to want to do so. Sometimes I want to say "forget it all, I'm going to live life my way." So it is clear that I haven't come here to minister, but to be ministered to (hopefully). I'm still waiting for that word of Christ that grants faith.
Howdy Jordan,
Welcome aboard!
:dsunny:
Probably many can relate, I know I can. Prayers for you. God's blessings, James.
Welcome.
You are not here by chance, rather that the plan is complete which brings us to our loving Father as He directs us toward being strong enough to grasp His love from which nothing can separate us.
Romans 8;38,39 " For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers nor height nor depth, NOR ANY OTHER created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God IN Christ Jesus our Lord."
Welcome Jordan! Your story is a lot like mine. My advice to you is to get quiet before Him and ask HIM to reveal all truth to you. He will and already is. :)
Be blessed. You are His beloved.
Welcome :dsunny:
Welcome Jordan!
Hi Jordan, Welcome.
Nice to meet you Jordan
hello! I'm glenda (glenda marie) :hiya:
Personally, I have given up on the law aqnd any effort to 'please'.. and have chosen (or rather been brought to) simply resting in Him and in my present understanding of Him.. and it's my belief this friendship and communion with Him, no matter how silent it may seem sometimes, or whatnot, is what brings about all transformation.. nothing else, so why bother? is my motto..
I try to observe only one thing, daily bread and wine, or almost daily, which is the word and the Spirit/Presence of God.. daily bible and prayer, no matter how brief.. but I believe it all proceeds from within, outward through this resting in Him.. and not from without to in.. as with "the law" - "the tutor" (babysitter?) "until Christ" Galatians?ch4?
God bless!! and welcome to Tentmaker forums! :smile:
Welcome, Jordan, be blessed here!
Thank you for the welcome Ed, Jabcat (I have enjoyed the spirit of your forum posts for a long time), Ross (thank you), Lomarah (what a nice name, and thank you so much for your advice), Seth (I have enjoyed your forum posts as well), Shev, Eaglesway (you are another one who has blessed me through their post), Searching_for_the_truth, Marie Glen (thank you so much), and Eduard. Thanks to all of you and it's great to meet everyone here.
Welcome Jordan,
You are not alone my friend. You have to realize that the doctrine of eternal punishment has been etched on your brain but God will do a work in you that will amaze you. He is still working on me and He will continue to work in you also. be patient(I have prayed for patience because I am the type that wants it all right now and the Father knows this) and it may take a long time but it is worth it!!!!
happy to have you here and hope we can learn together.
bob
Welcome and Blessings Jordan ! :icon_flower: