I am a new member of the forum...

[seeker56]

Greetings all, I have been visiting this website on and off for the past couple of years. I am almost 52 years old. My Father was a United Pentecostal minister, who started his ministry in 1955 in Munich Germany. I was born there in 1956. My Dad is originally from Germany, and he came to the U.S. to go to Bible School in Tulsa OK in 1952, where he met my mother. I have been around the Holy Spirit renewal movement , and evangelical movement most of my life. In 2001 my first marriage came to an end, and I decided that I would start attending another church. I've been bothered by how the Evangelical, and Pentecostal churches in America have  morphed into doctrines that support the right wing Republican agenda, and self actualization, and desiring after wealth in this world. So I decided to attend an Episcopal church. That's where I am attending now. However, I have a hunger for the things of the Lord. I want to know Jesus better, and I want to see my world change for the better around me. It's disturbing for me to see that we Christians get so sidetracked that we can't see the forest for the trees. An example of that is, a story I read in the Rocky Mountain News here in the Denver, area where I live. It told of how the clergy of two different Christian denominations were sharing the church over the tomb of ( the risen) Christ in Jerusalem. And how these clergy were coming to physical violence with each other. I thought after reading that, that here's a perfect example of being steeped in the traditions of man, and religion, and winding up fighting over the tomb of the "unknown Savior". I think it is significant that Jesus did his first miracle in Cana at a wedding. Most of you know the story, but he turned water into wine. The wine was so good, it was better then the wine that they had originally. This story illustrates to me the difference between the old covenant, and the new covenant that Jesus is about to announce through his life, death, and resurrection, and the coming of the comforter, or Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. I know if I feel a weariness, of hearing sermons on social justice that are condemnatory, and sermons that are arrogant from a world view that is entirely too black and white, and bigoted, that there are other kindred spirits like me who feel the same way. So I am desiring a deeper walk with the Lord.... and I hope to be able to meet a few of you on this forum.

[jabcat]

Welcome here Seeker.  Father, help Seeker as you lead him in your paths to exactly where you want him.  Love him, guide him.  In Jesus' name, so be it.

[SeekerSA]

Hi Seeker56

:welcome: to the forum

Gad, now there are 3 seekers here  :laughing7:

Blessings

[firstborn888]

Welcome to the tent. I think many here can identify with the things you are saying.

blessings,
- Byron

[Craig]

How many Seekers do we have now? Well, if you are anything like the rest, then you are most welcome here! God Bless you!

[seeker56]

Thank you for your encouraging words and the prayer. It seems that in my life I have gone through seasons. Sometimes I have been real "gung ho" about pursuing a relationship with the Lord, other times I have slacked off, and not been so enthusiastic. I've even been known to be caught up in the cares and troubles of this world to the neglect of prayer and devotion to the Lord. Often times I think it's because life gets real busy. My father had a stroke a couple of weeks ago. He was in a nursing home for about a week after he left the hospital for treatment. He has since gone back home, but he isn't out of the woods yet. Perhaps it's dealing with the mortality of it all, that right now, I am seeking a deeper walk with the Lord again. I just got through reading a book this past week. It's entitled, The Holy Spirit and You, by Dennis and Rita Bennett. I found it just a really good book for what I needed at this particular time. I've read a couple of posts by some of you, and some have said they feel confused about their beliefs. Well, that's normal. God's ways are not our ways. If you read the Bible, you will find that many Godly men and women were confused at times. But God always came through. It happens when it's the right time. His time, ...and when we are ready. Blessings on you all as you continue your journey.

[Pierac]

Hi Seeker56,

:welcome: to the Tent!

Paul