A humble servant by gunnsloaded/taxeslow

Comments:

Dear Guns'

Welcome to the stream. You will find, as I think you have, a wide varity of people. Some funny, some sad, and some very weird - but all make for some interesting moments.

My Testimony, changes as I grow older and experience things. Hopefully I am wiser but one thing remains constant it is shrouded in Love of my Savior Jesus Christ. I was born and raised Mormon/LDS, from a long line of born and raised Mormons. At least on my Dad's side of the family as my Mom's family were Baptist. I first left the LDS church in my teens as I began to see that their stories and explanation NEVER made any sense and I was always chastised for asking questions when they didn't. I got into big trouble because I was always told that I doubted the power of God when I questioned anything.

I left the church and was out of the LDS church for about 15 years when my Father asked me to reinvestigate it with my new husband. We did and again things made zero sense. It was evident even more this time than before because I had been out in the real world and new a little something of reality outside the LDS church. I asked questions and questions and questions and I read and read and read until the LDS church parties where really tired of me. They were pressuring me to rejoin and if my husband didn’t like it I was actually told to leave him so as not to risk my soul in eternity. This floored me but because I was baptized a Mormon as a child – they were speaking to as a member and he was not.

Then I read the “God Makers” and knew this book could NOT be true because it told of things that I had lived with, but never heard about. Things that I knew if true I could not believe in. So I decided to “prove the book in error” and my investigation began. This was back in 1983. I again read and learned and read and learned – but what I learned was that the book the “God Makers” was ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. Not one thing could I prove wrong or in error. And to this day, some 23 years later, not one lie have I found in that book. In fact the more information I discover about the LDS Church – the more I know it is a false religion. I have spent my life proving it false and learning how true CHRISTIANITY is and the Word of God. I believe in One true Triune God of the Bible, in three personages – Not in 3 gods like the Mormons do. I teach all who will listen the truth of my God and His True Word.

I am eternally blessed to have had Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles who loved me enough to show me the difference and an education to read and research for my self who the real Jesus was and is in my life today. I am continuing daily “Searching for the Truth” and my blog is named that for a reason. God never contradicts himself or changes with time. Through His everlasting love I will know him. I have “knocked – asked – and seeked” and I have found my Savior calling my name. As he said “my sheep know my voice” and I sure know His voice. I know the voice of lies also – and will forever shout about the deception. Amen |< << >> >|

by LookinforLucy (PM , CC ) on Friday August 18, 2006 @ 6:05 PM

That's an amazing story Lucy! Thank you for sharing it with me. It just goes to show that if seek Him with ALL your heart, you will find Him. I've heard a lot about that book, and if I'm not mistaken, they also made a movie about it. I've read quite a bit myself on the subject, simply because none of it ever made the least bit of sense to me, so I was so fascinated as to what draws people in. Your courage is admirable, and your story heart warming. I'm curious as to whether or not u were able to minister to any of your family members? God bless		\|< << >> >\|
by gunnsloaded/taxeslow (PM , CC ) on Friday August 18, 2006 @ 7:08 PM

Guns' Yes I have but I have also gone through periods of banishment from some of them. You just have to consider the source and Know that you plant a seed and God waters it. It is really hard for a Mormon to leave the church - long story - maybe another day - but most have their jobs, careers and homes tied in some way or another to the church so it is more than just changing churchs - it is their whole lifestyle that shifts and is given up. Rough to say the least. Later and God bless - LfL		\|< << >> >\|
by LookinforLucy (PM , CC ) on Friday August 18, 2006 @ 8:42 PM

Yeah. I understand. I just read an excellent book by a former Christian missionary, and now professor at the Salt Lake Theological Seminary, David L. Rowe, Ph.d. It's called I love Mormons. He tells of how it's more than just religious truths you have to overcome, but it's a totally different culture. He says, by definition, that they are essentially their own ethnic group.		\|< << >> >\|
by gunnsloaded/taxeslow (PM , CC ) on Friday August 18, 2006 @ 9:33 PM

that is so true - it is like being out on the plains and only Mormons around you and then you say "I don't want to be part of the group" - Like - Where do you go when it is all you have known? That is why it is so rough. They leave all they have know and are banished from job and community. I am glad I left but it is harder for the men of the community than the women. We by social rights have an easier trip. I feel for the men of the group - they are giving up lots if older and more established. P.S. If you "cc" who you are talking to they will know that you have answered their comment. God bless - LfL		\|< << >> >\|
by LookinforLucy (PM , CC ) on Friday August 18, 2006 @ 9:52 PM

Well, I don't know any Mormons, sorry. I was lead to the Lord by a Messianic Jew. I had a really great three years at an Independent Baptist Church, and I thought I knew all the Answers. My family moved, and I tried several different churches near my new home, but it wasn't quite the same. Maybe I wasn't quite the same. Anyway, I went through a lot of dark times, and learned a lot of lessons the hard way. The thing that sticks with me is that it doesn't matter how smart I think I am, memorizing Scripture, analyzing Commentaries, etc... The only thing God cares about is the condition of my heart. Together, we are working on it.		\|< << >> >\|
by Enoch (PM , CC ) on Sunday August 20, 2006 @ 4:42 AM

Enoch, Amen!! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I agree wholeheartedly with what you said. In the end, God won't care whether or not we are able to translate Greek, or decipher pre-tribulation, post-tribulation scriptures. We will be judged on what we did with His son, Jesus Christ. God bless		\|< << >> >\|
by gunnsloaded/taxeslow (PM , CC ) on Monday August 21, 2006 @ 3:43 AM

Welcome to the Fresno blogging community. If you want a few tips from the oldest blog in Fresno, you should try to write something every day. Writing is like exercise and virtue; it gets easier the more your do it. Here's my blog. Take care, Peter Sean Bradley		\|< << >> >\|
by Peter Sean Bradley (PM , CC ) on Tuesday August 22, 2006 @ 10:02 PM

I knew by your blog name who you are and then I confirmed it by looking at your profile. My story is the usual tome about one who grew up in the church because their parents met there, got married there, and continued to go there. I was active in my childhood all the way through my first year in college. I was what was then called a youth sponser. I would work with the youth group (high school) and go on trips (usually to Baja Calif.) and other such things. Then I met some friends in college and that was all she wrote. Without getting to deep into the debauchery that I went into, lets just say that I went into my first marriage not very pure. We were married for 6 1/2 yrs un-God-centered years. No communication, no trips together, started having kids and then I started checking out (not because of the kids though). I would stay home until the kids, at that time two of them, were in bed and then I would leave for the night only to return again after midnight, after my wife was already asleep. I tolerated about a year of this and decided to move out. I was out for three months and then came back for a year, in that time is when we conceived our third child and then proceeded to leave, for the last time, one month before our third son was born. Nearly immediately after seperating I got myself a girlfriend and moved her in two months later. During this time, my ex had moved back to her home town with the boys, a city that was two hours away. For give my disjointedness, this isn't stuff I'm proud of, so I don't want all the details out there. Anyway, my kids and I were/are suffering through the every-other-weekend deal, which I didn't think would be that big of a deal back then, because I was selfish and didn't have anyone's but my own interests at heart. The live-in girlfriend ended and it was a few months after that I started dating who would eventually turn out to be Mrs. BGA TFA. Our relationship was just as un-God-centered too. And she eventually moved in too. And we eventually broke up too. Why? Because God wasn't in the picture and I was selfish. We would do un-pure things thoughout the week and then go to church and pretend we were christians. That facade fell apart fast. During our split is when I started going to a different church, the Holy Spirit softened my heart, and Jesus Christ set up house. I knew what repentance was, come on, I was a "christian", you know, but I had never had the complete life-changing 180 that God put me through almost two years ago. Since that time, the soon-to-be Mrs. and my relationship grew leaps and bounds with God at its center, I am doing my best to bring up my kids in the truths of God's word (they are still two hrs. away, which sucks), I got plugged into the church in ways I have never been before, I am still a sinner and struggle with this flesh, but I know, with the strength and power of Jesus Christ and His atonement for my sins, I will never be mastered by it. And I got married, two months ago today, as a matter of fact. God is good. Sorry I took so long. Always in Christ, BGA TFA		\|< << >> >\|
by BGA TFA (PM , CC ) on Wednesday August 23, 2006 @ 9:48 AM

Dear Gunns: What a unique idea to have people share testimonies. I actually remember growing up in church and having testimony night periodically and it was a great time to see God at work in people's lives. The problem is that mine would prebably fill a book as I have not always been the world's quickest learner. So if you do not mind I will try to give a reader's digest version. I was raised in a very conservative, fundamental Christian home. It was required for everyone of us to spend time every week studying the Bible after we were able to read. Early on I began to question discrepancies between scripture and lifestyle (a prophetic voice) and was immediately quieted. Had a near death experience at 18 which was God getting me to realize that He was the right track. I went to Bible College and on to Nurse's training, got married and we together prepared for Christian ministry. We planned to go into foreign missions yet God took us into 'inner city missions' here in America. About 10 years ago God did a new thing in my life and I have been on an intense uphill climb ever since in the spiritual sense. At times it is grueling, at times it is exciting and simply wonderful, at times there is waiting, and at times.... I went from a nursing career to motherhood to being a pastor's wife, to doing foster parentning, to doing daycare (20+ years), and now am ordained and co-pastor with my husband as well as have a chaplain's job in a retirement home. God has done some incredible shaking in my life and I am so glad I have gotten to know what Christianity is really all about and how the Biblical things of God talking to us, miracles, wonders, signs, visions, all kinds of changes in absolutely all kinds of people's lives. I have gotten the Bible knowledge moved twelve inches down into my heart where it can then change a person! Blessings! On your spiritual journey and always have your eyes open for new things - God loves surprises sometimes more than we do! June		\|< << >> >\|
by Praywithhope (PM , CC ) on Wednesday August 23, 2006 @ 10:10 AM

BGA TFA, Hey! I think I know who you are too! Thank you so much for responding to my blog. I think it's taken people a long time cause I shoulda called it something pertaining to the subject of the blog. My bad. Anyway, You have a powerful testimony my friend. I remember hearing it first hand, and I feel privileged to have been able to watch as God has taken a spiritual seeker, and turned you into a spiritual leader. And that's what you are my friend. I know God gives us all our own unique testimony for his purpose, and I have no doubt that yours will help a great deal of people. To God be the glory. God bless		\|< << >> >\|
by gunnsloaded/taxeslow (PM , CC ) on Wednesday August 23, 2006 @ 2:01 PM

Praywithhope, Thank you so much for sharing your story, and for your encouragement. I've seen some of your posts, and I admire how you don't get into the bickering that I find myself getting into sometimes. You have a very gentle spirit about you, and that's something I pray that God will give me one of these days. I pray that God will bless you and your husband abundantly in your ministry. God bless		\|< << >> >\|
by gunnsloaded/taxeslow (PM , CC ) on Wednesday August 23, 2006 @ 2:07 PM