Years ago, I was accused of 'pushing' my religion onto folks.
It was hard for me to understand, as for one, I'm not religious, I'm spiritual. And for two, I wasn't pushing anything onto anyone.
Someone that lived in my house was questioning his own upbringing as a Catholic religion and was curious about other religions.
So, when the Jehovah Witnesses knocked on the door, I invited them in for a visit. A couple other groups came to the door during that time, one being the Mormons and sorry, I don't remember the other.
I was helping someone 'find' their own place with God.
I pray a lot, I give thanks to God a lot, and for many years I never attended church or 'made' any of my kids 'go to church'. The phrase "Praise God and Thank you Jesus" was a common statement for me. As I acknowledge every good thing in my life as being a gift from God.
Some would find it hard to believe that in my young mother years, I was a Sunday School Teacher and a Youth Group Leader. A very devoted member of the church. I later became an ordained minister, a title I still hold.
I grew up with my father traveling from religion to religion trying to find his peace in this world. To when I later got married, I found myself attending my husband's parents' church.
While I have never liked my former mother-in-law, I do recall writing her a letter at one time, letting her know that I was grateful to have 'found' the real God while in the midst of their church. No matter how much I didn't like her, I would always be grateful that through her I found the love of the Lord.
Over the years I have spent much time studying the Bible and studying 'which is the real Bible' and what scripture to follow. So many folks "Don't like the way one books sounds" so they prefer another. Just as so many folks "Don't like the rules of one church" so they turn to another.
I always avoid churches that have their foundation based on a 'man's interpretation' of the Holy Scripture. I look for churches that try to follow the scripture, believe in the trinity, and are capable of receiving the Holy Ghost.
I spend more of my time at home praying, studying the Bible and sharing conversations with folks on a one-to-one level, rather than enjoy the fellowship of the group that gathers. To my loss, as I enjoy the sound of the gospel singers, and enjoy a good sermon. {Now an option I can enjoy 'online}
Some of my posts may sound harsh and much like that of a "Bible thumper", while other posts speak of the "love of the Lord". This might confuse some folks. ..
You see, as I learned the scripture I also learned that how you are judged is in part 'by what you know' - the more you know of the Lord, the greater His expectations are of you. Once you have received the Holy Ghost, and you 'backslide' to the world of sin, you can't un-feel what you have felt.
God doesn't judge everyone on the same level, just as we would not expect a kindergartener to know the same as a senior in High School.
I know God has expectations of me, I know the 'cigarettes' are a wrong thing to do. He knows that is the one little 'demon' I continue to struggle with.
Whereas someone else just getting to know God, may still smoke and feel no 'convictions' about it. So, you can't say "Oh they are going to hell because they smoke". You don't know 'where they are in their own relationship with the Lord." One basic Biblical rule is to NOT JUDGE others. Yet we humans do it so often and over such trivial things.
Jesus speaks of His sheep being scattered, not only of His following fold. He knows there are a variety of churches, and a variety of ways folks are taught about Him and His Father. He speaks of this often in the scripture.
For this reason, I personally believe there are folks in ALL CHURCHES that will see heaven in the end. However, Jesus does warn against those 'leaders' that are really 'wolves in sheep's clothing' and speaks of their damnation being greater than that of the lost sheep's.
God knows our hearts. He knows who is real and who is fake and who is trying and who is pretending. He KNOWS. As He knows everything right down to the numbers of hairs on each of our heads. Including the hairs we've lost over time.
I have never 'intentionally' pushed my belief onto anyone. But I have never denied the Lord's blessings in my life. And I never will deny the Lord's presence in my life.
I've had people tell me that they were 'uncomfortable' around me, not because I 'preached' at them, but because of their own convictions in life.
The closer you get to God, the more of God that will ooze out of you. Your light will shine, and it will shine brightly onto those that are living in the dark.
Throughout my life, God has taken care of me, my children, my grandchildren and even my great grandchildren. Regardless of whether or not I have been a committed patron in the church.
As Easter approaches, I tend to remember the day I walked out of their church. It was communion day. When our row got up to go to the front I turned and walked out the doors in the back. You see my husband was a drinkers and became violent when he drank. The churches answer was to stay in the 'bad marriage' and pray. I chose a divorce and to leave. God walked out of the church with me that day and has stayed with me ever since.
God knew I was not raised in a loud violent home, and I didn't want to raise my children in the same violence. God knew I would end up dead if I had stayed, as that was my husband's number one threat towards me.
Something he would attempt during his drunken episodes.
His brother on one occasion while drinking, shot and killed my dog for no reason then turned the gun on me while I was pregnant. This was not the family I wanted my children growing up with.
I had neighbors bust through my door and save me on a few other occasions. I had been run off the road by my husband. A tooth busted from the barrel of a gun shoved towards my mouth. A phone cord used to strangle me {That time I felt the life leaving my body, just before I was saved}.
God knew I wasn't walking out on Him; I was leaving the church group that would stand by doing nothing while I was being murdered. God went with me that day. God has been there for me through all the situations that occurred afterwards as well.
Revenge was never my purpose; I knew God would deal with my ex in His own way. I left his family in "God's hands" and went forward with life and focused on raising my children to be good people. To my credit they have all turned out to be good people.
This last year I turned 60, during a 'dark time in life'. By Christmas, I had been hurt so much by family over the years, it was a very dark Christmas for me.
In the midst of it, God came to me, and I surrendered. Him telling me it was time to turn my life 'back to Him' and He would heal my heart and my family. I've since returned to my spiritual relationship with my Lord. I've felt the Holy Ghost and know that life is moving forward in a spiritually positive direction.
Many wonderful blessings have happened in the 3 short months since. I anticipate many more coming. I don't go to church. I pray daily, I diligently do a daily devotion, and I read the Bible again. I've read it through a few times and learn something more each time.
We're not pushing religion here at the Bright Side of the Barn, We testify of the wonderful things God has done for us.
May you feel His ever-giving love this Easter.
Blessed by God
Life's beautiful @ the Bright side of the Barn
Thanks for Stopping by
Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.
