tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post4848455594438592261..comments2023-02-14T06:23:54.154-05:00Comments on A Former Leader's Journey: Religion and FearBarbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-63912728790580321722009-12-16T08:09:33.345-05:002009-12-16T08:09:33.345-05:00Vincenzo, Thanks for commenting, even if this late...Vincenzo, Thanks for commenting, even if this late. I can actually remember wishing I had heard all this destiny thing because I might have married a different man. It subtly eroded my confidence in my own husband. Of course, by the time we got into this whole teaching we had already been married for years. I knew all the flaws and weaknesses in him by then and figured if I had waited for someone who could compliment my leadership skills, I would have been much better matched for my destiny. This teaching is simply horrendous for what it does to married couples. I had a wonderful husband and didn't even appreciate it until we left. Anyway, thanks again for writing.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-81592160853866267342009-12-16T02:35:37.873-05:002009-12-16T02:35:37.873-05:00I'm late getting to this post, but I had to co...I'm late getting to this post, but I had to comment because of the way most of it resonates with me.<br /><br /> The big one for me was the whole fear of losing your destiny thing. In my several years among Charismatic teachings, the pervading mindset was that everyone had a calling and destiny that God planned for them, and that the choices you make, ESPECIALLY who you choose to marry had to fit in with that calling. For example, people would tell me all the time about the "calling on my life" and that I had to marry a special woman whose gifts would fit with mine,etc etc, puke... In the beginning, it was actually quite flattering as I was supposed to marry a very special girl...according to I was told. Of course, you can see the bondage such a way of thinking eventually leads to, fear of asking a girl out because of that nagging fear of missing "God's best" <br /><br />Because of this teaching, the christian walk is no longer one of spontaneity and discovery, but a spiritual minefield that one must carefully navigate in order to stay in God's perfect will.Vincenzonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-22797585560376671582008-10-16T10:30:00.000-04:002008-10-16T10:30:00.000-04:00Getting there, you are so welcome. It feels so go...Getting there, you are so welcome. It feels so good to finally speak of these things that had be bound for so long. You will get free. That is what Truth does for us.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-13068281545320691812008-10-16T09:52:00.000-04:002008-10-16T09:52:00.000-04:00Barb, you post so beautifully! I too have lived in...Barb, you post so beautifully! I too have lived in fear for those exact same things. I even considered home school because of fear of someone else teaching my child.. I got past that. everyone of those fears you mentioned are mine.. Hopefully i can let it go like you have!getting therehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16130016276289922604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-42895587567508376452008-04-12T15:25:00.000-04:002008-04-12T15:25:00.000-04:00Ha! "Bit yup" Yeah, that had me studying for a bi...Ha! "Bit yup" Yeah, that had me studying for a bit! Thanks for the welcome.Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07840763198355567689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-73951533579276004052008-04-12T12:30:00.000-04:002008-04-12T12:30:00.000-04:00That is a "big" yup!That is a "big" yup!Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-71509526518860397042008-04-12T09:18:00.000-04:002008-04-12T09:18:00.000-04:00Welcome, Holly. and a bit Yup to your comment!Welcome, Holly. and a bit Yup to your comment!Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-73804450511446184552008-04-12T06:37:00.000-04:002008-04-12T06:37:00.000-04:00Thank God for freedom from fear!Thank God for freedom from fear!Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11563680619824749786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-84286720991379136252008-03-06T17:38:00.000-05:002008-03-06T17:38:00.000-05:00I SO relate to this post.Fear has been my constant...I SO relate to this post.<BR/>Fear has been my constant companion for my whole life..and I'm finding it difficult to let go of it.<BR/>Funny, too, how you mentioned replacing it with other stuff..such as laughter.<BR/>Last year, when I hit this wall, I wanted to make a step that walked away from fear...and I bought a plaque that said 'laugh' and put in my room. I want God to teach me how to laugh.<BR/>You know the hardest obstacle for me? Other people and their ideas...somehow, that we SHOULD be afraid of some things....<BR/>I'm glad I'm on this road though, as it's much better than being afraid....<BR/>You go, girl...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-55040607579164477052008-03-05T21:46:00.000-05:002008-03-05T21:46:00.000-05:00I have young adults who are in my core group that ...I have young adults who are in my core group that hate the thought of the rapture and end times, because of those movies shown to them at 4, 5, and 6 years old. Crazy!! I understand and appreciate your thoughts so much, especially as I've not had my thoughts together enough lately to blog, yet, you keep writing what I'm feeling, so I just soak in your thoughts and say to myself, Amen, sister, amen! Thanks again.PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10486524154078373298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-76390455718713675662008-03-05T06:25:00.000-05:002008-03-05T06:25:00.000-05:00In one way or another we all deal with Fear. For ...In one way or another we all deal with Fear. For some of us it may not be in precisely the same ways you have described but Fear nevertheless.<BR/><BR/>I certainly like to travel with grace, peace, laughter and wisdom. But I think traveling with love encompasses all of these. In addition, 1 John 4:18 tells us: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." God is love we are also told so the presence of Father casts out fear as well.<BR/><BR/>Wonderful thoughts on this post! We all need to experience these words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-28212652203151369702008-03-04T13:12:00.000-05:002008-03-04T13:12:00.000-05:00The fear of "what will others think of me if I thi...The fear of "what will others think of me if I think different?" That one still plagues me. But I'm learning to walk (baby steps) in Grace, Laughter, Wisdom, Love. I think those are just other names for Jesus. They are who He is.foretasteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15169961812131189084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-54121636143973688202008-03-04T12:57:00.000-05:002008-03-04T12:57:00.000-05:00I never saw that movie (thankfully) but can relate...I never saw that movie (thankfully) but can relate to the teachings of fear promoted within a church. I especially resonated with the ones about demons and tithing.<BR/><BR/>I'm learning how to walk with the One who already loves and accepts me, remembering that nothing can separate me from His love. It's a process, though.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14210237440245609870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-75949598298250357382008-03-04T11:45:00.001-05:002008-03-04T11:45:00.001-05:00Thanks Barb. Good post. I'm going to think about w...Thanks Barb. Good post. I'm going to think about what you've said today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-23507835194974777512008-03-04T11:45:00.000-05:002008-03-04T11:45:00.000-05:00I grew up in churches that based most of their tea...I grew up in churches that based most of their teaching on fear. I rebelled, but even in my rebellion, there was fear.<BR/><BR/>I've chosen grace and love to travel with me in the place of fear.Fred Shopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993039629949819266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-48710704628023151762008-03-04T09:51:00.000-05:002008-03-04T09:51:00.000-05:00I resonate with this a lot at the moment. I have f...I resonate with this a lot at the moment. I have found myself really resenting the fear of hell. I've found myself thinking, "Am I only a Christian because I'm afraid of going to hell?" This type of thinking is distorted in so many ways, not least for demoting grace.<BR/><BR/>Fear of hell has been having a hold on my thinking as opposed to love of God and love from God. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, teachings about hell and judgement and so forth induce fear and then distorts our view of God, the loving and gracious Father that he is. It causes that resentment to be projected at Him. At least, that's what I've found with my own feelings. <BR/><BR/>Laughter and light heartedness is indeed a wonderful replacement to fear. That is the walk I would much rather take... whether I am traveling that path at the moment is another question...<BR/><BR/>Brilliant that you are walking away from fear - many of us need to join you!Tom Hawardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11862709115158633203noreply@blogger.com