Posted by CB on January 30, 2011 at 20:22:04
In Reply to: Re: My journey posted by OT2 on January 28, 2011 at 14:52:36:
The reason I'm with the little Vineyard plant in my neighborhood is because I think the Lord led me to it as a direct answer to prayer. It's very much based in the neighborhood, and I like getting to know my neighbors and their children. I like walking to church. We meet in the auditorium of a nearby school, so the better part of the budget goes to support orphanages in Cambodia, a mission outreach in Tanzania, and local intervention with young people involved in sex trafficking.
I don't have a clue how much the little Vineyard plant I belong to falls in line with the larger Vineyard movement. Something I have detected as a consequence of John Wimber's influence on the Vineyard movement is some of that Word of Faith teaching--like claiming God's Word as a promise to make something I want to see happen take place, or the notion that God will speak to me about what's going on with another person, and if that's the case I have an obligation to speak a word of truth to that person about what God is showing me. There's a lot of room for self-delusion in those ideas, imo. I'm not totally in line with Vineyard when it comes to some of its distinct teachings on prayer.
As far as theology is concerned, I'm almost always in agreement with what Jeff, the pastor, preaches. I don't do very much formal theology, which means I mostly refuse to articulate a lot of intellectual propositions. Or, if I do articulate theology, it's classic stuff like the Apostle's Creed, which we've been singing at worship lately. I like the fact that we have a talented music minister who composes contemporary arrangements for classic lyrics. We also sing a contemporary version of the Confiteor and have weekly communion as well as 1:1 charismatic prayer.
When it comes to discerning angels of light, I always check for the fruit: gentleness, kindness, patience, simplicity, humility.
I have a profound trust in the Good Shepherd, that no matter how much I screw up and get lost, He'll take care of me. I've wandered far, far away at times, but He's always managed to bring me home and keep me safe in his arms.
I've never heard of Living Waters, but anything that deepens your prayer life is a good thing. I understand why you would be cautious about anything that involves a deepened awareness of mind and spirit.
It's good to hear you're finding a treatment regime that works for you. Maybe that's why you're able to explore prayer more deeply now? I do know what the confusion, despair, and torment that prompts a person to consider suicide feels like.