Suffice it to say that a lot of wisdom and love for our Savior and His sons and daughters has been eloquently spoken here…  from Scott and Connie’s letter (the original post) to all of you who have shared.  My faith in Him has grown ever so much stronger because of your love and your insight and your care and concern for one another.  (Isn’t that what our lives as Christians should look like?) 

Thank you for sharing!

I really appreciate your comments!  The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is NOT dependent on which church one attends.  Perhaps many in SGM do not realize that. 

When I was in between churches several years ago, that’s when I felt the strongest presence of the Holy Spirit.  It  had nothing to do with a church!  We are in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and churches are being exclusive when they think they hold the key to the Holy Spirit.  

Blessings!

Thank you for being brave and doing the right thing in the face of opposition.  Thanks for standing up for Esther….much peace to you as you begin a new phase in your lives.

I’m sorry if I spilled any beans.  Just to clarify to folks here, I only meant that Ellie would understand Esther’s story, due to being in a similar situation, but not an EXACT one.  Ellie, did I say something I shouldn’t have?  Bummer.  I sincerely hope not.  I was just trying to say that I KNOW you understand and feel empathy for Esther.  If I shared anything I shouldn’t have, pleeeease forgive me!

Doug’s worst problem is the Federal Vision teachings which reek of works righteousness.  But I figure you know that.  

It’s been both helpful and kind of sickening to read here. I used to wonder if CJM was wheat or a tare. I still do not know, only God knows hearts. We have happily gone on with our lives but I can’t help feeling some sorrow about all the folks trapped in what we were in.

We were told by our PDI senior pastor that the church we were going to change to didn’t want the power and presence of the holy spirit the way they did. I know he believed it and was trying to keep us from a big mistake. What is funny is how great it was to go somewhere where the Word and prayer and love of the brethren were so profoundly evident. The holy spirit can give tongues or a prophecy, yeah, but He also wants to bring comfort and love and mercy and help. And there is no difference between the prophecy “My children, the Lord would say to you  XYZ”, and somebody praying “oh Lord thank you so much that your word promises us XYZ”. Its the holy spirit talking either way. But one is something we can all participate in, and the other has to come from the carefully screened loyal prophet who gets past the policeman up front.

Ah well, rambling on…  

I didn’t realize either that your story was like Esther’s.

Hugs from me to { { { { { Ellie } } } } }

Thank you for your sweetness and kindness!

{ { { { { { { ELLIE! } } } } } }

“We desire to walk in the fullness of the Gospel with all the hope and joy that is offered to us.  For us, this includes the Conception, Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ as well as the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  In this we have an abundance in Christ including (but certainly not limited to): we have VICTORY in Christ; we are OVERCOMERS in Christ, we are CO-HEIRS with Christ, and our identity is in Christ.  We can put sin to death because of the resurrection power dwelling within each believer; that same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead!  We praise and give glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  May we all walk in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel!”

The Conception, Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ!  All done for US!  Glory be to God!  The FULL gospel is overwhelming to my soul.  God is so very good. 

Praying for you, our dear brother and sister,  and all the Chesapeake folks from down here in Georgia as well.  GRACE to you!

thanks for the hugs!!!

Thanks for your comments.  I wasn’t presenting Bruce Ware as a representative of SGM’s position per se, but he does have strong ties to C.J. Mahaney through CBMW.  FYI – Bruce recently became the president of the Evangelical Theological Society.  I will be watching to see whether he pushes his agenda forward in that organization.

Funny that you should mention Doug Wilson.  I spent some time researching him last week.  Dominionism and reconstructionism . . .  

Thanks for being such a wonderful caregroup leader & wife for over 4 years to my wife and I.  Throughout all of the CG meetings and monthly men’s breakfasts, you have shown myself and many others what it really is like to live in the Word and walk the true walk with Christ.  We love you guys…

Thank you for describing and embracing the parts of the Full Gospel that SGM has crossed out of their Bibles:

“We desire to walk in the fullness of the Gospel with all the hope and joy that is offered to us.  For us, this includes the Conception, Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ as well as the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  In this we have an abundance in Christ including (but certainly not limited to): we have VICTORY in Christ; we are OVERCOMERS in Christ, we are CO-HEIRS with Christ, and our identity is in Christ.  We can put sin to death because of the resurrection power dwelling within each believer; that same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead!  We praise and give glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ”

What you have described is the Gospel delivered to the saints by Paul, the other apostles and prophets of the 1st Century. The Church could never have advanced as it did, without this Full Gospel revelation and the unhindered movement of the Holy Spirit through his members.

I hope and pray you will find a new congregational home that teaches and lives this Full Gospel.

Big hugs for you.  Knowing a little about what you’ve gone through, I  know you understand Esther’s story a little better than most of us.  Yet, your heart has remained soft towards the Lord, and very loving to His people.  That is a great testimony of what faith you must have!  Your tweety friend, Canary

I should have mentioned that earlier and my apologies for not doing so.  I was too busy thinking about the words that Scott and Connie wrote without reflecting on what they have been through and the courage they have shown in the process.