 |
Actscelerate.com
Open Any Time -- Day or Night
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Message |
Author |
 I felt the presence of God in a Greek Orthodox Church. |
Cojak |
I am old and unorthodox myself. But I love to feel the presence of the living God in my soul. I have found it is up to me, and HE will communicate his Spirit.
I was raised COG. I was not TOLD nor TAUGHT that no one else knew the WAY, but I sure got the feeling. My pastor was my dad. He was one of the most humble God Fearing men I have ever known. He could love people, especially his members, more than I can imagine anyone else doing. He never had a member from hell. He did have members with problems. BUT he never low-rated them at home that I remember.
But still I got the idea the COG denomination was on the top rung of God's ladder.
It was not until after I left home that I learned there were folk that loved God, were dedicated and gave off a feeling of loving my Jesus. MY chaplain aboard he first ship I was on took us to a Greek Orthodox church in Athens. I went there to look for a show. But I felt God.
On another ship and at an Island, the chaplain did the same, and I felt I was in the presence of God. I got to thinking that maybe the Priest looked like I thought Abraham would have looked. Maybe that was the reason. But this one thing I know, I saw honest tears and people who loved my Jesus, maybe more than I.
I was raised in a shouting tongues talking era. And as a child I knew i felt the convicting power of the HOly Ghost, only nominal churches said Holy Spirit. I have known Holy men and women who NEVER shouted, but sat wrapped in His love with tears flowing like fountains.
I have seen the very thing in an Orthodox church and have no idea what their 'doctrine is', but I knew some of these people knew the same Jesus I did and I did not know a word they said.
God is real, He is real to folks who do not shout. He is real to folks all over this world.
I just read a report of countries where Christians are most persecuted. As I read I thought, I have sung that song, "if he wants me to die, I will." I may never be put in that position but every day hundreds of people in this world face that very decision. It humbles me. would I? Lord I hope so!
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
1/5/18 1:41 am
|
|
|
|  |
 |
|
|
| |
Carolyn Smith |
My sister-in-law got saved through watching Christian television and God told her to stay in the Catholic church (that it was virgin territory, LOL). God used to minister to the people there, laying hands on the priests and members, some of whom were very open to the things of the Spirit. I sang there once and felt an overwhelming presence of the Lord. Shocked me.
I had kind of the same experience as you when I went to PTL 35 years ago. People who didn't look anything like I did but my spirit bore witness with theirs. Genuine people who just loved Jesus completely.
I guess singing "The COG is right, hallelujah to the Lamb" had that effect on us.
_________________
"More of Him...less of me."
http://twitter.com/camiracle77
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 5923
1/5/18 6:42 am
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
UncleJD |
| The Orthodox Christians are the ones being beheaded, burned, boiled, and drowned by ISIS. People won't die for someone they don't believe in and love. I pray for our Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters. I don't understand all of their ways (especially with icons), but I do not doubt their love and devotion to The Savior. |
Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere
Posts: 3147
1/5/18 9:35 am
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cojak |
| UncleJD wrote: | | The Orthodox Christians are the ones being beheaded, burned, boiled, and drowned by ISIS. People won't die for someone they don't believe in and love. I pray for our Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters. I don't understand all of their ways (especially with icons), but I do not doubt their love and devotion to The Savior. |
 
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
1/5/18 11:52 am
|
|
|
| |
|
| Some years ago... |
Aaron Scott |
One of the our denominations rising young ministers, a graduate of Lee, etc., shocked many be returning to the Catholic church (in which he had been raised and apparently had been very much taken to task by his family when he first became Church of God).
He is now a priest in Florida. I knew him pretty well and consider him a man of God. I don't know what style he uses to minister, but I dare say he could still "lay it down" if he preached at a Church of God. |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6042
1/5/18 12:02 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cojak |
[quote="Carolyn Smith"]My sister-in-law got saved through watching Christian television and God told her to stay in the Catholic church (that it was virgin territory, LOL). God used to minister to the people there, laying hands on the priests and members, some of whom were very open to the things of the Spirit. I sang there once and felt an overwhelming presence of the Lord. Shocked me.
I had kind of the same experience as you when I went to PTL 35 years ago. People who didn't look anything like I did but my spirit bore witness with theirs. Genuine people who just loved Jesus completely.
I guess singing "The COG is right, hallelujah to the Lamb" had that effect on us.[/quote]
In my life time, yes, that 'bold' print did sorta stick around in my brain. Most of my 'growing-up' was COG orientated. I have been shocked to see many of my friends who are Baptist be much more 'evangelical' than my COG family. 
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
1/5/18 12:13 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Da Sheik |
| I think it's good for all of us to get outside of our comfort zone at some point. We've had these discussions before, but I think many of us have conditioned ourselves to believe that the presence of God only manifests in the way we've always done it. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1865
1/5/18 2:15 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Quiet Wyatt |
| I love the beautiful artwork/iconography of Eastern Orthodox Churches. If I ever were to go ‘high church,’ I would definitely go East. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 12817
1/5/18 4:50 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cojak |
| Carolyn Smith wrote: | ...
I had kind of the same experience as you when I went to PTL 35 years ago. People who didn't look anything like I did but my spirit bore witness with theirs. Genuine people who just loved Jesus completely.
I guess singing "The COG is right, hallelujah to the Lamb" had that effect on us. |
You bring up something I do remember also. I took a couple contracts at PTL and had very good experiences. I dealt with folks who were looking after 'God's money' like my daddy had. PTL also gave me a contract on a local AG, and paid for the work I did at the local church. They did not have to do that, but the pastor sure did appreciate it. That church faces I-26, I smile and thank God as I pass that church at least 6 times a year. Those folk loved the Lord.
Strange how life's experiences take many turns. And in the process we meet God's people.
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
1/5/18 10:53 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Carolyn Smith |
| Cojak wrote: | | Carolyn Smith wrote: | ...
I had kind of the same experience as you when I went to PTL 35 years ago. People who didn't look anything like I did but my spirit bore witness with theirs. Genuine people who just loved Jesus completely.
I guess singing "The COG is right, hallelujah to the Lamb" had that effect on us. |
You bring up something I do remember also. I took a couple contracts at PTL and had very good experiences. I dealt with folks who were looking after 'God's money' like my daddy had. PTL also gave me a contract on a local AG, and paid for the work I did at the local church. They did not have to do that, but the pastor sure did appreciate it. That church faces I-26, I smile and thank God as I pass that church at least 6 times a year. Those folk loved the Lord.
Strange how life's experiences take many turns. And in the process we meet God's people. |
Great story, Cojak! There were lots of those kinds of stories at PTL. When they were clearing a piece of land they had purchased, they discovered a "shack" on the property and were surprised to find an elderly couple living in it! Rather than evict these people, they purchased a mobile home for them and set them up in it.
There were a lot of things that happened that weren't right, but there were also a lot of people there that were genuine and sincere and made it their mission to help and minister to hurting people.
_________________
"More of Him...less of me."
http://twitter.com/camiracle77
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 5923
1/6/18 12:10 am
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Resident Skeptic |
I felt the presence of God in Wal-Mart.
Now look, I'm not saying that to be sarcastic. But folks, we must remember that both the RCC and the OC renounce salvation by grace trough faith as taught by the Apostles. Their doctrines are not compatible with Protestantism. We must base our conclusions solely on scripture and not on esoteric experiences of "feeling" something.
_________________
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves UPCI |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 8065
1/6/18 6:29 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cojak |
| Resident Skeptic wrote: | I felt the presence of God in Wal-Mart.
Now look, I'm not saying that to be sarcastic. But folks, we must remember that both the RCC and the OC renounce salvation by grace trough faith as taught by the Apostles. Their doctrines are not compatible with Protestantism. We must base our conclusions solely on scripture and not on esoteric experiences of "feeling" something. |
I often get the feeling that many folk live with the 'Yes, but' attitude around me, because I am not blessed with an ability to express myself.
I feel the same listening to a weather man saying it is 32 degrees out side, BUT it feels like 22 degrees. Did he turn to one of the 'helpers and say, "Run outside and see how cold it FEELS! Now if the guy is from Miami he gonna come back in and say, WOW it feels like it is below ZERO. If the guy is from North Wisconsin he gonna come back in and say, We have a heat wave, must be 50 degrees out there.
If it is 32 degrees it will feel like 32 degrees is supposed to feel to you.
Now I may be very thick, but when my soul feels the spirit of God I FEEL the SPIRIT OF GOD! YOu might be next to me and feel like you need to leave because YOU DO NOT FEEL the way I do.
Some folk cannot read "And thou will be Saved!" without saying BUT..BUT ... You gotta give up drinking, smoking, running around or dancing!
Yeah I know I ain't rite! 
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
1/7/18 12:12 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
bonnie knox |
| Quote: | | We must base our conclusions solely on scripture and not on esoteric experiences of "feeling" something. |
'At's how come at George Hensley was a handlin em air rattlers. Hit didn't matter how many butterflies he felt a flutterin round in his belly cause, bless God, the Holy Scripture done said he would HANDLE them serpents.
Now I say all that to say this, if ya ain't got the Holy Ghost ta rightly divide the Good Book, why ya ain't got the goods. I'm just sayin Ole George knew the Good Book, but he didn't divide it rightly regardin em rattlers. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 14803
1/7/18 2:46 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Carolyn Smith |
| Resident Skeptic wrote: | I felt the presence of God in Wal-Mart.
Now look, I'm not saying that to be sarcastic. But folks, we must remember that both the RCC and the OC renounce salvation by grace trough faith as taught by the Apostles. Their doctrines are not compatible with Protestantism. We must base our conclusions solely on scripture and not on esoteric experiences of "feeling" something. |
No matter what Rome says, the Spirit of God can and does move however and whenever and wherever He is welcomed and so desires.
_________________
"More of Him...less of me."
http://twitter.com/camiracle77
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 5923
1/7/18 4:49 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Resident Skeptic |
| Cojak wrote: | | Resident Skeptic wrote: | I felt the presence of God in Wal-Mart.
Now look, I'm not saying that to be sarcastic. But folks, we must remember that both the RCC and the OC renounce salvation by grace trough faith as taught by the Apostles. Their doctrines are not compatible with Protestantism. We must base our conclusions solely on scripture and not on esoteric experiences of "feeling" something. |
I often get the feeling that many folk live with the 'Yes, but' attitude around me, because I am not blessed with an ability to express myself.
I feel the same listening to a weather man saying it is 32 degrees out side, BUT it feels like 22 degrees. Did he turn to one of the 'helpers and say, "Run outside and see how cold it FEELS! Now if the guy is from Miami he gonna come back in and say, WOW it feels like it is below ZERO. If the guy is from North Wisconsin he gonna come back in and say, We have a heat wave, must be 50 degrees out there.
If it is 32 degrees it will feel like 32 degrees is supposed to feel to you.
Now I may be very thick, but when my soul feels the spirit of God I FEEL the SPIRIT OF GOD! YOu might be next to me and feel like you need to leave because YOU DO NOT FEEL the way I do.
Some folk cannot read "And thou will be Saved!" without saying BUT..BUT ... You gotta give up drinking, smoking, running around or dancing!
Yeah I know I ain't rite! |
To be saved is to be saved according to Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5. Grace through faith, not of works, washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Rome and Constantinople deny both. Their members are NOT taught how to be saved biblically.
_________________
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves UPCI |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 8065
1/7/18 6:06 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cojak |
| Resident Skeptic wrote: | | Cojak wrote: | | Resident Skeptic wrote: | I felt the presence of God in Wal-Mart.
Now look, I'm not saying that to be sarcastic. But folks, we must remember that both the RCC and the OC renounce salvation by grace trough faith as taught by the Apostles. Their doctrines are not compatible with Protestantism. We must base our conclusions solely on scripture and not on esoteric experiences of "feeling" something. |
I often get the feeling that many folk live with the 'Yes, but' attitude around me, because I am not blessed with an ability to express myself.
I feel the same listening to a weather man saying it is 32 degrees out side, BUT it feels like 22 degrees. Did he turn to one of the 'helpers and say, "Run outside and see how cold it FEELS! Now if the guy is from Miami he gonna come back in and say, WOW it feels like it is below ZERO. If the guy is from North Wisconsin he gonna come back in and say, We have a heat wave, must be 50 degrees out there.
If it is 32 degrees it will feel like 32 degrees is supposed to feel to you.
Now I may be very thick, but when my soul feels the spirit of God I FEEL the SPIRIT OF GOD! YOu might be next to me and feel like you need to leave because YOU DO NOT FEEL the way I do.
Some folk cannot read "And thou will be Saved!" without saying BUT..BUT ... You gotta give up drinking, smoking, running around or dancing!
Yeah I know I ain't rite! |
To be saved is to be saved according to Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5. Grace through faith, not of works, washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Rome and Constantinople deny both. Their members are NOT taught how to be saved biblically. |
I am not being contrary RS, I did not, am not considering Rome nor Constantinople nor their teachings. About the 'FEELINGS' in the church, I said "I" , "I" felt the Spirit. ME! I was a Marine the first time and a Sailor the second. I was visiting, didn't plan on joining.
I have a feeling some visitors in our churches 'May or may not have felt the Spirit' when visiting our churches that sometimes 'teach correctly' and at times may not. They may not care what Cleveland thinks as pertaining to the COG! 
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
1/7/18 8:56 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Carolyn Smith |
| Resident Skeptic wrote: | | Cojak wrote: | | Resident Skeptic wrote: | I felt the presence of God in Wal-Mart.
Now look, I'm not saying that to be sarcastic. But folks, we must remember that both the RCC and the OC renounce salvation by grace trough faith as taught by the Apostles. Their doctrines are not compatible with Protestantism. We must base our conclusions solely on scripture and not on esoteric experiences of "feeling" something. |
I often get the feeling that many folk live with the 'Yes, but' attitude around me, because I am not blessed with an ability to express myself.
I feel the same listening to a weather man saying it is 32 degrees out side, BUT it feels like 22 degrees. Did he turn to one of the 'helpers and say, "Run outside and see how cold it FEELS! Now if the guy is from Miami he gonna come back in and say, WOW it feels like it is below ZERO. If the guy is from North Wisconsin he gonna come back in and say, We have a heat wave, must be 50 degrees out there.
If it is 32 degrees it will feel like 32 degrees is supposed to feel to you.
Now I may be very thick, but when my soul feels the spirit of God I FEEL the SPIRIT OF GOD! YOu might be next to me and feel like you need to leave because YOU DO NOT FEEL the way I do.
Some folk cannot read "And thou will be Saved!" without saying BUT..BUT ... You gotta give up drinking, smoking, running around or dancing!
Yeah I know I ain't rite! |
To be saved is to be saved according to Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5. Grace through faith, not of works, washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Rome and Constantinople deny both. Their members are NOT taught how to be saved biblically. |
In this modern age, many Catholics have learned to read the Bible for themselves and DO know how to be saved biblically, despite the teachings of the RC church.
_________________
"More of Him...less of me."
http://twitter.com/camiracle77
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 5923
1/7/18 9:18 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cojak |
| Carolyn Smith wrote: | | Resident Skeptic wrote: | | ...Rome and Constantinople deny both. Their members are NOT taught how to be saved biblically. |
In this modern age, many Catholics have learned to read the Bible for themselves and DO know how to be saved biblically, despite the teachings of the RC church. |
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
1/7/18 10:36 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Resident Skeptic |
| Carolyn Smith wrote: | | Resident Skeptic wrote: | | Cojak wrote: | | Resident Skeptic wrote: | I felt the presence of God in Wal-Mart.
Now look, I'm not saying that to be sarcastic. But folks, we must remember that both the RCC and the OC renounce salvation by grace trough faith as taught by the Apostles. Their doctrines are not compatible with Protestantism. We must base our conclusions solely on scripture and not on esoteric experiences of "feeling" something. |
I often get the feeling that many folk live with the 'Yes, but' attitude around me, because I am not blessed with an ability to express myself.
I feel the same listening to a weather man saying it is 32 degrees out side, BUT it feels like 22 degrees. Did he turn to one of the 'helpers and say, "Run outside and see how cold it FEELS! Now if the guy is from Miami he gonna come back in and say, WOW it feels like it is below ZERO. If the guy is from North Wisconsin he gonna come back in and say, We have a heat wave, must be 50 degrees out there.
If it is 32 degrees it will feel like 32 degrees is supposed to feel to you.
Now I may be very thick, but when my soul feels the spirit of God I FEEL the SPIRIT OF GOD! YOu might be next to me and feel like you need to leave because YOU DO NOT FEEL the way I do.
Some folk cannot read "And thou will be Saved!" without saying BUT..BUT ... You gotta give up drinking, smoking, running around or dancing!
Yeah I know I ain't rite! |
To be saved is to be saved according to Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5. Grace through faith, not of works, washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Rome and Constantinople deny both. Their members are NOT taught how to be saved biblically. |
In this modern age, many Catholics have learned to read the Bible for themselves and DO know how to be saved biblically, despite the teachings of the RC church. |
I've witnessed to and talked to dozens of Catholics and OC's since 1980 I have have yet to find any evidence that even a tiny fraction grasp even the most basic truths about justiifcation by faith alone.
_________________
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves UPCI |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 8065
1/8/18 3:29 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
UncleJD |
| Resident Skeptic wrote: |
I've witnessed to and talked to dozens of Catholics and OC's since 1980 I have have yet to find any evidence that even a tiny fraction grasp even the most basic truths about justiifcation by faith alone. |
Let me preface this by saying I attest to the Reformation principles and am not Catholic, but I do question the idea that there is no salvation within the Historic Catholic church no less than I scoff at their assertion that there is no salvation outside of it.
So do you have to understand sola-fide to be saved by the faith in Christ and his work? Do you have to understand sola-gratia to be saved by God's grace alone? And while I believe in sola-scriptura, I'm not sure it plays a role in our salvation as much as it is simply the final source of revelation. In other words, do you have to understand and attest to the Lutheran doctrines before you can be saved? Does that mean that for 15 centuries, nobody was saved?
I find the idea that Christ's Church was lost somehow around the 4th century and never appeared again for a thousand years rather disturbing. And don't tell me that somewhere there was some "underground" church unless you want to provide solid evidence (and I think for something as important as the Church of Jesus Christ that there would be overwhelming evidence rather than theories). |
Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere
Posts: 3147
1/8/18 5:04 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
