News that LV and I had gone {bonkers} swept through the Amish communities and we became swamped with phone calls and letters from concerned bishops and people in different communities trying to discourage us from accepting this strange new belief.
It came to a point that I hated hearing the phone ring and when ever I picked it up and found someone wanting to preach a sermon on the other end of the line I would tell them to call back once LV was at home.
But in the midst of all those type of calls there were others, also from strangers that had heard about our experience and had felt an urge to call. It was so encouraging to listen to their words of kindness and encouragement as they talked about the greatness and goodness of God and encouraged us to keep our eyes on Him and be ever ready to follow where He leads.
Then the call came that we felt sure would be coming before long. From LV's parents. They had already tried to persuade us to not change our belief but now they had made arrangements with the bishop and the rest of the ministry. They would be coming over to talk to us one evening later that week. We had a feeling that this was not going to be good but there was also a feeling of peace knowing that we knew what we believed and no persuasions or threats they could dish out would change that.
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I thought old-order AMish didn't have phones in the home? Was your phone in the barn?
ReplyDeleteI feel for u having to fave the bishop and ministry.
I'm glad that you would not be persuaded to leave the Truth you had found! It must have been a terribly trying time for you.
ReplyDeleteThankfully,God sent support to you through the 'strangers' who also knew Him to be the Truth,the Life, the Way! He never leaves us alone in the battles, does He? And that's what it was...a spiritual battle for your soul!
I always assumed the Amish to be Christian, or to realize the truth of being born again. Do the Mennonites have this belief or do they believe similar to the Amish?
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing realization, to have that peace, and know that man can't take it from you. You understand then how David faced down Goliath, 'cause he knew where he stood with God.
ReplyDeleteJust pray for the strength and right words to say as you face these trials. We faced trials when we left a certain organization. The Lord showed us the teaching was not Biblical. But instead of calling or coming ~ we were dropped like hot cakes. Friends (?) for years turned out not to be true friends. But we are happy serving the Lord where He has planted us. Know we will pray for you. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing that God shored you up with all those weeks (months?) of Bible reading and study! I would have been tempted to take the phone off the hook, but then you would have missed the encouraging words from other believers.
ReplyDeleteIsn't amazing when you finally know the truth of the gospel that no intimidation can squelch your peace or joy!?
ReplyDeleteIsn't amazing when you finally know the truth of the gospel that no intimidation can squelch your peace or joy!?
ReplyDeleteThat must have been trying. :( Praise the Lord you were steadfast! Thank you for sharing. I always look forward to your next posts! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings in Christ,
Mikailah
How wonderful the Lord is in the way He moves. Often He will put enmity between the old ways and us, while pulling us towards the new revelations of His truth. It is a time of mix emotions, however peace in our spirit of an unexplainable kind until we mature in the new revelation which is really His old wisdom we just had not discovered yet.
ReplyDeleteMrs. J.
My heart is very sad and breaks with love for you. I'll wrap you in my arms and cover you with my love. Jesus understands your heartbreak. I'm so sorry your parents and family do not understand you anymore. Picking up Christ' cross and following our Master truly does come at a great cost, even the cost of family love to some of us. Perhaps someday your lives will lead them to understand Jesus is the only way to salvation. You are now a member of God's family and it's a huge big big family! I love my sister and brother in Jesus. But I will pray for your earthly family and all your friends in the Amish community. May they come to understand religion doesn't save us only Jesus death and resurrection saves sinners who bow down and ask Christ forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right to be faithful to the truth as you know it.
ReplyDeleteI hope, if one of your children chooses a different path (Judaism/Islam/LDS/nonbeliever), you will respect the same in him/her.
Don't you just hate when people insist on hastling others to try and persuade them to change their way of thinking? It's so wrong... There's no right or wrong belief!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you had to experience that, and as you now know, I can relate. I find it a bit humorous that you say they found you "bonkers." I think most people think we're bonkers now. Isn't it fun?
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have begun writing our story on my blog. hispenonmyheart.blogspot.com
I remember days like that. But looking back those few & far in-between calls & talks of encouragement far out-weighed the bad ones. They gave us the strength we needed to move forward. That we weren't "alone" in the world.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness the Christian faith is based on fact and not feeling. That Jesus really did die & rise again.
ReplyDeleteFeelings of happiness, doubt, etc come & go, don't they?
I remember once a priest asking me what my faith was based on--feeling or fact and I said fact. The feelings follow the fact. I hoped that the priest would understand and soon put his faith in "the God who is there" (as author Francis Schaeffer once said) as he didn't have the assurance of what his faith was based on as I did.
The Amish who were rattling you and LV were basing their faith on things to do to please God (good living/good works) which will fail every time.......as you & LV came to discover as there is no way that such can please God. Only the perfect sinless Jesus could take our punishment in His death (propiation for our sins/atonement)..... and of course, that's what faith is all about.