We were told to expect the ministry to arrive at our house by seven. We weren't really looking forward to having them there. I spent the afternoon baking pie and cookies as a way to try to keep my mind off of what was ahead.
We had our supper and got everything cleared away. The children weren't exactly sleepy yet but we went through our usual bedtime routine and then told them they could wait to actually go to bed until the ministers arrived.
LV and I sat in the living room not really sure what to do with ourselves while we waited. We read a little and kept waiting and waiting. It grew dark and they still weren't there. Finally it really was bedtime so we tucked the children in and decided to wait only a little longer before heading to bed too.
Before we made it to bed though we heard them coming into the driveway. They came inside and apologized for keeping us waiting for so long. They had problems on the way over and had to stop and get some things repaired. The nearest place they could get help was at the house of a pastor of a nearby church. He had kindly helped them with the needed repairs but it had taken a while.
They sat in the living room and discussed this pastor and his family for a while. Though they didn't approve of the church he pastored they all agreed that he and his family seemed to really have something.
Once they were done discussing that and the latest weather trends and other little no account tidbits they finally got down to the reason they were there. They were really concerned about our recent decisions and belief and wanted to give us a chance to change and make a confession in church. If we couldn't comply with this they would be having special excommunicating services after their next church service to give us over to Satan.
We told them we would not be changing our minds about our new found belief. While we realized this would have a major impact on our relationships with our family and friends we simply could not turn our backs on what we knew to be true. The part of being handed over to Satan did not phase us like it would have several months earlier because we now realized that they have absolutely no control over our soul and no after church ceremony like that could cause us to be torn from the safety of God's protecting hand.
Oh, my! I have to go back & catch up on this story. I am sorry you went thru this ... I can't imagine someone telling another they were handing another over to Satan. God does have His protecting hand on all of us.
ReplyDeleteYour self comes thru as such a beautiful God loving person in your writes/shares.
In Him, Thru Him, With Him ~ He is always with us.
Have a beautiful day ~
Marydon
I am constantly amazed at what some churches do in the name of God, and the fact that people allow earthly representatives to hold such sway over them.
ReplyDeleteNothing can separate you from the love of God. He is always there ready to help us through every thing that concerns us. So happy for you yet know that you are facing trials that hurts your heart. God will give you the grace you need. He will also give you new friends. Seems you have several of us already.
ReplyDeleteWill be praying for you. Blessings, my friend!
Thanks Aliene, but if you check the labels under the posts you will notice that I'm sharing memories. This event took place years ago.
ReplyDeleteThat is most interesting.. It always makes me sad to see what lies some people believe, and strive to make others believe as well. Praise the Lord that He saw you through those difficult times! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings in Christ,
Mikailah
Hm it is almost as if God was showing them the other side. It sounded just like Pilate and Agrippa who could see something was there but were too hardened in there hearts.
ReplyDeleteHow sad they completely misinterpret scripture. Iremember you mentioned your husbands sibling was a Mennonite, were they encouraging you in this times?
I felt you anxiety as you baked and waited for the ministers to arrive that evening. And felt your relief and peace you must have felt when you stood up for your new found or rebirth in faith of releasing your lives to the Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. You made the right choice. A relationship with the Lord is always the right decision! Amen
ReplyDeleteGood for you for sticking to your beliefs. Nobody on this Earth can tell you what to believe, nor should you let them!
ReplyDeleteI know the Lord was with you that night as you both stood steadfast in your belief, knowing He was with you and would never leave you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for standing tall. It is odd how some will try to put fear on you but once you have the truth, it does not work. We were cast out of family and church for taking the same stand you did, so I can sympathize with the trial you went through. For those who are seeking truth it is a journey, an adventure that takes place as we mature and just like Israel had to move around for a time, for the old to drop away and the new to be established, God is still in that business of moving us toward His truth and away from the world with its manmade rules. May God continue to bless our journey with ears to hear, eyes to see and hearts to understand His way.
ReplyDeleteMrs. J.
I can never understand how anyone can have the ego to state that they will "Cast you out to Satan" as if they actually had the power to do so.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for not caving in and for sticking to your beliefs. Your (and eveyone's) relation to God is between God and them (I believe anyway, not to put others down.).
I enjoy your daily notes very much. God Bless.
Isn't that the true gospel? When we come to the full knowledge of God's gift of salvation, no man has any say over our relationship to God. Nothing matches that gift of mercy and grace.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea such a ceremony existed. How awesome was the strength you were given. Your story makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
Like you say: other people can't control our souls! Only God and Satan can. But once you are from God, you never have to live for Satan again.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most wonderful story I heard in times!
So beautiful!