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Истината, воденичен камък и морето

Истината, воденичен камък и морето

В сряда, 25 юни 2008 г., върховният съд на САЩ реши, че не е законно да се екзекутира някой за изнасилване на дете. Заключава се, че екзекуцията e жестоко и необичайно наказание и като такова е противоконституционно.

Няма да коментирам дали решението им е правилно, но когато го чух, първото нещо, което ми дойде на ум, бяха думите на Исус:

„… който приеме едно такова детенце в Мое име, Мен приема. А който съблазни едно от тези малките, които вярват в Мен, за него би било по-добре да се окачеше на врата му воденичен камък, и да потънеше в морските дълбочини” (Матей 18:5-6).

Чудили ли сте се някога защо Исус е използвал толкова силни думи за нараняването на малки деца? В лекцията ми „Възстановяване от сексуално малтретиране” обяснявам какво се случва в мозъка на детето, когато се злоупотребява с него, и се изследват начините да се излекува такава травма. Ако искате да чуете споменатата лекция (на англисйки език, в MP3 формат), кликнете върху тази връзка: Recovering from Sexual Abuse.

Накратко, в детството мозъкът се развива бързо. Активните неврони се запазват, невронните вериги се разширяват, неактивните неврони се изтриват и неактивните системи се разграждат. Невронните вериги на мозъка се променят чрез опит, образование и среда. Децата, с които е злоупотребявано, имат не само психологически увреждания, както и деформации на самооценката, а често и по-развити центрове на тревожност, в допълнение към по-лошото развитие на центровете, които обработват емоциите и успокояват нервната система. Това води до каскада от хормонални и възпалителни реакции в целия организъм и децата, които са жертви на сексуална злоупотреба, израстват с по-висока заболеваемост. Накрая, поради увреждането, повишения страх, несигурността и неспособността да се доверяват, на жертвите на насилие им е по-трудно да влязат в интимни отношения – отношения, изискващи откритост и доверие. Това включва и връзката им с Бога. Много жертви на насилие растат със страх от Бога, с гняв и недоверие към Него, но добрата новина е, че щетите могат да бъдат обратими, мозъчните вериги могат да бъдат подобрени, доверието може да бъде преживяно и мирът – да бъде намерен.

Горното описва, съвсем накратко, някои от последствията, които остават, и защо злоупотребата в детството е толкова опустошителна. Но това не обяснява защо Исус казва, че би било по-добре да се удавиш в океана, отколкото да нараниш дете. Повечето хора, с които съм разговарял, вярват, че Исус заплашва да нанесе тежка болка и страдание на насилниците на деца, но това ли наистина е казал?

Имам много пациенти, които като деца са претърпели насилие от родителите си. По време на процеса на изцеление мнозина желаят родителите им просто да признаят това, което са направили, да поискат прошка от тях или по някакъв начин да осъзнаят своето прегрешение. За съжаление те обикновено не го правят. Питам моите пациенти: „Какво ще се случи в ума на майка ти или в сърцето на баща ти, ако те признаят тежкото насилие, което са извършили над теб? С какво трябва да се справят? Ще има ли вина, срам, разкаяние, отвращение и омраза към себе си?

Ето една истина, която казвам на пациентите си: „Никога не можеш да избегнеш истината. Можеш само да забавиш деня, в който ще се изправиш пред нея“. Можем да се справим с истината за себе си, за собствената си житейска история, за своя характер и грешки тук и сега; и чрез Божията благодат да преживеем прощението, изцелението, възстановяването и в крайна сметка да влезем във вечния живот. Или можем да забавим изправянето пред истината, да я отхвърлим, да я отричаме, да обвиняваме другите… Но ако сега не се занимаем с нея, един ден, когато Христос се върне, всеки човек ще трябва се изправи лице в лице с крайнатa, чистата, цялостната истина. Какво ще бъде в този ден за такива майки и бащи да погледнат в „огледалото“ на пълната истина и да видят себе си такива, каквито са в действителност, без самоизмама, без лъжи и заблуди? Какво ли ще бъде за такъв човек да има пълното съзнание за това, което неговите действия са причинили на детето му? Какво би било тази истина да се разкрие пред съзнанието му пред цялата Вселена? Ако бяхте един от онези неизцелени от Бог и неспасени насилници, не бихте ли предпочели да се удавите в морето, отколкото да изпитате душевната мъка, която ще преживеете в този ден?

Никога не можем да избегнем истината! Можем само да забавим деня, в който ще се изправим пред нея…

 

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Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.