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Любов и граници

Любов и граници

“Бях благословен от вашия семинар на тема „Изцеление на ума”. Предефинирането на определението за безусловна любов в светлината на закона за свободата поражда въпроси в съзнанието ми за това каква е нашата отговорност един към друг.

Каква е разликата в това да обичаме, както Бог го прави (непрекъснато отдаване, до степен да ни позволи да изберем да Го убием) и да имаме лоши граници в дисфункционални отношения, които дават възможност за деструктивно поведение?”

Д.Т.

Въпросът, който повдигате, е въпрос, с който много хора се борят. Ето защо ви благодаря, че го отправяте!

Богоподобната любов е принципът на благодеянието, ориентираността към другите, даването, саможертвата за доброто на ближния. Това означава просто, че като произтичащо от близката ни връзка с Бога, ние имаме в сърцето си най-добрия интерес на другия човек; и именно този мотив насочва нашите действия. Искаме да направим това, което ще бъде от най-голяма полза за него, от гледна точка на неговия най-добър вечен, а не само временен интерес. Това означава, че не просто даваме това, което иска другият човек, а даваме онова, което всъщност е най-доброто за него.

Какъв е “любящият” отговор от родител, чието дете иска да гледа телевизия, вместо да напише домашната си работа? Ако мислим кое е най-доброто за детето, отговорът е “не”. И това не е фокусирано само върху временните ползи от постигането на добри оценки в училище, а върху развитието на характера, помагайки на детето да развие правилно самоуправление, самодисциплина и способността да жертва непосредственото удоволствие за дългосрочното добро. Подобно решение е мотивирано в интерес на неговото вечно благополучие и е истински любящо.

Ако обаче мислим за себе си, ако се страхуваме от това как детето може да реагира, ако по някакъв начин се нуждаем то да ни одобри, да ни валидизира, ако очакваме да получим нещо от него, а не да му дадем най-доброто, тогава можем да се поддадем на молбата му. И въпреки това си казваме, че сме безкористни и даваме, и обичаме детето си; но това е лъжа! Ходът на действие, мотивиран от безкористна родителска любов, е да правим това, което е най-добро за детето, а не непременно това, което то иска, дори и да се разстрои.

Този принцип се прилага във всички човешки взаимоотношения. Ако вашият съпруг има проблеми с алкохола и ви моли да му купите бира, какъв ще е любящият отговор? Заради любовта бихте казали: “Обичам те и понеже те наистина те обичам, не желая да подпомагам твоето самоунищожение. Ще направя всичко по силите си за твоето добро, за твоето здраве и благополучие, но не мога и няма да ти помогна да се самоунищожаваш”.

Представете си тийнейджърка на първата си среща, с младеж, който още тогава се опитва да наруши нейната добродетел. Може дори да й каже: “Ако ме обичаше наистина, щеше да…”. Очевидно, всички признаваме, че правилният избор е да каже “не”. Но защо това е правилният избор? Често отговорът е: “Защото се нарушава Божията заповед”; “Защото да се отдадеш при тези обстоятелства е греховно”,”Защото това би омърсило тялото, което е храм на Светия Дух”. Макар че всички тези отговори са верни, ако приложим закона на любовта, какъв отговор бихме дали? Какво е наистина е най-доброто за младия човек? В най-добрия духовен интерес ли е за него момичето да веднага да каже “да” на желанията му? И не само че е правилно заради Бог да му каже “не”, не само че е правилно да поддържа собствената си добродетел, но и ако тя обича младежа, ако е загрижена за неговата вечна съдба, отговорът е: “Не, прекалено много ме е грижа за теб, за характера ти, за ума ти, за духовното ти развитие, за вечната ти съдба, а такъв акт би ти навредил, затова не мога да се съглася”.

Следователно, когато обичаме другите така, както Бог ги обича, ние не даваме просто това, което те искат, а използваме  дадения ни от Бога и осветен от Светия Дух разум, да изберем да използваме енергията и ресурсите си за тяхно благословение, да ги издигнем, да им помогнем да израстват, да им помогнем да преживеят пълното изцеление на сърцето, ума и характера, за да бъдат като Исус. И често това ще означава, че с обич ще трябва да казваме “не”.

 

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Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

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 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, 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 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

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 76

Warm greetings from Tanzania! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and your team at Come And Reason Ministries for the amazing work you do. Your teachings have opened my eyes to deep biblical truths and how to live them out in real life. I started following the ministry back in 2018, and ever since, my walk with God has grown so much stronger. I’ve found freedom from fear-based faith and now live with more peace and trust in Him. I’ve also been sharing what I’ve learned, especially through Bible School discussions. Your lessons are so insightful and well-explained that I try not to miss a single one. May God continue to bless the work you’re doing.
Elisha M., Tanzania, Africa

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia