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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 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, 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 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

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 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 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 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 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

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 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada