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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 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 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 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

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 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 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

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 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 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, 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 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., 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